***Official January 2025 Thread***

[kellyjeanie]

Oh, it didn't tell me there had been a change to the day before! Yesterday it said it was the normal MK EEH. I'm actually excited that we'll get EEH at AK

Me too!!! I can’t wait!

 

[PSUamanda]

I just saw Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm on January 24th, 26th, and 27th. That seems odd to close early so many days in a week. I assume there won't be fireworks those days? They all say there is an evening special ticketed event.

My family is going the 22nd-28th (park days the 23rd - 27th) but family is joining us the 23rd-28th (park days the 24th-27th). We don't have park hoppers so I guess our only option is to change on our schedule around and go to MK on the 25th. We were planning to do HS on the 25th and MK on the 27th (end the trip with the castle fireworks and easier to get bippity boppity boutique for all the kids if it's on our last day).

Do all these early closures seem odd so close together? Does this mean guests those days won't be able to see fireworks? And that MK is going to be super busy on the 25th, if everyone else going that same time period has to pick that day for that park?

 

[PSUamanda]

I just saw Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm on January 24th, 26th, and 27th. That seems odd to close early so many days in a week. I assume there won't be fireworks those days? They all say there is an evening special ticketed event.

My family is going the 22nd-28th (park days the 23rd - 27th) but family is joining us the 23rd-28th (park days the 24th-27th). We don't have park hoppers so I guess our only option is to change on our schedule around and go to MK on the 25th. We were planning to do HS on the 25th and MK on the 27th (end the trip with the castle fireworks and easier to get bippity boppity boutique for all the kids if it's on our last day).

Do all these early closures seem odd so close together? Does this mean guests those days won't be able to see fireworks? And that MK is going to be super busy on the 25th, if everyone else going that same time period has to pick that day for that park?

Wow, false alarm, somehow I was looking at the November dates. I guess I wasn't fully awake yet this morning haha. That makes more sense, must be the Christmas parties.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I'm not sure whether to switch to MK that day (we have park hoppers so can go somewhere else afterwards), I'm thinking the crowds might be lower with an early closing time?

Yes, crowds are generally lower on days with an early closing time. Especially since you have park hoppers and the ability to move elsewhere, I would consider possibly switching to MK that day.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

FYI. Touring Plans has their estimate for opening weekend of Festival of the Arts.

They are estimating level 6 crowds for Epcot on opening day (Friday 1/17), and level 8 crowds for both Saturday and Sunday (1/18 and 1/19). Subject to change. Your personal experience may vary!

 

[MargeGriff]

Hello all! Getting super excited about our visit to WDW! I read somewhere that parade, showtimes, etc are released about 6 weeks ahead of time for WDW. I keep checking and December 20 is the last date that has anything listed for parades in Magic Kingdom - does anyone have any idea as to when Disney will release showtimes for parades, stage shows, etc...for early January? Big time over planners here...hahaha! Trying to get an idea around ADR's & other reservations. Thank you in advance for any insights.

 

[SeanW]

I'm not sure whether to switch to MK that day (we have park hoppers so can go somewhere else afterwards), I'm thinking the crowds might be lower with an early closing time?

Yeah, the crowds will be lower that day. When I get bored or need a break from everything and I hop onto the MDE app you can kind of tell what days are party days just by looking at the wait times.

The schedule for the 29th is out and it looks like EEH is at AK from 6-8 so you should be good!

What is EEH?

 

[SeanW]

Anyone who has been to The Festival of the Arts, if you had to choose between the two days, would you suggest going on opening day (Friday) or on the Sunday of opening weekend? I presume crowds would be large either of those days, so what I am wondering is... historically, is everything up and running and available on opening day? And on the flip side, has there been any issues with things running out or other issues by the Sunday of opening weekend? Just trying to figure out which of those two days is the better plan. Any insights appreciated!

FYI. Touring Plans has their estimate for opening weekend of Festival of the Arts.

They are estimating level 6 crowds for Epcot on opening day (Friday 1/17), and level 8 crowds for both Saturday and Sunday (1/18 and 1/19). Subject to change. Your personal experience may vary!

@MickeyMouseLove a little bit more food for thought.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Yeah, the crowds will be lower that day. When I get bored or need a break from everything and I hop onto the MDE app you can kind of tell what days are party days just by looking at the wait times.

What is EEH?

EEH is extended evening hours for deluxe hotels and other select guests.

 

[AngieInOH]

Wow, false alarm, somehow I was looking at the November dates. I guess I wasn't fully awake yet this morning haha. That makes more sense, must be the Christmas parties.

You almost gave me a heart attack!

 

[SeanW]

EEH is extended evening hours for deluxe hotels and other select guests.

Gotcha. I wasn't sure what it stood for. We're missing most EEH by the following day lol.

 

[PSUamanda]

You almost gave me a heart attack!

Haha sorry!! I almost gave myself a heart attack this morning too! We're supposed to book our reservations Saturday morning and was so afraid I'd have to scramble to rearrange everything before then!

 

[zanzibar138]

For those who are not aware, the CM appreciation day on 30 January has had a couple of impacts. As mentioned, EEH for 29 January is now at AK. What I don't think has been mentioned so far is the new AH party for HS also on 29 January.

I'd been disappointed there was no AH party for HS during our trip, and had actually been toying with the idea of the LLPP. Now there's an AH party, we'll do that instead AND we can still do EEH at AK that night too! AK EEH 6pm-8pm, then HS AH party 9:30pm-12:30pm.

I'm super excited that we now get 'special entry' to ALL 4 parks during our trip! AH + EEH at MK, EEH at EPCOT, AH at HS and EEH at AK

 

[Griffin11]

For those who are not aware, the CM appreciation day on 30 January has had a couple of impacts. As mentioned, EEH for 29 January is now at AK. What I don't think has been mentioned so far is the new AH party for HS also on 29 January.

I'd been disappointed there was no AH party for HS during our trip, and had actually been toying with the idea of the LLPP. Now there's an AH party, we'll do that instead AND we can still do EEH at AK that night too! AK EEH 6pm-8pm, then HS AH party 9:30pm-12:30pm.

I'm super excited that we now get 'special entry' to ALL 4 parks during our trip! AH + EEH at MK, EEH at EPCOT, AH at HS and EEH at AK

I would never make it past AK if I tried that schedule, but happy for you

I assume the after hours parties don't have any meaningful impact to daytime crowds as the parks?

 

[zanzibar138]

I would never make it past AK if I tried that schedule, but happy for you

We'll make it a late start that day and mainly focus on the evening activities. No way I'd make it if we were trying to RD too!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hello all! Getting super excited about our visit to WDW! I read somewhere that parade, showtimes, etc are released about 6 weeks ahead of time for WDW. I keep checking and December 20 is the last date that has anything listed for parades in Magic Kingdom - does anyone have any idea as to when Disney will release showtimes for parades, stage shows, etc...for early January? Big time over planners here...hahaha! Trying to get an idea around ADR's & other reservations. Thank you in advance for any insights.

Unfortunately, Disney seems to be late releasing anything this year! We'll just have to keep checking...

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Just a friendly reminder that if your vacation starts the last week of December or the first week of January, your 30-day cancellation period and paid-in-full deadlines are quickly approaching over the next week or so!

 

[Letting It Go!]

So since there hasn't been an announcement about a skyliner refurb in January, do you think we are in the clear?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

So since there hasn't been an announcement about a skyliner refurb in January, do you think we are in the clear?

I think it's looking better. Disney could still make a late announcement, though!

 

[peachiepie]

I've just booked my dining reservations for the end of Jan