Tell me about WDW in mid-January

[Zippa D Doodah]

We are thinking of visiting WDW the Saturday before MLK Day thru the Thursday after MLK Day (right in the middle of January). We have been to WDW several times (months of March, May, June, and November) so are fairly familiar with all parks. How is it in mid-January? Is it "cold"? What are the crowds like (I suspect it may be crowded on Sat-Sun-Mon)? Short lines? Were there lots of rehabs while you were there during that time of year? Were you able to catch Spectro? Would you visit again in mid January or would you rather wait for another time? TIA for any info!

 

[addicted2disney]

We have gone every January since 1999. I love it there that time of year. Just be aware that MLK weekend will be crowded!! If you can swing it, Id go the following week. January is great for extremely low crowds and no lines on most things. There is usually something down for rehab, but it seems that they arent just doing them off season now. So there may be nothing, or 1 or 2 things. The weather is unpredictable in January. Weve been there when its been in the 80's in January, and we've also been there when its been a low of 30 over night. When we woke up to see that i was 30 degrees in Orlando, it was -13 in Pittsburgh and that was WITHOUT the wind chill!! So we were ok with 45 for a high that day!! Most of the time its nice. This past January it was nice but a little cooler. I wore capri pants and a light cotton jacket. The last 2 days it got warmer and it was shorts/tshirts days. You just never know.

We still avoid MK on Saturdays in January. They do show Spectro and its usally 2 or 3 times a week. SO you will definately be able to see it in January. The park hours are shorter, but Epcot is always open until 9. We usually hop over there it the MK closes at 7 or if we are at AK and it closes at 5. I dont mind the shorter park hours because with the low crowds, you can get so much done. It also makes it nice to get back to the rooms at a decent hour. We sometimes grab a pizza at the food court, and sit by the pool with drinks while the kids swim. We do a lot of night swimming in the heated pool in January. We love it that time of year.

 

[tinkerbela]

being in WDW during the middle of january is a great time to go. the weather is comfortable, the crowds are small and you can enjoy your trip more because you're able to do and see more! so far, going in january is my favorite time to go.

 

[addicted2disney]

I just saw the names of your cats!!! Jay and Silent Bob!! too funny!!

 

[wendypooh]

We always go the end of Jan. beginning of Feb., this is a great time to go!!! Like others have said, try to avoid MLK weekend if possible, very crowded, and the cheerleaders come in on the 3rd of Feb., there are other dates as well, but for the most part it isn't too bad at all. Be prepared for varying weather as well, it can get COLD or it can be in the 80's........... Have fun!!!


** Love Jay and Silent Bob too............

 

[Livie's Mommy]

January is my favorite time to go. The crowds are very low and the weather is comfortable. Some folks (like my in-laws) find it cool. But being from New England, I find 70 degree weather enjoyable in January! I do NOT like to wait for anything and the low crowds make it very easy to get on any ride we want. We can usually finish a park per day and are able to go back to do the things we like again. Weekends can still bring some crowds, but we try to make the weekend days our days to visit other hotels.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

bump thanks so far

 

[Weluvdisny]

I thought the cheerleaders were coming in on the weekend of Feb. 13th?

That's one of the reasons why we switched our dates to 1/29-2/5.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We went this year from January 12-15, which was the Wed.-Sat. before MLK Monday.

Wed. and Thur. were FABULOUS. Sunny and warm (DS was in shorts and we just put a sweatshirt on him after the sun went down, I was in capris and a jean jacket). We did MK Wednesday and everything except Peter Pan was walk-on. (We didn't do anything in Toon Town and we didn't go to Tomorrowland until EMH, which was fabulous because the program was so new.) Thursday was MGM and we didn't wait for anything there, either. Friday we got THREE INCHES of rain in one day. It was raining the ENTIRE day, either pouring or sprinkling. It wasn't that cold, but it was tough to enjoy the park because it was so wet. The monthly average for rain is less than 3", so I hope that was just a freak thing. Saturday we went to Epcot. It was overcast and misty, and it was cooler than I like. I was in a polar fleece sweatshirt and by the middle of the afternoon I had added gloves and one of those ear-band things because the wet wind was just relentless. DS was also wearing gloves and a hat. DH didn't find it that uncomfortable, but we ended up skipping IllumiNations because when we finished dinner none of us felt like dealing with the weather any longer.

I really couldn't say if the crowds got worse after we left. I know the weather stayed bad for almost a week after we came home. The week BEFORE our trip was just glorious - beautiful, sunny, warm every day for about 9 days before we arrived. But I was prepared for anything, so we packed everything from hats & gloves to shorts & swimsuits.

