Is January a good time to go to Disney World

[jamie3871]

I am new to this board and would love some good advice. Our family is thinking about January 2009. Could we have some suggestion? Thanks!!

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

I am new to this board and would love some good advice. Our family is thinking about January 2009. Could we have some suggestion? Thanks!!

My family and I have gone to WDW in January 2007 and 2008. We love January. We usually go right after the marathon weekend. We really enjoy this time of year.
The weather can be very unpredictable, so I highly suggest layers. Also a hat and gloves since some nights it is very chilly.
Both times we were there one of the water parks were closed, but to be honest we did not have too many days where we thought it was warm enough for swimming.
The weekends still can get crowded, but not high season crowded. Just plan your touring accordingly doing less crowded places on the weekends or saving time to hang out at your resort or shop on those days.
This time of year usually you can get a good rate on rooms. Watch for any discount codes that may come out.
Whenever you go you will have a blast!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We just done our first January stay, always went in the fall months and early winter. We went the 10 days before MLK weekend. Only suggestion is to go and return by February 14, then to March 29 is peak season, highest price rack rates for 2008, really got to watch those seasons and holidays, makes a big difference is prices of rooms. We always plan our stays in value seasons, less guests, resort not as crowded and all at a cheaper price plus easier to snag room discounts.

We never do the dining plan so it doesn't figure in when we go, we're room only type travelers and usually have AP's and this past January was a bonus trip to use our AP's for free, nothing better than going to WDW and not paying for any tickets. Would we go again, not too likely, we arrived and the temps were cold, 70's and though chilly during the day the steam coming off the pool was inviting, pool water was like a hot tub. The next day the temps soared to the high 80's, more to our liking, we were escaping the Ohio snow and cold and look forward to Florida heat and sun. We had a beautiful 8 days, afternoon shower, temps like I said high 80's and the last day the temps plummeted, cold again, hat and sweater weather during the day but hey, we were going home the next day. January weather is just a little unpredictable for us to chance on a expensive vacation, crowds were great, little until noon, weekends alot more guests, marathon never really impacted our stay much. All in all, on property experience was fantastic but weather is chancy.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

First of all.........


January is our favorite time to go! We will be there Jan 18-24...we love to go during this time. The weather is great, just bring a coat, we usually bring a heavy coat and a wind breaker type coat. We usually wear long sleeves and then put the lighter jackets in a locker till we need them. Also, this is the time when some attractions are closed down for maintenance. This Jan 08 Splash Mtn. was closed while we were there....we still had a great time! We have never used the dining plan, but are planning to use it in Jan, DH is leaning towards the deluxe plan, I've heard that it is a LOT of food, but the DH loves to eat while on vacation

I highly recommend going in Jan, low low crowds and the weather is great during the day, but can get a little chilly at night. The wait times are usually less than 45 mins. We've gone swimming and a water park, but we won't be doing a water park this time, everyone came home sick So we may swim in the afternoons at the resort but that's it. Have a fantastic trip!

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Welcome to the DIS. You will find lots of really great tips here. I enjoy spending time in January with my mom. Going without the grandchildren (mine) during this time is great. The weather is cool so not swimming weather at all. If you are interested in spending time at the water parks or the hotel pool this is not the time. If you don't mind cooler temperatures then this is a good time to go. The crowds are not as bad and lines are shorter than most other times of year. I usually go for 4-5 nights each January and enjoy the adult time. Since my own children are grown now and have children of their own, it is nice for grown-up time. If your children are not big on the pools or the water parks, then this part of the year is good. Just bring layers such as sweaters and a couple different weights of jackets. If it rains...it will be a cold rain so be prepared. Whenever you decide to go, enjoy your trip.

 

[ThruTheEyesOfMyChild]

Call me crazy ...but I think ANYTIME is a GOODTIME to go to Disney!!!!

 

[kelleigh1]

Our first trip together (hubby and I) was the week of MLK day. I think it was the perfect time to go. Other than MLK day, crowds were light, weather was perfect. It just couldn't be beat.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

We January! WDW is a perfect mid-winter break from the cold up north! We also love late November and early December at Disney!

 

[kelleigh1]

We January! WDW is a perfect mid-winter break from the cold up north! We also love late November and early December at Disney!

That's the other time we've been and now it's a toss-up as to when we'll go next time. Hubby is voting for the week after Thanksgiving, just like last year - but that's probably because his birthday is Dec. 1. (We'll never go for my birthday - it's the end of July.)

