***Official January 2025 Thread***

[GollyGadget]

Anyone have general information surrounding marathon weekend, particularly as a non-participant in the races? 4 adults. Will be a relaxing weekend so we aren't too concerned about traffic or getting somewhere by a certain time. Our only ADRs are at our resort (AKL) either first thing in the AM or at the end of the night.

We are arriving at WDW at 1pm on Friday January 10th and leaving WDW at 2pm on Sunday January 12th. Currently, the plan is to visit EPCOT and MK in the afternoon / evening respectively on Friday, EPCOT and HS in the mid-morning / evening respectively on Saturday, and AK in the mid-morning / afternoon on Sunday. Half of the group has never been, and they are just excited to see a bit of everything.

We typically like to drive our rental car to the parks. Any advice about whether taking the bus would be better? I tried looking at maps for road closures but it's hard to know what roads I usually take, as I just follow the signs on property. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated!

You should be fine to drive. The only day that road closures can be a problem is Marathon Sunday. All the other races wrap up early in the am and won't impact you at all.

 

[cjlong88]

You should be fine to drive. The only day that road closures can be a problem is Marathon Sunday. All the other races wrap up early in the am and won't impact you at all.

Thank you! I'm hoping that with us staying at AKL and AK being our plans for Sunday, we shouldn't run into any problems whatsoever driving over, since it's literally right there.

 

[Galexia]

Happy Holidays!!
We're very excited to be heading to WDW from Jan 21 - Feb 8 (Poly, CBR, WL)
Keeping our fingers crossed that Skyliner stays open!!

 

[GollyGadget]

Thank you! I'm hoping that with us staying at AKL and AK being our plans for Sunday, we shouldn't run into any problems whatsoever driving over, since it's literally right there.

Correct, no road impacts at all between AKL and AK. You may see some runners between Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur. The CM will help route you through the course if needed and all runners will be gone from AK by 10am.

 

[Momma of 4]

Joining in! We'll be there 1/25-2/4, AOA/WL split stay. It's by big 4-0 and also our 15 wedding anniversary, so a big trip! Honestly though, I'm having a hard time getting excited for it, so hopefully joining here with other excited people will help!

 

[FairyGodmother00]

Joining in! We'll be there 1/25-2/4, AOA/WL split stay. It's by big 4-0 and also our 15 wedding anniversary, so a big trip! Honestly though, I'm having a hard time getting excited for it, so hopefully joining here with other excited people will help!

Happy 40th and 15th Anniversary!!
We are doing the same split stay only in reverse order

 

[MaidMarian444]

Joining in! We'll be there 1/25-2/4, AOA/WL split stay. It's by big 4-0 and also our 15 wedding anniversary, so a big trip! Honestly though, I'm having a hard time getting excited for it, so hopefully joining here with other excited people will help!

What are your worries?

I am stressing my trip too. Worried about crowds and my children and nieces being grumpy.

 

[FairyGodmother00]

My worries are the crowds. Touring Plans originally predicted moderate to low crowds back when I booked but I'm thinking they are way wrong now with everything I see showing booked up.

It's my adult kids and their 4 year olds first trip and I am hoping for a great time without all the craziness.

 

[pixiedust2u]

My worries are the crowds. Touring Plans originally predicted moderate to low crowds back when I booked but I'm thinking they are way wrong now with everything I see showing booked up.

It's my adult kids and their 4 year olds first trip and I am hoping for a great time without all the craziness.

FWIW we were there around this time last year 1/30-2/4/24, and did a little Disney and a little Universal and it was lovely! Low crowds, beautiful weather!

 

[Momma of 4]

Happy 40th and 15th Anniversary!!
We are doing the same split stay only in reverse order

Thank you, how fun!

What are your worries?

I am stressing my trip too. Worried about crowds and my children and nieces being grumpy.

I'm mostly just feeling blah about it. The money is a lot of it, I was really hoping for a deal. And I think I've just been so occupied with all the holiday stuff; halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas....I haven't had time to properly think of the trip. And it feels like another 'job' to plan this. And I feel guilty about boarding the dogs for so long, etc. This is the longest trip we have ever taken, and I keep debating if we should shorten it. But we have a kid that needs lots of breaks so I just don't know how we could fit all we want in, and still maintain our park routine of rarely rope dropping, taking mid day breaks, and watching the fireworks from the resort, far away from the noise and crowds. We're getting ready to watch the Christmas parade on Disney+ and I'll start watching some YouTube videos and I'll probably be motivated again

 

[pixiedust2u]

Was just in WDW in December and had a wonderful vacation….

Looks like I’m going back! 1/11-1/15. Joining DH on his work conference. We are doing one night at the Ritz Grande Lakes on 1/11, then will be at the Swan 1/12-1/15. No parks this trip, but we are doing at dinner at Jiko before his conference starts. And then during my solo time I’m planning on some time at Disney Springs, pool time, a Boma breakfast and a starlight safari!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Happy Holidays!!
We're very excited to be heading to WDW from Jan 21 - Feb 8 (Poly, CBR, WL)
Keeping our fingers crossed that Skyliner stays open!!

Yay! You've been added!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Joining in! We'll be there 1/25-2/4, AOA/WL split stay. It's by big 4-0 and also our 15 wedding anniversary, so a big trip! Honestly though, I'm having a hard time getting excited for it, so hopefully joining here with other excited people will help!

Woohoo! You've been added!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Was just in WDW in December and had a wonderful vacation….

Looks like I’m going back! 1/11-1/15. Joining DH on his work conference. We are doing one night at the Ritz Grande Lakes on 1/11, then will be at the Swan 1/12-1/15. No parks this trip, but we are doing at dinner at Jiko before his conference starts. And then during my solo time I’m planning on some time at Disney Springs, pool time, a Boma breakfast and a starlight safari!

Welcome! You've been added!

 

[pevensiepals]

Joining in! I'll be at Saratoga Springs 1/1-1/7. Getting really excited as I'm less than a week away, but not thrilled about the predicted weather! I'm coming from the midwest so was looking forward to a nice warm break from the cold, and I'm seeing lows down to 29 predicted. Hoping it changes before I arrive

 

[cjlong88]

My worries are the crowds. Touring Plans originally predicted moderate to low crowds back when I booked but I'm thinking they are way wrong now with everything I see showing booked up.

It's my adult kids and their 4 year olds first trip and I am hoping for a great time without all the craziness.

This is our 4th visit to WDW in the month of January. The three times prior it's been really great. Weather is always mild and the crowds are manageable, especially if you have experience visiting during a heavy crowd time of year (i.e. Christmas).

January / February is my favorite time to visit. It gives me something to look forward to after the holidays!

 

[peachiepie]

I must admit I'm a bit worried about the crowd levels. I've never been in January before and it seemed to have a reputation for being a lower crowd time of year, but that doesn't seem to quite match up with expectations this year

 

[disneydreamer1980]

January’s definitely not the slow season it once was. That’s why I don’t get why they still refurbish everything then, it’s just as crowded as any other time (except for the super crowded times obviously). On a Jan trip years ago I remember the CMs just letting us stay on the rides for extra rides because there was no line. Those were the days

 

[Elephantay]

Three Caballeros will be closed January 6-March 15. Scott Gustin shared on socials.

I'm wondering the same, we have a reservation there too.

We do too! It will be tricky to get to MK for BTM and EP for this. We don't have hoppers

 

[Elephantay]

For these rides "closing on the 6th" does that mean they are open until the end of the day? Or closing actually on the 5th??