Small World, Astro Orbiter, The Land, and one water park were down for rehab. I wouldn't have gone to a water park if someone paid me. Millionaire - Play It was closed because they were taping the actual show that week. There were college cheerleaders having a competition but we NEVER saw any of them. The Indiana Jones show was closed on Saturday because they were competing on the stage, but we weren't at MGM that day. There were also 3 on 3 basketball teams at Wide World of Sports (or was it soccer?) but we never saw them, either. I want to say there was a youth martial arts competition and an adult baseball thing, and to top it all off there was the HUGE homebuilders association expo that was supposed to have 120,000 people at the Orlando Convention Center. MK closed early one night for the exclusive use of the builders but we just planned around it. If you check the Intercot site they usually have a pretty comprehensive listing of all the groups. I was freaking out when I saw how many sports things were happening but it was fine. I think the high school cheer competition is in Feb. but when our friend's DD went she said they didn't have much time for the parks at all.

Have fun!

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, we are going the same week as you. I didn't realize that was MLK weekend until I got my DD's school calandar but we are going to make the best of it.

Do you or anyone have a clue what would be the best parks to go on Sunday and Monday to try to get the least crowds? Sunday will only be a 1/2 day for us, if that helps decide.

 

[jlovesee]

I agree about holidays, I also think Presidents Day is in there too.
My husband and I have gone to Disney every January for the past four years, we were Married there in January, 2002. The first year we went there it was really warm, and we wore shorts the whole time (people wore shorts are our illuminations dessert party!)

The second year, was cold, and had to wear sweaters, third year was nice but not really warm (about high 60's low 70's) and this year was cold again (high 50's). Its a hit or miss. But we always love going that time of year as the crowds are managable.

Just be aware of the weather conditions ahead of time, plan for many different options and you will be fine.

Have Fun!

Jennifer

 

[kilee]

President's Day isn't until the 3rd week in February. We are looking at the weekend-week after MLK. I am alittle worried about the weather, but I'm thinking no matter what it will have to be warmer than at home.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for starting this thread as we also hope to go in late January (last week)...let's all keep our fingers crossed that they bring back free dining for that time!

 

[Starrin]

Hi,

We went at the last week of this past Jan. and loved it. Weather was wonderful and crowds were low.

Only thing is that it was a noticeable pick-up on the weekends ... so if you schedule your trip I would consider more weekdays if you can.

We are going this coming Sept. (last week) ... it will be interesting to contrast the two ... obviously heat will be there, but interested about comparing the crowd sizes. We plan on going again this Jan. probably same time.

--Jason

 

[NC Disney Family]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from a hot and swealtering week at WDW. We have gone twice in January and once in early December. After this last trip in August... I will always go in January!!! We also went over MLK weekend and I would say the crowds were slightly less than the typical 3rd week of August crownds. MK will be crowded on Saturday of MLK weekend, but it's doable. I would take it anyday over another summer trip. The weather for the most part in January is great. I would again take cool and misty over 115 degree heat ANYTIME!!!

Don't worry about any week in January. Just go and have a ball. Pack every sleave and pant length, umbrellas and swimsuits. You may use them all.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from a hot and swealtering week at WDW. We have gone twice in January and once in early December. After this last trip in August... I will always go in January!!! We also went over MLK weekend and I would say the crowds were slightly less than the typical 3rd week of August crownds. MK will be crowded on Saturday of MLK weekend, but it's doable. I would take it anyday over another summer trip. The weather for the most part in January is great. I would again take cool and misty over 115 degree heat ANYTIME!!!

Don't worry about any week in January. Just go and have a ball. Pack every sleave and pant length, umbrellas and swimsuits. You may use them all.

I imagine August would be quite unpleasant. After trips in May and June (different years ) we made a solemn family pact that we would not go again May-September. I think last year's hurricanes were the last straw

 

[maxx25]

I've been to Disney Three times.....twice in April and once in mid-January. The January visit was the greatest....we walked on every ride. Yes, it got chilly but I would take that over the heat anyday. We have a 2 and a 3 yr old....having no lines with kids is the best....everyone was in a good mood. It will be January visits from now on...even if I have to drag them out of school.

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

Thanks for starting this thread as we also hope to go in late January (last week)...let's all keep our fingers crossed that they bring back free dining for that time!

Ditto!!!!!!!!

 

[anditoo72]

We are going the same week this year. I visited Fla before in Jan like 10 years ago so it is hard to remember what it was like besides that we only spent one day in the parks. We have gone in August twice and vow to never return again in August or the summer months again, I will take cold over melting heat ANY DAY!!!! Besides as some have you have already said, it will be warmer than here in Jan!!! I am wondering the best days to do which parks and have looked at len testa's best days chart, but I also like to do MK towards the end of the week and he says the Sat after MLK (21st) will be the best day. Does that seem odd to anyone else?

 

[DDADRLS]

We have a trip scheduled for the week of Feb 13, 2006...are the parks going to be full of cheerleaders that week?