January in Disney

[chemie15]

I was thinking of making a second dvc trip in January 2009, we are making one in Oct 2008. So I have a few questions for opinions.
1) How is Disney in January, crowds, etc. ?
2) How is the weather in January?
3) what about taking our son out of 3rd grade twice in one school year?
any other issues?

 

[lmb]

We also go in Oct and then again in Jan but our kids aren't in school yet so taking them out doesn't affect us. The crowds in late January are light and we enjoy being able to go somewhere warmer when it's cold at home. The weather there is extremely variable and could be in the 50's and 70's the same week which makes packing trickier and may limit pool time if that's important to you. My husband loves January and says it's his favorite time.

 

[TXdeVille]

We went in January of this year....the 18-22 to be exact. I think that Monday was a holiday. It tended to be a little bit busier, I think, because of that. However, the lines were not that long. According to several sources, it is one of the least crowded times to go.

As for the weather, we had some of those crazy storms blowing in at that time. Normally, I don't think it's like that. It was a little on the chilly side (coming from a Texan) but one afternoon we were wishing we were in shorts. Of course we went back to the resort to change before dinner and a cold front, complete with lots of cold rain, blew in while we were eating. But, as I said, I think this was not the norm. DBIL is from Daytona and visited WDW a lot growing up. He said January is one of the best times to go and the weather isn't all that bad. There were even people swimming.

As for taking the kids out of school....for 3rd grade, I say go for it. Make sure there aren't any state mandated tests for that time (the school district should already know). Sooooo many people do it. And I even heard people talking about it while we were there. I haven't done it yet, but I have one in high school which is a little trickier.

Good luck!!

 

[rigsby25]

We've gone twice in January. The first time was kind of mild all the way through low 70's during the day - 60's during the night. The second time was hot for one day (sunny - 85), overcast and warm the next day (about 75) and about 60 and rainy for the remainder. The parks were empty. I think this was the second week of January. We were able to go in the pool for two days, and the rest of the time were at the parks. We wore sweatshirts. But the parks were empty and everything was walk on so you could do a lot in little time.

 

[BigEeyore]

We've made a few Jan trips to WDW (I usually go to a conference that is held in Orlando every Jan) - we've never found it warm enough to go to the pool, but have rarely had the need for anything heavier than a sweatshirt in the evening. Crowds are light - with the big exception of MLK weekend. I like the slightly cool weather much more than the 95 degree, 100% humidity summers myself!
One drawback to consider - parks are not open as long, and there doesn't seem to be as much going on as during busier times.

 

[Noreendisfour]

I have gone in January once but it was many years ago (1996?) so I can't comment on the crowds these days. I know the parks were pretty much empty then.

Weather? We got record cold weather. It was 20 degrees 3 of the days we were there! We still had fun though

But I did actually take my daughter out for 2 week long vacations in 3rd grade. We had a planned vacation to WDW which I knew she was going to miss a week of school. I have no problem with that.

The second week was a surprise Christmas present from my husband to Ireland. But he booked the wrong week for the kid's April vacation! I called the airline and it was going to be a $300 per person change fee. (You read that right). Needless to say we kept the flight and took the kids out of school. We were lucky that year as our 3rd grader had an understanding teacher who didn't have an attitude about missing school.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it all depends on the teacher's attitude about vacationing during school time. If your child has a nice, non-judgmental teacher, the week off usually goes smoothly. If the teacher goes around saying stuff like "I don't get to go to WDW when it's less crowded", they might try to make it hard on your child. I mean really, like it's the child's decision whether they miss school or not!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I love how slow the crowds are in January! As long as you stay away from the first week through the marathon, the rest of the month seems very low crowds. Of course, the parks close early too, so we usually plan to do all of our Epcot touring later in the day when the other parks are closed.

 

[MdmMim]

I have been going to WDW in Jan for several years.

The weather can vary from warm to very cold. (I'm from the northern part of the country, but the Fla cold is unlike the northern cold. It's very damp.) I have experienced mid-70's to a windchill of 18 with frost. It's best to be prepared for anything. (I was with a friend once who lives in the snowbelt--it was so cold, she needed her down jacket--and someone went up to her, offering to buy it.)

If you go during that time, check the weather prior to your trip, and pack accordingly. Layering works well. Gloves, hat, may be needed.

And once the sun goes down, you will need a sweatshirt, at the least.

It's busy there around the Marathon and MLK weekend.

But it IS the best time of year to visit!

 

[JCerniglow]

We have gone in Jan for the last 20 years. Temp varies dramatically year to year. Generally jacket and sweatshirts but some years one can swim and other years you don't get the coat off. MLK and marathon weekend are crowded. the rest of jan has light crowds and no wait for rides. Rarely is it difficult to get reservation.

