Is Unofficial Guide Right?

[have2getaway]

The UOG predicts that the second week in Jan. will be busier than the first week in December, but I have heard many people say that January is the winner. Which is it?

 

[reeanna]

Not sure about Dec. but I know that the Int'l Builders Show will be at the Orange Co. Convention Center again this year from Jan 11-14, 2006. We were there during last years convention and I thought it was busy during those times. I believe the show drew over 100,000 people this year and caused a few major traffic tie ups....they had a few evening events at MK and Epcot as well and we noticed that crowds were much heavier on those nights...

 

[rcraw45425]

Isn't that around the time of the MLK holiday

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

We traditionally go in early January. Last year, we went in early December to take advantage of MVMCP. January beats December HANDS DOWN in my opinion. January is usually walk-on lines. Early December, on the other hand, was gridlock! The MVMCP was sold out and it was shoulder to shoulder people!
This year, we're going again in January.

 

[reeanna]

MLK day was Mon 1/17 this year and the Builders Show was 1/13-1/16 so it made for a very busy weekend!! The crowds were manageable, although I thought a lot heavier than usual for Jan. We never experienced any walk-on rides this time. I've never gone in Dec., but from what I've read from trip reports etc., it sounds mush busier!

 

[trirae]

I have to laugh. I'm one of those crazy people who searched for the least busy time I could go. (Also had to deal with work dates). Picked right after the marathon/before MLK, and now UG predicts busier. Go figure!

I'm not too worried about it. It's Disney in January! Beats the pants of January in WI! And "crowds" will still be less than many, many times of the year.

But keep filling me in, everyone!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

For some reason I buy the new UG every year and each time we go we find that the UG isn't always on target. We have been in May, June, and January... Jan is definantly the best time of the year we have been to disney. As far as the UG goes for everything else, I wouldn't believe everything you read. The book has some good info and tips but IMHO they are a little too negative. Just remember to relax and really enjoy the whole disney experience, it will be great no matter what time of the year you decide to go.

 

[have2getaway]

Right now, we are planning to go 1/6 - 1/13. Should we try to go earlier--right after New Years? I thought the second week might be less busy. Won't must of the convention attendees be at meetings during the day? We do plan to have a good time regardless of which dates we select, but we are trying to go with our 4 year old who is very impatient.

 

[riu girl]

We are going 12/31-1/7. I have read that due to the Christmas/NYE holiday the first few days of January will be busy followed by some quieter days after that.

Can anyone comment on this??

 

[ladysoleil]

We'll be there before a cruise in January, and were warned about the convention. But, since our dates aren't flexible, we'll just play by ear and see how it goes. We'll be there for the weekend (1/13-1/16) so hopefully by then the conventioneers will have thinned out, but it's still MLK weekend. Either way, any MK is good MK.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

We are going 12/31-1/7. I have read that due to the Christmas/NYE holiday the first few days of January will be busy followed by some quieter days after that.

Can anyone comment on this??

We've arrived on Jan. 3rd before... pretty quiet.

 

[antkim]

We are going 12/31-1/7. I have read that due to the Christmas/NYE holiday the first few days of January will be busy followed by some quieter days after that.

Can anyone comment on this??

I can't comment on the crowds but I wanted to comment on your dates!! I'm sure you know this but 12/31 is peak season but 1/1 is value season. So if you can come one day later you will be in value season your whole stay which is a big difference in price. If you need to come in on the 12/31 then you can do 2 ressies.....1 for a room only on the 31st and then the 2nd ressie for the rest of the week at value season rate. Again, being a diser I'm sure you are already aware of this but I thought I would mention it just in case!

Kim

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I made a continuing ressie. I can't believe that I am paying $119 plus tax to stay in a value Dec 31 (works out to $167 CDN, YIKES). But then the next 6 nights are only $70.25/ntUS including tax (CAA discount) so thats better.
Thanks again for the tip.

Anbody else have thoughts on crowds the first week of January? I am hoping to get a couple ADRs for later in the week.

 

[antkim]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I made a continuing ressie. I can't believe that I am paying $119 plus tax to stay in a value Dec 31 (works out to $167 CDN, YIKES). But then the next 6 nights are only $70.25/ntUS including tax (CAA discount) so thats better.
Thanks again for the tip.

Anbody else have thoughts on crowds the first week of January? I am hoping to get a couple ADRs for later in the week.

OH GOOD! Have fun!! I think you should be just fine after the 1st!! School/work should make most leave!!

 

[nasmith]

The WDW Marathon (and Half Marathon) are being run Jan. 7 and 8....and MANY thousands of people come for that. I imagine that most come for at least a few days of theme-parking too! I know that we'll be there, and that some resort ressies for that weekend are already booked solid!

 

[lentesta]

The UOG predicts that the second week in Jan. will be busier than the first week in December, but I have heard many people say that January is the winner. Which is it?

I can check our data for specifics, but my guess is that if we say it'll be busier in 2006, it's because it was busier in 2005 and 2004. And by "busier" we're looking at things like number of people in hotels, wait times at the attractions, and so on.

If I had to guess, I'd say, as nasmith suggests, it's because of the WDW Marathon. Heck, I'm running in it, so you know it's gotta be popular.

Thanks for reading the book!

Len