okw for new years

[son of krypton]

we are planning a trip to okw from 12/30 to 1/07. has anyone gone during this time of year? how was it? thanks for any input.

 

[tjkraz]

Resorts are always at 100% capacity through 1/1, so if you don't already have a room, you better call on Monday. Don't be surprised if you have to waitlist for 12/30 or 12/31.

Of course, with 12/31 and 1/1 falling on a Friday / Saturday, perhaps the DVC rooms aren't booking quite as quickly as in the past.

Other than availability issues, I've heard it's a wonderful time to visit. Expect big crowds through that New Year's weekend, but then things should settle down considerably for the tail end of your trip.

If you want to dine out on 12/31, make sure you get your PS EARLY!!!

 

[PamOKW]

12/31 is probably THE wildest day/night at WDW but it's worth experiencing at least once. You may find you like it (I did).

After 12/31, the crowds in the parks start to drop. People have to get back to work and the crowds who are there in connection with the Bowl games and parades go back right away. Into the first week, things get slow and the decorations start to come down. 12/30 is usually the last night for the Candlelight Processional but the Osborne Lights will probably stay up for several more days.

Weather is the real wild card this time of year. Could be warm, could be cool, could be freezing -- could be all of the above in the course of a one week stay. Layers is the word to keep in mind when packing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I've never been to WDW before 1/1, I have checked in on 1/1 (and will again this year) for that very first week in January. Crowds thin out amazingly fast! And this coming year, I think there are many schools which go back 1/3, so I'm counting on it again. The only downside can be the weather-whenever I've gone that first week of January for the last few years, it's been very cold! Bring your hats and gloves-they sold out at the parks very fast and were very expensive. Also, if there are any Christmas decorations you really want to see, get there fast. It's incredible how quickly a huge display can disappear. One year I went to Epcot 1/2 and saw the big Christmas tree between FW and WS along with all its side decorations. Two days later-Poof! It was all gone-I didn't think it was possible to take it all down that fast!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I am checking in on Jan 2nd for 3 weeks, I expect to have the place to myself. Jan 2nd is a Sunday so everyone should be gone by then. The weather is not a problem for us, we live in Connecticut, so anything over 40 degrees in Jan will be a treat.