All of that being said, the crowds even in jan have been getting slightly heavier over the last 5 years. Perhaps due to the increase in DVC owners and the point bargain for january.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

What does everyone think about the first week of January? (I saw above someone said to avoid it). We are going Jan 4-9 (going home Friday before the Marathon). We went last year Dec. 14-20 and loved the low crowds. Do you think it will be much more crowded than mid-December? Not that it matters, my brother is a college student and that's the only week he can go

 

[chemie15]

typically what are the hours, because we have a 1, 3, & 8 year old, so we won't do late nights in the park anyways.

 

[PEANUT1]

What does everyone think about the first week of January? (I saw above someone said to avoid it). We are going Jan 4-9 (going home Friday before the Marathon). We went last year Dec. 14-20 and loved the low crowds. Do you think it will be much more crowded than mid-December? Not that it matters, my brother is a college student and that's the only week he can go

I was wondering the same thing...does the marathon really affect things that much? We are booked in a 1 BR BWV standard view Jan 4-9...I could change to the following week if the crowds are going to be crazy.

 

[simzac]

We have gone to WDW the first week of January for 4 straight years before this one(did HHI, VBR, and DCL instead this year). Weather is always pot luck, have had 80's down to the 40's. Usually no problem with rain. Have been able to swim every year at least once. Crowds have gotten busier with each passing year though. Love the low point requirements starting on the first of January so as long as our boys travel with us, we will continue to go at this time.

 

[DonnaL]

Ditto what other posters are saying about weather....can be cold or hot.....it's not uncommon to have 20 to 25 degree temp changes from day to day. That said, it's also our favorite time of year to visit, however, I will say we are not huge pool fans during our January visits, so if we can or cannot be in our resort pool doesn't much matter to us. When it's warm we do use the pools on occasion, but, if that's really important to you I would rethink the timing of your trip. We're usually there during the first week after New Years (usually the 3rd or 4th thru 11th or 12th) and have found depending on what day New Years Day falls can affect the crowd level the first day or two. We have not found the Marathon to affect park crowd levels substantially at all. You will see certain restaurants a bit more crowded and some of the resorts. However, you also need to be aware that the Marathon does cover several parks and main roads throughout WDW and there are several detours during the morning hours that weekend since roads are closed for runners. It usually affects only the morning hours since the Marathon begins about 6:00 a.m. I believe and is over by noon or a little after.

 

[drusba]

We go in January annually. Very early January is usually extremely crowded until Christmas crowd moves out -- for example next year, Jan 1 is a Thursday with the result that Christmas crowd won't be gone until about Monday after, Jan 5. Thereafter it is not that bad -- not light (I don't think that exists anymore at WDW) but no real problems. Marathon weekend really is not bad as crowds don't really increase that much; MLK weekend and a couple days around it can be heavy. Weather varies and it can vary significantly while you are there. Average is about high 60s to low 70s, but "average" often does not happen that time of year. Example: in 2008 we went early January-- first two days we had record lows, going down to mid-20s at night and highs in high 30s in the day, it slowly warmed up and within 3 days thereafter it was 75. Usually not much rain although you can get some including all day rains (although that can be just a light rain all day, not like the thunderstorm patterns you get in summer)

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'll tackle the twice a year school pullout. Depends on your child. How quickly can he recover. We took our son out of school for a few days once or twice and it wasn't good for him. He's a good student, but missing those four or five days of school was tough. We decided then and there, no more missing school for Disney. Now we only go when school is out.

Last Jan, Bill and his buddy went to Disney for the marathon, while Will (our son) and I stayed home. It was horrid, but worth it education-wise.

 

[Sully]

We have been at Vero Beach the last week in January and it was not beach weather. WDW will be fine as you can dress in layers. As for the school issue, the children belong in school. Coming from a retired teacher.

 

[rnorwo1]

When is the marathon exactly? I'm also wondering about Mardi Gras week. I thought since only Louisiana is typically out of school that time, then maybe it'll be light then, but I've heard it's also a busy time? I have taken my child out of school before for trips and he did fine, but this past year I had to endure the "frown" from the teacher. We just got back from a trip to WDW a couple of weeks ago and the heat was just so bad, I'm hoping to find a cooler but not terribly crowded time to go next year.

 

[rigsby25]

We have ALWAYS pulled the kids out for vacations. My husbands' busy season is summer and we just can't get away. My kids both graduated with honors and the vacations have not proved harmful. I believe they have helped us bond as we are a very close family and have given the kids a more well rounded experience growing up. Viewing the ocean, etc. is real life experience that can't be found in books at a desk.