Has any one been to Disney World in Januray

[jmaycheer2012]

Hey, so taking a trip to Disney in January. This is not my first trip but the first time in the winter season. Are the parks empty, are the lines short.

 

[ctl]

I took my DD for her birthday in early January a few times and it was fine. Lines are short, but park hours are reduced. Also, the only really busy time was when the Marathon was on, but that was mainly making sure you get ADR's. As the most of the marathon folks are actually participating in the races, it's not so bad.I can't tell you about MLK, as we always went in the first half of january after New Years Day, but before MLK. Have a great trip.

 

[Gina Loves Disney]

I was married in WDW on 1/5/2009 and we stayed from 1/2/2009 - 1/9/2009 and the beginning of that week was busier than the end... makes sense because of New Years and the end of school vacations.

The shorter park hours were annoying though.

We lucked out and weather was picture perfect!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

We went back in 2006, getting there the day after MLK. No crowds, hardly any lines, but the park hours are shorter and things like Fantasmic, and Spectro were not done every night. So a night at MK when Spectro was going on was still a very crowded night!
We lucked out with the weather too. Sunny and 70's except for our HS day; that was chilly and it was down in the 40's by the time Fantasmic was done.
We're going back January 2013 but to the dark side; Universal trip this time!

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

we were there the last week of January this year. Crowd levels were SUPER low. The longest wait time we had anywhere was 15 minutes. Most rides had signs posted saying waits of 20-45 minutes, but we never experienced a wait that long. Weather wise, we got really lucky. It was beautiful. Shorts and t-shirts during the day, capris and a light jacket at night. We even got to swim!

 

[makingplans4WDW]

we were there the last week of January this year. Crowd levels were SUPER low. The longest wait time we had anywhere was 15 minutes. Most rides had signs posted saying waits of 20-45 minutes, but we never experienced a wait that long. Weather wise, we got really lucky. It was beautiful. Shorts and t-shirts during the day, capris and a light jacket at night. We even got to swim!

Our family was there the last week of January too... It was my 40th birthday present (to myself ) and my kids' first trip to WDW. I agree that the weather was wonderful and the lines were short. No Fantasmic! though, and several rides were under refurbishment in addition to the shorter park hours. But I would make those sacrifices every time in exchange for the easy access to most everything we wanted. (Keep in mind that I did still come armed with a touring plan to minimize our wait times as much as possible.) My DS must have ridden Space Ranger Spin at least 10 times during our trip! We also went to 5 character meals and got every single ADR we wanted without a problem.

We went swimming one day as well, but it was a bit chilly for my taste. But the kids were having such a good time that they didn't seem to notice at all. All in all, a terrific time of the year to go.

 

[JimS4210]

We were also there the last week of January this year (Can't believe it wasn't crowded, based on the responses in this thread ). We love that time of year, low crowds, nice days and cool nights. As everyone else said, the only drawback is the shorter park hours. But that's a trade off I'll make any time.

We'll be back down around the same time in 2013. We're flying down on Feb. 3rd (Super Bowl Sunday) for 4 nights at Bay Lake Tower.

Jim

 

[BriarRose25]

I love going in the off season. Disney at January is great, provided you avoid the New Year's crowd. It can get a bit chilly so do bring a windbreaker and sweater. Layering works best. The park hours are reduced, but are still very reasonable and make up for the fact that there are smaller crowds.

 

[lmahon424]

Really depends on when in January - if you are going that first week when a lot of schools are still on break, crowds are a little heavier. Later in January isn't bad though.

 

[TinkerbellsMom0923]

We go every January, in the middle of the month. We have always had short lines although Splash Mt is closed every January. The weather is perfect for walking, sunny and in the 70's. A little too cool for swimming but perfect for me.

 

[livinlife25]

We are going in January next year, our first in the winter season too. I've gotten worried about the tour groups lately. I didn't realize they were so prominent in January

 

[GrimGrinningStitch]

We've done the end of January the past two years, and will be doing it again this year. We love it! In general the weather is nice, but it can definitely get chilly at night. In 2011, daytime temps were sunny and in the low 70s, but this past year every day was in the 80s.

