January Trip Advice

[jlomama]

We are arriving at the fort on January 2nd, 2013. We are a family of 5 and all of us have been to WDW once before but this is our first time at the fort. The youngest is now 7 and I think will be over meeting the characters or at least waiting in line to meet them. Do you think a 5 day park hopper pass is enough time in the parks? Last time we were visited it was summer and the parks were busy but I think it will be much slower this time of year. We are not going to the water parks either. Which leads me to my next question, will it be too cold to swim in the fort’s pool that time of year? Wasn’t sure if it was heated.

 

[mdb07]

We did a trip this past year from January 2nd through 7th and I was surprised at how big the crowds were. It certainly wasn't the worst, but I remember thinking it was a lot more than the crowd calendars had indicated. I think people are figuring out the secrets of the slow seasons. Still, we were able to get to most everything we wanted to do, but I also am an avid user of Fastpasses, so that often helps. I think you'll be fine with the 5 day passes. We had 4 day passes and did 2 days in MK, one in Epcot, 1/2 day in AK and 1/2 day in DHS. But we have younger kids, so you may change that up, and the extra day would help.

There was also a nasty cold snap at that time, meaning it was 35 degrees in the MK when we got there our first day. It was weird being there in hats and gloves. With the way weather is these days, it could just have easily been 75 degrees that week, so I can't help you on predicting the weather for the pools. We stayed at POR and the pools are heated (I think they are in most places), and even with temperatures in the 30's, people were swimming in the pool. I would not recommend it, but the water is warm. There was one or two days that week when it got so cold that they did shut down the pools and the waterparks.

 

[2goofycampers]

The pools are heated to 80ish. On a typical year swimming would be doable. If 5 days isn't enough you can make them 6 day at any guest window.