January experts -- help me, please!!

[jessiesmom]

Would January 5-10 be a good time to visit? Low crowds? Any deals on resorts?

I am "hoping" Santa can deliver a surprise trip for my daughter this Christmas. She is out of school until Jan 12 so I don't have to work around that. It would be a budget trip, but I think Santa could afford a moderate resort.

Please make suggestions on resorts and any "January" info you have!

Thanks!!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I think the crowds will drop off dramatically for you........we've gone several times at those exact dates and it's always been low crowds.

I just peeked at the dates and your trip SHOULD be perfect timing with many kids going back to school right on the days you'll be there. I'm not sure about college age kids though, they might still be off that next week or two.......but the main crowds should be significantly less than the prior two weeks!

Have a great time!!!

No clue about deals on resorts for this year, but we did find some the years we went. We had the MKClub card though, and sadly, I don't think there IS a MKClub card any longer. Good luck. I'm almost sure you'll find some good resort deals out there!!

 

[Prince Eric1]

We have went three time in January and twice in January the last three years. We pick January purposely for the reason of the low crowds. We rarely if ever need fastpass, and the rates are cheaper. It is cooler and may rain, but nothing beats blowing through the rides over and over with no lines. Incidently, each year we have went was the first week after the holiday crowds, (5-9 and 6-10th i believe), and if we go again this year it will probably be the same for those reasons. Also, character dinners and hard to see parades and shows are easier.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We always go in January. Because of AP's we usually go later one year and earlier the next ( we do AP vouchers rather than renewals). The crowds go WAY down right after New Years, unless there are a few days until the weekend. It picks up a little on the weekend of the Marathon, but not so you can notice much. You might run into a few things that are down for maintanance, but we don't worry about that much. It is just SO nice to be able to see so much more in a short time! Sometimes the weather can be "iffy", but it is always warmer than Minnesota, and if it does get chilly, it doesn't last the whole trip. We have been in January many times and had temps ranging from 35-100! Just pack for anything. It usually doesn't rain though!

As to "deals", we are DVC members, so I can't answer that.

 

[PixieMagic]

I've been every January for the past 6 or 7 years. It's a great time to go. Just be prepared for any kind of weather. Some years the weather's been glorious and we didn't even need a jacket or sweatshirt at night. Other years, we've frozen our backsides off during the day. (Just keep in mind that I'm from Arizona and a bit of a cold weather wimp.) But no matter the weather, we always use the resort pool.

 

[St.LouisFan]

I really can't add anything to what everyone else has said except that, since I have 2 college kids, the family can only go this time of year. So, I researched all the pros & cons and, having done it once in the past, we've found that it is a GREAT time of year to visit WDW. The most important things to us are low crowds & short lines. The least important factor is weather - bad weather reduces the number of locals and helps the crowd situation. The girls claim they are cold and buy additional clothes (a pro or a con for Dad?)!

A day doesn't go by without this family talking about the trip. No matter how bad a day might be, there is always something wonderful on the horizon!

I've always imagined surprising the family with a trip to WDW but I'm the kind of guy that can't wait to tell people what I got them for Christmas! You're a stronger-willed person than me! Good luck!

 

[AimeeM]

Im all for January too! We have gone the past 5 Januarys and we are booked for this January too!! Its the best time to go! The weather is iffy, but Id rather bundle if needed than deal with the heat and crowds!!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Is it still crowded Jan. 1-4. We are planning a short trip then. we also might try to go to Epcot an NYE. Will it be crazy?