As for crowds, there aren't many people at all, but there are a decent amount of Tour Groups. Just avoid them and you'll be fine.

The only other thing you'll have to deal with is ride/water park closures. One of the waterparks is always closed in January (it alternates each year), and some rides will be down for re-furb, but you'll usually know what's going to be closed ahead of time, so you can plan accordingly.

Overall, it's my favorite time of year to go!

 

[lufty]

We have been there a few times in January since that is my sons birthday. Both times we have managed to hit weeks where large tour groups were there and it was really crowded. Spent a lot of time waiting on rides. If we saw something with a 30 wait we thought we were lucky!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

We have been there a few times in January since that is my sons birthday. Both times we have managed to hit weeks where large tour groups were there and it was really crowded. Spent a lot of time waiting on rides. If we saw something with a 30 wait we thought we were lucky!

I am curious to know what time of the month you visited and had runins with tour groups. We are also planning to go to WDW for the first time in January. Thanks!!

 

[Akwafunk]

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!

 

[Q-man]

Hey, so taking a trip to Disney in January. This is not my first trip but the first time in the winter season. Are the parks empty, are the lines short.

When in Jan? Screwy school holiday calendar this year from x-mas falling on a Tuesday. Schools are out until 1/7. Mind the MLK 3 day weekend crowd as people pull kids out of school a couple of day 1/18-1/22 but I'd guess MLK weekend will be lighter than usual this year with being just 2 weeks after the end of the holiday break. 1/6 to 1/17 should be very light crowds with scattered Brazilian tour groups.

 

[LGH1946]

The parks are NEVER empty! There will always be some lines but just be glad it isn't July or August!! But I wouldn't worry about the weather. I have been in Jan. when it was pretty cold by evening especially. I have been in Jan. when it was wonderful. I would rather be a little cold than have oppressive heat!!

 

[tjwichmann]

Almost every time we go is January.
-Parks are less crowded but not empty. Average wait for lines is 15-45 minutes. It get's dark (and cooler) at 6ish so you can head to the parks after dinner and almost walk on the popular rides. (It's the #1 reason why we go in January).
-Pools are pretty empty
-ADR will sit you as soon as you get there. If we have dinner reservations set for 6:30, we check-in at 6:20 and 9 times out of 10 the CM sits us as soon as we are at their podium.
-One of the two water parks is always closed.
-There are at least one or two rehabs on a popular ride at each of the 4 parks.
-It's my opinion that Disney runs less busses so expect to wait or stand for transportation.
Have fun - going in Feb '13 this time.

 

[fuzzlekins]

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!

That happened to us in late Oct/early Nov a couple of years ago, so you just never know what the weather will do. For that reason, I pack capri pants (prefer them to shorts anyway), short and long sleeve shirts, and a North Face jacket. It was in the 40s DURING THE DAY for several days that week in 2010. We couldn't believe it. To be fair, it was a record low. Then it cleared up and was blissfully pleasant. Our last trip was this past Feb (beginning of Feb) and the weather was perfect! Warm and sunny but not hot at all. Lines were also very short in many cases. Absolutely no line for It's a Small World, the boat ride in Mexico, the Maelstrom, and a few others. In fact, even the Harry Potter simulator ride at Universal IOA had only a 15 minute wait - crazy! And I rode their Hippogryph over and over with no wait at all. I wouldn't hesitate to go in Jan or Feb, but I would always check Undercover Tourist's crowd calendar for the best weeks.

 

[DisneyRunnerChick]

I've gone for marathon weekend for the past two years. Though I've heard the legend of 2010- when it was freezing/raining/downright nasty, I've yet to experience such weather. The crowds, even during this event, weren't bad. We rode everything with no real wait times and had an awesome trip.

We always dress in layers because it gets quite warm in the day and chilly at night. Closed toe shoes are a must!

The one thing that wasn't so great at our last stay was the pool. We stayed at BC, so my kiddos were excited about SAB. However, the water was freezing! We thought it was supposed to be heated, but it definitely did not feel like it!