Is January a no-line month??

[yeaitspootie]

I was wondering if my trip (Jan. 6-14) was going to have any walk-on rides, as in no lines. I LOVE when it works out, and I want to prepare myself for the kind of lines I'll be expecting. An example or two would be nice, thanks in advance.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Generally yes. January 2 through the start of Spring break is the slowest time at WDW. The attendance generally drops to ghost town status. However do keep in mind that the WDW Marathon events are from January 6-8 so the crowds will be a little heavier for the begining of your trip and you will probably have some park hour changes due to it (depending on the timeframe that the runs take to get through the parks the potential is there for delayed park openings on Januay 8...which is the actual Marathon day). But once the Marathon is over the crowds clear out pretty quick.

 

[luvsdiznee]

We went Jan 9 -14/2000. It was probably the least crowded time I have ever been. Spent more time walking in the ques to the attractions than waiting for the attraction! Enjoy!!!

 

[JerseyJ]

This year may be a different story since New Years day falls on a Sunday & the official holiday is Monday 1/2. UG has updated their predictions for increased crouds. Seems like more people are extending their Christmas Holiday.

Sure hope the crowds are low.

 

[princessarielle]

We'll be there at the same time. We always go in January due to low crowds and less heat. When we went on our honeymoon almost 9 yrs. ago in Jan. it was about the same time and I didn't really notice the marathon crowd at all. I think the marathon starts and ends in Epcot so check your schedule. You may not want to be in Epcot those days. You should be able to find info online about the marathon.
Have fun! Maybe I'll see you there!

Lori

 

[Lizzie_April]

It should be slow, but I think Cheerleaders come during that time too.

 

[antmaril]

There is a Builders' Convention in Orlando from January 11-14th. This convention draws approximately 110,000. I doubt that it will have an affect on park attendance because the conventioners will be at their meetings, but it may affect traffic, restaurants, Downtown Disney, etc. We are scheduled to be there from January 9 - 14th and I am a little worried about the impact of all of these people descending on Orlando.

 

[Joanna71985]

I hope January is low. I think I'm going down around January 2-6 and I hope it is not too busy.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Over the past year, we have noticed what seems to be a dramatic increase in the number of travellers during what once was "off-season." (We also experienced far smaller crowds in July, when the parks were typically very crowded.) That being said, my cousins journeyed to WDW at the end of January last year and were surprised by the number of folks there. They've always gone at that time and had never experienced crowds before. After years of years of January travel, they are re-thinking their travel dates this year. Hopefully, you will find earlier in the month less crowded.

 

[RumpleMom]

I read somewhere that some schools aren't starting back until January 6, so crowds could be staying a little longer at the beginning of the month.

We were there Jan 2-9 2005. The weather was 82 degrees and we swam 3 times. The beautiful weather brought out a lot of local people to enjoy the sunshine. I wouldn't say the crowds were very light, but it was much less humid, so more enjoyable.

 

[jann1033]

we were there in early to mid jan 04 and longest wait was one evening for tot( 15 mins, without fast pass) and i honestly think something happened to the attraction as the lobby was empty while we all waited outside the building...

we were there during the marathon and it was only congested in ak that emh morning till about 11( really more that lots of stuff in ak was closed so more people in the paths and on a few attractions although we didn't have any wait times then either, it was just hard to get around in the park).we left mlk weekend which was way busier so we skipped the parks. i'd say crowds for our stay were about the same as our previous Jan trip of 1996. i wonder how much hurricanes last yr impacted crowds for the rest of the yr.

the bad thing about Jan( other than crazy "mood swing" weather) is you have such short waits you really don't get to see much in the way of theming in the attraction entrances as you zip past( i had to think of something so everyone doesn't start going then !)

 

[Jim5150]

We have gone in Jan everytime we've been except last year when we went President's Week against my better judgement. We will never do that again!

Anyway, your dates should be great. I don't think the builder's convention should have a great impact.

