January '06

[kelleigh1]

My husband and I are planning to head to WDW Jan. 1, 2006.

I was speaking with a AAA travel rep earlier today and he was almost trying to convince me that it's not the best time to go. I know that the weather is unpredictable, but I live in New England and the weather is unpredictable here down to the hour...so I'm not too concerned.

We chose those dates because I've always heard that it's generally a slow travel time so you can get the best rates (just about anywhere) and because WDW is not as busy so wait time for rides is considerably less.

I was hoping to hear from other people who have been at WDW in early January. What was your experience? Would you go again at that time of year?

Thanks!

 

[Bob P]

Kelleigh,

My wife and I did the half marathon in 2004 and we were there for the weekend of January 9-11 (weekend before MLK Day). We've never seen the parks so empty..practically everything was a walk-on even though there were 25,000-plus people at WDW for the races.

If you go that weekend, the rates won't be that good because of the marathon. It was cold in the morning, but that can change from year to year. In fact, the start of the marathon this year was a lot warmer than last year.

Hope this helps!

 

[kelleigh1]

Bob:
Thank you! We're looking at January 1-8 and I think we just miss the Marathon weekend, although I'm not positive. I should double check that over the next few months. We haven't made reservations yet, so there's still time to decide. We will be thrilled if there are no lines for the rides because that means we'll get to ride even more than we have before. Last time I went was June of '01...and it was so hot that I just didn't have the energy to ride as much.

 

[Bob P]

Marathon weekend is January 5-8, 2006. The races will be on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th. And since January 1 is a Sunday, I'm assuming the 1st and 2nd will be pretty crowded....

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks for that info. Looks like I'll need to have a chat with hubby and see what he wants to do. Since it's still so early, we've got some flexibility.

 

[Mysteria]

The resort rates for marathon weekend are the same as they are through the rest of January and into mid February. It is value season and that is the cheapest time to go. The marathon may have some effect on availability though. Just book early enough if you decide to go over that weekend.

Happy planning!

Myst

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks! I was starting to think about that...wondering if they'd really be higher just for that weekend and realizing that securing a room would probably be the bigger concern. I think we're just so excited about going because it'll be our first time together. I'm sure that once I realize that it's still over 9 months away and that I should take a deep breath first, it'll all fall into place.

 

[Mysteria]

Would it be an option for you to go in early December? First two weeks that is. IMHO that is THE best time to go. You can partake in all the Christmas activites (mvmcp, osborne lights, candlelight processional, all the decorations etc.) it is value season as well and the crowds are low! It's just an incredible time of year at Disney. The decorations will still be up the first week in January though so it's a good time too if you can't go early December.

Myst

 

[kelleigh1]

Not really sure. My husband may not have enough vacation time because he earns it throughout the year and we're using most of his when we head to Europe is just over 2 weeks. And at the moment, I'm in a temp-to-permanent job which is most likely going to become permanent, but the earliest that might happen is May - so I don't think I'll have enough vaction time earned for December as mine will be pro-rated...and since Europe will be unpaid leave, I don't really want to take a second unpaid trip in the same year.

 

[Mysteria]

Totally understand those work situations. My DF's holidays work the same. So many hours per pay period towards holidays until he becomes a regular. That is one reason we are also planning our honeymoon starting Jan. 1, 2006! So we may be there at the same time! The other is he works for the US postal service so there is no way he is getting holidays in Decmber. So my early December trips are on hold. At least ones with DF anyway. There are other family members to take at that time in the future!

Myst

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm just hoping I become a permanent employee sooner rather than later...but I know it won't happen before we go to Europe. And this was a great opportunity so I can't complain.

I know we'll have fun no matter when we go...and choosing that first week in January really had more to do with what I'd heard from travel professionals that you can sometimes get the best deals for travel just about anywhere at that time, because once the holidays are over, there aren't as many people traveling.

 

[kelleigh1]

Can your DF do anything about the fact that my mail seems to get lost somewhere in the abyss of my local post office?

I'm still waiting for a package from my sister that she sent to me in 2001. Along with a package that a friend of mine sent a year ago. Just to name a few. And yet I never had this problem in any other town I've lived in. But when I tell the post office that, they tell me that the problem isn't with them. They don't have anything for me.

 

[Mysteria]

Well I'm sending pixie dust your way for the permanent position! Congrats on the trip to Europe too! I'm sure that will be amazing.

Myst

 

[kelleigh1]

Congrats on the trip to Europe too! I'm sure that will be amazing.

Myst

And it doesn't hurt that we'll be making a visit to Disneyland Paris!

 

[Mysteria]

Well if you lived in NYC maybe ... Then again it IS the post office. It can be just as bad here in Canada. He has mailed me stuff that I get in 2 days and at other times it has taken 2 weeks!

Myst

 

[the kabuki]

In 2004 we went Jan 2-9 and in 2005 we went Jan 5th -11th. It is an awesome time to go, won't go any other time of the year. Can't imagine having to wait up to a hour during peak times.

When we were the in 2004, we did catch the tail end of the holiday crowds, which I'm glad we saw, now DH won't ask to go in Dec. It was crazy. By Tuesday it died down alot. When we went Jan 5th, it was pretty quiet, everyone had gone home already.

Going on the 1st, it's a Sunday so you'll hit some crowds, but if you pick a park like Epcot you should be ok, by Tues. most people will have left.

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks Kabuki! Are you making another trip in 2006? I figured you're on a roll.

 

[Mysteria]

Hmmmm. Might be a Jan. 2006 Dis meet starting to form here!

Myst

 

[kelleigh1]

Maybe!

Hopefully we'll be staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[Mysteria]

That's funny. My original plan was for us to stay at POFQ the whole time. Then DF said he'll do whatever I want for the trip all he wants is a couple of days just to relax at the end before he goes back to work. So now were going to split the stay between POP and AKL Savannah so he has a nice view for the relaxing days at the end. Now I'm still hoping budget may allow for POFQ/AKL instead. We'll see how many pennies we can save between now and then!

Myst