Tell me about January....

[Crisgw]

We've always gone in July and September to WDW and this January (11-16) we're doing a 4th birthday trip for our youngest son. It will be our first DVC trip (using developer points). What should I expect crowd wise, what about the pool, can we use it (we're from Ohio so we get hot easily ) what to pack....thanks!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've been to WDW more times in January than any other time and really enjoy it. It can be very hit or miss on the weather though and you'll really just need to be checking the weather reports prior to your vacation. I don't tend to swim much but I've been there at times when I would have....and other times that I wouldn't have dreamed about it. Most trips there's been at least a day or two that the CM's have their big heavy coats out....and all the northern tourists have shorts and t-shirts! LOL

If we haven't gone in January then it's usually been May, Sept or Dec. The only "summer" travel that I've done was early-mid June and the January crowds have always been lighter than what I experienced that June but maybe a little heavier than Sept. Overall it's a good time to go IMO.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went last Jan for the first time ever over MLK weekend - LOVED it and wish our DS's school sched. worked out where we could go every year but didn't work out for this next January. Anyway, I know there is a marathon there in January - might be around the dates you mentioned...so you might have some crowds from that.

Last year I watched the weather online on accuweather.com and weather.com the whole week before but it didn't really help me plan that much. The week before we went I think it was like in the 80's for a couple of days..but then some big 'ole cold front dropped down from Canada and covered like the whole US...our weather really fluctuated during the daytime from 70's down to 50's and back up again over the 3 days. It was still GREAT tho as it was like 20 degrees up here in the north - so regardless you WILL be warmer down there!! We DID go to the pool one afternoon when it got up to like 70 (and we were in Florida so it was like we HAD to! ) but we actually mostly stayed in the hot tub.

I suggest packing layers! I got all 3 of us in one large 15x15x30" duffle which weighed EXACTLY 50 Lbs and 1 carry-on suitcase!! I made one 15" high stack for each of us and if I couldn't close the bag then something came out! This also helped prevented us from spending a lot of extra money on any souvies 'cuz there was nowhere to pack them!

We wore jeans down which I figured we could wear more than once. It was freezing up here so we wore our ski coats with removable hoods and zip out linings so we had some options (and yes, we needed the hoods one windy day - we had taken the linings out but we got cold without them once the wind picked up). One night we had thunderstorms with pouring rain and LOTS of lightening...we got wet & cold and called it a day early and went back to VWL to get a hot shower and wander around the lodge looking for Hidden Mickeys.

I packed 1 bathing suit each & flip flops for the pool, a pr. of shorts & a pr. of crops for myself and a couple pair of those zip off convertible pants for both DS and DH - those were really handy 'cuz the mornings & evenings were cool but a couple of the days were pretty nice. I also packed a couple of T-shirts and sweatshirts each, and 1 spare pair of shoes (thank goodness 'cuz our one pair got so-o wet in that storm).

Since we were there over a holiday weekend we had some crowds...it wasn't PACKED but it wasn't empty either - reminded me of late, late summer...there were a lot of those loud, obnoxious Brazilian Tour Groups. But we still LOVED our quick little get-a-way. I am anxious to see DS's school schedule for 2010 already to see if we can plan another January trip (our school system has a "Professional Day" in January and last year they had it on the Tues following MLK so we could have 4 nights w/o him missing any school)! With the price of airfare these days we feel like we need to at least go for 4 nights.

It just felt really cool that Friday when someone at work said "what are you doing this weekend" I loved saying "We're going to Disney"!

 

[Crisgw]

Thanks for the replies! I thought that I would be able to run in the marathon but unfortunately it's on the day we arrive I love marathon running! What a bummer, BUT that just means NEXT year in Jan I'll have to go back to run the marathon!!!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I'm from Michigan, and January can be COLD in Florida. I don't know why, but 55 in Florida seems like 0 in Michigan. We about froze down there!! So take your winter jacket, a couple sweat shirts and pants. You might be able to wear shorts during the day, at least some days, but don't pack too many. We found that tee shirts and jeans were comfortable most of the time, but every once in a while it gets a little warmer, and that's when you need shorts. We have gone to Florida every season of the year, and it's most difficult to pack during December and January, because the weather can be warm or cold, and it can change quickly from day to day. We usually used the hot tub, too, when we were there, and it helped to have a robe for running to/from, because the wind can make it seem extra-cold. You will love the small crowds, though, they are even smaller crowds than in September.

