***Official Jan 2018 Thread****

[k8Davies]

Hi everyone! We're going Jan 20-27 for our first trip! Ok, so technically it's my 2nd, but I was only 5 the first time and have very vague memories of MK and an under-construction Spaceship Earth. I woke up early this morning and got our ADRs: Hollywood & Vine (D), Crystal Palace (L), Fireworks Dessert Party, Biergarten (L), Le Cellier (D), Be Our Guest (Dinner), Tusker House (D), Sanaa (D). I had to call to book our Keys to the Kingdom tour and got my first taste of excellent Disney customer service.

We are so excited! 2018 is our 20th wedding anniversary year, and this is the kickoff of our year-long celebration

Yay to the January board, I have added your trip to the roll call, apart from the resort as it doesn't seem to be mentioned (probably just me being dumb lol)

Wow sounds like a great trip and 20 years wow congratulations - if my DH keep annoying me about our ADRs doubt we make till our next one

I would say definitely your "1st" trip, you're going to have such a great time,and looks like you've got some fantastic ADRs and the Keys to the Kingdom tour - amazing (would love to do that tour).

I also love calling Disney as just telling me to have a magical day make the world that little bit brighter

 

[k8Davies]

Put us down for January 2018. We'll be at BWV from 1/20 to 1/27. This will be our third trip in January. We love going then since it's not terribly hot. Festival of the Arts and Pro Bowl seem to be bringing in more people during our week trip, though, than the same time frame of our 2015 trip. Still, we'd rather go in January than in the summer. Hope you enjoy your trip, OP. Bring a jacket for the evenings and in case of a cold day, but it's usually pretty nice.

Yay another January peep I have added your trip to the roll call; and a January pro - as this is our first January trip, love it that the pros are so enthusiastic about that time of year, just makes me more excited.

Also thanks for the advice, still trying to find the perfect jacket as I'm coming from the UK so even if it's around 60 (16 degrees in the UK) I'll be warm - so it needs to be light and easily stored for when the sun comes out

I told my husband that planning for London in 2019 will be much easier than planning for WDW.

Also London is easy - Just need sturdy shoes (as in some area there still are cobbled streets), and Oyster card (for the Tube) and pop by and see the Queen and you'll be golden - (I should know as typing this while at work looking over the London Skyline)

 

[MamaJessie]

Just saw January hours, yay! No time listed for RoL though :\

 

[Kemilyna]

Too many coincidences so I had to comment.

1) We are going the same dates as you guys.

2) Our first trip was also for our 20th anniversary. Now we're hooked.

3) I also made ADRs this morning and have three of the same places booked as you guys: Fireworks Dessert Party (we'll be there on 1/21 and have the Garden Viewing section booked), BOG, and Tusker House.

Wishing you a wonderful anniversary trip!

How fun! We will see you at the fireworks on the 21st. Garden view for us as well. Thanks for the anniversary wishes, and I hope your trip is wonderful as well.

 

[Kemilyna]

Yay to the January board, I have added your trip to the roll call, apart from the resort as it doesn't seem to be mentioned (probably just me being dumb lol)

Wow sounds like a great trip and 20 years wow congratulations - if my DH keep annoying me about our ADRs doubt we make till our next one

I would say definitely your "1st" trip, you're going to have such a great time,and looks like you've got some fantastic ADRs and the Keys to the Kingdom tour - amazing (would love to do that tour).

I also love calling Disney as just telling me to have a magical day make the world that little bit brighter

Oh, I did forget to mention our resort. Sorry about that! My fabulous dad has us booked at Port Orleans French Quarter. I can't wait to try the beignets! I was going to save the Keys tour for our next visit, but my husband was so excited about it, I added it back in. Must keep the spouses happy, yes?

 

[8caliace]

We have a family reunion of sorts taking place Jan 11-17. My wife, daughter and I live in the FL Panhandle, with family members mostly situated out west. So far our group is at 14 people, coming out from NV, UT, and OR. Our son will be coming out towards the end of his college winter break from the U of NV-Reno, and will be bringing his girlfriend for her first-ever visit to WDW. My mom, my brother, and his wife will also be inbound from NV, and my father- and mother-in-law from UT. Finally, my sister and her husband will be bringing their twins out from OR for their first-ever WDW trip.

