K, so I'm not going back in Jan again.

[harvey]

After 6 previous visits during the last week of January, this year I am throwing up my hands in defeat. The weather was BAD, prolly worse than any other January we've been. But mostly, I was SO disappointed in the number of closed rides/attractions for refurbishment. Plus we had trouble with the fast pass machines, and several rides broke down just as we were ready to get on.

I find the whole reason I go is for the sun....even when it's cold in FL at least the sun usually shines. Not last week. I'm never been more miserable in DW. Rain, cold temps, wind. Blech. OUr whole family decided we're gonna wait a few years before going back, and then go a different time of the year. It just lost some magic and luster this year. THings seemed tired and old....I found myself wondering if Animal Kingdom will make it. We were stopped for mini-infomercials for different attractions from CM's just sorta standing around...as if they were trying to 'sell' the place.

Does anyone know what is up with all the refurb going on this year in particular? It's never been so bad.

I hope by waiting a few years before going back, we'll be able to catch the magic again. *sigh*

 

[WDSearcher]

Most of the refurbishment is for the big 50th anniversary celebration that will begin on May 5. They've been touting this -- Small World re-do, castle enhancement, etc -- for months so that it doesn't "surprise" anyone.

At Animal Kingdom, it's actually the CMs themselves who decided to "speil" to guests about DAK. I think that there are a lot of CMs there who really love the park and know that it comes in as #4 for many guests, so they're trying to build interest and excitement. The park is actually doing pretty well -- even as the least attended of the Disney parks, it's still a huge draw.

I'm wondering if things looked "tired and old" because of the gray weather and your general "rainy day" disposition?

 

[loriandmatt]

gotta say i agree - one big appeal visiting WDW in the "winter months" would have for me would be the sunshine and far milder temps that what i can get at home. If it was gloomy and i had to have a winter coat on, the magic and wonder factors of WDW would go way down for me. i think the earliest i would ever visit again would be very late Feb or early March.

yea the rehabs and breakdowns suck (especially the breakdowns when you have been waiting in line for a while) but they wouldn't discourace me from visiting at a particular time again. the poor weather would.

- lori

 

[ptrbryant]

We went 2x during Jan.- Feb. The first time, we had lovely weather--still too cold for the pools at night, though. Last time, it was just raw with windy, cold rain for several days of our one week stay. This year, we're giving October a try!

Karla B.

 

[DisMN]

While it was gloomy there that week it was nowhere near as gloomy as it was back home. I only found myself having to wear gloves one day and a rain poncho once too.......but it did look like rain clouds a lot of the time didn't it?

As far as AK goes, we spent more time there than we've ever done...doing many shows for the first time. I think it's one of those parks you either love or hate, and we love the place. It's a very interactive park and that's what we enjoy about it.

 

[lllovell]

Give me January at WDW rather than at work anyday! It can be cold at times, but overall it tends to be better weather than we have at home.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Now I'm worried. I usually go in November and I went in August in the past. I decided to plan a trip for next January (so that dd can celebrate her birthday there). I have friends who just came back (about 2 weeks ago) and they said the weather was great. Hmmmm.....

 

[lllovell]

We went 4 times between Jan and Feb last year and had great weather each and every time. Light jackets at worst.

That said, the cold snap recently was bbrrrr cold. So the weather can go either way. Its worth the risk because the crowds are so light!

 

[hercamore]

That's too bad you had such cruddy weather.

You just never know. DD was in Orlando week of Jan 5. 80's the whole week and they swam at night.

herc.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We were there Jan 12-15. The weather leading up to our trip was FABULOUS. I am so jealous of the people who went the week before! We arrived on a Wednesday and it was beautiful - DS wore shorts to MK and was comfortable - just added a sweatshirt at night. Thursday was pretty good, too. Friday sucked. It poured and poured and we were miserable the whole day WITH ponchos and umbrellas. Saturday was gloomy, windy, cool, and by late afternoon it was misting heavily. I think the weather was pretty gross after we left, too!

