Help me pick dates for Jan 08 trip...Please!!!

[Lisa0503]

We went on our first family vacation to WDW in Sept and had such a great time, we are planning another trip for Jan 08. I have been trying to figure out dates to go but I am stumped. We want to go for 8 nights (preferably before Jan 20th since my cousin can house/dog sit then before she goes back to college) It seems that in January there is a Marathon (which I have heard can be a busy time at the resorts & the parks) on the 13th and then MLK weekend is the next weekend... Which weekend is LESS busy for DVC...and the parks also? We will be booking at our home BWV but I would really like to change to a 1 BR at VWL at the 7 month mark. Which weekend might be easier to make a switch for?

Thanks so much for your opinions and help!

 

[Starr W.]

Since the whole month is in Adventure season(lowest points per night), my guess is that it maybe a very popular time for DVC visits, regardless of MLK and the Marathon.

 

[Lisa0503]

I figured it would be a popular DVC time... That is why I am making sure I get my ressies at my home resort of BWV at the 11 month window which I love so even if we can't switch we will be there!!! As per the two weekends, MLK or the Marathon, which is the 'lesser evil' when it comes to crowds and possible changes to our DVC ressie for a switch to VWL....

 

[edk35]

We have been twice now the end of Jan. PERFECT as far as crowds go. We went Jan. 25th through 31st of this year. It was great.....colder than the Jan. two years ago..but still a wonderfully low crowd time. We just became DVC members..so I am not sure about how filled the DVC resorts are. I just know that we now LOVE the end of Jan. I know MLK weekend is crowded and I too have heard Marathon weekend is crowded too.

 

[canwegosoon]

I think both weekends people fly in and out for the weekend...so no way to avoid it. If you go at the beginning you have a chance that some of the decorations might still be up, but other than the dates mentioned, it should be very quiet. There are alot of snowbirds that move in for the month at DVC properties.

 

[DanenRox]

We vacationed this year 1/6-1/12. Arrived on Marathon weekend and found the Marathon course a bit inconvenient (affecting bus transportation and foot paths as the course goes RIGHT THROUGH Animal Kingdom.) On the up side, we found the runners inspiring and watching the run was uplifting and surprisingly emotional. The parks, generally, were more crowded than I expected (60 min waits for Soarin', Test Track, Expedition Everest). We had made our dinner ressies at least 4 mos. prior but sat within 5 min of arriving at ALL restaurants. Lots and lots or foriegn visitors, Brazilians I think. Great weather, highs in the 80's, lows in the 50's. Wore everything from Sweatshirts to Bathing Suits.

 

[corinnak]

We have been there for MLK week the past two years, never for Marathon. I imagine that the marathon route could be more globally problematic in some respects, as regards traffic. There are certainly more people over the 3 day MLK weekend than there are the rest of the week, but we had a fantastic day at MGM this year on MLK. Last year, Epcot seemed a bit on the very full side, though. We figured that the RnR rehab actually helped us with the lower crowds that day, even though we were sad that we didn't get to ride. Trade offs.

I am sure that you could have a great trip either weekend, though clearly, you know which one I'd pick.

 

[rigsby25]

We usually go the week after MLK and it is empty! When looking at pictures, people have commented on how early we got to the parks since it wasn't crowded. This was without the extra magic morning hour. It has been our experience to have at least 1 80 deg. sunny day during that week for the pool. Low 70's elsewise. Rides are virtually walk on so you can do the park and come "home" to relax.

 

[DisneyMama27]

We have been twice in January (just got back and I'm in withdrawal! ) It is a GREAT time to go, though the evenings are a little cooler. We went Jan. 18-24 for DD 8th birthday. It was definitely more crowded on the weekend, and there were no special events going on, but on the weekdays we walked onto just about everything and had no trouble with ADRs.

My advice: plan to enjoy the resort/pool/DD and DQ (both were pretty empty on the weekend, to my surprise) on the weekend and do the park stuff during the week. ALso, I would plan to eat at resorts on Sat/Sun instead of in the park. Just my 2 cents, but that's how I'd do it if I could go again.

(It was warm enough to the kids to go swimming - pool was heated. I of course forgot my suit, so I ended up buying one to enjoy the hot tub. The kids LOVED the pool!)