We will all be staying at SOG, and are looking forward to seeing the first-timers experience everything there is to offer. ADR's have been a challenge, to say the least. I was only able to book dinner at Kona Café using the online system. Attempts to book Tutto Italia, The Wave, and Yak and Yeti all required calling the dining reservation line, only to be further told that I would have to contact the restaurants individually. Y&Y was booked with one call, although we had to split the group into 2 reservations and were told to let the hosts know when we check in that we are one party. The call to The Wave resulted in them taking down all my contact information, and I was told someone would call me back within 72 hours to confirm what will also be 2 reservations for the group. However, on my call to Tutto Italia, I was told that I could not book a reservation for our group until September?!? Not sure if this was just bad information or what, so I may call back to confirm.

No matter, we have enjoyed this time of year on some short visits in the past and are hopeful that everything remains very manageable for what will likely be a more casual and laid-back trip.

 

[k8Davies]

We have a family reunion of sorts taking place Jan 11-17. My wife, daughter and I live in the FL Panhandle, with family members mostly situated out west. So far our group is at 14 people, coming out from NV, UT, and OR. Our son will be coming out towards the end of his college winter break from the U of NV-Reno, and will be bringing his girlfriend for her first-ever visit to WDW. My mom, my brother, and his wife will also be inbound from NV, and my father- and mother-in-law from UT. Finally, my sister and her husband will be bringing their twins out from OR for their first-ever WDW trip.

another January Trip to you - wow 14 people, and a few first timers, so cool that will be such a fantastic trip - although with that many people good luck with all the planning Also fingers crossed you manage to sort out your ADRs especially your Y&Y one.

I have added your trip to the roll call

 

[k8Davies]

Oh, I did forget to mention our resort. Sorry about that! My fabulous dad has us booked at Port Orleans French Quarter. I can't wait to try the beignets! I was going to save the Keys tour for our next visit, but my husband was so excited about it, I added it back in. Must keep the spouses happy, yes?

Thanks for the update and POFQ - I might see you on the day you arrive, as I'm hankering to try the Beignets too, and I have been given a free day.

On the 20th my MIL, FIL, DH and DS will be doing a day trip to Kennedy leaving me with a free day at Disney, all to myself, honestly I am so happy.

Planning to spend most of the day hopping round resorts and parks trying lots of different food and drink-ies - going to also try the Minnie vans to cut down time between snack destinations.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Happy news on the ADR front. I posted previously about not being able to book CRT at 180 days yesterday. Just for fun, I decided to look at the reservations again today and not only is the online system working beautifully today, but I was also able to choose from a wide variety of times for CRT on the day I most preferred. I also moved my BOG lunch to a later time that same day and also had plenty of choices. So, if anyone else experienced trouble snagging any reservations yesterday, try again today.

 

[amberama76]

My little family is booked from January 27 to Feb 3 (my birthday) at AoA.

Edited to add...first trip during the winter. Can someone tell me what to expect weather-wise.

 

[MinMou]

Happy news on the ADR front. I posted previously about not being able to book CRT at 180 days yesterday. Just for fun, I decided to look at the reservations again today and not only is the online system working beautifully today, but I was also able to choose from a wide variety of times for CRT on the day I most preferred. I also moved my BOG lunch to a later time that same day and also had plenty of choices. So, if anyone else experienced trouble snagging any reservations yesterday, try again today.

Glad you got CRT now! Very often people cancel or change their reservations, so I figured that over the course of 180 days, you could get it, but it's great that you don't have to try to work it any more.

 

[Rmurphy005]

We will be taking our 2yo DD for our first family trip Jan 17-24th at AOA.

This is going to be my first trip needing so much planning and my ADR's went very smooth and i was able to get everything that we were hoping for by 6:15.

I started showing my daughter videos today of the parks and parades and she just keeps saying "me, me, me" because she wants to go so badly. I cannot wait to bring her into MK for the first time to see the castle. She sees it on the videos and says "BIG" so i can only imagine how big it is actually going to be to her.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

My little family is booked from January 27 to Feb 3 (my birthday) at AoA.

Edited to add...first trip during the winter. Can someone tell me what to expect weather-wise.

