Tell me about January at the World

[PEANUT1]

We just returned Saturday from BCV, we have a trip planned for October and now my husband says we should go again in January for a few days. I think he is nuts and want to wait until next Christmas to go again. He thinks it is too long in between trips for the kids (the trip in Oct is just adults).

We went in January 1996 and the weather was COLD There was a blizzard in the Northeast and it got to about 32 degrees at night in Disney.

What are people's general experiences in January and would you go again at this time of year. Just wondering. We would probably like to stay at AKV or VWL if possible.

 

[hansel1]

We just returned Saturday from BCV, we have a trip planned for October and now my husband says we should go again in January for a few days. I think he is nuts and want to wait until next Christmas to go again. He thinks it is too long in between trips for the kids (the trip in Oct is just adults).

We went in January 1996 and the weather was COLD There was a blizzard in the Northeast and it got to about 32 degrees at night in Disney.

What are people's general experiences in January and would you go again at this time of year. Just wondering. We would probably like to stay at AKV or VWL if possible.

This year marks the third year in a row that we have visited in january. In 2006 and 2007 the weather was wonderful. (first week & a half in january for both years)

This year (jan 20th - 30th) was cold and windy. The temp was anywhere from low 50s to low 80s, but the wind chill made things feel colder.

I love january and would definately visit again, but be prepared for cooler weather. We had bought a weather cover for our son's stroller and used it everyday.

 

[Starr W.]

We went down this past MLK weekend for 4 nights, actually got in the pool 3 days! It was actually warmer than early Thanksgiving week 2006! Now that was cold and windy. Wish I would have packed the long underwear for that trip!

I start watching the weather about a week out and tweak everyone's wardrobe if necessary.

 

[NLK]

The best time. The parks are EMPTY EMPTY EMPTY!! I wish we could go at that time but we can't take the kids out of school. Just bring some hats or gloves because sometimes at night it gets cold.

 

[pinkteacup]

All of the trips we have taken to WDW have been in January, and we keep going back at that time. The parks are not crowded and the weather varies from the high 60's to the low 80's which is perfect for park touring. My kids have always been able to swim at least 2-3 times during the trip. This past January was the only trip we have ever taken where there were more cold days than warm, and when it did warm up it rained, but 5 out of 6 trips with nice weather isn't bad.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have done at least some part of January about a dozen times, and while the weather can be changeable, we have never had bad weather for an entire trip. Usually you will get a cold rainy day in there somewhere, but our last 4 January trips have been wonderful weatherwise! You need a jacket in the evenings after the sun goes down, and if it's coudy and or rainy, it will be downright cold, but we have also enjoyed mostly upper 60's to mid 70's and even a time or two it has gotten into the 90's!

 

[tomandrobin]

After the first couple days past NYE, the crowds really thin out. By the begining of the second week in January the parks are really empty.

The weather can be hit or miss, in the upper 30's to mid 80's. Just won't know until a week out of your trip.

Two things to keeo in mind. The parks open later and close earlier then during the summer and peak times. There is usually a higher then normal amount of attractions that will be closed for maintenance.

 

[JLitfin]

I love January. We have gone the last 3 years and have my reservations set for next January. Two of those years we had great weather, wore shorts the whole week. Last year we had to wear long pants and sweatshirts at the beginning of the week, then the weather started getting better as the week went on. Definitely go in January, it's a great time to tour the parks.

 

[PEANUT1]

Thanks for all of your insight. Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[El&Asmom]

We went this year for MLK week and loved it. We hate heat and humidity, and the weather was perfect for park touring. My dd swam all but 1 or 2 of the days. I hate swimming unless it is really hot, but with the heated pool at OKW, I was able to tolerate on a couple of the warmer, 70-80ish days.
We have two dds that are 2 and 4. Having gone in Sept, and now in Jan, we will never go again when it is still considered summer in Florida. The kids were so much less crabby when they weren't sweating all of the time. We felt like we could get so much more done because we didn't have to leave the parks when we all got overheated, which unfortuantely in Sept was around 10/11am.
I do wish that I had packed differently. I would have brought more layers and capris as it is cool in the mornings and evenings. We brought way too many shorts and tees.
We may try Nov next time around so that it is slightly warmer, but not the horrible heat of the summer.

 

[PEANUT1]

You will love the weather in November. The crowds will be a bit higher than you are used to.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Thanks for all of your insight. Sounds like a good idea to me.

BWAHAHHAH!!!! It all going according to my evil plan!!!!

I guess I should be looking into where and when we are going now.
Can't wait evil trip plans are as fun as the trip!!
BOB
PEANUT1's hubby

 

[tomandrobin]

Trip planning is one of my favorite parts of going to WDW.

EMH's, dining, fireworks and parade!

 

[minniekissedme]

It's great when it's a bit chilly...dress appropriately and you'll have the park to yourselves! We've done three years of Jan and this year pushed to the first week of Feb. February brought nicer weather (80+ everyday) and bigger crowds though I think a lot of that was due to Mardi Gras week.

Crowds may tend to be a bit higher over MLK weekend because of the extra day off but I love the smaller crowds for being in the parks. It's a bonus if you hit great weather to swim.

 

[cleopatra]

We've been going to WDW in January ever since 2005 after we'd taken the plunge and bought into DVC. We love it in January - far fewer crowds - although the marathon weekend has now increased attendance from what it used to be.

Yes it can be cold - we're from the UK and we have to pack double because we've experienced everything from freezing to boiling. So it's sun glasses and swimming costumes, hats, coats and gloves.

Most years we get at least one very sunny to hot week - several times we've been to the water parks. However we've also been frozen on our first day as we take the ferry over to MK (family tradition) and we've even had to cut short our evening in MK once when we got soaked on Splash Mountain and it was just too cold to dry out in the park. Last year we had the experience of getting caught in a torrential thunder storm in Epcot which lasted for about an hour - now that is very unusual in January - we usually see very little to no rain at all. When I last went in October it was very humid we had rain every day and were even visited by hurricane Irene. Yes I definately prefer January!