January 2017 planning help needed

[michellekcm]

Yes, I know it's a long way away, but coming from Australia we have multiple things to work out.

Background: We have 4 different families coming from across Australia and the UK for a family holiday (vacation). To fit in with school etc it needs to be in January. Our original plan was to arrive around the 10th and leave on about the 15th or 16th. Then a suggestion was made that we arrive about the 14th or 15th and leave on about the 20th.

So, my questions are:

Will MLK Day on the 16th make a big difference to the crowds that weekend?

To the best of anyone's guesses (ie those that follow these things) is it likely that the half marathon will be on MLK Day weekend or the weekend after? I assume that will make a difference too - ie the Friday will be busier than usual. Or am I wrong about that?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. Sometimes being the planner for everyone else is stressful!

 

[figment_jii]

They have not yet announced the dates for the 2017 Star Wars Half Marathon, but it's been on MLK weekend in 2015 and 2016, so it's probably a good bet to guess it'll be on Jan 13-15 in 2017 (the Fri, Sat, and Sun before MLK).

 

[kirstie101]

As pp stated SW has been on MLK during 2015 and 2016. Plus the two years prior to that, Tink Half was on MLK weekend (before they moved it to allow Star Wars in) I would be VERY surprised if it was not on MLK weekend in 2017 as well.

I've done the races on MLK weekend the last 3 years. My family arrives very late Thursday night. We do the parks on Friday and Saturday and Sunday and then we come home Monday. In our experience, Friday and Saturday are really not bad as far as crowds go. Sunday after the race is over the crowds steadily increase into the evening. In 2013 on Sunday after the race I felt it was SUPER crowded in DL in the early evening. Crowded enough that I wanted to leave. In 2014 and 2015 we hopped over to DCA just before dinnertime and didn't think it was crowded at all. So maybe DL is more crowded than DCA post race? Or maybe 2013 was an off year? Not sure. But either way I think the days leading up to the reace will be fine. Sunday would be the heaviest day for crowds. I've heard from others that crowds are less on Monday (MLK day) but I would still expect it to be busy because its a holiday and schools are out.

 

[michellekcm]

Thank you!

 

[kappyfamily]

Yep I agree with the above. Not a huge deal but if you can avoid it would! Have fun!

 

[Geemo]

As you follow the crowd forecast for your dates, you might also want to keep an eye on the refurbishment schedule.
January following the Holiday Season will have certain attractions closed for scene changes.

It's also Disney's favorite time to do other refurbishments. You can review the Historical hours to see when and which rides have been on the refurb list.
If you check a few years worth of January's, you'll see a trend.
Here's the Historical Hours Thread http://www.disboards.com/threads/historical-dlr-park-hours-entertainment-and-refurbs.2291124/

Geemo

 

[JustMeFran]

New Facebook group for January 2017
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708131972736011/

 

[ClaraOswald]

Personally, I would avoid race weekends and MLK weekend.

New Facebook group for January 2017
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708131972736011/

That looks to be a group for Disney World in Florida.