Is early January CROWDED?

[jfranklyn]

I'm just reading the other thread about the BEST time to go, and everyone's talking about the end of January, but not the beginning.

We are leaving home on the first, with our 1st day in the parks being January 3. I expect the 3rd/4th weekend to be crowded, but will the following weekend be really crowded too? Ugh!!! Help!!

 

[mep319]

We went the second week of January this year...crowds were very low...weather not so good. I think that is where you take your chance...it was in the 30-40s very cold. Still warmer than it was in Philly but COLD. And not even the weekends were crowded (of course they were having record lows so I'm not sure how that effected things!)

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

We have been many times in January. While the weather can vary it isn't as cold as December and we find the crowds to be fine. But as I always say crowd level is purely a matter of what you are used to. I think people who complain about 60 minute Space Mountain waits are insane while others might think that is intolerable. We are trying to plan a quick weekend this January, my feeling is the less you plan the more enjoyable a time you have.

 

[St.LouisFan]

We are also leaving on the 1st, with the 3rd being our first day in the parks. Everything we have learned is that the 3rd and 4th could be a little more crowded than the following week, but the crowds will be minimal, due to the fear of cool weather, I guess.

We would rather take the chance on it being cold than fight large crowds and long lines. A past trip in January was great with no crowds and walking onto popular rides! Many CMs were wearing heavy coats, mittens, and earmuffs while my son and I wore shorts. We got a lot of "You people aren't from around here, are you?" but low 50's in St. Louis in January is a heatwave!

We can't wait!!!

 

[Mickey527]

I go every year from Dec 28th to Jan 10th. It is extremly busy until Jan 3, then the crowds go and the parks are great.
During the week from Christmas to New Year I do alot of atmosphere viewing. Taking in the resorts and the decorations, going to the shows like Off Kilter and the Chinese acrobats that I would miss doing the race to the rides, and taking tons of pictures for families who always seem to appear that dad or mom stayed home because they are never in the picture.
On Jan 3 and for the rest of the week the lines are almost nil. wait times for big rides like splash and space mountain are less than 1/2 hour, and you can get the entire MK done in a day.
Park hours do shorten to either 6 or 7, I don't remember but you do get a full day due to the lesser crowds.
This year the marathon is later so you won't even run into the big crowds that appear the day after the marathon.
Looking forward to my trip again this year, but I am sure going to miss the Osborne lights.

 

[firstWLvisit]

Thanks for the info Mickey527!

DD4 and I will be arriving on 1/7 and staying at WL until 1/13. When do the holiday decorations come down? Should we worry about numerous PS for dinner, or can we wait until we arrive to take care of it?

Also, we want to be prepared for the weather. What do you suggest? We are from South Texas so I guess you could say we are wimps. We could handle 50s comfortably. What has the weather been like in past years - save the freeze of 2003.

My plan was plenty of layers. Any advice would be appreciated.

Chelle

 

[Muffy]

Chelle, I would definatly make your PS's from home. We go every year at this time and it makes it so much easier to have your PS's done in advance. Be prepared for all kinds of weather in Jan. Bring bathing suits, shorts, T's, jeans, jackets, hats and gloves. In the morning you wil be glad you have the hats and gloves. It usually starts out cold in Jan but warms up as the day wears on. Mittins and gloves are very expensive in the parks so don't forget to pack them! have a great time!