Planning first trip for January 2019! Hi everybody!

[NWOhiogal]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say "hey", I'm planning my first trip to WDW for January 2019.

I've been a Disney fan my whole life (even majored in 2D animation in college) but have never been able to scrape together the nickels to actually go to WDW.

Until this year, in which I will be celebrating birthday #55 in November. My twin sister and I wanted to do something really special to celebrate our birthdays, and WDW was the choice. Yay!

Why January? Well, for one thing, it's an inexpensive time to go, and for another, it's one of the few times during the year when I'm not working on several projects at once (I'm a graphic designer).

So! Really looking forward to it - I have a good friend who is a total expert on WDW, so she's helping out - and I'm looking for any tips/tricks anyone has on going to WDW in January.

I know I won't have to worry about sunstroke, and it'll probably be too cold for the pool. Any other tips? I need all the help I can get!

 

[epcotobsessed]

Congratulations!!!
I'll just give you a few quick favorites in each park:
Epcot - Soarin and the World Showcase (the whole thing, all 11 countries Budget a few hours for this, at minimum)
MK - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mickey's Philharmagic (a 3D movie), and Dole Whip
AK - Festival of the Lion King, Safari, the African drummers (will be going on FOP for the first time next week myself)
HS - Tower of Terror, Toy Story Midway Mania (again, Toy Story Land opening might change this)

Favorite restaurants that don't cost an arm and a leg - Columbia Harbor House and Pecos Bill in MK, Yorkshire Chip Shop, San Angel Inn, Chefs de France, Karamel Kuche, and Kringla Bakery in Epcot, Flame Tree BBQ in AK

 

[NWOhiogal]

Thanks epcotobsessed! We're still trying to decide which parks to do, we have 3 days' worth of time (not counting arrival and departure days). Magic Kingdom for sure, but still trying to decide among the other parks. My WDW friend thinks we can do Magic Kingdom in a day - does that sound reasonable? I really only want to go on three rides: Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and It's a Small World. Of course that might change! I still have to go through the Birnbaum's guidebook I ordered to see what's what. I also ordered the UNofficial Disney guide by Bob Selinger, just to cover all my bases!

So - January in Orlando - is it too cold to go around at night? Does it ever get to be "coat" weather? Bear in mind I live in NW Ohio where we're in negative digits in January! I have a feeling this is going to be a bit of a shock...

 

[winnieofpooh]

So exciting!! My big tip is make sure you back a wide variety of clothes for January - definitely jeans and sweaters/jackets as well as shorts and t-shirts. We went the last week in January, and froze our butts off in Epcot wearing jeans and hoodies, but then wore shorts the next day at AK. So definitely pack a variety! It's not going to be as bad as up north (We live in the NE), but I definitely overestimated how much warmer it would be. I'll follow along @epcotobsessed and give my faves in each park!

Epcot - World Showcase! Really take a lot of time exploring each country, don't just walk by right out front. You can find really interesting things the deeper you go
MK - Space Mountain, Peoplemover, and Festival of Fantasy (midday parade)
AK - Festival of the Lion King, Flight of Passage, and Everest
HS - Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Beauty and the Beast show

My favorite restaurants would be Chefs de France (Epcot), Cosmic Ray's (MK), Flame Tree and Satuli Canteen (AK), and Sci Fi Dine in (HS).

If you're only doing three days, I'd probably skip Hollywood Studios. Unless you're Toy Story obsessed, I can't see this park beating out the other three. I think you can definitely do MK in a day, especially if HM, PotC, and IASM are your only must-dos.

 

[epcotobsessed]

I am not the person to talk to about MK - I think it's a half-day park . I know that is blasphemy to many. For your first time, one day is totally reasonable, I think. Of course, I would strongly recommend a full day at Epcot, and Animal Kingdom is my second favorite so I would recommend that as well. I am not sure when the Star Wars part of Hollywood Studios is opening - if that would make a difference for you, then definitely choose that park over any other. You are going to have a fantastic time, no matter what you choose! Read through the pinned posts about how to use the Fast Pass system in particular.

 

[NWOhiogal]

I am not sure when the Star Wars part of Hollywood Studios is opening - if that would make a difference for you, then definitely choose that park over any other.

Well, I'm old enough to remember when 'Star Wars' opened in 1977 - it was my first major movie obsession and I was IN LOVE with Luke Skywalker! (this started my lifelong preference for blue-eyed blonds), but given our timetable I think HS is the park we're going to have to skip. My WDW-friend highly recommends Animal Kingdom, but also suggests we do a "down day" between day 1 and 3, and just go around the resorts and Disney Springs. So I'm still trying to get that part figured out. Fortunately I have this great board to help me out!

 

[epcotobsessed]

No, I must insist that in three days and your first trip you do NOT plan a down day! That is terrible advice. Disney Springs is nothing like the parks - do three days, three parks!

 

[NWOhiogal]

No, I must insist that in three days and your first trip you do NOT plan a down day! That is terrible advice. Disney Springs is nothing like the parks - do three days, three parks!

