January trip

[ougrad86]

Seriously considering a January trip, and have never been at this time before. it would be the second week in January. My concern (besides hoping a big snowstorm doesn't blanket the east coast before we take off ), is that I have heard of sometimes massive ride closures...favorites being shut down for refurbishment and the like.

If you have gone at that time, how bad to they tend to be? Is there any kind of site I can take a look at? I am hoping for long time closures, they might put them up way ahead of time. I used to count on Mousesavers for this but she stopped because the info she received wasn't always very good so she couldn't depend on it.

Any info, tips, tricks would be greatly appreciated! We have a chance to spend some time, and the crowds should be low so that shouldn't be too bad...I hope

 

[ghtx]

Yes more rides will be closed. Splash Mtn is almost always closed in January. One of the two water parks will be closed. Here is a list of scheduled closures: http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/closures

Nonetheless January is a great time to visit since crowds are so low. It can be real cold, so be careful.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Only one of the water parks and Splash Mt are typically closed in January. Other closures are no more common than any other time of the year. January is a great time of the year to go, but the weather is totally unpredictable. Be prepared for anything from freezing cold to hot and humid.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Seriously considering a January trip, and have never been at this time before. it would be the second week in January. My concern (besides hoping a big snowstorm doesn't blanket the east coast before we take off ), is that I have heard of sometimes massive ride closures...favorites being shut down for refurbishment and the like.

If you have gone at that time, how bad to they tend to be? Is there any kind of site I can take a look at? I am hoping for long time closures, they might put them up way ahead of time. I used to count on Mousesavers for this but she stopped because the info she received wasn't always very good so she couldn't depend on it.

Any info, tips, tricks would be greatly appreciated! We have a chance to spend some time, and the crowds should be low so that shouldn't be too bad...I hope

One of the two water parks will be closed (not that you will likely be going anyway) and during quiet seasons they do more work on rides (Splash Mountain often closes sometime in January for updates for example). I go in December (first two weeks) so they do operate less rides at each attraction. Also you run the risk of cooler weather (60 is still better than up here but personally I wouldn't spend thousands of dollars for that weather). It is hit or miss, it may be 75-80 or it could be 55-60.

 

[Cando86]

We were just there this past January. It was a great time to visit. The weather was a little chilly at times ("chilly" for Florida, anyway!) but other than that it was a nice, quiet time to visit. We had some days that were in the 80s and others that were downright cold (started in the 30s and 40s). We were in shorts one day and hats and gloves the next. Just make sure to pack accordingly!

I think Marathon weekend might fall while you are there and it did while we were but we didn't run into any issues because of it whatsoever except on the marathon day itself the MK bus dropped us at the Contemporary instead of MK.

The only things that were closed were Splash Mountain and one of the water parks (I think it was Blizzard Beach but I know they alternate which one they close every year, so one is always open).

 

[jennab113]

I was down in January this year the week between the Marathon and MLK. It was great. I usually started and ended the day with a sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt on and spent the middle of the day in short sleeves. I really liked the 60-70ish weather and thought the crowd level was amazing. It's the week of my birthday, so I will definitely be back that time of year. We were much colder in last November when we had to buy hats and gloves.

 

[ms tom morrow]

I LOVE January trips! We live in the northeast as well, and the "chilly" Florida weather is perfect for us. When we go during warmer times we get about half as much done because it's just too hot for us. The crowds in January are great, and although Splash is usually down there is still plenty to see and do. We typically stay at GF, and enjoy dinner or drinks at the other monorail resorts more during our January trips than other times because the resorts are much less crowded as well.

 

[Jeannie in NJ]

Last time we went was Jan (either the 2nd or 3th, can't remember which, and we stayed 9 days). I don't recall what was closed, none of our favorites were closed and I know Splash wasn't closed as dd and sil rode it a couple of time.

 

[CarolynFH]

The only other thing I'd mention is that the parks close earlier, so you'll probably want to plan to be in the parks from RD to close rather than taking a lengthy afternoon break. Fortunately the weather is such that you won't need an afternoon break to escape from the heat.

 

[samsteele]

I used to go in January because of the incredible discounts (not so deep now) and low crowds. It can be cold and it did snow on one trip some years ago. Pack jeans, gloves, hat and a warm jacket. I didn't have a problem with the water rides being down (Splash Mountain, sometimes Kali River Rapids and always 1 waterpark closed) simply because it was too chilly to be interested in them. On occasion, a headliner ride can also be down for maintenance because the crowds are lower. No way to predict which one or ones this early out but do check online once we get into the Fall. I haven't gone in January for a few years now but not because of WDW issues. Lately, I've found getting to and from Northern airports to be way too difficult, stressful and unpredictable because of our harsher winters in the past few years. It just isn't worth the stress of watching the weather forecasts and then slipping and sliding on the roads just to get to the airport to pray that the flight actually takes off on time. I now prefer the shoulder seasons. In fact, I now try to avoid airport runs from mid November right through to spring. Good luck with your choice

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've been twice in January (2013 and 2014). It can get pretty chilly at night (we had a few nights in the 30s). However, I found my stamina to be much better in the cooler weather. The parks "felt" less crowded to me than other times I've been (March, Memorial Day, August). As other posters said, Splash will more likely than not be closed, and one of the water parks will be closed. The parks (other than Epcot) will probably have shorter hours.

Overall, I liked my January trips a lot because of the cooler weather.