How different in January?

[PavelB]

We have gone to Unibersal and stayed at the Royal Pacigic every July for the last 8 years or so. We are lucky enough to take a short winter break in Orlando next week and of course we will stay at the RPc. So, how different will Januay be from July? Are we going to freak out with the cold weather? Can you even go in the pool? How weird is it when the parks close at 6? What do you then do at night? LOL! Even when we stayed for a week we would close the parks every night. BTW, this trip I am travelling with 2 18 year olds. And we will have a car. Thanks for any input.
ps. Have they really changed MIB?
pps We don't care about Harry Potter

 

[jds]

I'm curious about January crowd levels, etc. too. We'll also be at RPR next week and are hoping the crowds won't be too intense. We did this in January 2008 and found very few people in the parks; almost never needed FOTL--but that was before Harry Potter... We spent three nights/four days last time and felt it was too long, so this year we're only spending two nights/three days... when the parks close that early, it just feels like there's less to do/see. None of the sit-down restaurants were open for dinner, so we generally ate in CityWalk after leaving the parks. Went to a movie there one night too... Having a car will improve your options... You can always head to downtown Disney or elsewhere if you (or those 18-year-olds) get bored in the evenings.

The long-range forecast for next week isn't too bad (high 60s, low 70s, rain in the early part of the week but sunny Wed. through Fri.), but it won't be swimming weather (unless you're REALLY brave)... We were too wimpy to go on the water rides last time, but they were running...

 

[Metro West]

We have gone to Unibersal and stayed at the Royal Pacigic every July for the last 8 years or so. We are lucky enough to take a short winter break in Orlando next week and of course we will stay at the RPc. So, how different will Januay be from July? Are we going to freak out with the cold weather? Can you even go in the pool? How weird is it when the parks close at 6? What do you then do at night? LOL! Even when we stayed for a week we would close the parks every night. BTW, this trip I am travelling with 2 18 year olds. And we will have a car. Thanks for any input.
ps. Have they really changed MIB?
pps We don't care about Harry Potter

The crowds have been a lot heavier this month than in the past...mainly because of WWoHP. The Studios haven't been very busy at all so if you don't care about HP, you will find the parks very manageable. Since you will have a car, you can visit other parks and areas...Downtown Disney is a good suggestion. Or you can see a movie at CityWalk.

I haven't heard about any changes at MIB so I can't speak to that.

 

[PavelB]

I am amazed that the crowds at Harry Patter have kept up this long.
It will be weird to have to wear a jacket or even pants - lol. Usually my Orlando packing is so easy.

 

[tara lynn]

I've never been in July, but I was there this week and the crowds were really good (except at WWOHP). WWOHP was packed but most of the rides in both parks had very short waits, some were even walk on. Our longest wait was at The Simpsons Ride. I think our wait was about 40 minutes. Most rides didn't have waits any higher than 30.

The weather was very up and down. On the nicer days, it was chilly in the shade but warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt in the sun. I wore a sweatshirt or a not-too-heavy jacket almost every day and at night I would wear both.
I can't speak for Universal hotels as we stayed on Disney property, but some people at our hotel did go swimming a few days during the week.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I am amazed that the crowds at Harry Patter have kept up this long.
It will be weird to have to wear a jacket or even pants - lol. Usually my Orlando packing is so easy.

You're really going to be amazed in two years when the crowds for WWOHP are still high then.

As for wearing pants...How did you avoid arrest without them???

 

[PavelB]

I have never packed a pair of pants for my trips to Orlando. In July I wear only shorts or a sundress. I don't even bother with a sweater anymore. It is always in the 90's with 90% humidity. Just the way I like it. In January how does anyone go on Ripsaw Falls or any of the other rides where you get wet?

 

[Metro West]

I have never packed a pair of pants for my trips to Orlando. In July I wear only shorts or a sundress. I don't even bother with a sweater anymore. It is always in the 90's with 90% humidity. Just the way I like it. In January how does anyone go on Ripsaw Falls or any of the other rides where you get wet?

Beats me...I only go on water rides when it's 200 degrees outside.