Well, if you insist

 

[Hopefully]

I totally agree. NO down day on a 3 day trip. Open to close at MK, EP, and either AK or DHS.
Weather in January in Florida is totally variable. It can be jacket cold or shorts hot. Pack for both

 

[NWOhiogal]

OK, thanks! At least I won't have to pack a winter coat (hopefully!)

 

[sharonabe]

Agree with others...NO DOWN DAY!! I was 56 on our last trip and we went open to close for FIVE days. There won't be the heat and humidity to zap your energy, so go, go, GO! You can sleep and take a down day when you get home.

Star Wars Land won't be open yet at HS, but Toy Story Land will be. If you have any time on either your arrival or departure day, I would try to get some park time in on those days too.

 

[slpeters]

I agree--NO DOWN DAY! I took my first trip last November at 46 and had such a great time that we already have two more Orlando trips planned and a Disneyland trip. We were there for a week, open to close with a nap in the afternoon each day. I think on a three day trip we might have even foregone the afternoon naps, although they were lovely. In November it was nice enough for the pool, but there was no time--we were only there for a week!

Finally, I know this is blasphemy but if I had to skip one of the four parks I would skip Epcot.

 

[NWOhiogal]

All I have to say is, thank God for YouTube! There's a lot of good videos on there, and I'm learning a lot about what a first-time should do, and avoid doing!

I have to confess I'm sort of a "how it works" kinda person - I love all the videos that show the rides with the lights up, and how the Haunted Mansion's effects are done, etc.

I have to go budget this round, but if I ever am able to come back I would LOVE to stay at the Contemporary - that monorail is SO COOL...

Thanks for the advice, everybody! It's much appreciated!

 

[KittyKitty]

My 1st thought is "stay longer".

1st time at WDW? Staying on property? Have own transportation? 3 days will not be enough to see the parks thoroughly so I suggest you keep it simple. Don't try to do sit down dinners outside the park you are in. If you plan to park hop, same cost for 1 day or all days on ticket, make ... hmmm.. I'm having a hard time suggesting which park to make 1/2 day. 1st thought is Studios, then maybe Animal Kingdom. Do this on your last day. I like your idea of skipping Studios on this trip.

Start walking at home. Break in good walking shoes. You will walk at least 15000 + steps a day.

WDW is huge! Last count 47 square miles. So moving from park to resort, or another park takes time.

My last thought is ...... "you will be back!"

Have a great time.

 

[NWOhiogal]

My 1st thought is "stay longer".

1st time at WDW? Staying on property? Have own transportation?

I'd LOVE to stay longer! Unfortunately there's not enough $$$ to do it. Maybe next time!

Staying on property, yep, at Pop Century, but we're flying in and not renting a car. So it's going to be busses all the way!

I'm thinking Animal Kingdom for the half-day. The only things I'm interested in there is the Muppet Show and Flight of Passage. But, I'm still finding out what-all is in all the parks, so that might change!

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm breaking in the walking shoes as we speak.

 

[PPFlight75]

I would pack a variety of weather clothes. It can be cold one day and warm the next. I would have shorts and t-shirts plus long sleeves and pants. I've never worn a heavy coat in January but I have used a scarf with a light jacket, but my face and neck get really cold especially with a windy night. I think it's such a nice time of year to go just have a variety of clothing choices and you will be fine. Have a blast!!

 

[Mome Rath]

I'm in your midwest neighborhood and have done several winter trips; just as a heads up, the humidity in Florida in winter is still there, hence their temps feel a LOT colder than ours if there is a cold snap going through, so check the weather forecast everyday before you go and change wardrobe accordingly. I pack layers, and I do pack things like what we call a toboggan (a knit cap), gloves, etc... You can always buy them in the parks, but they are expensive. As some have said, sometimes it's short sleeves, sometimes it is coats. When it is cold, the sun does help, but it gets noticeably more chill when the sun goes down, but I love to be in the parks then!

I also highly recommend 3 parks. Keep doing what you are doing; pick out "must do's" in each park you go to, and also browse menus for different eating establishments. Plan for at least one table service restaurant on your vacation, and explore counter service recommendations to save time and money. Have fun!!

 

[caribbeandream]

I was just in WDW this past January and the best thing about it was the "lower" crowd levels. The weather, however, was really unpredictable that month. The week I was there (right after the marathon) the weather was super pleasant, and then on Friday it was HOT. I remember reading that others that went in January froze their bums off. Definitely keep an open mind about the weather and don't pack until the week before.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm thinking Animal Kingdom for the half-day. The only things I'm interested in there is the Muppet Show and Flight of Passage.

There isn't a Muppet Show at AK; it's at Studios.

Still, you don't want to miss Lion King and Nemo at AK; they are THE best shows at Disney. We're talking Broadway quality shows. There are also lots of little things to look for at all the parks. A shortened day here will probably still work, but don't cut it too short.

 

[heidijanesmith]

I went last Jan for a conference and I was freezing! It was 35 degrees, hat and mittens were needed.

You will need to pack for all types of weather: hot, cold and in between.