Is Jan. a good month to go?

[Exp.626Stitch]

Hey

We just got back today from our first trip to Disney. We had an amazing time and can't wait to go again.

That brings me to my question...we're planning to go back in late january (24-31st) and we were wondering what the weather and crowds are for this time??

any help is appreciated!

Thanks

Tracey

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

We're going 1/23 - 28 and have been going around that time for 5 years.
The weather is cold by Florida standards, but that doesn't bother us coming from CT. Last year was one of their colder spells at that time, 30's overnight and
50 - 60's during the day. Other times it's
been a few degrees warmer than that, but still in the 40/50 degree range at night
and 60's, maybe 70's (if your lucky) during the day. Plan accordingly.

Concerning the crowds, hardly any. However , based on the above water rides have no wait...Kali, Splash Mountain, etc. I believe BB is closed also at this time for seasonal refurbishment. Mostly conventions at this time.

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by Exp.626Stitch
Hey

We just got back today from our first trip to Disney. We had an amazing time and can't wait to go again.

That brings me to my question...we're planning to go back in late january (24-31st) and we were wondering what the weather and crowds are for this time??

any help is appreciated!

Thanks

Tracey

We will be be there that week as well, and this will be our 6th time going in January. The crowds are nil, and the weather can be tempermental, but nothing like where we hail from. The parks close earlier, as it gets darker sooner, but because the lines are so reasonable, we always feel we get a full day's worth of rides/shows etc. Our evenings are always enjoyable back at the resorts....we feel like we can actually *enjoy* the activities there because of the earlier park closings.

It's a wonderful break from Old Man Winter in the north...that week of Disney magic in the middle of the winter always gets me thru to spring, and it's so nice to see green, growing things in the parks....EPCOT always has a beautiful display of pansies, roses (at MK too), and all manner or springtime flowers. Almost never rains.....

Things just feel more relaxed, quieter, etc. We *did* use the fast pass for 3 rides....and the kids' rides at MK are always busy in the morning.

Pack for hot and cold. I layer long sleeves over short sleeves so I can peel layers when it gets warm in the afternoon. Bring gloves and a hat for watching Illuminations; it can get pretty nippy waiting for the show! Capris are great, as are light weight sweats over shorts.

hth.

 

[cathy59]

January is a great time to go for low crowds -- just avoid MLK weekend!

One year it was 85 degrees, next year it was 40 degrees for the same weekend! Just check the Orlando forecast online before you pack.

It's my DH's favorite time to go! Have fun!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

The crowds tend to be very low. Since you are coming from Toronto, it will be quite warm by comparison. We love January at WDW.

 

[Exp.626Stitch]

Thanks for all the advice everyone

Now, I have one more question... what is the best week to go? We were thinking the last week of jan 24-31st. Is there anything going on that week that I should know about or is it less crowded that week?

Thanks again

Tracey

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Is there anything going on that week that I should know about or is it less crowded that week?

We'll be there that week!


Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 17, 2005. That weekend should be a bit busier than the following weekend. We chose the week you are planning on because we believe it will be the least crowded week in January.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

We normally only go in Jan- May. The crowds are very minimal

As being a FL resident its a lil cooler this time of year. But cooler im meaing 40's - 70's. So this should be warmer for your standards. One thing to remember is its damp here in the morning so that makes it feel a little cooler.

The bad things about coming in JAN-FEB. MLK tends to be a busier weekend. Jan 14-17 so if you can avoid that weekend I would try. Us Floridians get great laughs at watching the northerners go to the pool and TL and BB. I AM LIKE THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD IM GETTING IN THAT.

The out door rides might not open on time.

Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Test Track

This is due to the grease so they say. They say it has to be a certain temperature for them to operate. But usually by 12 there all open.

If you go around Valentines, Disney has some special pin's. We usually go just to collect these.

Good luck and enjoy your stay and we'll probably be there too.

Doug

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by Exp.626Stitch
Thanks for all the advice everyone

Now, I have one more question... what is the best week to go? We were thinking the last week of jan 24-31st. Is there anything going on that week that I should know about or is it less crowded that week?

Thanks again

Tracey

Well that last week is Lotusphere, which is a big ole computer geek convention at the Swan/Dolphin (which is why we go every year at this time, for dh to get his fix). They host 5-6,000 folks, and you'll see black and yellow backpacks everywhere, but it doesn't affect the park attendance. At least not that I've ever noticed in the years we've gone during this time.

