Talk to me about January Trips....

[Chumpson]

I am thinking about spending about 5 days in DL in January. I have kids of 9, 6 and 4. We will be coming from Oregon, so I am sure the weather will be better than our conditions, but how will it be? Also is it better to go during this time for price and crowds instead of summer or spring break for weather? We went in May two years ago and had a blast, but our schedule doesn't allow that next year. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

I've never gone in January (can't comment on what the weather's like), but here are a few negatives to going then:
1) Haunted Mansion goes down to remove the holiday makeover
2) It's a Small World goes down to remove the holiday makeover
3) other rides are more likely to be down for refurb during off-season
4) shorter park hours
5) Fantasmic, Electrical Parade, those types of shows may only run on weekends, if at all
Positives:
1) less crowds, making the shorter park hours not so big of a deal
2) cheaper hotel rates

 

[dozeman]

I've never gone in January (can't comment on what the weather's like), but here are a few negatives to going then:
1) Haunted Mansion goes down to remove the holiday makeover
2) It's a Small World goes down to remove the holiday makeover
3) other rides are more likely to be down for refurb during off-season
4) shorter park hours
5) Fantasmic, Electrical Parade, those types of shows may only run on weekends, if at all
Positives:
1) less crowds, making the shorter park hours not so big of a deal
2) cheaper hotel rates

How long are the attractions closed for holiday decor removal? I don't think any attractions are closed at WDW for this.

 

[Chumpson]

I've never gone in January (can't comment on what the weather's like), but here are a few negatives to going then:
1) Haunted Mansion goes down to remove the holiday makeover

This is okay with me.

2) It's a Small World goes down to remove the holiday makeover

Maybe it is just me but this could be a plus.

3) other rides are more likely to be down for refurb during off-season

I don't know that I would want to miss very many, hopefully not many. I missed Space Mountain last time I was there, but we still had a blast.

4) shorter park hours

Fine again, with the crowds we think this is a non-issue. We went in May, shorter hours, and had plenty of time.

5) Fantasmic, Electrical Parade, those types of shows may only run on weekends, if at all

I wasn't aware that they wouldn't run them on weekends in off season. I thought they would at least go on Friday and Saturday. I was planning on using a trip around a weekend so we could see the parade and Fantasmic. Hmmmm....

Positives:
1) less crowds, making the shorter park hours not so big of a deal
2) cheaper hotel rates

LOVELY, on both!!!

Other thoughts?

 

[samkj]

Fantasmic and the fireworks do run on the weekends during the offseason. January also typically has excellent AP rates for the DLR hotels. I believe the DLH and PPH were both under $100 per night.

 

[Chumpson]

I was actually thinking of staying on property in January if I got a good deal. We stayed at HoJo's last time and it was nice. January might be the best deal we can get to actually stay on site, wonder what DCA would be for that time of year.

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Oooo -- another BIG plus: good possibility of discount parkhoppers (assuming they keep running the Kids Free with Adult purchase promo, which this year ran from 1/3/06 - 4/27/06).

Don't know how big of a discount for onsite hotel, though. Good shot at there being AP rates, but if you don't opt to get an AP that won't do you much good. If your heart's set on it, and the PH deals are running next January again, might I suggest purchasing 2 tickets at adult price, get the 2 free children's admissions, and purchase ONE AP (deep hotel discount, 10% discount on most meals and character meals).

 

[Chumpson]

Great idea, Thanks!!!

 

[azgal81]

This year we went in January the week before MLK day and next year we will probably go again either the week before or the week after depending on what we feel like. Haunted Mansion was up when we were there so we were able to ride it with the holiday up but it went down that tuesday I believe. Small world was down don't know if that's really a bad thing but it was opening up that tuesday when haunted mansion went down.

If you plan it right you can schedule your trip between the two refurbs. Don't know the dates for them yet this year I haven't seen anything confiming that those attractions are going to be down in January yet. Other rides might be down becuase the 50th will be over so they might be closing some rides for refurbs but only time will tell with that one.

Fanatsmic, fireworks were running on the weekends (friday,sat and sunday) but the electric parade was on hiatus.

