Please tell me about your experiences in January!!

[disneydreamer1970]

DH and I are thinking about going to WDW Jan 19 - 23 for our 15th anniversary and my birthday! We have never been in January before, so please tell me about your experiences. How are the lines, the weather, etc.

Thank you!!

Trish

 

[Pig Pen]

We have been in January 2x. The crowds are non-existent. We were able to practically walk-on any ride the entire time. We were able to get a table at Le Cellier at dinner time without a PS or a wait. Also a plus for us is the ability to see the exhibits we normally wouldn't wait in line for, such as the tekkie stuff in the Innoventions pavilions at Epcot.

The hours are shorter, but since you are not waiting in lines, there seems to be more time to experience everything!

The downside is the weather. It ranged from bitter cold 30's and windy to upper 70's. We used the pool once during our first visit, not at all during our most recent January visit. We stayed at WL during a cold snap and enjoyed sipping hot chocolate by the fire in the lobby and hanging out indoors.

If you are "water people" January may not be the season for you! But if you are looking for a leisurely vacation without a RAMBO touring atmosphere, then go for it!

 

[kpm76]

We went last January and loved it. It was not hot but very comfortable...temps in the 60's which made walking and seeing the attractions very pleasant. We went this past June and had a much different experience....crowds were heavy and the heat was oppressive. I realized that I can no longer take the summer heat. January was awesome...the crowds were so light and it was a really nice time to visit. I highly recommedn it

 

[llij]

We've been twice in January and like the other posters have said, the crowds are great and the weather can vary. This past January, we had very pleasant weather one day and a little chilly the next day. All in all, it was a great time to go. Just wanted to mention too that a lot of rehabs are done in January so be prepared for that. Have a great trip!

 

[2gether]

We went in Jan '96...it was pretty cold, but since we were prepared, we had a great time. NO LINES. I would make sure to bring a change of clothing if you're even contemplating Splash Mountain. The weather can be pretty nice, but it does get cool in the evening, and it is not warm enough to overcome the chill of the water. Not cold for us northerners, but cold by Florida standards (50's some days).

 

[joshsmom]

We went in January 2004 for DS's 8th birthday. NO LINES ANYWHERE (literally). However, although we were *physically* prepared for cold weather (we brought sweatshirts, jeans, gloves, ear muffs), we were not *mentally* prepared for the cold weather!! When we arrived, it was in the mid-70's and very nice. Shorts were fine. Then the sun went down and we were COLD!! The next day we made sure to dress for the weather. Water rides were COMPLETELY out. In the morning it was in the 30's - 40's and we wore all our cold weather gear. By the middle of the day, we were stripping off sweatshirts and storing them in a locker. By evening, we were running to the locker to get the clothes back on!!

I LOVE January for the non-existent crowds, I didn't like wearing ear muffs in Florida. We may have been there during an unusually cool snap, but I don't think I want to do it again!!!

If the cool weather wouldn't bother you, it's a fabulous time to go!!

 

[bavaria]

Well, there was the year I had to scrape the car - no kidding! And the year I wore a shirt, sweater, wool jacket, mitts, and still froze. (Disney shut down all of the fountains due to the ice)

But that's why I like January - it can be icy cold or toasty warm. It's empty, except around the Marathon weekend. EMPTY.

 

[Tiffany]

DH and I are thinking about going to WDW Jan 19 - 23 for our 15th anniversary and my birthday! We have never been in January before, so please tell me about your experiences. How are the lines, the weather, etc.

Thank you!!

Trish

My husband and I love the winter value season. We have gone the last three years, 03, 04 and 05 either during the last week or so of Jan or the first week in Feb. The only down side is that the weather is all over the place so you need to keep an eye on weather.com and pack accordingly. We are from the NorthEast so even 50s are warm to us when the people back home are dealing with snow and temps in the single digits.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We have been 4 times in Jan. There are no crowds. Really I mean none!! As soon as we got off any ride, we were able to get right back on. Several rides we never even had to get off, they just asked us if we wanted to go again, and let us stay in our same cart. We've done October (as a kid it was great, but now due to the Halloween party crowded) the weather was probably the best then. Also in August (stiffling and crowded even once the Southern States school went back to school) and November for Thanksgiving and March for Spring Break. Those two times weather was great but absolutely way too crowded. Would do Aug again if could not go any other time, but really Jan is our familys favorite.

