January Trip Planning

[btass]

Hi Everyone!

I am starting to plan my trip to WDW January 12-15th, 2007. If you have been there in January, tell me any thoughts you have about it.



BTW-I will not be making any reservations for dining.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My thought is that you should bring me!

I've been several times the end of Jan and it's a great time to go. It can be cool, but the crowds are good. Maybe a bit busy if you are there during MLK weekend, though. Where are you staying?

 

[belle&beast]

The last 2 times we have gone it has been in January and included MLK weekend. The crowds are almost nonexistent, waits are few and the weather has been wonderful! Can you tell I love January in WDW???!!! I will say that the temperature can be unpredictable, so be sure to layer. We were there this year and usually started off with jackets and took them off as the day went on and used them again in the evenings. I wore capris and jeans, DH and DS2 wore shorts and jeans, DD4 wore princess dresses with sweaters. When we went in 2000, it was warm most of the time and we wore shorts and sweatshirts and ended up not needing the sweatshirts most of the time. We didn't swim on either trip, but we spent as much time as possible in the parks- but there were people using the pools. Some of the attractions get refurbished during this time, but that really didn't affect us, we'll be back to see them on another trip! Have a great time, it really is a good time to go!

 

[connorsmom911]

I'm jumping on your thread (hope you don't mind) as we're planning for January 2008 over MLK weekend for Connor's 5th bday. I've never been in January either, only April/May or Sept/Oct.

 

[tinkersmama]

So exciting! I love trip planning! Why no reservations? Who all is going? Where are you staying? So many questions!

 

[Buckalew11]

We loved January! Last year the weather was mild and sweatshirts were all you needed until it got dark.
In Feb. though, it was cold, VERY cold, so I guess you never know!

 

[Blondy876]

I'll jump into the thread too. I am taking my dd to Disney in January too. I have never been in January so I can't wait to hear some of the advice you get.

 

[NCRedding]

We enjoy January. I will say that the weekend of MLK does get slightly crowded. If there are any restaurants you know you want to try, you probably do need to make an ADR for your time period.

January of 2005, the weather was very warm (low 80s) until about the 12th, then it turned fairly cold and somewhat rainy. You just never know how the weather will be. I do love the lower crowd levels.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I LOVE going in January! We've been several times during the second week--sadly, I can no longer take my kids out of school.

Okay, PROS: No crowds, short lines. While you'll still need ADRs for, say, Cindy, we walked into most restaurants. If you have "Do not miss" favorites, make the ADRs, but you should be fine.

CONS: Short park hours, some things closed for refurbishment.

Weather: Can be as low as ~35 degrees, esp. morning, esp. EMH mornings. I had my kids wear fleece sweatshirts on the trip down, rather than coats, and we did wear them occasionally during some trips. I would also recommend you bring a pair of long pants per person, and perhaps a second sweatshirt. Another thought might be thin gloves or mittens--nothing fancy, and certainly not for all day, but the mornings might be nippy. We did swim a few times in the afternoons (high ~65). Funny, though, you'll see castmembers in winter coats with fur collars when it's 45 degrees--this is a hoot for those of us from up north.

 

[EthansMom]

DH and I went to WDW the second week of Jan. about 6 or 7 years back. It was the perfect time of year to go.

My advice: Weather can be iffy, so make sure to take gloves and coats, just in case. Plan on layering, if necessary. When we went, there was a terrible cold snap, with lows in the 30s. We had driven down from the NE and taken our cold weather gear in case we hit bad weather on the road, so we were comfy. But we saw many people who seemed to be freezing in just a sweatshirt.

On the plus side, CMs said it was the lowest crowds they'd seen in quite some time. On the minus side, it was too cold to be out much in the evenings -- the one night we went to Downtown Disney, it was dead (and ice cold).

 

[btass]

Here are the plans so far:

Me, DH and DS8
January 12-15
Port Orleans French Quarter
3-Day Park Hopper
Dining Plan

Total Cost so far $0 ~ we won the trip from Commerce Bank

Keep the ideas coming and who ever wants to jump on the thread, you are very welcome to!!

 

[Andrea]

me to me to well im not to sure lol i cant decided if we are going to go to disney in january for my birthday or to las vegas for my birthday

 

[HamTown]

We were there end of January this year for 4 days. I had the kids in long pants and short sleeves and had jackets in the stroller. We were never out very late, but one night we needed heavier clothing than what we had.

I know you said no ADRs, but with that being a holiday weekend, I would strongly suggest making plans for character meals if your daughter wants to do that. We were there during the week and would not have been able to walk into any character dinner at a "child-friendly" hour. Other restaurants were no problem, but I specifically remember 1900 Park Fair, Crystal Palace, the castle breakfast and Liberty Tree being booked solid. With the dining plan, you want to make the most of it.

We're planning another trip in January 2008. It was a great time of year. The only line we had was Dumbo. Make sure you check the refurb schedule before you go so there won't be any unhappy surprises. Buzz was closed while my SIL and her kids were there in Jan. and her son was really disappointed.

 

[Disney Doll]

It's a slow time of year. Lines are short. You shouldn't need too many ADRs. Bring clothes that can be layered...weather can be "iffy". I've been there during that time when it's been really warm and I've been there during that time when it's been really cold.

 

[GeorgeG]

Now that we have lived here for a year, we have been to WDW at least once during each month and January is a good time. However, as some have already pointed out, the weather can tricky. My granddaughter we here in early January and we went to Tha Magic Kingdom one day and it was a beautiful 80 dgree day. The very next day we went to Sea World and we froze (50 degrees and windy). You just need to bring some warm clothes along, just in case. January is also a great time for light crowds.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[btass]

My sister and her two daughters are going to "tag-along" with us now!

I think I will make some ADRs, so at least we can go to one Character meal, I love them, I am not so sure about my son but last time we went he got into the characters a little bit, maybe this will put the spark in him!

I was thinking also that I need to make sure that we get to see the Power Rangers when we are there this time because last time we went at the time they are supposed to come out and there had been an accident in one of the shows and they couldn't come out.

I'm going to get my passporter out again and really start this up I think! I hope my husband doesn't get too upset when I start spouting Disney all over the place again!

 

[antmaril]

We are going the second week of January and can't wait. We were there at the same time this year and it was great. Weather was very nice and crowds were low - perfect.

Have fun!

 

[Maleficent13]

I've been in January (a girls trip) and it was great...no crowds, no ADRs needed, and the weather was 65-70. One Friday we just about had World Showcase to ourselves. I'd love to go back there in January but it never seems to work out timing-wise. Too cool about winning the trip! Congrats!

 

[cepmom]

can I jump in here?? For those of you that enjoy January, how do you find the airfare to be? We are going on a Disney cruise and flying to MCO on Friday 1/12 ~ MLK weekend. I'm waiting on Southwest to offer a sale for that week...the airfare right now is outrageous!

 

[btass]

can I jump in here?? For those of you that enjoy January, how do you find the airfare to be? We are going on a Disney cruise and flying to MCO on Friday 1/12 ~ MLK weekend. I'm waiting on Southwest to offer a sale for that week...the airfare right now is outrageous!

I agree about the airfare! the cheapest I could find from NYC so far is $651 and I don't want to spend that much!

Edited to add - I am checking almost daily for new airfares at this point, if I find something I will post but I am really not expecting any new deals until probably/hopefully the end of October beginning of November!