The crowds were wonderful! It was so not crowded at all the shorter park hours didn't matter becasue we got everything done we wanted to with no lines. I think the longest lines were probably about 20 minutes alot of things were walk ons!

We did the kids price promotion so saved some money with that!

The weather was nice it did rain on one day we were there but it wasn't that bad. I wore pants and a tee shirt (I also brought my coat for chilly mornings and to protect me from splash moutain water) and my boyfriend wore his usual tee shirt and shorts.

We have gone in the summer and while the park was open longer the lines were so much bigger we have also found out that with the longer park hours we are more likely to go back to the hotel because we can't stay at the park from 9-midnight!

All in all I think January is a great month to go!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

The problem with planning around Fantasmic is that Fantasmic is likely going to go down for refurb sometime in the fall or winter and be down for some months. It's been running continuously for over a year now (weekends only in the off season), but it's going to need a major rehab soon and they'll likely be draining the river to do it.

 

[Chumpson]

Any idea on prices for the hotels during January?

 

[cinderella_mom]

I am thinking about spending about 5 days in DL in January.

You didn't say what days in January. If you come the first week of January, the crowds are smaller, but the Xmas decor is still up.

 

[Chumpson]

The end of January, like the 25-30th.

 

[Rapunsel]

we find January to be one of the best months to go...

Less crowds and prices are great..

Don't need lodging so we can't help you there..

 

[camouseketeer]

By that time both the Haunted Mansion and Small World will be finished with their holiday overlay removal and back up and running. Other attractions may be down, as it is refurbishment time, but the offset of really low crowds is great!

The weather last year (2005) was high 60's/low 70's and sunny. Of course this is very variable, but we did hit great weather. This is a much better time to visit than in the summer!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

My sis and I were there around Jan.22 for 4 nights (Sun-Thurs.). We got the GC for $189. We're definitely going again in Jan. next year! There were hardly any people in the park! There were times that the wait for Space Mountain was 5 min! We had 2 character breakfasts (at Storytellers and the Plaza Cafe) that were so mellow. In fact, at the Plaza, there were so few people there that the characters kept coming back around to our table, almost as if they were looking for someone to intereact with! We were not rushed in the least and had a great time. We also saw MANY characters at the Art of Animation building--no/very short lines, or they were just milling around in the big lobby area interacting with guests. Even the characters in the park had minimal lines. Many people were there with little kids (2-5 yrs) and it seemed to me it would be an ideal time to go with little ones. Not hot, no lines, mellow energy. Yes, HM was closed but I think IASW might have been open by then. Also no parade (the streets were being repaired in places). Fireworks were showing Fri, Sat & Sun. only. We didn't really miss it as we'd been there together the previous Aug. & I'd also been there at both TG and New Year's. We took the 50th Anniversary tour and it was just the 2 of us with the tour guide! Boy, did we feel like VIPs! The guide was great (I'd had her for the Holiday tour over New Year's--I believe her name was Karen) and I know we got a little extra on the tour because I'd taken the same tour the previous June, only there were 16 people on that one! It was really fun to be able to talk to her and ask any and all questions we could think of. The park closed at 8 but we'd done everything we wanted to do by then, and we didn't get an early start each day either. The weather for us was fine--no rain, nice during the day and chilly in the evening. We didn't do any water rides (seemed too chilly for that to us) but others were. One afternoon my sis took a nap and I sat by the fire in the hotel lobby and read--it was heavenly. I highly recommend January!

 

[lulubelle]

After October, January is my favorite time of year to go. Yes, it is cold and the park hours are short, but lines are non-existant and hotel rates are wonderful. We paid $89 per night for DLH three months ago. Go later in the month and try to avoid Fri/Sat nights for the best deals.

Have a great vacation, whatever you decide!

 

[Chumpson]

I am convinced that this is the time for me. Thanks for all your help. I will have to go over the weekend since I teach and coach during that time of year. Since Friday and Monday are non-kid days in our building I won't miss much time teaching them if I take one day Thursday or Tuesday to round out the trip. Thanks again, already getting excited it is only just over 9 months away. : )