We've also done Disney in July (NEVER AGAIN....the heat is atrocious and even though the crowds didn't seem too bad, the South American teenage tour groups were um, not something I'd like to see EVER again). We've also gone in May, which is perfect weatherwise, but the crowds definitely pick up compared to Jan. The biggest downside was riding the DW buses at night because of the LONG waits and standing room only journeys back to the resorts.

One other thing about Disney in Jan.....you can sometimes get some really great rates on rooms both on and off-site. This year we will be staying at Cyress Pointe Resort off-property in a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom/full kitchen condo for $110 per night. It's right near DTD.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Lotusphere, thats what all those people with the yellow shirts are for.

We where ther last year and you could tell there whey computer of some type and I think I even seen several wearing Lotus shirts.

But she is right they really dont effect the parks. But they do have different areas in EPCOT in the evenings for Illuminations blocked off for them as well.

Doug

 

[Exp.626Stitch]

Thanks again everyone!!

All this information is very helpful. Since, this will be our second trip I think it will be easier for us to plan the things we want to do and things we don't need to see.

Anyone who has gone in January, what time do most of the parks close at? I assume it will be around 6:00 because it gets darker earlier but any info is appreciated.

Thanks

Tracey

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by Exp.626Stitch
Thanks again everyone!!

All this information is very helpful. Since, this will be our second trip I think it will be easier for us to plan the things we want to do and things we don't need to see.

Anyone who has gone in January, what time do most of the parks close at? I assume it will be around 6:00 because it gets darker earlier but any info is appreciated.

Thanks

Tracey

I"m thinking 7 is when the fireworks go at MK. Epcot is open til 9 because of Illuminations, although not sure if Future World rides are still operating past 7. Animal Kingdom didn't even open til like 11 I think and closed the earliest (6?), can't remember exacty as we skipped that park last year.

Someone correct me if I"m wrong, lol.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

MK is usually 6 or 7 depending on the day
Epcot is usually 9 or 9:30 for world showcase and usually 7 for Future World
MGM 8 or 8:30 depending on the day
AK 6:00 pm

Blizzard and Typhoon depending on which is open is usually 5

Good point in pointing out that it usually gets dark around 430-5 and by 6 its completly dark.

But trust me youll still have plenty of time to see everything, even with the shorter hours.

Doug

 

[harvey]

Originally posted by GOOFYFREEK
Lotusphere, thats what all those people with the yellow shirts are for.

We where ther last year and you could tell there whey computer of some type and I think I even seen several wearing Lotus shirts.

But she is right they really dont effect the parks. But they do have different areas in EPCOT in the evenings for Illuminations blocked off for them as well.

Doug

Yeah, they have a HUGE bash in the area between the Swan/Dolphin the Monday night. Loud music, food, dancing, and quite abit of liquor flowing, although I didn't see anyone getting out of hand. The music would only be bothersome if you were actually staying at the S or D. We were in YC and it was fine.

During the day, the attendees are in seminars and such. If they brought families, they do the parks before or after the conference. We've done both, and again, there doesn't seem to be any difference in crowds at the parks.....just lots of t-shirts and 'bumblebee bags' (as my kids called them). The conference resort pools get a bit crowded if the weather is nice, cause Mom has to do something with the kids, lol. Even then, nothing huge or bothersome. (conference hotels are BC, BW, YC, S & D, POFQ and CBR I believe)

 

[Exp.626Stitch]

Well I just found out that I can't take the 24-31st week off work. So We're thinking of going Jan 18- 25th or Jan 31st- Feb 6th. Which one of these would be better?? Or shounld we go even earlier in January? I just don't want to go over MLK weekend or go to late in Feb. and get all the college breaks.

Thanks

Tracey

 

[AimeeM]

We went over MLK weekend this january and the crowds were awful!! We go every January! January 2005 will be our 7th January trip! THis year, I thought Id try and have the kids miss less days by going over MLK and I thought that by Monday the crowds would be gone. I didnt notice a huge difference until Wednesday after MLK!!! I was disgusted as we are so used to no crowds in January. If MLK is on January 17th, you may still have crowds on the 18th,but thats probably it. We are going from the 28th-Feb 5th. Im hoping that we get a little warmer weather too. Crowds dont start picking up until Presidents day weekend in February and thats not until around the 20th! I think either week you have to choose from will be great!!