OMG! Early January looks very busy

[rcraw45425]

I just went on the WDW site to calculate how much my package is actually saving me and found no Deluxe availability for my dates, Jan 2-6 . Thank goodness I already had YC booked. Saratoga Springs and OKW came up, along with POR, POFQ and CB, looks like it's going to be a busy New Year!

 

[magical4us4]

I know...it is going to be real busy. I tried to book my cousins a monorail resort....and no luck! It is going to be extremely busy!!!

 

[micmacmissy]

Schools down there don't go back from the holidays this year until Jan. 7 -- that is the reason why!

Most years it's Jan. 2.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We were booked Jan 2-12th, but then I realized how busy that Jan 2-7 will be, so we rebooked to Jan 5-15th. I notice that many hotels are sold out for those dates too. I think mostly because of the marathon weekend.

 

[rcraw45425]

Schools down there don't go back from the holidays this year until Jan. 7 -- that is the reason why!

Most years it's Jan. 2.

Yeah, that's our reason. Usually we go in October (along with April/May) but as the girls get older it's getting harder to miss school. I had planned to go over Xmas break, we used to always get out around the 14th until the 2nd or 3rd. Well, this year we aren't getting out till the 21st, go back on the 8th. Then MLK is like two weeks later, So, by waiting till the 2nd we get value season, which suddenly aint' no real value anymore! My AAA discount at YC brought a standard down to $276 from $325 a night, the package code took a little more off, but that's still ridiculous. I paid that during peak at GF spring break of '05!

 

[ehrn]

I know! I will take the heat, cold--anything over crowds, but we really wanted to go for ds's and my birthdays both during that week(1/5-11). The good news is that I had no problems getting ADR's 2 weeks ago--not that we wanted anything too hard to get. Hopefully we'll scoot out right before the Marathon crowd gets too bad. I had wanted to rent DVC points for a studio but nothing was available for the whole time so Pop it is!

 

[tiggersmyguy]

We are also going Jan 2-4. According to Unofficial Guides crowd predictor, the 3 days we will be there are only listed as 6 and 7's out of 10. Here's hoping !

 

[GinnyFavers]

Christmas holiday crowds will not go away this year until Sunday, Jan. 6.

I always say, if you want to know what crowds will be like, look at the park hours Disney's set. If they're open late, you know they have a good reason!

For example, the week in question, Animal Kingdom is open until 8 pm nightly, and the MK is open to 11 pm or midnight.

 

[HopperFan]

Been there the last three years that week, and they are busy parks. So busy that we opted to stay home this year even though we are once again out of school until Jan 7th. Just wasn't worth it. So go and expect crowds, if not then it's a nice bonus.

 

[rcraw45425]

Been there the last three years that week, and they are busy parks. So busy that we opted to stay home this year even though we are once again out of school until Jan 7th. Just wasn't worth it. So go and expect crowds, if not then it's a nice bonus.

Well, I'm just thankful that we are regulars and not going for the first time, so we'll have our usual "oh well, we'll catch it next time" rationale. DH remarked that it seems like there's no longer a "slow time" at Disney now. Kinda makes me sad, . Oh for the days that you could walk into a table service restaurant and be seated,

 

[sharbev]

I was just about to book the 2-5 and am also finding out the parks will be very busy. This will be the first trip for our boys 2 and 4 and I quite possibly will be taking them on my own. (I know - YIKES!)

The price I got is great for POFQ, which I'm fine with. But I'm very concerned about the crowds/lines since my guys are so little and impatient.

Suggestions for alternative dates I should look at that will still have great pricing??

Thanks,
~ shari
total newbie who hasn't been to WDW since being married at the GF's Marina in 2001

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We wil be taking DD (4) Jan 2-6...it is her 4th trip so we are pretty well versed on what will work for us and don't really care if we don't ride many rides. For the previous poster who is taking her 2 year old and 4 year old for their first trip: I would recommend going later in the month (but not near presidents day) if possible. Crowds should be lighter, prices still low, and an easier first trip all in all. If you are limited to these dates just set your expectations low...take advantage of early mornings, and concentrate on those activities you think your boys will really enjoy. Have Fun!!

 

[rcraw45425]

We wil be taking DD (4) Jan 2-6...it is her 4th trip so we are pretty well versed on what will work for us and don't really care if we don't ride many rides. For the previous poster who is taking her 2 year old and 4 year old for their first trip: I would recommend going later in the month (but not near presidents day) if possible. Crowds should be lighter, prices still low, and an easier first trip all in all. If you are limited to these dates just set your expectations low...take advantage of early mornings, and concentrate on those activities you think your boys will really enjoy. Have Fun!!

Hi neighbor! We're there the same days, where are you staying? We're at the YC (again) with two girls, but they're older than your DD, 10 & 12.

 

[TinkAsh2001]

We were booked Jan 2-12th, but then I realized how busy that Jan 2-7 will be, so we rebooked to Jan 5-15th. I notice that many hotels are sold out for those dates too. I think mostly because of the marathon weekend.

For sure. We had trouble getting our ADR's for sunday and monday. Wanted to do Hopp Dee Doo but they were booked! I finally asked what she had open in Magic on sunday and she said CP so we took it! LOL! Will be fun no matter how crowed because its disney and dbf and I's first disney trip together

 

[ADP]

There are 3 levels of Disney crowds now-a-days:
1. Busy
2. Very Busy
3. Extremely busy
And sometimes------OMG!!

As the previous poster said. With local schools being out until Jan 7th expect the parks to be busier than usual the first week of January. At least most of the park decorations will still be up.

 

[Mayl]

We are going Jan 5th to 12th this year. We wanted to catch the end of the holiday rush for the decoration, the extended hours and all that. But after our arrival night, it slows down.

So we sort of get the best of both worlds this way.

 

[dyna]

Well we'll be there with the mass of others it's either that or wait till DD graduates high school in 08 or her to go. DH an I went in Sept again in Oct for a few days then we will prolly go in spring will take Gson next Nov or Dec before taking DD in June of 08 right after graduation.

DD is an honor student in weighted classes plays 3 sports so over the holidays only time she has except for the week of 4th of July crowds an heat doesn't mix well at all for us.

 

[earthfaries]

The beginning of Jan. does seem really busy next year. We are lucky in that we can go anytime of the year because we homeschool. We are going to miss the christmas/new years crowds and the Marathon crowds. I think we will be there at a pretty good time actually, the weekend of Marathon we are going to SW, then that whole week of the 14-18th we will be a the Disney parks. We are going after the holiday crowds and before MLK crowds. From what I have read on DIS the end of Jan. looks very busy. From the 20th on with the PPP and MLK. Luckily we will just miss those crazy weeks!

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We'll be at AKL. Love it!!

 

[earthfaries]

We are also going Jan 2-4. According to Unofficial Guides crowd predictor, the 3 days we will be there are only listed as 6 and 7's out of 10. Here's hoping !

How can I find out the crowd level for our dates, Jan. 14-18th? Is it a website or a book? Thanks so much