Martin Luther King crowd levels?

[HollyJoy]

How exactly crowded are the parks the week of Martin Luther King day? Wondering if I should go this week or the next...

 

[OKW Lover]

MLK day itself doesn't really affect park attendance. Not a lot of people have that day off and its so close to the Christmas/New Year holidays that a lot of people aren't ready to travel just yet.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I was there that weekend in 2013 and 2014. I didn't notice any crazy crowds.

 

[twoplustwins]

We were there a few years ago. It was very busy due to the cheerleading and dance nationals and soccer tournament that ended the day before. There were still tons of cheerleaders in MK that day.

 

[beccasmom]

We've only visited once at that time (it is right around my birthday) and we thought the weekend surrounding the holiday was busy, but not crazily so. The weather on our trip was not the greatest either - kind of rainy and chilly, so maybe it held back local traffic too.

 

[HollyJoy]

I am still not sure of what to do! Why is this so hard!? lol

 

[scrapquitler]

We've been that weekend the last two years. We thought the crowds were light, but there were a lot of cheerleaders or dance teams (I don't know which they were, but they were all very perky). We plan to go back the same weekend in 2018.

 

[HollyJoy]

We've been that weekend the last two years. We thought the crowds were light, but there were a lot of cheerleaders or dance teams (I don't know which they were, but they were all very perky). We plan to go back the same weekend in 2018.

How light? How were wait times?

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I'm following this thread, too, because we just booked a parents only trip for this particular January weekend. Our other option was Presidents' Day weekend, which we know is crowded. If resort prices are any indication, I suspect the February weekend is MUCH more crowded, because the prices were 35% higher across the board than the January weekend - right up there with Spring Break.

 

[Lisa F]

I'm just bumping up this thread instead of starting a new one. I am looking at booking MLK weekend in 2018 (and the following week) because I only have to take my son out of school for 4 days instead of 6 for an 8 day vacation. I am going to be upgrading my passes to APs on our upcoming february trip and wanting to get another use out of them. I am finding mixed results from "crazy worse than christmas" crowds to this thread, hoping for a bit more input!

 

[BigredNole]

I would avoid it like the plague. The parks are busy every day of the year now. What you are no looking at is what level of busy. You will be looking at an hour wait for pretty much everything by noon. There will be people everywhere. It won't be XMas busy, but it will be close to Easter and 4th of July busy.

 

[Texans_loyal]

Following!
I made a rookie mistake and rented DVC points on MLK weekend. the reservation is non refundable so we will have to grin and bear it. hoping it's not crazy busy but it is what it is at this point. hope everyone has a great time, i love going to Disney in Jan!

 

[goofy78]

We are going the same weekend. We've never been in January but it's my 40th birthday! I'm not too concerned about the crowds. We are new DVC owners as of 12/2016 and have been twice so far. Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day weekend. Crowds were not an issue either of those weekends.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I posted upthread that I was there in 2013 and 2014. It was more crowded than (insert lower crowd level day here), but it really wasn’t bad, especially after the actual holiday. I’ve visited during Memorial Day Weekend and spring break as well and those were way worse. You’ll be fine!

 

[Wubar]

We're going during that timeframe as well. Currently have us spending a half day at Epcot on the Sunday prior, and then at DHS on MLK. Trip is already booked, don't plan on cancelling, so we'll just deal with any level of the crowds. Will be fun regardless!

 

[Lisa F]

We are going the same weekend. We've never been in January but it's my 40th birthday! I'm not too concerned about the crowds. We are new DVC owners as of 12/2016 and have been twice so far. Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day weekend. Crowds were not an issue either of those weekends.

that's good to know, I would say it's kind of the equivalent where locals might come out for the long weekend but most people have kids in school for the days surrounding the weekend and won't be pulling them out (unlike me, lol)

welcome home! I've owned since 1999. Hoping I have a good shot of a non home resort that week too!

 

[dwheaton]

We went in 2016, and it wasn't bad. The busiest day was the Sunday, but even that wasn't as crazy as Spring Break last year. I found it to be busier than normal in January but still in the 6 or 7/10 range in terms of all days. It's doable, and the benefit of nicer weather means you don't wear out as fast. It was a great weekend. We're doing it again in 2018. I can't wait.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We'll be there. Just got home from being there Thanksgiving week and I doubt it will be as packed as that.

 

[figmentedfollies]

In my experience, Saturday/Sunday/Monday are busy. Especially Magic Kingdom. Because while it is a short holiday, it certainly gives people who are within driving distance (your mileage may vary on that qualification, pun somewhat intended) more of a reason to come down. However, by Tuesday or so the crowds have lightened.

 

[jedijake]

Going in January used to be my favorite time to go prior to having kiddos. From what i hear / read now it’s much diceier now then it used to be in terms of crowds.