has anyone gone the 3rd-4th weeks of january?

[disneydeb]

what are the crowds like? the weather? dinner reservations if you dont ps? also it is one of those times of year when you can just walk on/off rides with no wait? any other info that would be helpful? thanks in advance

 

[minkydog]

we visited during the last week of January 2005. The crowds were manageable, although there were more people than i expected. Most days the weather was warm, lots of people swimming. Evenings were cool. One day is drizzled all day and was pretty cool. We had PSs somedays, but we easily got seating when we spontaneously dropped in at Le Cellier at 11.30am We also dropped in at the GF for tea and got seated after a 30 min wait.

I would definitly go again at this time of year. We certainly loved the weather, but then the last time we were there in january it was 32 degrees, so there ya have it

 

[Amy&Dan]

We went last year from the January 27 to February 7. The crowds for the most part were low during the week and moderately busy to busy on the weekends. Except, our last Sunday (Feb. 6) was a madhouse at MK. There was some cheerleading competition, there were cheerleaders everywhere (but they were all nice, there were just a bunch of them). Also, Mardi Gras was that next week so some of the Louisiana schools were out and a bunch of people had come to WDW. I would think if you avoid MLK weekend, January should be fine. Bring warm clothes and gloves, we certainly needed them last year. We also wore some shorts and swam (pools kept nice and warm) but during the evenings and early morning it was chilly. I made ps' (ADR's) about a month in advance and got everything I wanted. If they should offer free dining during your visit like they did this fall however that could make ADR's harder to come by if you wait too long. Also, EMH was much less busy during our Jan/Feb visit than it was when we went back in April. We really enjoyed that time, park hours were shorter but the low crowds made up for it! Even with pretty low crowds however we never got to just "walk on" rides or keep riding anything without getting off. I am not sure that happens too much anymore.

 

[Disneyof3]

2 years ago for the first time we went the 3rd week in January, and I didn't think the lines were bad at all. The bad side is the weather is not that great. Last Feb.05 we went and it was warmer and the crowds were the same.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've gone the end of January a few times and early Feb once. If you don't want to be sure of swimming weather and you don't mind weather that can be cool (and can be warm), I think this is a wonderful time to visit. The crowds are low. Make sure you go after MLK weekend and before Pres Day weekend.

I'm planning on going back with my DD this January and will probably go the week after MLK weekend.

 

[laurabelle]

We went for the weekend Jan 21-23, 2005. Sat. was nice, light jackets for evening, we wore flip flops... here's a pic:

Sun. a cold front came through. Wore coats at MK all day, riding the TTA was brrr chilly! Here's a pic:

Mon. morning it was really, really cold! But hey, we were at WDW! At home, they got 8" of snow that weekend...

Crowds were nonexistant, no ride waits, though we could not walk up and get a table for dinner at Le Cellier... I don't think you can ever do that again, it's too popular now. We had ressies for Chef Mickey's before we arrived for my dd's birthday, that was the only place the kids requested. We did counter service the rest of the time.

We went in Feb. 2002 and it was warmer. As long as you don't go during MLK or Presidents Day holidays the crowds will be low that time of year.

 

[harvey]

We went for the weekend Jan 21-23, 2005. Sat. was nice, light jackets for evening, we wore flip flops... here's a pic:

Sun. a cold front came through. Wore coats at MK all day, riding the TTA was brrr chilly! Here's a pic:

Mon. morning it was really, really cold! But hey, we were at WDW! At home, they got 8" of snow that weekend...

Crowds were nonexistant, no ride waits, though we could not walk up and get a table for dinner at Le Cellier... I don't think you can ever do that again, it's too popular now. We had ressies for Chef Mickey's before we arrived for my dd's birthday, that was the only place the kids requested. We did counter service the rest of the time.

We went in Feb. 2002 and it was warmer. As long as you don't go during MLK or Presidents Day holidays the crowds will be low that time of year.

We were there the same week! It was REALLY cold at MK that day! We're going again the same time this coming January and I'm hoping for a *bit* warmer weather.

 

[disneyvoice]

We were there during that time period a few years ago. It was very chilly in the morning - we wore shorts with sweatshirts and were VERY cold. However, by the afternoon we were either very comfortable or actually took our sweatshirts off and stored them in a locker. I think the afternoon temperatures were in the high 60s to low 70s every day when we were there. We are from Indiana so this was a heatwave for us!! We did put on jeans and sweatshirts in the evenings though because, again, it was very chilly.

We literally walked onto every single ride without ANY wait at all. In fact, we laughed all the time because we still had to maneuver our way through the twists and turns of the ropes in the que areas even though we were the only people in line. Then we laughed again because even though no one else was behind us the CMs would still always ask "How many in your party?" I was amazed because I had planned out our itinerary and although I had entire days planned at each park, we ended up getting through every park in about 1/2 day since the crowds were so low.

We did have ADRs for our meals, however the place was so empty that I'm, sure we could have walked into any restaurant, at any time, and gotten in without an ADR. We were even able to make an ADR for Cindy's the day before the wanted to eat breakfast there!

 

[jackmac]

I was there the last weekend in January 05 for a golf weekend. Coming down from the Northeast it was great weather. Daytime went from a little cool in the morning to very nice during the day. Nights were cool. It was not pool weather, although I did get some time to hang out by the pools. The crowds were very light. We were able to get into all restaurants with no problems. It was perfect golf weather. I'm going back down the last weekend of January 06 for another golf weekend.

One note. talking to CM's there: January is a risk. It was cold the week before we went last year. On the bright side, there was no snow.

 

[bicker]

We have been visiting the third or fourth week in January for many years (often as part of a business trip -- the fourth week of January is the annual Lotusphere Conference). The weather has varied, from moderate to cool to downright cold. The crowds have never been an issue -- we rarely experienced a substantial wait for any attraction. We'll be there again the third week of January this coming year, with young ones in tow (and I may even have to go back myself the week after to attend that conference).

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We went the same time as Laurabelle last year. When that cold front came through it was COLD.
To me the crowds are low, after Tuesday of MLK weekend, we walked on everything, never had an ADR, even got a lunch at CP that morning.
But it was way too chilly to swim. Even being from PA, I want it in the 80's with a water temp in at least the high 80's , and that didn't happen. We visited in Jan. 2001 also, and the weather was about the same.