The weather varies. We've had daytime temps in the high 50s (which is still a bit warmer than our local winter temps, so not too cold for us) up to temps in the low 80s. Seems like mid - high 70s, low 80s is what we usually get for the daytime. Nights are cooler, so jackets are a good idea. If you're going to be at the parks late, I'd check the weather before heading out. You can stuff the jackets in a backpack and bring them with you if it looks like you will need them. I froze one night on our first trip and ended up spending a crazy amount of money on a hoodie at MK. It tends to rain once or twice a week when we are there. Last year, we had a crazy gale-like storm that brought tornadoes and sideways wind and rain. I think we had three days in a row of bad weather that trip. Mostly, we've really enjoyed the weather at the end of January, though.

 

[MinMou]

We will be taking our 2yo DD for our first family trip Jan 17-24th at AOA.

This is going to be my first trip needing so much planning and my ADR's went very smooth and i was able to get everything that we were hoping for by 6:15.

I started showing my daughter videos today of the parks and parades and she just keeps saying "me, me, me" because she wants to go so badly. I cannot wait to bring her into MK for the first time to see the castle. She sees it on the videos and says "BIG" so i can only imagine how big it is actually going to be to her.

You will LOVE seeing Disney through your daughter's eyes!
We took our son to Disneyland when he was that age, and it was truly magical. I am SO glad I didn't listen to people who don't understand that Disney is for young children too.
People told us he was too young and I said, he gets in free.
People told us not to bother with character meals, because little children are all scared of the characters, but my son wasn't.
(We did do some test runs at the Rainforest Cafe and Chuck E. Cheese near us. When I saw our boy high five Chuck, I knew he would be OK.)
I figured we'd go to the meals, and our son would at least be interested in seeing the animals from afar, but he was running up to some of the characters! And yes, we know this is not the norm.
People told us not to bother with the second park at DL, California Adventure, but that was where they had Disney Jr. Live on Stage, and I wish I could have captured my son's face during that show. It made the whole trip worth it. (I hope you have a day planned at Hollywood Studios.)
There were so many things we were told that just weren't the case for us. So if someone tries to rain on your parade, just smack them with your umbrella!

 

[stczt]

We're going on January as well!!! My son can't come home for Christmas so we're planning a late Christmas at Disney!!!!

 

[k8Davies]

We will be taking our 2yo DD for our first family trip Jan 17-24th at AOA.

This is going to be my first trip needing so much planning and my ADR's went very smooth and i was able to get everything that we were hoping for by 6:15.

I started showing my daughter videos today of the parks and parades and she just keeps saying "me, me, me" because she wants to go so badly. I cannot wait to bring her into MK for the first time to see the castle. She sees it on the videos and says "BIG" so i can only imagine how big it is actually going to be to her.

Yay to the January Thread - I have added your trip to the Roll Call.

Aw that is so cute that your 2 year old is getting super excited. I know she's going to have a fab trip.It so great going with little ones and seeing WDW though their eyes, gives you a totally new sense of wonder.

Also super glad you got all your ADRs it's great to see that the majority of January peeps are getting what they want first time and those who couldn't have managed to get it sorted out within a few days.

 

[k8Davies]

My little family is booked from January 27 to Feb 3 (my birthday) at AoA.

Edited to add...first trip during the winter. Can someone tell me what to expect weather-wise.

A big to the January thread I have added your fab upcoming trip to the Roll Call; and I hope you have a fab time especially on you Birthday

It's my first time in January as well and the lovely people on the thread have told me that it can be changeable so bring a jacket but still get some nice days.

Although if you're like me and will be traveling from a very wintry place (well it's probably going to be more raining than snowy) even it's just dry and sunny it's going to be a vast improvement lol

 

[k8Davies]

We're going on January as well!!! My son can't come home for Christmas so we're planning a late Christmas at Disney!!!!

Double Christmas, that sound like a great idea.

well to the thread, and please keep us updated of you plans and when your all sorted I'll happily add you to the roll call

 

[MinMou]

I just got an email from WDWPrep School (one of the Disney blogs) that Disney has finally announced all their hours for January, so they updated their crowd calendar.
It looks like Kenny the Pirate's calendar which has been out for a while, but it's nice to know that it is all official now.
http://wdwprepschool.com/january-at-disney-world/

 

[SaintsManiac]

I am so shocked at how easy it's been to snag BOG lunch on MLK weekend. I wanted to change MK days and there were 3 times to choose from in the range I wanted. This is a walk in the park compared to Thanksgiving week ADRS!