*** OFFICIAL January 2013 Thread ***

[maman_et_fille]

Hi there everyone! Can we be added to this thread too? . We are heading down on January 8th, staying at the Dolphin. We just returned from ABD Cities of Knights and
Lights tour in May and loved it! Haven't been to WDW in two years and started missing it after talking about it with our fellow travelers. We always go in June, so this will be the first time in January for us. I will read back through the thread, but in the ,eat time, any packing advice for this time of year would be greatly appreciated! LOL

It all boils down to layers! (And checking the forecast right up till you go.) We usually end up with 1-2 chillier days, then the rest are mild during the day but cooler in the morning/evening. It's really quite wonderful - more clothing on means less sunscreen and your make-up won't melt off your face after 10 minutes in the park! We usually do not bring swim stuff, but we probably will this time. We have really lucked out with weather; based on the past couple of years, there is the potential for "very" cold weather. Also, one year our flight home to DC was cancelled because of weather at home, so we ended up staying 3 more days. (Which has nothing to do with packing except to bring money for laundry!)

 

[hulagirl87]

Hi! I'd like to be added to this thread if I could. Booked this morning for January 24 - February 1 at AoA. dd's first trip and super excited!! We were hoping to take her for her birthday a month later, but with February break/president's week, it was a bit more than we wanted to spend. So January it is! She will be just shy of 3 so still free. Free is good

Now I can't wait to make ADR's!

 

[StarGirl11]

Still no EMHs for January . This wait is starting to get on the side of ridiculous. At this rate February hours will be out before we have the January EMHs ! I could understand maybe them not having it before the package release. But the packages are now out and they still haven't updated the calendar. They don't even have to update the hours. They just have to pick the dates for EMHs. Come on Disney get off your butt and post the freaking EMHs, how hard can it be?

 

[hulagirl87]

Still no EMHs for January . This wait is starting to get on the side of ridiculous. At this rate February hours will be out before we have the January EMHs ! I could understand maybe them not having it before the package release. But the packages are now out and they still haven't updated the calendar. They don't even have to update the hours. They just have to pick the dates for EMHs. Come on Disney get off your butt and post the freaking EMHs, how hard can it be?

I was reading on another thread that Disney might be making changes to the EMH so they are waiting to post until they decide to make the announcement.

 

[Marshay]

Bummer! I was hoping that today would be part of the EMH announcements, too.

 

[ButterflyJen]

I would plan for dinner around 6:30pm for a 9pm Wishes. The reason I say so early is because O'hana is ALWAYS backed up and even though your ressie is for 6:30pm, you may not get in until 7pm.

However, it is January, so it should be less crowded.

But there are lots of things to do anyway, if you do find yourself with time to spare. We let our girls play in the sand while we sit on the hammocks...walk around the resort and take great photos -- the plants and waterfalls make wonderful background photos...ride the monorail in a loop around the resorts...explore CR or GF, too...go to the shops, etc.

Thank you!! I greatly appreciate the input

We are booked!! 1/27-2/2 AoA LM. So excited....bring on free dining!!

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

Thank you!! I greatly appreciate the input

We are booked!! 1/27-2/2 AoA LM. So excited....bring on free dining!!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think that LM rooms are excluded from free dining- we were planning on staying there too but are now looking at different rooms.

 

[SL30]

It is excluded for the fall....but I for one am keeping the faith that they might decide to include it for Jan dates

 

[NE Goofy]

I would like to be added to this thread. We are going 1/15 - 1/21 and staying at AoA. Hope for free dining!

 

[dawnhaze]

I got most of my ADRs this morning. The CM told me a few places weren't added to the system for my dates yet - Ohana, Bistro, Citrico's, and the Fantasmic package at Brown Derby - but I got everything else, and most of the times are exactly what I wanted. The ones that aren't are close enough that I can make them work.

 

[Danjocass]

I am so excited package - booked, airfare - booked, all I need now is to make my ADR's next Sunday & pray for free dining!!
P.S. - how do I join the FB page?

 

[mickeyplanner]

We were able to make three reservations at Ohana. I wonder what happen since Monday.

I still can't believe EMH aren't listed yet. Sanaa is still closed for availability.

We did book our airfare. I could kick myself because when I checked on the flights in the afternoon they were cheapier than we I finally booked in the evening. So we had to change our dates, we are now going January 6-10 BLT Studio LK and January 10-12 AKL Kidani Studio Savanna view.

 

[ButterflyJen]

We figured we'd book AoA LM and hope they are included in FD (if we get it) . If not, we'll switch resorts, no biggie for us. We've never been so it's all new to us!

 

[maman_et_fille]

January 10-12 AKL Kidani Studio Savanna view.

I noticed in your signature you have a 5 yo daughter and 1 yo son? The only reason I ask is because we'll be at AKV (Jambo) starting the 10th with very minimal park time until the 13th and I know my kids would love to play

 

[TinaElmerRh]

Please add me to your list. We are renting a villa at Windsor Hills from Dec. 29 - Jan. 5th.

 

[dawnhaze]

We were able to make three reservations at Ohana. I wonder what happen since Monday.

The CM that helped me did have some problems with her computer system. I'm going to ring them back this evening and see if anything is available. I wish the website would link my package reservation so I could just check online!

 

[redoschi]

Planning a trip in late january until first weekend of February.

For now we're planning to arrive on January 21st and leave on February 2nd but we haven't booked yet! (hoping for Free Dining! Do you people think it will show up next month like it was revealed this week for the remainder of 2012?) We're planning for a value resort, preferably Art of Animation, but I'd love to stay at Pop Century also as I haven't stayed there before.

This will be my Dear Fiancee's second trip to WDW and her Mother and Brother's first! (They have been to Disneyland Paris, but never to WDW!).

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

Well, we switched resorts from AoA to Port Orleans Royal Room. I was afraid they will not offer FD at AOA and also I think it will be really busy for buses and everything. I did really want to stay there, but maybe next time Dates are the same Jan 3-13

just gives me a reason to go back

So now I am done with everything except trying to get BOG when they open up for ADR's.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I noticed in your signature you have a 5 yo daughter and 1 yo son? The only reason I ask is because we'll be at AKV (Jambo) starting the 10th with very minimal park time until the 13th and I know my kids would love to play

We are planning on spending almost the whole day on January 11 enjoying the resort activities and pool. That would be great if we could meet up and the kids could play during our stay.

 

[eeyoreland]

We are thinking about going January 3 to 9. How terribly bad do you think the crowds will be? I'm hearing a lot about schools not going back until the 7th.