Really concerned about January...

[beldred]

So my family has decided to finally take another trip to the world in January 2020. We were planning on arriving around the 6th or 7th (to miss the NYE crowds) and stay 7 or 8 days (kids go back to college on like the 18th or something so gotta be home by then). I realize it's only 3 months out now, but I figured it's JANUARY, slow season, shouldn't be an issue. Except well... I can not seem to get a single room (much less the 3 we'd need for our 11 people) to pull up at Pop anytime around those check-in dates. Is January busy now? Is Pop holding rooms back for something and I should hold out hope? Freaking out here. We haven't been in almost 4 years (Jan of 2016) so trying to get my "disney sea legs" again.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[PCFriar80]

So my family has decided to finally take another trip to the world in January 2020. We were planning on arriving around the 6th or 7th (to miss the NYE crowds) and stay 7 or 8 days (kids go back to college on like the 18th or something so gotta be home by then). I realize it's only 3 months out now, but I figured it's JANUARY, slow season, shouldn't be an issue. Except well... I can not seem to get a single room (much less the 3 we'd need for our 11 people) to pull up at Pop anytime around those check-in dates. Is January busy now? Is Pop holding rooms back for something and I should hold out hope? Freaking out here. We haven't been in almost 4 years (Jan of 2016) so trying to get my "disney sea legs" again.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

It's Marathon Weekend [1/8 - 1/12]. Then followed up by MLK weekend, not to mention the Festival of Arts beginning at Epcot on 1/17/20.

 

[hopemax]

January is busier than in the past, but there are a few events that need to be contended with. Marathon weekend is Jan 8-12 and MLK Holiday is Jan 20. Room availability is always tighter during those weekends, even if the rest of the month isn't busy.

 

[beldred]

It's Marathon Weekend [1/8 - 1/12]. Then followed up by MLK weekend, not to mention the Festival of Arts beginning at Epcot on 1/17/20.

Ah, crossing over that weekend must be the problem. Grrrr. Was really looking forward to doing Pop again. Last trip was CBR and it was just too big for my tired old legs. LOL

 

[beldred]

So with the Marathon weekend being the problem, should I grab up what's out there now? Or will things stay pretty much as they are since I'm sure the runners have to had registered already?
And anyone else wish WDW would show you an availability chart for flexible dates like some other resorts and such do? It takes so long to refresh this darn page to check each little date variance.

 

[SarahC97]

So with the Marathon weekend being the problem, should I grab up what's out there now? Or will things stay pretty much as they are since I'm sure the runners have to had registered already?
And anyone else wish WDW would show you an availability chart for flexible dates like some other resorts and such do? It takes so long to refresh this darn page to check each little date variance.

I was just thinking this last night about an availability chart -- should would make things easier!

If you want a value that's a bit smaller, have you thought about All Star Movies? They just refurbished the rooms there and they're identical to Pop's rooms now. That's where we're going to stay at the end of January because Pop's pool is going to be under refurbishment and the new rooms at Movies look really nice. Just a thought because ASM is even smaller than Pop.

 

[PCFriar80]

So with the Marathon weekend being the problem, should I grab up what's out there now? Or will things stay pretty much as they are since I'm sure the runners have to had registered already?
And anyone else wish WDW would show you an availability chart for flexible dates like some other resorts and such do? It takes so long to refresh this darn page to check each little date variance.

You may want to call. The online reservations can be a "little inconsistent" from time to time. To answer your questions, most runners have already registered but there are probably those who have room ressies already and have not registered. So, worth a call to see what they show versus what you're seeing. Good luck!

 

[AquaDame]

January is busier than in the past, but there are a few events that need to be contended with. Marathon weekend is Jan 8-12 and MLK Holiday is Jan 20. Room availability is always tighter during those weekends, even if the rest of the month isn't busy.

I had a heck of a time getting a DVC studio at AKL for a night at the end of Jan... we ended up taking a one bedroom which is WAY more room than we need! I've never had an issue before so it felt very strange. We only had a couple of options at other resorts and this was very close to the 11 month mark. Made me wonder what was up also...!

 

[SharonZ]

If you are looking for a smaller moderate, try POFQ.