***Official January 2025 Thread***

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hello! We are visiting WDW in January 2025 during the Marathon Weekend. So excited!! Does anyone have any advice for visiting Hollywood Studios on Saturday - Half Marathon day. Should we avoid this park due to transportation - (we will be using WDW buses)? Will it be crowded/ slammed? Will part of the park be closed for the races event? We are non-runners, but are looking forward to supporting those brave enough to be a part of the Marathon races. My son has his heart set on HS on Saturday...but worried that this might not be a good idea. Advice is greatly appreciated. The last time we visited was 10+ years ago in January, but well after the races.

I believe course maps are released later in the fall, so exact routes are not currently known and can change up until race day. For example, last year, the half marathon originally involved 13 miles through Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but the route was then cut in half due to bad weather.

The race is scheduled to start at 5am, so runners will be mostly through any park by official opening time (not counting Early Entry). I would suggest being on the first bus to the parks (the bus for regular resort guests, not registered race guests). I suspect Saturday at Hollywood Studios should be fine, but it will be some time before hours, courses, and details are released.

For more information, please feel free to follow along on the Marathon 2025 thread (it will be a lot of chatter until closer to the race).

ETA: If you would like me to add you to the roll call on the first page, just let me know when and where you will be staying!

 

[MargeGriff]

I believe course maps are released later in the fall, so exact routes are not currently known and can change up until race day. For example, last year, the half marathon originally involved 13 miles through Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but the route was then cut in half due to bad weather.

The race is scheduled to start at 5am, so runners will be mostly through any park by official opening time (not counting Early Entry). I would suggest being on the first bus to the parks (the bus for regular resort guests, not registered race guests). I suspect Saturday at Hollywood Studios should be fine, but it will be some time before hours, courses, and details are released.

For more information, please feel free to follow along on the Marathon 2025 thread (it will be a lot of chatter until closer to the race).

ETA: If you would like me to add you to the roll call on the first page, just let me know when and where you will be staying!

Thank you so much for the info. Will def watch the Marathon 2025 thread! Port Orleans Riverside - January 6-16!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Thank you so much for the info. Will def watch the Marathon 2025 thread! Port Orleans Riverside - January 6-16!

Yay! You've been added!

 

[zanzibar138]

I have officially booked the last of our accommodation!

Mon 27 Jan - Fri 31 Jan: Poly - lake view studio
Fri 31 Jan - Fri 7 Feb: BLT - standard view studio
Fri 7 Feb - Mon 10 Feb: AKV (Jambo) - savanna view studio

So excited for all our resort choices

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I have officially booked the last of our accommodation!

Mon 27 Jan - Fri 31 Jan: Poly - lake view studio
Fri 31 Jan - Fri 7 Feb: BLT - standard view studio
Fri 7 Feb - Mon 10 Feb: AKV (Jambo) - savanna view studio

So excited for all our resort choices

Woohoo! Your information has been updated!

 

[VAtink]

We'll be there, Jan 21-26! Staying at the YC....hoping with the pool closure they'll release some good discounts for that week!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We'll be there, Jan 21-26! Staying at the YC....hoping with the pool closure they'll release some good discounts for that week!

Yay! You've been added!

 

[Bama Mom]

Hello all. Jumping in this thread because I am considering my first solo trip. Normally we would go in February but since I will be solo I am considering the last week in January. Not sure yet as I am just now starting to think about booking.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Hello all. Jumping in this thread because I am considering my first solo trip. Normally we would go in February but since I will be solo I am considering the last week in January. Not sure yet as I am just now starting to think about booking.

Welcome! We're all still waiting for more solid announcements for December-January, so definitely hang around and let us know when you decide!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Countdown time!

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

7 months away from Disney!!

 

[Tbiafore]

Countdown time!

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

7 months away from Disney!!

Its crazy to think how fast time is flying...before we know it we will be discussing Dinning Reservation success.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, now I can officially join the January 2025 thread. I'm a DVC member who learned the other day that I have 48 "use 'em or lose 'em points" that I have to use before July 31, 2025. So I found January 20-24 available at BCV and am on the waitlist for the night of the 19th. I'm really looking forward to the Festival of the Arts, hoping Animal Kingdom is open at 8:00 and closes at 7:00 or even later some day, and looking forward to eating at "Eet" again.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Well, now I can officially join the January 2025 thread. I'm a DVC member who learned the other day that I have 48 "use 'em or lose 'em points" that I have to use before July 31, 2025. So I found January 20-24 available at BCV and am on the waitlist for the night of the 19th. I'm really looking forward to the Festival of the Arts, hoping Animal Kingdom is open at 8:00 and closes at 7:00 or even later some day, and looking forward to eating at "Eet" again.

Yay! You've been added (if the waitlist comes through, let me know, and I'll update it)!

 

[Bama Mom]

Go ahead and add me for January 27th-31st. Not sure where I'm staying yet. So will update that when I have that info.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Go ahead and add me for January 27th-31st. Not sure where I'm staying yet. So will update that when I have that info.

Woohoo! You've been added!

 

[IanDLBZF from MCMagic]

I don't know if this will count since I'll be heading home on New Year's Day, but I'll be at WDW December 30-January 1 staying at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[peachiepie]

We've booked for ASMu for 25th of Jan - 1st of Feb!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I don't know if this will count since I'll be heading home on New Year's Day, but I'll be at WDW December 30-January 1 staying at Wilderness Lodge.

It counts! You've been added!

We've booked for ASMu for 25th of Jan - 1st of Feb!

Welcome! You've been added!

 

[Bama Mom]

I still haven't booked my room yet because I was trying to decide if I just wanted to stay at Pop or do a split stay at AKL and Pop or just AKL. I had almost talked myself into just doing Pop but now I am wondering if I should do a split stay so I can take advantage of extended hours for Deluxe guests in Magic Kingdom. Ugh!!!! The decisions.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I still haven't booked my room yet because I was trying to decide if I just wanted to stay at Pop or do a split stay at AKL and Pop or just AKL. I had almost talked myself into just doing Pop but now I am wondering if I should do a split stay so I can take advantage of extended hours for Deluxe guests in Magic Kingdom. Ugh!!!! The decisions.

Depending on how many people are going, maybe just do an AH one night and stay at Pop. Maybe cheaper. Also, not sure when you’re going but the skyliner is usually down for a week each January. I think they typically release the week in October. Either choice I’m sure you’ll have a great trip!