January Crowds??

[Tickla]

Hello! Can anyone out there tell me your experience with the crowds from about January 15-January 30th?? My family has been to DW 3 times in early December, and 1 time for Halloween--are the crowds about the same?
It's our anniversary Jan. 19, so we decided to try that date(unless crowds are heavy). Our oldest son is starting to drive, and this will probably be our last trip together before he leaves home for college, so we want to make this a great trip! Thanks for any info!!

 

[Quinn222]

Crowds are even lower in January, it's fantastic.

 

[dmaz]

We went the last week in Jan of 05. The crowds were very low. It was very cold. We were glad to have our winter jackets. We would definitely go at that time again. It was wonderful to have free reign of the parks. Just be prepared you may not be able to swim.

 

[antmaril]

We went in January this year and had a fantastic time. Very low crowds and temps in the high 70's every day. We were there from January 9th - 14th.

We plan to go next year at the same time.

 

[flea1267]

January crowds ROCK!!!! We went this past year and just walked onto rides! The weather was awesome, we'd love to be able to do January every year but having a child in college next year and then one still in elementary school won't allow them out of school at the same times except June, oh well. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Shubunk]

End of jan and feb are the best time to go. By that time people have already went back to school and work and the best thing at that time of year in orlando is the weather.

 

[ryanally]

We were there for the EE preview and loved it in January!!! AK was of course very crowded, but the other 3 parks were great. Only exception was MK on Sat evening, but I would guess that to be true anytime due to the locals.

 

[mousiemom]

Love Disney in January! The past 2 yrs. we have gone in early Feb. and Jan. Like everyone has mentioned the crowds are low and the weather is perfect. Not to mention it is Value Season! Can't wait to Jan. 12th. We have 8 more months!
Have fun!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've been thinking about a Janurary trip....just wondering....what are the general park hours (not EMH) and what are the chances of the kids being able to swim? -- Since I'm from Ohio, we swim anytime it's over 70...to us in Janurary that's WAY warm!

 

[Dizneydaz]

January 05 was great! Coldest 2 days were our first full day (18th-had to wear my thermals in a.m. walking to food court) and the last day (25th) Other days were pleasant and even though it was cool we still swam (though only twice) plus we went to BB-it was overcast but not cold. Crowd levels are low. Have a great time!

 

[PlutosFriend]

Hello! Can anyone out there tell me your experience with the crowds from about January 15-January 30th?? My family has been to DW 3 times in early December, and 1 time for Halloween--are the crowds about the same?
It's our anniversary Jan. 19, so we decided to try that date(unless crowds are heavy). Our oldest son is starting to drive, and this will probably be our last trip together before he leaves home for college, so we want to make this a great trip! Thanks for any info!!

Welcome to the DIS
We have gone in January a few times. Crowds were fine. We did not go over MLK holiday tho. I hear that can be busy. It can be a bit cold at times, but just bring a sweatshirt or jacket

 

[mousiemom]

My 5yr. dd went swimming every night @ Pop. The pools are heated but I thought they were still cold. Kids do not care though!

 

[garris3404]

End of Jan and beginning of Feb are great! Low crowds, good temps. It's the only time we go!

 

[tink1978]

January is my favorite month to go....there are hardly any crowds after the 1st and 2nd.

 

[jensen]

We've been there twice from January 18-25 and the crowd levels were wonderful. The first year, the weather was quite cold, but we are from the midwest, so it was still warm to us. The second year, the weather was in the 80s the entire trip and we wore shorts and tank tops. But, I guess you didn't ask about the weather, you asked about crowds. The lines were acceptable to me. A few things had long lines - but, others had no line at all. Overall, I never felt like crowd levels were overwhelming and we'd certainly go again in January.

 

[antmaril]

We were there this year in January - 9th - 14th. Fantastic. Low crowds - walked on to everything. Weather was in the middle to high 70's. We are from Michigan, so we thought it was just the best! We aren't really pool people, but many people were in the pool while we were there.

I WDW in January.

 

[kaabost]

I love going in January. Crowd levels are low. We did end up leaving the MK for Epcot early one day because the crowds picked up. Really though, MK wasn't THAT crowded--we were just spoiled! Last trip, we got to go to BB and the weather was nice. If you do want to do a waterpark, I would just keep my schedule somewhat flexible and go on the first warm day (there may or may not be another one). Generally, there will be warm days on your trip which works out NICELY in the middle of winter. What a great escape! As you can see, I'll be back this coming January. I can't wait!

 

[laceemouse]

Many people swim when it is cool outside, but the pools are never heated enough for me to get in them. I did get in the hot tub in December at WL and that was fine. Keep in mind that one of the water parks will be closed for maintanence when you are there. Also, even if the water is warm enough I don't see how people can get out wet and stand in line for the slides at the water parks. Even if there are NO lines I would not be able to do it! It all depends on your family though. Also, I would check the weather history at weather.com. Lots of people say "we went in winter and it was 90 degrees" but if you look at the record highs that just can not be true. When we lived in Chicago kids were running around barefoot when it warmed up to 50 saying they were "burning up" but most folks don't agree with that!
ETA....crowds will be low and the weather will be great for walking around, I just wouldn't get the kids too excited about swimming if it were me....but then, we are really southerners!! Also, many folks on these boards were compaining about the pools not being heated warm enough this past winter.