 

[wildernessDad]

In January of 2007, we arrived on the day of the marathon. I found the crowds the days afterward to be high. There were a lot of Brazilian tourists about with a lot of screaming teens. The weather was cold. Personally, I didn't like that particular time.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I'm slightly off-topic here, but I just found out that Stormalong Bay will be down for refurbishment Jan-April, just in case you are staying there.

 

[np4gp]

I am at OKW/SSR the same exact week. I was told by my guide last week that the marathon will bring in an additional 40,000 guests. He said some will stay after the marathon and some just run and go home, but no indication as to how many. I am not so thrilled about staying there that week anymore but I made the reservation on rented points before I bought. I am wishing we had chosen the following week.

 

[Poppins2000]

We are going for nine days in January (16th-24th), staying at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. It'll be cooler for us (we live at the southern tip of FL) but we'll be bringing shorts and tees along with coats, jeans and sweatshirts! I agree, layers are your best bet!

 

[drusba]

We have gone in January often. Time of month you will be there crowds will be moderate and manageable. As to weather, it can be sunny and 80, partly cloudy and mid-60, rainy and in the 50s, and colder than you can ever imaging WDW to be ... and then in the afternoon ...

We have been when the temp was in the mid-70s to low 80s all week and when it never got above 60 and had a couple days with a high in the 30s. As to Marathon weekend, it really does not cause parks to be overly crowded, somewhat heavier but really not a problem.

 

[MdmMim]

I agree wholeheartedly with the PPs regarding the weather--and how it can be cold.

I'm from the North, but I do get cold in Fla. It's much damper than at home. I have needed my winter coat, hat, and gloves there often. One year, the windchill was 18--that's cold. I had a friend with me who had her down jacket on--people were offering her cash for the jacket! I've also seen lots of frost during that time--many were using credit cards to scrape their windshields. Be prepared.

On the other hand, it can be pleasant. But--once that sun sets, you most likely will need a sweatshirt.

As posted, layers work best. And check the weather prior to leaving.

It IS the best time to go there!

 

[TK Brown]

We love going in January. My wife usually has a confrence that month and its at the Contemporary! Twist my arm!!! Like everyone els ehas said, the weather can change quite a bit. When we went in 2005, we were in hats and gloves (we were THAT cold ) our first day, but 2 days later we were in shorts and t-shirts. The crowds also tend to be less that month. Another plus for me!

 

[NCRedding]

I am at OKW/SSR the same exact week. I was told by my guide last week that the marathon will bring in an additional 40,000 guests. He said some will stay after the marathon and some just run and go home, but no indication as to how many. I am not so thrilled about staying there that week anymore but I made the reservation on rented points before I bought. I am wishing we had chosen the following week.

I've been at WDW during the marathon and during MLK week, and the week you're there is MUCH better for crowds than MLK week. The marathon does affect traffic somewhat, but has minimal effect on the park crowds.

 

[emlutz23]

The crowds should start to die down as the week goes on. We will be there for the marathon and will be leaving on Tues, but 2 years ago we stayed the whole week afterward the marathon and the crowds were great.

You should definately run the marathon next year! Its so much fun! We just recently moved to NJ from Lewis Center, OH (right near you OP!) and when the weather was rather chilly for some marathons (20's-30's at the 6am start), the cold weather in Ohio you train in can be great prep for the race. Although, in 2007, the weather was humid and warm the whole time. So weather is always hit or miss. Just pack layers.

 

[nunzia]

This is OT, but does anyone know yet when the 2010 marathon will be?

 

[drusba]

This is OT, but does anyone know yet when the 2010 marathon will be?

Not aware date has been set yet, but generally it always the weekend before the Martin Luther King Day weekend, which would make it Jan 8-10 in 2010.

 

[blizzard]

Not aware date has been set yet, but generally it always the weekend before the Martin Luther King Day weekend, which would make it Jan 8-10 in 2010.

It is set. The marathon will be Jan 10. (1/2 on Jan 9)

 

[manntra]

Thanks for all of the tips...I too will be going that week (Jan 12-17) and have never gone at that time of the year. But oh no Brazilian tour groups? Oh well...I will be at Disney, warm (ish , and not at work!