Jan in WDW

[AngelicButterfly]

Hi everyone! It's time to start seriously planning my next trip. What is WDW like in Jan or Feb? I've heard that some of the attractions aren't open that time of year, is that true? Do the parks still have extra Disney Hours or do they close earlier in the winter months?

 

[bettydau]

We've ONLY gone in January (and will again next January), but we think it's great! Weather was great in 2007, but I know that can change. But the 100 degrees WDW is experiencing now doesn't appeal to me!
One of the water parks was closed, and a couple of other things, but none of that bothered us. Crowds are fewer during the week, still crowded on weekends.

 

[NancyK]

We've done January a couple of times and absolutely loved it. The weather varies considerably - one year it was shorts & tees all week, another it was jeans and long-sleeved shirts. It's true that they only keep one water park open at that time of year. The attractions go down at different times of the year for refurbishment - there is so much to do, it doesn't matter if there is an attraction or two closed. We're going in September and Rock 'n' roller coaster is down - it's my favourite attraction, but it won't affect the overall enjoyment of our trip.
Epcot always stays open until 9pm. Animal Kingdom is usually 9 to 5 at that time of year. Magic Kingdom and Disney Studios will have varied hours. It takes less time to "do" the parks because of the lighter crowds, so earlier closings means more time relaxing in the evening.
Hope that helps.

 

[Reese]

We love Jan. It was cooler but coming from snow it was beautiful. The crowds are low a lot of the rides were walk on or a 5 min wait. They still have EMH but the parks close earlier so they are not as late as they are in the summer.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi there,

I have gone to WDW in January more times than any other. The third week in January to be exact. Although it can be cold some days, we have lucked out on most of our trips and had mild weather (24 or so). The best part of that time of year is the ease in which you can get on things. Lines are very short! Also, everything seems to be really discounted and you can hit the malls for the 'after Christmas' hang over sales

Whatever you do, you will have a great time!

Regs,

Chad J.

 

[Chester's Mum]

We went Jan 30-Feb 9 in 2006. The weather was not bad, warm enough for a swim in the afternoon, but cold in the mornings, and the temperature really dropped fast after 5 pm. We had one day of rain (buckets of it), but that was the only bad day. The rides (except for Soarin) were a walk on for every day. Magic Kingdom and MGM closed early during the week, but that meant we could see Fantasmic and Illuminations (and get great seats and viewing locations) on the same day (several times). I would go again at that time if my kids were not afraid of missing school. They are getting older and the curriculum is getting more difficult.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We're heading to the World in January ourselves (our first trip in the month of January). I double checked the Disney site for refurbishments in January, and at this time there doesn't appear to be any major attractions closed in January.

As for EMH, this is directly from the Disney website:

January 2008
Morning Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom® Park — January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Epcot® — January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Disney-MGM Studios — January 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park — January 7, 14, 21, 28

Evening Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom® Park — January 6, 13, 20, 27
Epcot® — January 4, 11, 18, 25
Disney-MGM Studios — January 7, 15, 22, 28
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park — January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

As for the park closing times, you can look here for your specific dates, but it appears that most nights MK is open until 8 pm, EPCOT is open to 9 pm, MGM is open until 7 pm and AK is open until 5 pm.

Hope this helps.

 

[AngelicButterfly]

Thank you everyone !!!

 

[Jaime]

Besides the extra clothes we had to bring...Jan was great.. we didn't noticed extra attractions closed...there always seems to be something closed no matter when we go but there is so much to do it didn't really matter.

The weather was strange because it would be cool in the morning and evening and sometimes we wish we had mitts but that same afternoon we might have went swimming cause it was so warm! That being said it was still alot of fun! We had a couple really warm days...one day it was 28 degrees but one day it was only 9 degrees.

Jan is also better for younger children because it gets dark early and the parks close early...so the fireworks at the MK were earlier... closing early wasn't a big deal though cause the waits in the day for rides were less than 5 minutes! EPCOT still closed at 9:30 but AK closed at 6:00.

Have a great trip!

 

[murcor]

We have done Disney as kids during high season etc.
We now do Disney in Jan and cant imagine going any other time of year

 

[Mr.Monk]

We typically go in January as well. Last year the weather was great.
We'll be back again this year.
Thanks for the research Cdn Friends of Pooh.