Mid to late January?

[lulu2]

Do you think mid to late January would be a popular time for a DVC stay? We now own at HH but thinking about a trip Jan 2011. We would just need a studio and thought it might be fun to stay at Boardwalk again. Although, we wouldn't be too picky on where we stay. Any thought? As always expected, we would call at 7 months out....

 

[drusba]

There is Martin Luther King time when WDW itself is quite crowded. However, at 7 months last half of Jan you should have a very good chance of getting BWV preferred pool or garden view but only slim chance of getting standard or boardwalk view

 

[rkwier]

We were at SSR this last January - 21 - 25. It was the weekend after the MLK weekend. We had a great time! Parks were very manageable and we had very little wait time. We rode EE three times in a row! The only variable is the weather. When we arrived, they were having record breaking freezing temperatures. When we left, it was 75 and gorgeous! Just pack layers and you should be fine.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went in Jan. '08 over MLK weekend and stayed at VWL for 4 nights. We LOVED our little winter get-away! I can tell you that VWL is the PERFECT setting in winter with all of their big fireplaces & warm wood & earthy tones. It was the perfect winter lodge. Since we were there over MLK weekend it was crowded but not horrific. Not like summer crowds anyway.

The weather was indeed a challenge to pack for. It varied widely while we were there. The evening we arrived it was warm & muggy and the next day they CALLED for mid-70's & overcast but it stayed in the 60's & drizzled on & off all day. One afternoon the sun came out & it got up to about 70 so we rushed out to the pool for an hour but we really pretty much stayed in the hot tub! We also had an evening of torrential storms that night with LOTS of lightening so we made it an early night. Our last day was quite chilly (low 50's) and windy and we got a bit cold with the wind. Just pack for a variety changing weather & enjoy being at Disney! I can't wait to be able to go in winter again!

 

[DVC Grammy]

January is a regular WDW time for me. The weather is a gamble, though, so you have to be prepared (although I'm sure you could find a few shops that sell sweatshirts, etc. ). This past January was really cold from mid-late January (exactly while I was there, of course ). Other years, January has been warm. Because the weather is a gamble, I make my January reservations at the "hotel-type" DVCs, where the restaurants are inside, or a short walk away (BWV, AKV, VWL, BCV). At other times, SSR and OKW are fine (but NOT in inclement weather ).
The crowds are quite manageable, except for Marathon weekend and MLK weekend.
All in all, January is one of my favorite months to go to WDW (other than the two Festival times). In fact the ONLY time I won't go is during the summer months and school holiday times.

 

[Golden Rose]

We were there this year. MLK day itself was MISERABLE. We generally avoid peak times, so it was the worst crowds we'd ever seen. DS actually said he wanted to go home and go back to school, but then, he really hates crowds.

The middle of the week was great crowds-wise, but very, very cold. We were there one day at AK that they didn't let the animals out of their overnight barns because most of the animals need temperate to tropical conditions. We ended the trip with a couple of lovely days, both crowds wise and temperature wise.

Between MLK day being miserable and a couple of the days being miserably cold, DH doesn't really want to go back in January again. I'd been before in January and had lovely weather, so I've convinced him to try it at least one more time before giving up on it entirely.

 

[permavac]

We were there this past January 26th through February 6th. I have to agree with DVC Grammy - the weather can be not so nice. We had sun most of the time but a few days there it was terribly cold. I used to say that as long as we get sun I'll be ok, but this past trip made me realize that if you're coming from up north you need the heat as well. We've decided no more January trips for us (even though you could get lucky and have great weather - not worth it for us to leave it to chance). On the plus side, the crowds were there, but light enough to enjoy most everything without an interminable wait if you arrived at the right times. Good luck in your planning!

Terri

 

[lulu2]

Thanks for all your input, we may have some planning to do!
Lulu

 

[edk35]

We have been to WDW the end of Jan. 4 times now. We love our Jan. trips. We have only stayed DVC though once in Jan. We stayed at OKW but we didn't book at the 7 month window so I am not sure what else would have been available. We had colder weather in Nov. over Thanksgiving this past year than our Jan. days this year. We have worn shorts/and we have had to wear light jackets. You never know in Jan. However..............you can't beat the crowds in late Jan. We love those trips.

 

[Starr W.]

We were there this year. MLK day itself was MISERABLE. We generally avoid peak times, so it was the worst crowds we'd ever seen. DS actually said he wanted to go home and go back to school, but then, he really hates crowds.

The middle of the week was great crowds-wise, but very, very cold. We were there one day at AK that they didn't let the animals out of their overnight barns because most of the animals need temperate to tropical conditions. We ended the trip with a couple of lovely days, both crowds wise and temperature wise.

Between MLK day being miserable and a couple of the days being miserably cold, DH doesn't really want to go back in January again. I'd been before in January and had lovely weather, so I've convinced him to try it at least one more time before giving up on it entirely.

We go MLK weekend (thurs-fly back Mon). Did MK on Friday, rode Space Mountain a total of 5 times that day. I've never seen MK that empty.

Used TGM and we were able to ride all the big rides multiple times.

Now we are used to going Thanksgiving, so our perception of not crowded is probably different.

At 7 months, we've been able to book 2br at BCV and BW view for the last 2 MLK weekends.

Weather has been okay, sure beats the sub-zero we left in OH both yrs.