Oct./Jan. ??

[steffali]

Which month would you chose to go, either Oct. or Jan. ??? We have a trip planned for Oct. but now my DH is saying we can go in Jan. ( we can't do both ) So it is either Oct. or Jan. which month will be the least crowded????? Any Advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[liamandcaili]

October would be more crowded than January, unless you are talking Christmas vacation week. However, October has the Food and Wine Festival in Epcot, the weather is warmer so you could go swimming if you wanted, and if you're close to Halloween, you also have the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. January seems to be the month they close some of the big attractions for renovation. If you're just looking for low crowds, then pick January. However, October is usually not crazy busy, and there is a lot more happening.

 

[JennyDrake]

We always choose January as crowds are virtually non-existant. Swimming can be iffy, btu remember that all Disney pools are heated. You also get good AP room discounts and usually low airfare!

Jenny

 

[steffali]

Thanks for the replies, we don't care too much about the swimming but do you think it will be warm enough to wear shorts?

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I took my first January trip this past Jan for a conference. Of course, I HAD to work in some park time too! The first day was very warm & perfect for shorts. The rest of the week was very cool, especially in the mornings & nights. I wore long or capri pants & layered my tops with a lightweight denim jacket.

As for crowds, I was surprised at how crowded it was. I was there January 24-28, and was surprised to find crowds worse (IMHO) than when we go in October. I had read on these boards about rides being walk on, etc... But it wasn't so in MK and Epcot. Those were the only two parks I made it to.

We LOVE going in October! The weather is hot, but not unbearable. We found the crowds to be very manageable. We used FP when needed, but often rides were 5-10 minute wait. The longest line we had was for Test Track. I think we waited about 20-30 minutes for it. It was at night & there were no more fastpasses for the day.

There are pros & cons to each of those months. You just have to weigh them both & see which is best for your family. Have fun planning!

 

[jultomzach]

I have been to Disney for the past three years in both October and January. The crowds are smaller than October but the weather is VERY variable and unpredictable. I have been in the Magic Kingdom in Jan when the high for the day was 52 degrees and it froze the night before. It can get downright cold (and this coming from a PA girl). Cold snaps last 1 - 5 days so if you can go for a longer period, you will have a few days with shorts. Take gloves if you go in Jan, you may need them. However, my favorite time of the year to go....the second week of January(stay away from Martin Luther weekend).

 

[steffali]

Here are our choices the 1st or 3rd week of October or the 2nd or 3rd week of Jan. Are the prices different for Oct and Jan. ? If so which month is cheaper?

 

[Eeyore2003]

I would definitely choose October. And of the 1st and 3rd week, if you want the lowest crowds, I'd pick the first. We went that week 1 1/2 years ago and it was lovely. The Food and Wine Festival is going on, as is MNNSHP, and I know you said swimming isn't important, but the weather was very warm in October. A holiday and festivals, just "add" a little bit extra I think.

 

[Nala56]

The first time we went to WDW was in October 1999, ever year since then we have gone in January. We love January. We were there 1/20-29 last year, the weather was very warm, shorts every day. However, we have been in January when we froze. I always take gloves and hand warmers just in case, we have used both.

Jan - mid February is usually value season so is cheaper. Also they usually have a code during that time that saves even more money. Last year we stayed at AKL, our room rate was $179.00 including taxes for standard room but was upgraded to savanna room when checking in. Also, last year when you bought tickets you were given hopper passes and water parks, disney quest for same price as standard ticket.

The crowds are growing every year but still a great time to go.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We went this past January and fell in love with January touring. The weather was great (although I am sure it can be cold at times), crowds were the smallest we had ever seen. As you can see below, we are counting the days until our January 2007 trip. What really makes the deal for us is that our kids won't miss much school because our school system works in a few break days between semesters (third week of January)

 

[PKK/MJK]

The biggest problem with January is the erratic weather. I was very surprised at just how COLD it can be at WDW one day--and how warm it can be the next. When I say COLD--I really mean hat and gloves cold too--especially in the early AM and the evenings. BRR! Of course, it's not as cold as the northern states--but I think you notice it more psychologically because you think Florida should be warm all the time--you want it to be WARM because one of the reasons for going to Florida in January is to escape the cold.. January also is fairly crowded. At the beginning of the month, many people stay after New Years. Then there's the Marathon weekend, followed by MLK. It's surprisingly busy--probably not as busy as October but the parks definitely are not empty. As others have mentioned, some of the attractions close in January and the parks all close earlier. October weather is beautiful and there are a lot of special things going on--but it can be crowded.

 

[CrazyChik]

I'd choose October because the weather is nice, not to hot or humid, you can still use the pools and it isn't that crowded unless you go for haloween. January is colder not so much pool weather the crowds die out the further into it you go. I still pick October.