***Official January 2025 Thread***

[disneydreamer1980]

Same! Do you think the restaurant will remain open, and, if so, do you think the ambiance will be the same or do you think there will be big construction walls up blocking the water view?

I was wondering about that myself. I like the restaurant because of the ambiance, if that’s effected I’ll cancel my ADR

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Well, with three weeks to go, we decided to postpone the WDW portion of our trip (we're still trying to make the HHI portion work).

This is the first time we've attempted a Disney vacation while adding college into the mix, and it's tough! Thankfully, it was a unanimous decision to just focus on enjoying the holidays, instead of squeezing in a trip over winter break. We've been so busy and have so much going on, that we just haven't had the time to properly prepare.

But don't worry, I will still be here on this thread, excited to read about everyone's preparations and trips! Also, for those late January vacationers, I will be actively monitoring this thread into February. I want to make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions, chat, or report on their trips with someone still here and following along!

So, now it's time to enjoy the rest of December, and look forward to the New Year!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Well, with three weeks to go, we decided to postpone the WDW portion of our trip (we're still trying to make the HHI portion work).

This is the first time we've attempted a Disney vacation while adding college into the mix, and it's tough! Thankfully, it was a unanimous decision to just focus on enjoying the holidays, instead of squeezing in a trip over winter break. We've been so busy and have so much going on, that we just haven't had the time to properly prepare.

But don't worry, I will still be here on this thread, excited to read about everyone's preparations and trips! Also, for those late January vacationers, I will be actively monitoring this thread into February. I want to make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions, chat, or report on their trips with someone still here and following along!

So, now it's time to enjoy the rest of December, and look forward to the New Year!

Sorry you had to postpone, I’m sure that was a hard decision to make. Thanks for still keeping things up here.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Disney released more info about FARTS. Pretty much says that all the usual stuffs returning. Doesn’t talk about food specifics (it says to check back later for updates on that) but it means we’re getting closer! I’m excited to experience this festival! 29 days to go for me!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

How about some fun statistics??

Based on our list of travelers on the first page, the most popular vacation start dates are:

1) January 25 (6 check-ins)
2) January 26 (5 check-ins)
3) December 30 (3 check-ins)
January 3 (3 check-ins)

Also, our travelers are evenly split between the first and second half of the month:

1) January 1-15 (26 vacationers)
2) January 16-30 (26 vacationers)

And, finally, some of our most popular resorts are:

1) AKL/AKV (8 check-ins)
2) WL/BRV/CCV (6 check-ins)
3) BW/BWV (5 check-ins)
BC/BCV (5 check-ins)
Pop (5 check-ins)

 

[peachiepie]

Astro Orbiter is apparently closing from Jan 15th until the summer. It does feel that rather a lot is going to be closed on this trip...

 

[disneydreamer1980]

All these closings are getting ridiculous. They should try to spread things out more, January’s not the slow season it once was e was

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Plus all these closings are gonna make other lines longer. Ugh. Still upset about Gran Fiesta Tour

 

[disneydreamer1980]

New food booth for FARTS ant communicore plaza announced!! It’s called “Opening Bites food studio” and will pay homage to food and drink immortalized on stage. Menu still to be announced. Yay! 24 days for me!!!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Hall of Presidents closing 1/20/25 for refurbishment. I feel like I’m talking to myself in this thread

 

[FeliciaB23]

My only concern with these closures is the wait times it will cause for other attractions! Wooooof.

 

[zanzibar138]

I feel like I’m talking to myself in this thread

Haha don't worry we're right here with you!

Not at all surprised about HoP and, honestly, it's probably something we would have avoided at that time anyway. Astro Orbitor's not a big loss either. However, the impact on wait times for everything is starting to become a worry! And we're actually a bit devo about Gran Fiesta My partner is all about the classic characters and loved the idea of a ride featuring Donald.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Haha don't worry we're right here with you!

Not at all surprised about HoP and, honestly, it's probably something we would have avoided at that time anyway. Astro Orbitor's not a big loss either. However, the impact on wait times for everything is starting to become a worry! And we're actually a bit devo about Gran Fiesta My partner is all about the classic characters and loved the idea of a ride featuring Donald.

