How's the weather in early January?

[mickeywho?]

We've gone down in February in the past and found the weather cool and warm - a nice spring mix. Although too cool to take advantage of much pool time.
What the weather like in early January - too cool for the pool?
We'd be there the week after new year's - are we looking at long lines for the parks?

Would love some opinions...
TIA

 

[DMKEDM]

We've been to Disney during the first two weeks of January a couple of times (altho we prefer early December, so we can experience the holiday magic)...

In our experience over the past 15 years , weather is somewhat variable...we found whole days where water parks and resort pools were perfectly fine; and only 2 days total (in November, December & January, in our 15+ trips to Disney) where it was too cold to swim from late morning thru late-ish afternoon (4 or so)...but those two days were "winter cold" (40s and 50s)...so, to some degree, it's the luck of the draw in terms of what kind of particular weather pattern is in place during your trip...but we always plan on being able to use both the water parks and the pools and we've never had a trip when we were completely "weather-ed out"...

Crowds are sparse in early January, too...particularly as compared to Thanksgiving weekend and June and July...of course, you could hit a special event--a convention, or I'm told there's a "Disney Marathon" or something like that...but generally, crowds aren't an issue...

Is there ever a bad time to visit WDW???

 

[ScooterL]

Marathon weekend is the first weekend after New Year's - January 5-7 next year. The parks are generally not crowded at that time but the resorts are packed Friday-Saturday nights (and often Sunday) with runners. On race days (Saturday and Sunday) there can be long travel delays getting to/from MK and Epcot - AK and the Studios are only affected on Sunday, and they aren't too bad, unless you're coming into the Studios from off-site. I'd recommend avoiding Epcot and MK in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday.

The weather varies...two years ago it was in the low 80s that weekend, and this year it was ~50 on Saturday (low of 32!) and ~65 on Sunday (low of 35!). From what I understand, mid-to-upper 60s is the typical high, and lows are typically in the upper 40s/low 50s. It usually doesn't rain much at that time of year.

 

[drusba]

For what to expect (the unexpected), our experience for Jan 1 to 8 in 2005 and 2006:

2005: ideal weather, high 70's to low 80's everyday

2006: Jan 1 to 4 was in the high 60's to mid 70's; Jan 5 it got cold with day temps in the low to mid-40's and then it warmed up a little bit daily until we left when it was low 60's.

Lines: extreme Jan 1-3 in 2005 and 1-2 in 2006 (Tuesday was the beginning of the clear-out for both years), then not bad afterwords (although still somewhat more crowded than a true off-season).

 

[RumpleMom]

We were at WDW January 5-12, 2006.

We had some days when we wore jeans, t-shirt and sweatshirt to start the day. DH wore shorts because it was Fl and of course you wear shorts in FL . Later in the week, it warmed up for us to go swimming 3 times. Temperature was middle 70's and lots of sunshine. You have to plan for everything.

January 2005 I was wearing my winter coat at PI in the evening. DH did wear trousers in the evening then.

 

[simzac]

For what to expect (the unexpected), our experience for Jan 1 to 8 in 2005 and 2006:

2005: ideal weather, high 70's to low 80's everyday

2006: Jan 1 to 4 was in the high 60's to mid 70's; Jan 5 it got cold with day temps in the low to mid-40's and then it warmed up a little bit daily until we left when it was low 60's.

Lines: extreme Jan 1-3 in 2005 and 1-2 in 2006 (Tuesday was the beginning of the clear-out for both years), then not bad afterwords (although still somewhat more crowded than a true off-season).

We were also at WDW the past 2 January's during these same days, and you hit everything right on the head. 2005's weather was absolutely the best anyone could every ask for.

 

[mamacatnv]

January 1-5, 2006:

Temps varied from high 60's to low 80's - some eve's & early a.m.'s we wore sweatshirts and some not. We wore tanks, shorts & capri's during the day.
One morning of rain that cleared up after breakfast.

Crowds: Heavy thru the 2nd, noticed them lessening along about the 3rd.

Have fun we are at POFQ 1/1-9/07