Peak Season advice needed please....

[ImagineEar]

Have an offer of a free weeks stay in Orlando (not in WDW) over New Years...Dec 29 - Jan 5th. Not sure wether to take it or not. I know it's peak season, and we have never been during that time, and i'm a little scared of it to tell you the truth.
Now - we have annual passes so that's not the issue, it's the crowds - waiting -cooler weather etc.
Can anyone who has been during this time tell me if i will have be able to enjoy things like dining in WS or night time shows or will the crowds be overwhelming? Will we be able to use the pools/waterparks or will it be too cold?

Just wondering if it will be worth justifing the much higher airfare expense - after all we will be spending Thanksgiving there already - but I can't help but be tempted!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

January is tricky- it all depends - Once we were there and it went down to 30 degrees- but people were still swimming in the pools . TOO cold for me and I'm from New England.

The nights can be cold but they are bearable unless you get a real cold spell.

After New Years Jan 2, 3 ,4 & 5 should be less crowded then before New Years. If you have a free trip I'd go!!

 

[stacy6552]

Go! If you are annual pass holders, then you must be experienced enough to plan well.

Keys to good crowd avoidence: Dine in the parks well before opening. That way you will miss all the gate crowds in the mornings. Chill out after closing, 30 minutes will give the crowds leaveing time to get gone. Make tons of PS's for food. Take it slow, grab a bench along parade routes well in advacne and enjoy the rest. Know your limits, anyone gets cranky, take a time out.