January 2006 questions!

[jennibug]

Hello,
DH and I are going ahead and purchasing AP's this year. In order to get full use out of the AP's we need to take two trips (that's the logic that got me the AP's and a garunteed 2nd trip next year) and since we want to go during value season (we are hooked, no crowds, cooler weather) we've decided to go at the begininng of 2006.
Now, we've never gone this time of the year and I'm hearing conflicting things from the guidebooks. How are the crowd levels? I've heard the are very low and I've heard that they are like they are in May. Which is it?
Do they typically offer AP discount's at the hotels during this time? Finally, what about the weather? Is it too cool??
What does everyone think?

 

[Debi]

The New Year's/marathon crowds clear out arond the 5th or so, so as long as you plan your trip after this time, you'll hit very low crowds. I love traveling to WDW in mid or late January - the parks are deserted!

 

[3lilprincesses]

we went in january and LOVED it. in fact we are planning on going back this january. crowds were very low. weather was great. quite cool in the mornings and evenings, but sunny and beautiful in the afternoon. never even broke a sweat!! since we are from the frozen tundra known as pittsburgh, our DD's thought it was warm enough to swim. the pools are heated, so we all went swimming. it was cool when you got out, but still nice. don't know about AP rates, we've never had AP's.

have fun!

 

[TinkerBellz33]

We will only go in January, its the best!! You virtually walk on to every ride, and the weather is nice and cool. Warning though, you will get spoiled to the low season, I went during busy season, and didn't like it as much, way too many people. I can't wait til'' January!!
Nicki

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The New Year's/marathon crowds clear out arond the 5th or so, so as long as you plan your trip after this time, you'll hit very low crowds. I love traveling to WDW in mid or late January - the parks are deserted!

FYI--Marathon weekend is the 7th and 8th.....so the marathon crowd is just arriving around the 5th. Park crowds are not so bad...BUT...their is high liklihood of transportation issues with road closures and such. With the half on Saturday and the full on Sunday--it is going to happen twice this time around. On Saturday--the official race end time is 9:30am (6am start + 3.5 hour time limit). Sunday--official race end time is 1pm (6am start + 7 hour time limit). My husband boarded a bus from POFQ to come see me at the Magic Kingdom. I have no idea when he got on--but around 9:30 or so, he had been STUCK on the bus for 2 hours when I borrowed a cell phone and told him to move on to the next stop.

Otherwise--January is a fine time to visit. Didn't want to scare you with the marathon--but wanted to correct the date and not have you surprised if you planned your trip to coincide with the marathon.