***Official January 2025 Thread***

[Emmaro]

Hi, I am hoping you guys can help me. My family and I are regular Disney visitors, but this will be our first trip in January. We usually visit during May or October. What can I expect for the weather? How should we dress? We live in the midwest and are used to cold weather. Also, we haven't been to Disney since May 2022. A lot has changed and I feel overwhelmed, any advice?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Hi, I am hoping you guys can help me. My family and I are regular Disney visitors, but this will be our first trip in January. We usually visit during May or October. What can I expect for the weather? How should we dress? We live in the midwest and are used to cold weather. Also, we haven't been to Disney since May 2022. A lot has changed and I feel overwhelmed, any advice?

Weather can be anything from the 50s to the 80s, I’d dress in layers and expect evenings yo be chilly. Check the forecast before you leave. The main changes since 2022 are the new Lightning lane system which you can learn more about on the boards here or on YouTube.

 

[vtran004]

December 30 - January 4 (BWV). First time going for NYE and Festival of the Holidays!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Cake Bake Shop Opens at Disney's BoardWalk with Lower Prices – Updated Menu Inside

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hi, I am hoping you guys can help me. My family and I are regular Disney visitors, but this will be our first trip in January. We usually visit during May or October. What can I expect for the weather? How should we dress? We live in the midwest and are used to cold weather. Also, we haven't been to Disney since May 2022. A lot has changed and I feel overwhelmed, any advice?

Weather can be anything from the 50s to the 80s, I’d dress in layers and expect evenings yo be chilly. Check the forecast before you leave. The main changes since 2022 are the new Lightning lane system which you can learn more about on the boards here or on YouTube.

Agreed. There can be large weather swings, so layers will probably be important. However, I wouldn't worry too much until the 10-day weather forecast starts to come out. It will change so much before then!

As for what's changed at Disney, I've tried to keep a running list of some recent changes in the second post on the first page:

What's New for 2025?

• Free water park! Registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 will receive a complimentary one-day water park ticket valid for check-in day only.
• Cancellation policy changes! Beginning January 1, 2025, all Walt Disney World room-only reservations must be canceled eight days prior to the check-in date. Previously, guests could cancel within five days.
• Campsite capacity! Beginning January 1, 2025, campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will be limited to a maximum of eight guests. Previously, campsites allowed up to ten guests.

What Changed in 2024?

• Park hopping! Effective January 9, 2024, Disney World guests no longer have to wait until after 2:00pm in order to hop between theme parks. As a result, park-to-park buses now begin operating at 10:00am each day.
• Park reservations! Effective January 9, 2024, date-based tickets (the standard ticket option) no longer require theme park reservations. Good-to-go days were also introduced, which are select days that do not require park reservations for Annual Passholders and Cast Members.
• Meal plans! For stays beginning January 9, 2024, Disney dining plans can be added to Disney Resort vacation packages.
• Dining reservation searches! Effective March 11, 2024, Disney World guests may now search dining availability for up to 10 days at a time.
• Genie+ renamed and reworked! Effective July 24, 2024, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane services have been renamed to Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lighting Lane Single Pass, respectively. Disney Resort Guests may purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay. All other guests may purchase passes up to 3 days in advance. Up to 3 ride selections may be made in advance: choose up to 1 experience from Tier 1, plus 2 additional experiences or all 3 experiences from Tier 2.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass! Effective October 30, 2024, the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows one-time entry to each Lightning Lane experience in a theme park for guests at Disney's deluxe resorts.

Virtual Queue (as of September 9, 2024)

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom): No standby line during normal park hours (MNSSHP will use standby); Guests may ride TBA by either purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or by joining a virtual queue at 7am or 1pm.
• TRON Lightcycle / Run (Magic Kingdom): No virtual queue as of September 9th, 2024; Guests may ride TRON by utilizing the standby queue or by purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT): No standby line; Guests may ride GotG by either purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass or by joining a virtual queue at 7am or 1pm (during Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort guests, an additional virtual queue option will be available at 6pm).

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

December 30 - January 4 (BWV). First time going for NYE and Festival of the Holidays!

Yay! You've been added!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Since we are 2-3 months away from our vacations, now is the time to start following some threads, if you haven't already!

