Need Advice on First Week in Jan.

[Bill From PA]

We may have to switch our 2005 from March to the first week in Jan. How are the crowds, weather, availability of WDW resort discounts and are there any special events going on then? Also, are the holiday decorations still up? We're looking at leaving New Year's Day or a day later and staying 8 - 10 days. Thanks for any answers you can provide.

Bill From PA

 

[nowellsl]

Two years ago we went the first week in Jan. We had a really good FL residents discount on the room. It was much more crowded than we were used to! It was also very cold - near freezing in the morning. This year we went back towards the end of January (MLK weekend). The weather was much nicer this year (you can't predict the weather in Jan. in FL!) It was also less crowded, which surprised me. I think the further you get from New Years the less crowded it is. Some of the Christmas decorations were still up in early Jan. I'll probably go back in January but later in the month.

 

[Jillpie]

This past January, we went from the 9th-18th. Bill, it was outstanding. We ended up being there for marathon weekend and it didn't disrupt a thing. The weather was pretty much chilly early mornings, so you'd go to the parks with a fleece or sweatshirt. Take off the jacket by late morning. We'd go back to the BCV for an afternoon of swimming, the pool was awesome because there was hardly anyone there! It was a tad chilly coming out, but swimming itself was great. Then in the evenings, a light jacket again or sweatshirt.

Then comes the BEST part. The crowds were extremely light. I should say what crowds?? The word really doesn't even apply here. The rides were literally walk ons the entire week. How great was it to go on all your favorites over and over again.

So if no crowds is your thing, do it, it was awesome. The Xmas decorations were up on the 9th, but by the end of our vacation, they were all down. It was kind of weird to even see them in January, as Christmas was over in my mind before we left New England! Have a great time if you choose to go, you won't regret it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been several times the very first week in January, and am going 1/2/2005 with DS. As others have said-no crowds. I'm one who dilly-dallies leaving MK, and by the time I got to the bus stop was almost an hour after closing-no one there! I was so afraid I was abandoned. My first Enite was 1/3/2002. Except for the fact that it was extremely cold, it was great-once again, absolutely no lines. I'd say bring your gloves and hats and don't expect to swim, but who knows with Pennsylvania blood! And make sure you get over to MGM on or before 1/2. That's the last scheduled day of the Osborne Lights. Most all the Christmas decorations in the parks come down in the first few days, with resort decorations to follow. You mentioned discounts-I got AKL Savannah view in 2002 for $155/nite incl. tax, that wasn't an AP discount.

 

[Disney Doll]

We're there the first full week in January every other year, as my DH has a friend who runs in the marathon, and we feel we have to be there to support him! In any event, the 2005 marathon is January 9th.

Weather-wise, we've had anywhere from high 80's (unusual for that time of year,even in Florida) to low 30's (also unusual for that time of year in Florida, but they were getting a 2 foot blizzard at hime, so even 30 in WDW was better than that!!!). In general, the days are 60's-low 70's, nights are 40-50. I think it's a nice time to go, because it's not all that crowded...it's one of the least crowded times of the year,IMHO. We are from CT, so if we are on vacation, and the temp gets into the 70's, we're in the pool, so for us, it is pool weather in general, or at least hot tub weather in the evening after walking around all day...ahh....

There are some decent discounts available, because I think they are trying to draw people there during their less crowded time.

As far as holiday decorations...you kind of catchthe tail-end of some of them, but they are heavily into taking them down. usually while we are there, we may see some decorations somewhere when we first arrive, and by the end of the trip they are gone.