Strategy for trip January 2-7, 2016

[mom3girls2007]

It's been seven years since I've planned a trip to WDW, and am looking for advice for an upcoming trip planned Jan. 2-7, 2016. Last time we went, with the help from advice on this board we had a fantastic experience - stayed on property, used fast pass to our advantage, showed up at rope drop, made dining reservations, and as a result had a stress-free, wonderful time. So now asking for advice as I'm planning another trip that I realize may not be the most optimum time -- arriving day after New Years Day. These dates were chosen as we are limited working with our college daughters schedules. Also, we think it would be awesome to surprise our 11 year old on January 1 (which happens to be her birthday often overshadowed by the holidays) by telling her we are all going to Disney World, a trip she's been begging to make for years. She really misses her sisters at college too, and this trip will be all about her and family time for all of us.

So my questions -- how crowded will the parks be this weekend after New Years Day? Should I be avoiding these dates? Another option is to go Jan. 4-10. I'm hoping if we avoid going to Magic Kingdom Saturday, Jan. 2 possibly the parks will be less crowded Jan 3-6? We will only be visiting Disney parks, no Seaworld, etc. Finally, we probably won't stay on property - way to cost prohibitive as we'd need two rooms. Any advice on other close to WDW hotels/resorts that college kids may like? I'm thinking condo resort or somewhere we could get two rooms for around $300 total a night. A shuttle to the parks included would be a huge plus, not sure that is possible to find! I realize value resorts fall in this category but don't think our college kids would like the "little kid" themes. Thanks for any advice!

 

[RedheadRinger]

Hi. I just started a Face Book group, "Disney January 2016 Planning Group". Come join us if you're on FaceBook. Its just starting out but hopefully we can get others to join.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We travel in January almost every time. Last time we were there 12/30-1/5. 12/30 and 12/31 were bonkers bananas crowded but on New Years Day the crowd significantly cleared out. The rest of our trip we walked on nearly every ride except the biggies, which did not have very long waits (Space Mountain, Big Thunder etc.)

Marathon weekend is the weekend after New Years (Jan 9) so there are more people around then but for the most part early January is a wonderful time to go.

In terms of accommodations I'm afraid I don't have much to recommend because we are DVC and always stay on site.

Good luck planning!

 

[mom3girls2007]

Thanks that eases my anxiety about crowds a bit! Now to pick a resort! Had originally thought we'd save money by staying off property for the first time ever, but wow, the new FP+ system I've been reading about really seems to favor onsite. Wow pretty bummed about the new FP system, we were happy with the old one! Now worried we won't get FP+ if we wait until 30 days out staying off site.

 

[txcorey]

We are going January 1-6 and staying at the Pop Century. After the 1st the room rate drops to $99 per night. Not too bad. I think the convenience of staying on property would overshadow any qualms about "childish" decor. The Pop is themed more to the decade that you're staying in and the bus service is pretty good there too.

 

[jettgrrlaust]

Hi. I just started a Face Book group, "Disney January 2016 Planning Group". Come join us if you're on FaceBook. Its just starting out but hopefully we can get others to join.

i just requested to join the January 2016 facebook group! My sister, dad, a couple of friends and i will be doing a bunch of resort hopping from 19th jan to 3 feb (yay we will be there for a while!!). Ive only ever stayed on property and loved it! Last year we stayed at AoA and port orleans riverside and then moved up to cabana bay universal before we flew out. All our hotels were awesome and we are staying at AoA and port orleans again, with a few nights at CBR just for a change. Im excited to see the low crowds and really just spend a great few weeks there enjoying the parks and also the resorts now we will have more resort days. My dad is even planning on having a golf day to give him a break from all the holding of shopping bags he has to do with us I will watch this thread because i am eager to see what people have planned etc. I have made a bunch of our adr's already but we havent bought the park tix yet so cant make fast pass choices, that's the next exciting thing! Im sure the time will pass fast and we will be doing our 17 hour trek from Australia! Hope we all enjoy our awesome January trips!