Examples of the lines and ride availability: We usually head directly for Fantasyland in the MK and have ridden the Pooh ride with Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore in our carts. We can usually ride every ride in Fantasyland atleast twice with no lines at all. It is wonderful!

The weather can be hit or miss in Jan. I live in GA so I am used to that!!!!!

 

[Danthesand]

Over the past year, we have noticed what seems to be a dramatic increase in the number of travellers during what once was "off-season."

The days when DIS types were the only ones doing research into so-called "off" times at WDW are long, long gone, people.

Now, when planning a Disney trip, just about everybody and his brother goes to the library...or goes on line....or talks to their local "disney expert." Given the first issue most people have is "when to go," one of the first things they all learn are about the historic high and low seasons. And after doing so, a lot of people think "heh...I'll go during that "slow" period when nobody else is there..."

Problem is, too many people are now thinking that way. Or stated differently, the "slow" periods aren't so slow anymore.

 

[Mom2Rae]

Our trip technically started the middle of December '03 and my DD got sick the second we pulled up the gate! Decided to come back home the next day (12 hour drive back to Virginia Beach) and we went back the 2nd week of January and it was very crowded...I was shocked.

The FP's for the mountains were all given out by 12 noon one day and my husband and I were commenting on how packed it was.

We still had a WONDERFUL, MAGICALLY TIME and by far the crowds are still nothing compared to a holiday or summer.

Have a great time!

 

[In a hurry]

We won't stand in line more than 20 minutes, and missed several rides last Jan. It works best for us. So if you are thinking truly no lines, you will more than likely be surprised. If you are thinking much shorter lines than peak, then you will be dandy.

 

[ktbugsmom]

We were there last year from January 1-8 - and the crowds were not as low as I had hoped - but still very manageable. however, I would not say anything was walk on. But, the holiday was just ending and I think many people extended their trips through the week.

We are going this year, arriving on January 6 and leaving January 14 - like the OP! Maybe we will see you there!

Anyway, I am expecting moderate crowds for the first weekend due to the marathon, but since I am running the 5K on Saturday, I am part of that problem!

I have a friend who will be at the builders convention. He said they will be there Jan. 9-13 and they are expecting 130,000 people! Ouch. But, he said they mostly stay off site, but there is a big party at Epcot on January 9 - so maybe avoid Epcot that evening? We are staying at BWV, so we will head over there anyway since I am hoping to meet up with my buddy for one evening - so that might be the one, so I will have to endure big crowds!

My friend did say that last year in Orlando (not WDW), ALL of the restaurants were crowded. You could not get a reservation at the last minute. Service was horrible due to the influx of people. I am just hoping they stay away from WDW!

Also, weather wise - last year was fabulous! 70-80s every day. We swam every day... but I am not expecting that this year, but just about anything is better than Wisconsin in January!

 

[BunsenH]

How does MLK weekend affect crowds? We're going from Jan. 17th-21st and hope it's a 'slow' period.

 

[Candace]

MLK weekend will bring larger crowds also, probably because it is a 4 day weekend.

 

[momz]

we went last year the week following the marathon. arrived on Monday, left on Friday. Monday was a little crowded in the magic kingdom, but never waited longer than 20 minutes. it was made up for on the other days, especially the day my daughter and I rode splash mountain 3 times in a row without getting out, then she rode with my husband 2 times in a row without getting out. we all proceeded to POC and rode it twice as well. we also had this luck on goofy's barnstormer. i think this was the thursday of our trip, but not certain. in addition, at epcot, my husband and i took turns riding RCR. the lines were short enough we did not need to use kid swap (or whatever it is called). hoping for similar luck this year.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Momz -
You reminded me that last year on Friday at MK (Friday after NYE - maybe Jan 6?), I took my DD5 and my stepdaughter10 to MK for EMH. My husband slept in. We even got there late - 8:30am. We rode Splash Mountain 3 times (minimal waits) and then BTMRR 1 time before we went to meet a friend in Fantasyland. Usually, Fantasyland can get super packed and you can't find anyone - found her right away. No problems...

So I guess the crowds were not too bad. Hoping for the same this year.