We knew January was a gamble, but we decided to try it anyway! I think part of our problem was that we only had four days, and we felt obligated to see and do as much as possible in that time regardless of weather. On the other hand, the weather didn't get much better, so even if we had more time we still might have been disappointed.

We are booked to go back in October, so we'll see what happens then!

 

[TNMomof3]

I've been in January twice. The first time it was chilly, but only rained one day. The second time (for the marathon this year) it was sunny and 80 every day. I told a friend of mine that if I hadn't been seeing mouse ears everywhere, I'd have thought I was in heaven. The weather really can vary widely.

 

[civileng68]

BLAME IT ON EL NINO!!!!!!!!!

 

[Michelle2]

I just looked at your great pics from your trip! First I had to ask, do you have six kids?? wow that is great, I thought our four seemed like a big handful, and expensive to take to WDW...lol.
Second, were those pics from this recent trip you were talking about in January? If so, it looked like alot of your family was wearing shorts and light jackets, and it kinda looked sunny? Was it just really yucky just as it started getting dark? Or was the overall weather just in spurts?
I was just asking details because we are thinking of going during that exact time in order to get the lowest crowds. It sure looked nice and empty for you guys though! We went in end of Sept 22-Oct 8, 2003, and the heat totally drained us of all energy it seems. I am actually looking forward to going when we can wear warmer clothes because we were so hot! But thanks for posting, I hope our trip this December has good weather!

 

[Alice42]

We went January 1-8, 2003 and had cooler weather (50's), and also went this past January 5-9 and had BEAUTIFUL sunshine and 80 degree weather. It is very hit or miss, however I will take a cold January day at Disney over the cold snow in Chicago anyday!

 

[TDC Nala]

Things break down in the summer, too.

But in January you take your chances as to whether or not you'll have cold weather, and most rehabs are done in the "slow" months anyway, so there again you take your chances.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The weather was pretty iffy for our recent trip (1/21-26). the first day was supposed to be in the high 70's so we wore shorts and were pretty chilly. The next several days were cold for Orlando. We wore pants, sweatshirts, and brought jackets most days. At night we wore hats and gloves and the Illuminations cruise night we wore long johns.

My DH and I went the very end of Sept and were too hot. I suppose that I would take too cool over too hot since the heat really drains the energy. Cold and rainy wouldn't have been fun, though (we didn't have rain).

I also went in early Dec 2004 and in Feb 2004 and that weather was a little warmer overall, but we did have a cold day or two each trip.

Sure, it was a lot colder at home (Maryland), but I don't spend hours and hours every day outside in winter. Even my 11yo who does spend hours a day outside (playing in the snow when we have it), was cold this last trip.


T&B

 

[Luv2Roam]

We always aid vacationing in WDW in January spoiled us. It was our favorite time.
Even now I fee pretty good about only rarely having to wear a winter coat. And even then not needing to button it up!
No complaints here!
But I can handle cold much more so than heat. I can always throw something more on when cold. When hot... That's when I tend to hibernate.

 

[BonnieA]

Just got back from a week at WDW (and Universal). Sure it was cold the first part of the week. But I was prepared. To me it is still the best time to go. When you can get on nearly all rides (including Test Track, Splash Mtn, Mission Space, R&R Coaster & TOT) without more than a 5-10 minute standby wait even in the afternoon, that is what counts for me.

 

[Selket]

One of my fondest memories is of a January trip we made several years ago. I remember being waiting in line for Alien Encounter (then a new attraction and very popular) and it was cold and rainy. DH went and got us some hot chocolate to sip while we waited in line. I was just so happy to be there - everyone seemed happy to be there and it was just great.

It also helps if you spend the 1st part of your trip in the very southern most part of Florida - nice and warm and sunny down there

 

[scoutsmom99]

I just got back last week from a week there (Jan 19-26) and I would go again! The weather did not bother me at all, but then this was my 1st time going in Jan...anything beats MN in Jan though! I did notice that there was a lot more pauses on rides then there have been in the past. A lot of the Fantasyland attractions had pauses in them quite often, also Splash sometimes had back-up, and Buzz stopped quite a few times too! None of it bothered me I think I just happend to notice it more becuase I was traveling solo.