How is Disneyland in January?

[Pluto468]

We had to postpone our trip yet again. Now I am booked for January 8-14th. 2 nights at Hyatt Place and 4 nights at Disneyland Hotel.

How are crowds that week? From what I've read they will be light but wondering if anyone has experience being there during that time frame.

Are alot of things down for refurbishment as soon as Christmas season ends on the 9th? I'm assuming Haunted Mansion will be down, and Small World.

Do the decorations disappear over night or last a few days after Christmas season officially ends?

 

[pharmama]

They usually take HMH down first and leave IASW Holiday up until after HM comes back. It looks like that will be the case right now (assuming IASW Holiday ever opens) as starting the 10th HM shows closed for Refurb. Also looks like Splash is going down on the 10th as well.

 

[DisSurfer878]

In addition to Splash which usually has a seasonal closure at this time, Grizzly River Rapids may be closed as well. It sounds like Small World will be down a long time. Also the water is completely drained at Pixar Pier in the lake, no word when that will change.

 

[Chickinvic]

The lower crowds will be worth the few ride closures IMO.

 

[njchris]

I don't think we can use past crowd levels to say how it is going to be. Things have changed. Plus people have been waiting for the parks to re-open. I'm hoping for lower crowdss.

 

[shosh1530]

Does anyone know when HM typically comes back up? We are planning on late January.

I'm preparing for things to still feel crowded even though I'm sure crowds will be less than in the holiday season or coming spring-break times.

 

[pindecisive]

January always used to be my favorite time to visit DL. It was quiet and the weather was great.

I echo what njchris said however, things are different now to the point that it's hard to know what will be open, or available when you visit. Things that could impact crowd sizes.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I'd actually bet that January will be a kind of return to normal traffic patterns -- that is, it's going to be much less crowded. I don't think MSEP will be back by those dates, they usually don't start that immediately after the holiday season.

BUT -- with HMH being flipped back and offline, IASW still closed (contrary to what DLR might say), other rides closed for refurb, and staff/hours pared back, it's going to *feel* more crowded.

Curious to see what the trip reports will read like for January.

 

[DharmaLou]

anyone have any idea if the lunar new year celebration will start in late January, or will it wait til February 1st when the new year actually starts?

 

[KateDrake]

We'll be there at the same time! We've previously gone in January and February, and while there are a few closures, the crowds are usually small enough to make up for it. Splash has always been closed during that time frame, but it's never been a must do for us anyway. GRR is also sometimes not running at that time, but again, still plenty to do. I'm hoping it will be a bit of a return to normal!

 

[MonocularVision]

BUT -- with HMH being flipped back and offline, IASW still closed (contrary to what DLR might say), other rides closed for refurb, and staff/hours pared back, it's going to *feel* more crowded.

This was how we experienced the parks a lot pre-COVID the years we had APs. The “off season” could often feel busier because of the rides being down or not running at full capacity (one side of BTTR, one elevator in Guardians). Also, fewer shows and attractions to suck up crowds. We felt like we got more done sometimes with a busier park. Of course, that was with FP and then MP which made lines very short.

 

[DisSurfer878]

anyone have any idea if the lunar new year celebration will start in late January, or will it wait til February 1st when the new year actually starts?

With Lunar New Year being on a Tuesday, I'd wager an educated case it will start the weekend before on Fri/Sat

 

[Pluto468]

Thanks for all the great replies! It sounds like there's a good chance of crowds being ok that week, even though we'll miss a couple of rides. I'd happily take a less crowded park over being able to go on specific rides. We arrive on the 8th so I'll just make sure we try to get on Haunted Mansion, Splash and Small world (if it's running) over the weekend. I noticed the park hours are much shorter, but that's ok. It means I might be able to actually rope drop without getting up at 5 am on vacation

 

[clb79]

anyone have any idea if the lunar new year celebration will start in late January, or will it wait til February 1st when the new year actually starts?

I assume you already saw this posted elsewhere, but its Fri Jan 21st thru Sun Feb 13th...

 

[DharmaLou]

I assume you already saw this posted elsewhere, but its Fri Jan 21st thru Sun Feb 13th...

Yep! I'll be there for it! Thanks!