Tell me about DLR in January?

[PigletGurl]

Yay! So we've chosen tentative dates for our possible christmas vacation! They are Jan. 4 - 10, and we plan to purchase a 4 day park hopper, our APs just expired Soooo, weve never been in jan, and Id like to know the following: park hours, weather, crowds, possible refurbs, and entertainment. THanks for ur help!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i think youd miss everything
jan 4th is when it comes down.
id go later dec or like 2ed jan.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I went this last January from the 4th - 6th and ALL of the decorations were still up. The longest we had to wait in line was 30 minutes (and that was for Nemo) ! It did rain one day, but it was completely worth it to go during the rain. We hit all rides about 10 times and almost every time just walked on. The weather was fine for just a sweater during the whole time

I know they change the dates when they take down decorations, you should just keep checking the event schedule and call to make sure of when the decorations will be taken down. Don't worry, people are not always right when the Christmas stuff is not around.

 

[PigletGurl]

Yeah, we dont care about missing the christmas stuff, we just want to go when there's no crowds, cuz we usually only have time to go in june.

 

[DoomBugger]

It's a good time to go, especially at night when the parks clear out the last few hours.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh well enjoy then hehe

 

[HydroGuy]

Yay! So we've chosen tentative dates for our possible christmas vacation! They are Jan. 4 - 10, and we plan to purchase a 4 day park hopper, our APs just expired Soooo, weve never been in jan, and Id like to know the following: park hours, weather, crowds, possible refurbs, and entertainment. THanks for ur help!

Weather data is described here:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Best gauge for entertainment in Jan 2009 is what happened in Jan 2008. Here is a link:

www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200801.asp

 

[bumbershoot]

I liked my late January trip. Haunted Mansion was open and normal again, the crowds were low. It was chilly and a bit rainy, but that just made it all the less crowded.

I'm not sure I'd go so early in the year, not b/c of the decorations, but b/c I would want a chance to see IASW and HM right after they open again after the holidays!

 

[PigletGurl]

^ Yeah me too, but I've got college so I can't miss classes
my christmas break is until jan 17, but we cant span the trip over jan 10 cuz my little sisters high school resumes classes jan 12.

 

[nunzia]

We'll be there in January too. Ariving on the 10th for a mini vacation before the Backstage Magic ABD. My biggest fear is Fantasmic will be down. Everything else I can deal with. (except a blizzard)

 

[cativa]

January is a great time to go!
The crowds are almost nonexistant, and you may get lucky and still see some of the XMas decorations.
The only drawbacks are the weather and closures.
Bring sweatshirts and expect rain. Actually I love DL in the rain because all the locals stay away so the crowds are even thinner!
Since its off season, they don't run all the parades and they often don't run Fantasmic or sometimes even the fireworks on the weekdays. They usually do on the weekends though, unless they get rained out or there is too much wind.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We like Jan. as well. DD9 is off track then and the crowds are gone. Christmas season will end on 1/4/09 this year and after that the hours will be shorter. Sort of like now when the hours are 10-8 DL and 10-6 DCA.

Oh, and I beg to differ, I'm a local and the rain doesn't keep me away, at all. Some of my favorite trips have been during the rain, but yes, it is cold (at least for us!)

 

[2ndStar]

Another vote in favor of January. Yes, the park hours will likely be shorter, and a ride or two may be down for refurb (check the DL website calendar), but the trade off is MUCH lighter crowds. You'll get so much done even with less hours, then you can return to the hotel at a decent time and get a good night's sleep.

I also have to send encouraging thoughts about the weather. A bit of rain makes the day even that much more enjoyable - it really scares the crowds away, especially the locals who can just pick a sunnier day to return. My absolute favorite DL day ever was after a morning of rain - the rest of the day we were able to walk on any ride we wanted and LOVED it!
Just dress in layers and perhaps bring a few cheap ponchos - they also sell them at most stores.

Have fun!