New comer to DLR with a planning question

[ebtbmom]

I am planning my first major trip to DLR for Jan 2010. I'm coming in Jan because I want to avoid crowds, but I would also LOVE to see Haunted Mansion Holiday. If I fly in on Jan 2 and go to DL on Jan 3 will I still be able to ride HMH while missing out on the crowds? I figured that later in the week the crowds would start thinning out, maybe? My other option is to come Jan 30 and just miss HMH, figured the crowds would be gone by then.

 

[ScooterL]

The holiday festivities will continue all the way through New Year's weekend, at least through January 3. The Christmas parade and special fireworks (if they have them this year) will end on the 3rd, and the decorations will start to come down, but it takes a while. Haunted Mansion Holiday usually continues for a week after New Year's, which would mean it would end on January 10, but that's not cast in stone, and Disney could decide to close it after January 3 instead.

Unfortunately, since January 2-3 is the weekend after New Year's, the parks are very busy still. But that first full week of January should be pretty good crowd-wise since most of the kids will be back in school.

 

[DangerMouse]

There will still be plenty of crowds the first weekend of January, especially with the Rose Bowl.

If you really want to avoid the crowds, I'd suggest coming later in the month and missing HMH, or else going in November or early December to see HMH w/o the crowds.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I went on Jan 1st and 2nd this year and I have never seen it so packed! My purpose was to see HMH and IASWH. Mornings were nice, especially Jan 1st. But by lunch it was very crowded! I noticed this next holiday season, those days are blacked out for APs, but they weren't this year. I imagine that the Monday after the holidays are over should be very nice and uncrowded, but there will also be some attractions and shows closed.

 

[ebtbmom]

Thanks for the advice, I might have to come later in the month because I hate crowds. I have always traveled to WDW in early Nov and the crowd levels have been very manageable. Hopefully I'll see HMH one day, wish I could have my $$$ saved up by this Nov.