Jan. 21-27 Wilderness lodge

[yooperfan]

I am so excited. My husband and I just found out my parents won't be going with us on our next trip. I know that sounds awful, but we very seldom get to go anywhere alone. Love them dearly, but.....
Anyway, we will be going Jan. 21-27, 2004. My questions are:
What is the weather usually like at this time of year and what kind of AP or code rates did anyone get last year? We have never gone at this time of year and so I haven't really paid too much attention. Also, how are the crowds and is anything going on then? Thanks in advance!

 

[Blondie]

January and February are my favorite times to visit WDW! However, the weather can be very fickle! The crowds are almost non existent!

During our January trip this year it went from 73 degrees one day, down to a record breaking 28 degrees!

We stayed at the WL, woods view room that looked across to the Wilderness Lodge Villas. I took this photo of the frost on the rooftops, something Florida rarely sees! It made it feel more like a ski lodge! Needless to say, we froze that day, but the parks still had a good amount of people, that was on January 23 or 24th!

Make sure you pack for any kind of weather, long pants, short sleeved tops, shorts, sweatshirts (I even packed long underwear, and believe me, I WORE IT!) And don't forget a jacket too!

 

[Geoff_M]

Yooperfan,

Holy Wah, did you pick a good time to go!

We've been three times in January and I agree it's the best time to go as long as the water parks aren't your favorite thing to do. Expect about an average 5 minute wait for rides (many will be walk-ons). I agree the weather can be very flakey in terms of temp. but there's little rain that time of year historically. Temperature swings of 35 degrees from one day to the next are not rare. But its all relative and being from the UP, it'll still we weather heaven for you. Our kids went swimming in the heated resort pools when the air temp was in the 50's and the locals thought we were nuts.

As for AP discounts, that's "dead time" at WDW and you should see AP rates at 40% or so off of rack rate.

 

[yooperfan]

Thanks alot! The only thing I think we'll avoid this time around is fishing on the lagoon. We got a great rate on airfare on American,
$287.50, and a frequent flyer ticket. If your from the U.P you know why that's not bad. (Gotta pay the extra price for the puddle jumper.)

 

[Gary M]

Feb. 1-8 of this year we stayed at WL in a courtyard room for $157 inc. tax per night . This was a discount using our AP. The crowds can be very light, except the MK on Sat.. One morning we rode TOT with only 7 people(including DW and I) in the elevator. The Muppet 3-D show was maybe 25% full and several rides were walk-ons at times. We have been to WDW several times in Jan/Feb and the weather can vary a great deal. Since we are from Indiana, the "cold weather" in Florida is much warmer than what we left behind. I have never worn more than a light jacket. It's fun to see the locals in coats and wearing gloves and ear muffs on certain mornings.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by Gary M
It's fun to see the locals in coats and wearing gloves and ear muffs on certain mornings.

I agree! I got a big kick of out the CM's at the WL who were helping us unload our luggage. It was in the 50's, but they had their big fluffy jackets and gloves on! Too funny!

Oh, and as far as rates go, we got a terrific 'code' rate of only $119.00 per night for standard view, but got upgraded to woods view (or WL Villas view!)