I’m so sad about Gran Fiesta Tour. One of my favorites

 

[peachiepie]

I not sure why but Grand Fiesta Tour is the one in most unimpressed will be closed. Not super bothered about the rest, but that's a classic!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

FARTS news: new walkthrough exhibit at communicore hall “the magic of broadway both on and off the stage celebrating decades of Disney on broadway”

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Friendly reminder...

If you have a vacation that begins the last week of December or the first week of January, your final cancellation dates are quickly approaching.

2024 resort-only reservations have a 5-day cancellation policy, and 2025 resort-only reservations have an 8-day cancellation.

Also, any 2024 or 2025 vacation packages have a 2-day cancellation policy before all charges become non-refundable.

 

[Frank4202]

Worst part about all these closures is that they are people eaters. These guests need to go somewhere else now which will make the park feel busy. I feel like FP is going to be necessary for all parks except AK.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’m debating on whether or not to buy LLMP this trip. We were approved for the DAS pass, we have a few EEH nights plus an after party planned and will be doing a lot of park days (11-12), so seriously wondering if it’s necessary. I originally was going to buy it for 2 days in each park (around $900-1000) then I talked myself down to one day for each park (around $500), but now I’m even questioning if I need that. I have to decide relatively soon, because if I buy I want to do it the 7 days ahead so I can get good LLs. I’m 23 days away now. My DH is no help, his answer to any question about our trips is always “whatever you want to do is fine with me” lol. Does anyone here think I’ll need the LLs in addition to the DAS and all the park time?

 

[zanzibar138]

I’m debating on whether or not to buy LLMP this trip. We were approved for the DAS pass, we have a few EEH nights plus an after party planned and will be doing a lot of park days (11-12), so seriously wondering if it’s necessary. I originally was going to buy it for 2 days in each park (around $900-1000) then I talked myself down to one day for each park (around $500), but now I’m even questioning if I need that. I have to decide relatively soon, because if I buy I want to do it the 7 days ahead so I can get good LLs. I’m 23 days away now. My DH is no help, his answer to any question about our trips is always “whatever you want to do is fine with me” lol. Does anyone here think I’ll need the LLs in addition to the DAS and all the park time?

We're in a similar situation and have decided not to purchase LLs in advance of our trip. We have 14 days onsite, so after the first week if we've had trouble getting onto anything we really want to do, we'll consider getting it for one of our last days. We'll have 1 x AH party and 1 x EEH at MK, 1 x AH party at DHS and 2 x EEH at AK. Not much help for EPCOT unfortunately, so that might be where we decide to purchase LL if we feel like we need it.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I’m debating on whether or not to buy LLMP this trip. We were approved for the DAS pass, we have a few EEH nights plus an after party planned and will be doing a lot of park days (11-12), so seriously wondering if it’s necessary. I originally was going to buy it for 2 days in each park (around $900-1000) then I talked myself down to one day for each park (around $500), but now I’m even questioning if I need that. I have to decide relatively soon, because if I buy I want to do it the 7 days ahead so I can get good LLs. I’m 23 days away now. My DH is no help, his answer to any question about our trips is always “whatever you want to do is fine with me” lol. Does anyone here think I’ll need the LLs in addition to the DAS and all the park time?

I don't think you need them, but I would personally still get it for one day at any park, just to try it!

At a minimum, I would think about which days and which parks might be best to have LLMP (weekends, holidays, etc. For example, Touring Plans has Sunday, January 19th as a crowd level 9 at Hollywood Studios). Then, when your window opens, I would play around with the app and see if there are any good selections. Even though booking towards the end of your trip would give you the most options early on, I would think about purchasing LLMP towards the beginning or middle. That way, you might be able to try it and see if you feel it is worth it for any remaining days of your vacation. Plus, it would give you early experience to understand how to tweak it later, if you were to purchase it again.

And, remember, even though 7 days gives you the most advantage, you can still play around every day to see what availability looks like for any given day. You will know which 3 attractions are available before you purchase, so you can decide each day if it feels like something you want to lock in.