Here are some to consider:

• Find Your Specific Resort Thread Here
• Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24
• Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition
• >> Monthly Resort Recreation Calendars <<
• Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping
• Everything Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) - Please Read Post 1

...and because it can be helpful to see what issues or information is going around from people with earlier trips:

• *** Official November 2024 thread ***
• ***Official Planning Thread -DECEMBER 2024 - Welcome all!***

Any other suggestions??

 

[MargeGriff]

Since we are 2-3 months away from our vacations, now is the time to start following some threads, if you haven't already!

Here are some to consider:

• Find Your Specific Resort Thread Here
• Plan Ahead with Lightning Lane Entry at Walt Disney World Starting July 24
• Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition
• >> Monthly Resort Recreation Calendars <<
• Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping
• Everything Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) - Please Read Post 1

...and because it can be helpful to see what issues or information is going around from people with earlier trips:

• *** Official November 2024 thread ***
• ***Official Planning Thread -DECEMBER 2024 - Welcome all!***

Any other suggestions??

Thank you! Thank you! Great resources! Getting excited! Vaca just around the corner! Yippee!

 

[AussieAngel]

Hi! It’s been a long 11 years since our last Disney trip, and we’re finally heading back - so we’ve made it an epic one!
Jan 5th - 12th - Boardwalk Villas
Jan 12th - 19th - Polynesian Tower
So excited!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hi! It’s been a long 11 years since our last Disney trip, and we’re finally heading back - so we’ve made it an epic one!
Jan 5th - 12th - Boardwalk Villas
Jan 12th - 19th - Polynesian Tower
So excited!!

Welcome! You've been added!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Just a reminder that if your vacation begins the last week of December or early January, we are approaching your dining reservation window!

You can check out this ADR calculator for more information:

Disney World Dining and Lightning Lane Pass Reservation Calculator

 

[Disney_Addicted]

Hi, I am hoping you guys can help me. My family and I are regular Disney visitors, but this will be our first trip in January. We usually visit during May or October. What can I expect for the weather? How should we dress? We live in the midwest and are used to cold weather. Also, we haven't been to Disney since May 2022. A lot has changed and I feel overwhelmed, any advice?

Definitely layer! When we go in January, we start the morning out with pants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sometimes even hats/gloves. You likely won't need the hat or sweatshirt mid day but usually need them again late at night. A windbreaker would probably be a good idea for some nights.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Is anyone able to see park hours for 1/7 & 1/8? The days are available to select on the app but it says park hours are unavailable.

 

[MargeGriff]

Is anyone able to see park hours for 1/7 & 1/8? The days are available to select on the app but it says park hours are unavailable.

Having the same issue - can choose the day, but hours unavailable

 

[DisMomAmy]

Can see 1/7 & 1/8 now. Extended evening hours moved back to MK on 1/8, as I had hoped!

 

[AussieAngel]

And 1/9 are up now too!

When do the evening show times get released? (Happily Ever After, etc...) Or are they always the same? Silly question maybe...

 

[MargeGriff]

And 1/9 are up now too!

When do the evening show times get released? (Happily Ever After, etc...) Or are they always the same? Silly question maybe...

I was wondering the same thing...as well as parade times for MK. I see that the afternoon parade is currently running at 2pm. Does anyone know if this is a permanent change or will the parade return to 3pm or possible 12pm and 3pm?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Countdown time!

It's November, which means anyone vacationing in January is now--

2 months away from Disney!!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

And 1/9 are up now too!

When do the evening show times get released? (Happily Ever After, etc...) Or are they always the same? Silly question maybe...

Currently, Happily Ever After is listed on the website park hours at 8pm through January 5th (because that's as far as it goes right now online).

The short answer is, yes, they are always the same, until Disney decides to change it!

I was wondering the same thing...as well as parade times for MK. I see that the afternoon parade is currently running at 2pm. Does anyone know if this is a permanent change or will the parade return to 3pm or possible 12pm and 3pm?

I honestly don't know what's going on with the parades. They have been on and off with the hours throughout the past year...12pm and 3pm, then just 3pm, then 2pm, and back and forth.

For all these parades and shows, we'll just have to keep checking for changes along the way!

 

[MickeyMouseLove]

Where are y'all seeing the calendar through the 9th? I only see it through the 5th on the website.