We've been with frost on the ground and in 85 degrees. We've done water parks and hooded sweatshirts. Just pack one pair of jeans and hooded sweatshirt and long sleeve t-shirt to cover the cold days. Worst case scenario you have to wear those clothes several days in a row. We found that we wore shorts and sweatshirts a lot or jeans with t shirts. Especially if this is your first trip, I would highly recommend this time because there is no stress for meals and lines. You will be able to do and see everything. Oh yeah , there is hardly any rain at that time of year.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I gone many times in January (mainly because it was during my grad school break) and LOVED it!!! Temps were usually in low 70's, though cold at night. I had some trips with days where the temps never made it into the 50's, and temps at night in the 20's with some park vegatation freezing and have being replaced.

But I think the best thing is the heat doesn't drain you. I never needed to take mid-day breaks, and you don't sweat through your wardrobe as fast! For character lovers, I found January a good time to go since characters can make more/longer appearances in cool weather, and less crowds to deal with, too! I usually go to a water park, even, on the warmest day of my trip. And I usually hit the resort pool at least once!

Parks do close early, though, except Epcot which is still open until 9:00. Weather during travel can be an issue, as I hit a blizzard in the Carolinas once when driving down and had to delay my trip a day.

I would never hesitate to go in January - sometimes it's just so nice to be in 70 degree weather when it is 10 degrees at home!

 

[Dancenash]

Went for my b-day this past Jan. It was in the 40's almost everyday. The park hours were short, but we got to ride everything with no wait.

 

[AJKMOM]

I don't have my 2006 calendar, is there any chance that your trip is during MLK weekend? If so, it could be more crowded than usual. Unfortumately, you almost need to pack for 2 vacations, one where it's warm, and one where it's cold.

 

[bcvprincesses]

Jan. is a great time to go. We are going Jan 19 to the 28. We have been there when it was in the 80's and once we even saw snowflakes. It is a great time to see everything in the parks. The best part is that you can see Wishes, Fantasmic and Illuminations in the same night. That is how we end our trip.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

How did you manage to see Wishes, Fantasmic and Illuminations all in one night?? That sounds like an awesome challenge!!!

 

[MACUSER]

We went the last week in Jan a few years ago and it was perfect . Temps in the 80's , walked on all the rides.. Had a great time . Only draw back was the short hours but with no crowds it was fine..

 

[New England Eeyore]

We went this past January 28-31. I loved it, and although it was rainy the first day and a half, I have to say that it was a refreshing change to walk around WDW with long sleeves. A trip without sweat! I'd go back again during January. As a fellow New Englander, you know that there's nothing Florida can come up with temperature wise that could even come close to home. The only downside is having to come home from 'paradise' to winter again. Especially if there's a snowstorm while you're gone and you have to shovel to get to your front door! If we had picked the weekend before, that's what would've happened.

 

[Disney Doll]

Small crowds, short lines, decreased park hours of operation. Weather can be iffy...we've had anywhere from 30-85 in January..think layers.

In general, we like January because we get away from the frozen Northeast...New England...so even if it's in the 50's or 60's, that's still better than what we have at home.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We went this past January and in 2001. The crowds are non existent. This past January , it was downright cold a few days. I remember being bundled up at DTD. I know everyone says it can be hot also. But both times we were there it was either cool or cold. But still alot warmer than PA.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This was the thermometer reading in my car as we left our Massachusetts home for the airport on our way to WDW this past January 19.

Any other ?s

 

[Ashes8380]

I love january! No crowds so you can do everything you want. As far as weather goes, I lucked out on both of my January trips. The first time it was in the 60s - low 70s for the whole week. This last January it was pushing 80 the bulk of the time we were there. My friend and I lounged by the pool and sunbathed several days in a row. However, I know that was just luck. Let's hope my luck continues for my January trip this year!