Has any one been to Disney World in Januray

[Daisy'sMama]

Just be sure to still use sunscreen. There is nothing worse than wanting to wrap up in a blanket to wait for a parade, but you can't because your sunburn hurts. Not speaking from experience or anything...

 

[mickeymombecky]

We have been there for several yrs in row in first week of January and love it. We braved the frigid 2010 cold blast but even that was doable because it's Disney We do the marathon weekend and even with those crowds its still great. I would keep an eye on the forecast up until you leave and then pack a thick hoodie just in case.

 

[StarMoon]

While it can generally be pleasant weather wise the first week of January this year was downright cold. And I don't mean cold for Florida, I mean people from up North were cold and miserable. I'm talking icy. Arctic. Be prepared. We weren't. Check the forecast!

My friends and I had gone in Jan. 2010 and we're from the north. It was cold We had almost left our winter jackets in the car at the airport (at home) because we didn't think we would need them but at the last minute decided to take them and we were all glad that we did. I think that was also the year where nearly the whole country had record lows and I believe Florida was having a crisis with their crops because the crazy cold temps.

We still had a great time though despite the weather. It was unusually crowded cause it seemed like the whole country of Brazil was there lol but from what I gather from my friend who is a former CM it's not usually as busy as it was when we were there. Lines were never unbearably long and if it does get unseasonably cold there's always all the shops and indoor places to go to with heating.

 

[KuyaJeff]

I visited Disney World for the very first time this January, solo for the last week. For someone who is from the Los Angeles area, it was actually warmer in Orlando than it was in Los Angeles on my day of arrival. I was told my many CMs that the weather was unseasonably warm. I had gone around looking for weather predictions on forums and the such...packed according to those reports...lots of uneeded sweaters were packed.

I found the lines for attractions to be relatively short. Never really having to wait for more than 20 minutes. If I did see an attraction for 20+ minutes, I just pushed it toward the end of my day and the line usually died down by then. The lack of crowds were so great that I got to go on all the Tomorrowland attractions on my arrival night within just an hour!

I had such a great time...I'm going again next year, 2013, and I'm bringing a friend along!

 

[lmbcdb]

Ditto on the "be prepared for cold". We went January of 2010 (first trip!) and it was 19 degrees when we woke up and highs in the 30-40s the whole week. It can happen! That's pretty darn cold when you don't have a coat.

The parks were great. Shortest lines I've seen in all 3 of my trips.

 

[makingplans4WDW]

We were there at the end of Jan this year. It was great! A little chilly the day we went swimming but the short lines were well worth it.

 

[hotcarib]

Maybe this will help.
Jan
10-13 (marathon)
18-20 (cheer)
21 mlk
Feb
2-3 (dance)
9-10 (cheer)
12 Mardi Gras
14 Valentine's Day
15-18 dance and pres. day (pompon)
22-24 (1/2 marathon)
March
2-4
9
16-17
Those are times you DON'T want to be at the parks!
I love WDW in Jan./Feb.
However, it can be frigidly cold, damp and rainy. Mind, I'm always cold (but even DH brings a sweatshirt for these trips!...and shoes instead of his normal flips) I layer, wear Uggs and always carry plenty of Heatmax hand warmers.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

We were were there for marathon weekend last year and are booked to go again this year. We dressed in layers and brought umbrellas and ponchos just in case. The crowds were not too bad and we used FastPass for the popular rides. I think January is a great time to go!

 

[msp2mco]

Do be prepared for cold or hot weather by checking the 10-day forecast before you leave. We were there in 2005, and we practically froze (this coming from Minnesota!). I had invited my parents, and my mom wore 2 pair of pants one day, a thick wool sweater and a coat. I brought gloves for everyone in our party, and we were all happy to have them. However, the CM's said the day before we arrived it had been in the mid 70's and the day we left was equally as nice.

As everyone has mentioned, the crowds were lighter and the park hours shorter. More rides were down for routine maintenance too.

 

[digiMom]

We've been there in January twice. It got as low as 32 one morning and reached the mid 80s some days. If you want to swim, middle of the day will be the choice if the highs are enough. Morning and evening are only for the brave. You have to pack for more weather possibilities. There are closings on some rides and sometimes parades. It can be a bummer if it's a favorite.

We still used a rough touring plan. It consisted of doing the popular rides first. We got FastPass one morning for Toy Story Mania in HS around 9:30 a.m.; our return time was in the afternoon. Soarin we hit first thing - rope drop - and had a short wait. We would have needed a FP later, though. Other than that, rides were reasonable with short waits or FastPass. We tended to do a full day of touring since the parks close earlier.

We preferred it to October, but we had record highs in the 90s with close to 100% humidity, so I don't know that the comparison is fair...

 

[GraysMom]

We took DS7 for his birthday two years ago, during the third week in January. The crowds were ridiculously low and we didn't see a single tour group the entire week we were there. Like PPs were were able to get all the ADRs we wanted, at the times we requested (LeCellier twice ). Even with shorter park hours, the low crowds meant we could accomplish more in a shorter amount of time, get to bed at a reasonable hour (important to keep DS happy for the next day) and find seats together on every bus. It was a little chilly in the evenings but compared to January in PA, it was balmy! We'd love to go again in mid/late January, but with DS in school it's hard to do.

 

[SingingMom]

We took DS7 for his birthday two years ago, during the third week in January. The crowds were ridiculously low and we didn't see a single tour group the entire week we were there. Like PPs were were able to get all the ADRs we wanted, at the times we requested (LeCellier twice ). Even with shorter park hours, the low crowds meant we could accomplish more in a shorter amount of time, get to bed at a reasonable hour (important to keep DS happy for the next day) and find seats together on every bus. It was a little chilly in the evenings but compared to January in PA, it was balmy! We'd love to go again in mid/late January, but with DS in school it's hard to do.

This is good to hear! After five years of end of June trips, we are doing January 8 for 8 days. I don't mind missing pool time, I just hope we don't have to pack too many "warm bulky clothes". Will have to think about the best footwear since dd and I prefer flip flop uggs sandals! Lol

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Kimmumum]

We went a few times in January for the marathon. On our first trip we had been watching the weather reports and they were in the 60's so I packed jeans and sweatshirts. Literally as we were walking out the door I decided I should grab a couple pairs of shorts. Good thing I did. we ended up having a week of 90+ degree days. It was HOT!! Anyway, just wanted to say to make sure you dress for all types of weather. We were also there for New Year's one year and it rained non-stop for a solid week. Be prepared for anything!!

 

[GraceMonica]

Ill be there this january! I have gone in 07, 08, 09, 11 and 12. (Feeling kind of lucky I missed 10, because of how cold it was.)

In 2012, it was warm! Nice! It was reaching 80° some days!

I have noticed that crowds are getting worse every year. Especially if you get stuck behind a tour group. But if you fast pass it correctly, you will never have to wait long for anything!

I love going in January so much, i'll be there for 24 days!