January 2008

[DVCisME]

Has anyone gone in January? What was the weather like? Crowds? Are the pools a possibity? TIA

 

[drusba]

Crowds can be very heavy the first few to several days, e.g., Jan 1 is Tuesday next year and many schools will be off that entire week as part of winter break, meaning Jan 1 through 4 or 5 will likely have huge crowds. Thereafter, they are generally very manageable and tame although Martin Luther King day and weekend produce some heavier crowds. Weather is unpredictable. I have been in Jan when it was mid 70s to low 80s and sunny everyday, with mid 50s to low 60s at night for a week. I have also been when the high hardly broke 50 for 5 days in a row, the low was in the low 40s and even down into the 30s and it rained some everyday. Pools are a possbility in the former weather but not in the latter. I have also been when the weather is between those two extremes but you get one or two extreme days (e.g., mid-60s most of the week, high 40s to low 50s at night, and then one day where the high was 48 and the low was 39)

 

[Shenandoah Mickey]

We have been in mid-January and the crowds were very light. The weather was mostly in the upper 60's and low 70's during our visit, so we found ourselves wearing sweatshirts and jackets during the morning and stripping off layers as the day progressed. It was actually very comfortable. As drusba mentioned, rain is a possibility just about any day, but I've found that to be the case no matter what time of year we are there. We haven't actually experienced an entire week of rain regardless of what time if year we have gone. We prefer either November or January for our visits.

 

[wildernessDad]

We arrived this January the day of the WDW marathon and it was somewhat crowded. We stayed for 5 nights and there was also a cheerleader competition that was about to happen within a few days. It seemed rather crowded at this time to me. Perhaps I am spoiled by those just-after-labor-day crowds.

The weather was too cold to go to the pools. Some temps were below average during some days, though.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We arrived this January the day of the WDW marathon and it was somewhat crowded. We stayed for 5 nights and there was also a cheerleader competition that was about to happen within a few days. It seemed rather crowded at this time to me. Perhaps I am spoiled by those just-after-labor-day crowds.

The weather was too cold to go to the pools. Some temps were below average during some days, though.

Wow, it seems like we arrived on the same day! I've been the very beginning of January, and like wildernessDad, arrived on Marathon day (1/7) this year. I'd thought the very first few days of January were extremely busy and probably up thru Marathon day. After that, this year I thought crowds were MUCH better throughout 1/8-1/13. I agree that it definitely wasn't swimming weather, though. And for me at BCV, checking in that day was the first time when I've had to wait for my room until 4:00. The CM said that with the Marathon, they'd been very busy. However, when I did get my room it met all my requests.

 

[PSC]

Here is a great web site to give you an idea about the weather for a period of time.

http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

 

[TinkGirl]

We also were arrived Marathon weekend and couldn't believe how crowded it was compared to other years during the Marathon. This is the first time we've gone since they've split up the half and full=twice as many runners and families. We said never again. Right after, it was GREAT! We did swim nearly every day. January in WDW is wonderful.

 

[emlutz23]

The crowds are typically light, although expect a larger crowd over the marathon weekend. I've done the marathon 3 times and 2007 was the busiest the parks (especially MK) have been.

The weather could be tricky. In '03 and '06 it was in the 20's/30's on some nights (made for a very cold race!), but this year was the warmest that I've experienced. A couple of days were in the 50's, but 60's and 70's prevailed for most of our trip. We only used the pools at SSR once and while you're in the pool, it's great since they are heated. But have those towels handy if it's chilly!

I really enjoy going in January and will miss that opportunity once my kids start school!

 

[simzac]

We have been to WDW the first week of January the past 3 years. Weather can be very nice or fairly cold. Pack accordingly. Check the weather the day before you leave to get the best forecast. We have used the resort pool and gone to either BB or TL on each of the trips. Crowds are usually fairly heavy, this past January being the worst of the 3 years. Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

 

[disnutt]

We've visited in January and been able to wear shorts some days and then have jackets, gloves and hats the next!

We were able to swim a couple nights at SSR this January. They say the pool is heated. I don't believe it but I find them cold in the summer. The kids had a great time. We did sort of do a sprint from the pool to our towels (this was after dark) but it wasn't miserable.

 

[toesmom]

we were there the last 2 years last week of January and both times we had some very very very cold days.

So expect cold weather and if you get warmer weather then you'll be pleasantly surprised.

People say they've had great weather in January, but on both our trips I specifically recall cool to very cold weather.

In fact, we've decided to go at warmer times because the cold weather made the relaxing/swimming portions of our trip sort of miserable.

We were FREEZING at MK and MGM Studios. So I'd recommend it for light crowds and low points (but they are light crowds for a good reason). Weather is completely unpredictable and it gets darn cold.

View a nice swimming day in January as a luxury. Even if the pool is somewhat heated (and I mean somewhat), getting out of the pool is almost unbearable in the cold weather.

If you aren't too concerned about weather, then definitely do January.