Park strategy during low crowd January

[rosiegmendez]

I like the strategy of doing rope drop, mid day swim at resort (we are staying VGF and BC so easy to hop back and forth) then back to parks and dinner in the evening.

But, in January the parks close early. I wonder if by the time we head back to parks from resort in teh evening if it will be too late to get some time in at the parks. Plus is it too cold to swim in January?

TIA!

 

[mrsR123]

I've been down for New Year's twice and half a dozen marathon weekends-- no later than like the 10th of January-- and have seenit so cold that they have needed to cover up all the plantings to protect them from freezing, and I've had 85* racedays. You just never know.

I do think, though, that it's much easier to stay in the parks longer, especially if you don't have young children, in the cooler weather and lighter crowds of wintertime. If you do have wee ones, you might still need that break.

 

[poooh]

We went last year in mid January and wanted to swim but it was much too cold and we didn't have time. Especially on our AK day because it closed so much earlier than the other parks. I don't think going back to swim is worth the park time considering the early closing. Even with the early closing though, it's our favorite time of year to go.

 

[ZoZo]

I haven't gone in January but did my first February trip this year. We didn't do mid-day breaks at all - didn't need 'em!

Since it's not super-hot/humid, didn't feel the need for a break. It was pleasantly warm (had three days that it was warm enough to swim). We even did a waterpark day, since it was 85 degrees.

And since the parks closed early, we didn't want to take the time for a break in February. We usually go in October, and that's an early-closing time of year, too. But I sometimes felt like taking a break in October because it was really hot/humid - I would sometimes feel I needed to go back to the hotel to shower and change, because I was so sweaty! But no need to do that in February (and probably January, too!).

 

[mggeary]

I have little ones but have never been a proponent of mid day breaks and then returning to the park (admittedly have never gone in summer). I think you either go as long as enjoyable in the park or do a half/three quarter day at the park and then go back to swim. Returning or hopping seems a hastle to me UNLESS you are at monorail resort to pop back to MK or Epcot resort to walk back to Epcot.

Our January plan will be a mix of full park days and partial park days, but doubut we'll return to the park, with the possible exception of once for MSEP/Wishes if that ends up being a half day.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Weather predictions are hard for that time of year. The pics in my signature are last January. Some days are shorts and short sleeves, others require a jacket.

The last two years we were blessed with gorgeous weather and had quite a few days at the pool, but the mid day break is not as necessary as it is in the summer.

The heat really fatigues you in the summer alot more than January so you probably won't feel it is as "needed". Instead, because of lower crowds especially if you hit rope drop, you will be able to have much more of the parks done by early afternoon then decide if you want to call it an early day or stick around after sunset (when it can get colder).

 

[Disney_Princess83]

When we go in January, we head to the parks a little later. We can hang around the resort, swim ect and then head to the parks by 11am and stay until close. We have AP's so we often hop to a park that might be open later.