How Crowded After New Years Eve?

[VLee]

I am considering taking the two grandkids from New Years to Jan 4 or 5. Is WDW still so crowded this week with holiday visitors? or does it slack off after New Years??
Thanks for any advice.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It usually slacks off quite a bit after New Years, but NYE is the most booked night of the year, so arriving after that would be your best bet at finding ressies now. This may actually be a little late for that timeframe. Crowds are quite dependant on school schedules that time of year, so if most schools will be going back on the 2nd, you might see crowds disappear quite a bit on New Year's Day.

 

[Straughn]

We have been to WDW several times from just before New Year's Eve thru the week after. The previous poster is correct in that when the crowds disappear is directly related to when schools resume after the holiday. If you are talking about going for NYE 2006-you should be fine. New Year's Day is a Monday which means that most schools (at least where I am) will resume on Tuesday. Therefore Monday is the big departure day. When New Year's Day occurs later in the week, it means that the parks will be more crowded thru the first weekend in January. When New Year's Day falls on a Thursday (and sometimes Wednesday) many scholls don't resume until the following Monday, meaning it is busy thru the weekend.

She is also correct about reservations. The hotels fill up quickly and many folks have already made their plans. I would make my hotel and travel arrangments ASAP if you want to go this year.

 

[DonnaL]

A few years back we arrived at WDW late in the day 12/30 and departed 1/6......we did not see any significant decreases until 1/4.......however, I don't remember what day of the week NYD was that year.....in 2004 we arrived on NYD which was a Thursday and didn't see a decrease until Sunday 1/4 also. However, from 1/5 thru 1/9, our departure date in 2004, the place was empty except for people coming in the Disney Marathon which didn't really affect the parks all that much. We are going in January, 2007 also, but opted for 1/13 thru 1/20 this time .........probably a few higher attendance days due to MLK weekend. IMO the only drawback to going in January could be the weather.....we've had really good weather and really chilly weather......however, even in the reallly good weather it does tend to get chilly in the evening.......so if you are a family who likes to take advantage of water activities January might not be a good choice. In 2004 even though the weather was in the low 80's daytime DH and I didn't swim at all......our kids and grandson did go to the pool at BWV one day, but, didn't stay too long at all.

 

[sean-1966]

We flew in the first a couple years back. The first and second were packed. The third was a Monday and the parks were great!!

 

[jaysue]

The 1st will be crowded, the 2nd will be busy and then things will fall off for the rest of the week

The weather will be fine if you are used to northern climate (like we are)

Let me know if you have any questions

Cheers
jaysue

 

[tomandrobin]

I'll echo the other posts. Once the kids are back in school, the crowds will drop way back down. NYE and NYD will be packed, but by Jan 3 should be emptied out.

 

[drusba]

Have been Jan 1 to 8 numerous times including last three years. With Jan 1 on a Monday, most will start leaving Jan 2, so Jan 1 will still be hugely crowded and Jan 2 will still be quite crowded. From Jan 3 through rest of week, it will not be too bad but still more crowded than most of the rest of Jan.

As to weather, it can vary hugely. 2005, the whole week was in the low 80's. In 2006, Jan 1 to 4 was in the mid to high 70's and then on the Jan 5, it dropped to a high of only 39 and only got a bit warmer for the next three days.

 

[dianeschlicht]

FYI, we LOVE that time for a WDW visit. We also like to be there for the big holiday itself. NYE is the best time at WDW!