Hotel Advise 1st week Jan. 2024

[Lduane1815]

Booking 2 days prior to cruise.
Looking to stay on-site Thurs - Saturday, Jan 4-6, 2024. Going to park Thursday & Friday.
Hotel rates to stay on-site are extremely high.
Didn't know if the parks will be busy those 2 days or not and didn't know if we need to get a hotel with the express pass.

There are 4 of us going - all adults and will be able to fit in one room for the 2 night stay.

Any advise is helpful.

 

[E2ME2]

Booking 2 days prior to cruise.
Looking to stay on-site Thurs - Saturday, Jan 4-6, 2024. Going to park Thursday & Friday.
Hotel rates to stay on-site are extremely high.
Didn't know if the parks will be busy those 2 days or not and didn't know if we need to get a hotel with the express pass.

There are 4 of us going - all adults and will be able to fit in one room for the 2 night stay.

Any advise is helpful.

That's a busy & expensive week due to Run-Disney
(the yearly Disney Marathons are usuallythe first week in January)
Good Luck

ETA: -OOPS - thought you were talking about on-site at WDW
Not as familiar with USO Resorts, but we did stay at Cabana Bay Beach Resort in January of 2021, and it was very reasonable, and a nice place to stay.

 

[AJA]

I think the parks will be crowded. Kids are still on vacation that week. Fridays and weekends are generally much more crowded at Universal as lots of locals and semi locals use 3 day weekends for Universal.

That said as a party of all adults it just depends on what you want to spend the money on. Is the visit for Lots of rides with shorter waits? Even paying the extra adult fees at the deluxe resorts, if you can fit in one room the savings on unlimited Express may actually cover the cost of the room.

Or does everyone want to experience the Harry Potter areas, take photos, try some different drinks, and have some nice meals on-site? Express Pass won’t help with any of the latter. Is everyone “ok” with skipping certain attractions if the line is crazy? and using single rider lines? If you are willing to be in the parks at rope drop that will really help with hitting some of the most popular rides before the 11am time when the parks really start to get packed.

No matter what you decide I would lock in a hotel rate asap. You can always cancel and rebook any hotel only reservation anytime (as long as it’s 5 days before your first night).