Special events in January? Best time in Jan to go?

[ruthies12]

My sister and I are thinking of going again in January 2018. Right now the whole month is open and we could go whenever, we are specifically looking to avoid crowds as we are going to go cheap and stay off site with no express pass.

So I know we want to avoid the first week right after new years and the weekend around MLK. Are there are any other things going on that I should know about? We thought we were doing great last February when we went and then got surprised with mardi gras nights and not being able to go to one of the parks with our passes. Then we went in May and got surprised with early closings because of grad night. I'm hoping to avoid any unpleasant surprises in January......TIA!

 

[mjhtvchick]

My sister and I are thinking of going again in January 2018. Right now the whole month is open and we could go whenever, we are specifically looking to avoid crowds as we are going to go cheap and stay off site with no express pass.

So I know we want to avoid the first week right after new years and the weekend around MLK. Are there are any other things going on that I should know about? We thought we were doing great last February when we went and then got surprised with mardi gras nights and not being able to go to one of the parks with our passes. Then we went in May and got surprised with early closings because of grad night. I'm hoping to avoid any unpleasant surprises in January......TIA!

I don't know if it will be unpleasant or not but the Celebration of Harry Potter typically takes place over the last weekend of January. Dates for 2018 haven't been announced yet but here is Universal's page on the event...https://www.universalorlando.com/we...events/celebration-of-harry-potter/index.html

Orlando Informer has a great page on the event if you are interested in it and looking for more info...https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/a-celebration-of-harry-potter-2017/

 

[ruthies12]

Thank you! I think we will wait for them to officially announce dates before we book as we would definitely want to avoid that going on.

 

[macraven]

Twice I went in January.

One time was starting on a weekday january 8 and the entire week was low crowds.
This year hit the park last days of January and into Feb and another light crowd in the parks.

Weekends will have crowds if the weather is nice.
brings the locals out to the parks.

 

[keishashadow]

Thank you! I think we will wait for them to officially announce dates before we book as we would definitely want to avoid that going on.

That's the standard weekend for the event

Both U & WDW are increasing crowded over these time periods due to the special events.

IMO when there is a race @ WDW, people tend to migrate up to Universal if they are going to do 'just' one day. Next year it's 1/6 - 1/7

2018 Pro Bowl again is in town last week of month, crowds reflected it last year.

MLK is 3rd Monday, crowds disappear by Tuesday

For that matter, mid week crowds tend to be definitely do-able mid-week

Google free universal crowd calender for varying projections to help in your decision.

 

[KalamityJane]

Oh, I'm totally wanting to go during the Harry Potter weekend! *scheduling that in...*