January 2008. Marathon, Crowds, Weather. Plz Help!

[shefellnl0v3]

So we're planning on going to WDW January 2008, most likely the 10th-17th and staying at the Grand Floridian. What are the crowds like then? I've heard that Jan is the 2nd least busiest time of year.

Are the new years crowds gone and are most kids back in school? I'm looking to hopefully have very minimal wait time for rides and attractions.. What about the weather? Should we pack coats and such?

I'm really worried about the marathon going on that first weekend. Should we plan on staying far away then and just doing seaworld?

If someone could add their input/experiences I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you so much, I'm looking forward to hearing from u all

 

[merfsko]

I'll try and tackle all your concerns...

Weather: Usually nice and warm but can get cool, esp. during the night. Mind you, I hail from Canada so Florida winter is amazing in comparison! Either way, I would pack both your tanks and a few sweaters!

Crowds: While the parks are not empty, we have been known to walk right onto a few ride (Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Haunted Mansion) and the lines are never unabreably long (although I would fastpass the Jungle Cruise, if I were you, because that line never seems to be short)

Marathon: On marathon days, we generally avoid the parks. We usually take this day to go to the beach, and once I think we once went to AK, as it wasn't very busy there.

I hope I was of some help, and enjjoy your trip!!!

 

[shefellnl0v3]

Thank you for responding!

I'm very excited. I know how you feel, we'll be traveling from the Maine/New Hampshire area so If its warm weather I'll be psyched!

So I guess we'll avoid epcot that sunday of the marathon. I just heard space mountain might be down for a total rehab starting early 2008 I hope this doesnt effect us. oh well

Again thanks for your input!

 

[disneykid4ever]

My husband did his first marathon at WDW this past January and we noticed that crowds dropped off dramatically about 2-3 days after the marathon. We were able to walk right onto BTMRR, Splash Mountain, and Haunted Mansion and wait times for other popular rides were only 15 minutes or so. We wished we had stayed for a full week after the marathon because it was so great!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Marathon dates for this year are the weekend of the 11th. I didn't know if you knew that. When we were first planning, I too, thought they were the first weekend after New Years, but they bumped it back a week. I have read that MLK weekend is kinda busy as well, so we are looking at going the 26th- I really hope nothing else is planned for a while!!

 

[tink4ever]

We go down every year in Jan for our DD College National Cheerleading/Dance competition that is held every year at Wide World of Sports. I also know there were also other sports down there at the same time last year. Also (which doesn't effect the parks too much) The past 2 years there have been huge conventions that have filled the resorts. I think Disney uses the slow times to find other ways to fill the resorts. But I still love going in January. I don't think there are too many real slow times left in Disney anymore.

 

[bccone]

We run the Goofy each year and I've been going to Disney since the mid 70's pretty regularly. Since we started running the races I will tell you that the weekend during the event is quite crowded. Understand your placing about 30,000 people into the parks for the weekend. But after that it's like Moses parting the seas...the crowds are lower than any other time. We've tried the weeks between thanksgiving and christmas, february, ect. which are all great times too but to give you an example, last year the fast pass machines were turned off Tuesday and Wednesday after the weekend event if that tells you anything. Splash Mtn. road it over and over and just walked on. Be patient if you come in on the weekend of the event but it's worth the stay after. Also, Disney uses these weekends to host large events. Last year a youth soccer tournament came in the following weekend so by Thursday you could see the crowds starting to generate again. Good luck to you and look for us in the race if your their this year! BRIAN from Concord, NC running for The Junior Charity League of Concord

 

[shefellnl0v3]

Thank you all for your responses they've been very helpful! I really appreciate it

 

[BarleyJack]

Does anyone know of any discount codes for Jan 2008?