 

[fairymagick08]

That is one of the best times to go. It's one of the few times you get a break from the heat, and it's normally not that crowded. Just pack for both cooler and warmer weather. It might be really cold in the morning, but by the afternoon you'll be wishing you had shorts on.

 

[Crystal824]

Jan. is a good time to go if you aren't planning on swimming or going to the waterparks. With that being said, you may be able to do those things, but winter in FL is a toss up. It may be 80, it may be 30. You just never know. When I was a CP, we went swimming in December, but there were also days where a coat was required. Just be prepared.

 

[SFBayDon]

Jan is AWESOME. I am planning to go in the last week of Jan. One word of caution is if you have any “must do rides” check the refurbishment schedule. Some rides are taken off line during the early part of the year for maintenance.

 

[DrDeb]

ditto on Jan being awesome....WELCOME
we go in early Jan so we still see the holiday decs....nice weather-- and yes, be sure to wear layers-- and the less crowded... the better for me

 

[Kaia119]

I've been thinking about Jan. or early Dec. myself. Good thread.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

A few questions about January:

- In January, are the attractions that you would normally attend to escape the summer heat with A/C now heated? I'm thinking of Tiki Birds, Philharmagic, etc.

Our travel time choices are as follows. Which do you think would be better?

1) January 7-15th. The marathon in 8-11, MLK is the 19th.

- How much do you really notice a change in crowds during the marathon?

- I've heard the marathon causes road closes, does that affect the time it takes for you to get to the parks by Disney Transportation busses?

- MLK weekend starts Friday the 16th. How crowded to you think Thursday the 15th will be? Will the 16th be anything like summer crowds? We've only been once before the first week of June.

2) Jan 20-28. MLK is the 19th, The superbowl in Feb 1.

- How long do you think the MLK crowds will stay past MLK day (the 19th)?

- How soon do you think the superbowl crowds will show up? Earlier than the 29th (3 days before the bowl)?



[These dates were picked to avoid MLK weekend. Do you think the marathon days will be more crowded than the MLK days or are we assuming correctly that MLK will be more crowded?]


Thanks!

 

[snykymom]

OK, following on the previous post (we're also thinking of January), how are the crowds right after New Years? We're thinking Jan 3 - 10 or 4 - 11 or something like that, to get in after the holidays but before my d has to go back to college.

Anything going on that week that I should worry about?

 

[PrincessDesiray]

We went in Jan. of this year and it was awesome. We left on Dec. 31 and got there on the first. It was so nice because the decorations were still up. It was so quiet, we went for EMH in AM and PM and got on all the rides we watned with very little wait time. It was the coldest in five years when we went...it got as low as 55 for 2 of the days but the last three were in the 70's so we went to Tiki room and we went to all the other AC areas because it was just nice.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

OK, following on the previous post (we're also thinking of January), how are the crowds right after New Years? We're thinking Jan 3 - 10 or 4 - 11 or something like that, to get in after the holidays but before my d has to go back to college.

Anything going on that week that I should worry about?

Ive heard schools dont start back until the 5th, so it'll likely still be crowded until then but the fact that you have a long trip will probably help you out. I would try to do things at your resort, resort hop and look around or just enjoy the ambiance of the parks. It'll probably be long waits for major rides, so I would save them for later in your trip when there are less crowds. Each day the crowds will be less and less and probably by the 7th or 8th (reason we picked our starting date) they'll level off and be minimally crowded for the rest of your trip.

The marathon runs Jan 8-11. I'm still waiting to see what others say about how that affects crowds. Other than that, I think those are fine dates

 

[Laumau]

We went in Jan. of this year and it was awesome. We left on Dec. 31 and got there on the first. It was so nice because the decorations were still up. It was so quiet, we went for EMH in AM and PM and got on all the rides we watned with very little wait time. It was the coldest in five years when we went...it got as low as 55 for 2 of the days but the last three were in the 70's so we went to Tiki room and we went to all the other AC areas because it was just nice.

That's good to hear. We'll be arriving in Orlando (driving) and staying in near the parks on Dec. 31. We'll actually drive into Disney ( was thinking Epcot) and start our vacation on the 1st. I'm sure it'll be a bit crowded that weekend. We'll save Magic Kingdom for the Monday and Tuesday.

We're used to the weather in January because being from Central Texas, it's very similar to Florida's.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

We're used to the weather in January because being from Central Texas, it's very similar to Florida's.

We're from Austin. We're thinking our game plan will be pack what we would normally wear here at home, hoping the temps sync up. Is that what yall are planning to do?

Have you been in winter before? We're wondering if the humidity and stuff is about the same too. We've only been once in the summer.