January, Quick visit to WDW?

[Iggipolka]

So, I'm thinking about a Thursday - Sunday little get away solo trip to WDW the last weekend in January. I know I'm probably asking the wrong people for unbiased advice, but what do you think? Should I go for it? My only concern is that it may be too cold at that time of year. I'm certainly not planning on swimming!

One of the reasons I really want to do this is because my wife and I are expecting another child in July (yeay!) and I know that once the other kid is born, this Mama won't be having any alone time for quite awhile. I just want to enjoy myself and get some sleep before I get too pregnant and too tired.

Soo...should I go?

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I'm probably not the best person to ask since I just booked airfare for me and a friend to take a quick girls only trip pretty much that same week of January. I say go for it, but only you know your circumstances.

 

[wdwscout]

Congrats on baby #2!

I would go. January can be a bit chilly, but the crowds are low, so wait times are low. Of course the hours are shorter too, but that means you can get more needed rest every evening since you won't be trying to burn the candle at both ends.

Bring layers to keep warm.

I would avoid Marathon weekend (Jan 7-9) and MLK Weekend (Jan 14-17)- so that last weekend should be great.
Other than that- go for it!

 

[LilGMom]

Yep, not the best group of people to ask if you are looking for the downside to going in January. I say go and enjoy before your life gets really busy with the new baby.

 

[T Morrows Child]

January is a great time to go. It's true that you can do some "extra" things that you might skip when the park hours are longer. A GREAT winter activity is the Hoop-De-Doo Revue, I think! (Though that boat to Ft. Wilderness can be breezy . . . bring a sweater if you go!)

 

[Iggipolka]

Heh. I have to wonder about my motivation for posting here. I highly doubt I'm going to hear "Oh no, don't go to Disney World!"

I do like the suggestion to do things that I wouldn't usually do, like the Hoop De Doo. With being pregnant, a number of big attraction rides are off limits to me, so the weight times shouldn't be too bad anyway.

Plus, I can eat what I want to eat at WDW and not feel guilty! Bring on the Mickey Bars! Calcium ya know.

So, besides the chilly weather, any other draw backs to visiting at the end of January?

 

[NC Belle]

Congratulations!


My vote is to go and enjoy the moment. The weather can vary and there are various ride/attraction/restaurant rehabs scheduled.

My favorite winter trip was in Feb. 2005---awesome weather and we enjoyed Animal Kingdom a lot better.

 

[BeamsofLight]

Congrats on the little one on the way.

My birthday is near the end of January, so we've been a couple of times toward the end of the month. I would echo the 'avoid MLK weekend' advice - it's fairly busy around then. Busy here meaning busy for January, which is still fairly tame compared to busy for other parts of the year.

Be prepared for things to be in rehab. Lots of stuff tends to go down in January for annual rehab... Splash Mountain is almost always down most of the month, as I recall. I guess things have to soldier on through the holidays and then they get to rest once the crowds leave. The end of January tends to be when things are coming up again, but I know from experience they're usually still down around the 22nd...

Parks will close fairly early as well; same as with any off-peak time of the year, I guess. Extra magic hours can offset that if it's important to you. And lower crowds mean you can get more done in a day anyway. There will probably be fewer parades as well, if you're into parades (I'm not, so I can't tell you how reduced the schedules are ).

The weather is generally pretty nice - lots of clear skies as it's a fairly dry time of year for FL. It can be on the brisk side, especially after dark, so make sure to bring a coat for Illuminations. It does make touring Animal Kingdom a heck of a lot nicer though, as Belle said.

If that's all okay with you, I think you should be good to go!

 

[dsnyfan608]

The weather can be cool, especially when the sun goes down but Solo trips are always fun.

If the weather gets to be too cool during the day, I enjoyed going to Afternoon Tea at the GF. When I went solo, I took a book, enjoyed the beautiful resort and chilled. Enjoy!!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

We love it at that time of year b/c of cost and crowds.

Everyone has hit on some of the goods and bads.

Personally, I LOVE being able to walk around in a windbreaker and jeans at night....it's perfect....for the first few days. Then - once my body realizes that 45 in Florida is cold....I start to complain.

- D

 

[Ginamarie]

We love visiting in January, though the weather can REALLY be hit or miss. We were there for 10 days around marathon weekend this year and it was really REALLY cold- actually colder in Orlando than it was back at home in NY.

I highly recommend a babymoon though! DH and I took a long weekend this October in anticipation of baby #3 (who should be here within the next 2 weeks). It was wonderful to have that time together!