Jan1-6??

[Sally Bradley]

I'm thinking of a trip to WDW AFTER the Christmas rush, if I can convince hubby to let me keep our daughter out of school for 3 days. Has anybody been there during this time? Crowds??? Is there a letdown after Christmas?

Thanks!

 

[shari2shop]

Bumping.. I would like to know too!

We are thinking about going that time or a week before Christmas. I have never been the first week in January. I am sorta worried about the crowds. Since the 1st is on a Thursday I am afraid that some people coming after Christmas will not leave until Sunday, Jan. 4.

Any advice???

Shari

 

[Miffy]

My dh and I were at WDW this past January 2-12. Our previous trip there was also in January, but a week later (7-16, I think).

Here's my take on things:

On January 2 there were about a zillion people in MK. Since our previous trip had been slightly later in the month, we were quite surprised. In fact, until the weekend following New Year's was over, there were far more people in all the parks than we had experienced on our previous trip.

We had purposely scheduled our trip to be there the 1st weekend in January, though, so that we could see the Osborne Family Lights (which aren't up this year, btw), the Xmas Country Bears show (it was adorable!), and ... of course! ... Carousel of Progress -- all of which we got to see. And, as a bonus, it was really wonderful to see all the Xmas decorations in the parks and the resorts.

After the weekend was over, though, the crowds were nonexistent and we were back to our happy walk-on-to-every-attraction theory of touring WDW. Even the Marathon weekend didn't really affect park attendance that much.

So, I guess what I'm saying is: Based only on my January 2003 experience, it's still crowded after Christmas and doesn't really let up until after the 1st weekend in January. If I'd known this in advance, I'd've made some PS's for dinner for the first 3 nights or so (by Sunday, it was empty), because on the 2nd we ended up stumbling around the MK looking for a counter-service place (I was dizzy with hunger! lol) because, after our previous visit, we'd just assumed we could stroll into Tony's and get a seat! Wrong!!

HTH --miffy--

 

[cewait]

Crowds are heavier during the week following 1/1 through the first weekend. So in the case of 2004, through 1/3. After that first weekend, things thin out in a hurry. From what I have observed is that a high percentage of folks were from Europe. I assume its a holiday through that weekend for many.

 

[swampkatz]

Wow! I'm really glad Sally started this thread. We'll be in WDW Jan 1-8 and I was wondering how crowded it would be. I kinda thought it would remain busy throughout the weekend following New Years but now I know for sure and can plan accordingly. Yeah, right. It'll be DGD's first trip to WDW and will the warning of large crowds deter me from vying for the much coveted CRT breakfast or calm my "1st park has to be the MK" zeal? No, because I've obviously lost my mind.
I do appreciate all the good info though and hope to see some of you there!
Kathi