~~**The Official January 2014 Group**~~

[katiee37]

Hi Katie, nice to "meet" you! We would love to stay in Little Mermaid, but I think regular value rooms are too cramped with more than 2 people-and there's no discount for them. I think we'll just miss most of the marathon crowds, and definitely the actual running! You should definitely try to do the Disney College Program. It was literally the best decision I've ever made. Feel free to PM me with other questions!

PS-I was in Disney for my 21st birthday, and it truly is a magical experience!

I'm definitely considering it! I have a good friend who lives near me who just returned from spending the Spring semester working at AoA's front desk actually! My one hesitation is that as a journalism major there aren't too many opportunities to pursue that interest through the program...plus I'm thinking about study abroad in the near future. Decisions, decisions.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Two days last January I escaped to the pool for a Mai tai! The whole week was in the 80's and no rain! I know we were spoiled, but ANYTHING is better than January in New Jersey!!! Lol

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We go every January. Last few years has been low 70's early-mid morning to mid 80's in the afternoon. Always have been able to swim and lay by the pool. Perfect temps

YAYYYYYYY thanks for the quick response, I will resume my daydreaming now.

 

[disney-inspired]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!
I was reading they usually invade WDW in July and January.
Anyone know if it's early or late January?!

I am very willing to push up our dates if that is the case!

 

[Kallie724]

Hey everyone!!

We haven't officially booked yet but we are planning a trip for January 2-10. It will be a 4 generation girl's trip! My grandmother, my mom and I and my daughter (we will be celebrating her 6th birthday) We are hoping to get a discount of some kind.

We are really excited to kill two birds with one stone by seeing the Christmas lights which we've never seen before and my daughter's birthday will the week after we get back so this is going to be an early birthday celebration for her. She told us in March when we went that she wanted to celebrate her birthday at Disney, but since it's a January birthday I didn't think it would be possible without having to pull her out of school. Well they aren't going back from Christmas holidays until Jan. 13 so WOOHOO!!!

We are planning on staying at Port Orleans Riverside - Royal Room. We are hoping to get flights for a little bit cheaper than we are finding (From New Orleans to Orlando $300 roundtrip), and we are hoping that the discounts include our dates.

I'm worried about the crowds and the weather. We usually only go in June and this year we went in March and there was an unseasonable cold spell. Hopefully in January it might be unseasonably warm

Not too much to ask right? All we need is just a little....ugh...A LOT of pixie dust

 

[vacation_junkie]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!
I was reading they usually invade WDW in July and January.
Anyone know if it's early or late January?!

I am very willing to push up our dates if that is the case!

We go late January every year. they've never bothered us at all. If you notice the group of them go to a ride..just choose another ride. Even with the groups its not busy at all!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!
I was reading they usually invade WDW in July and January.
Anyone know if it's early or late January?!

I am very willing to push up our dates if that is the case!

They aren't so bad in regards to crowds. Mostly it's just that they're hundreds of teenagers yelling and chanting in Portuguese, being obnoxious. As a PP said, if you see them heading for a ride pick a different one. I was just there last week and while there were a lot of groups there, it's easy to pass them since even a family of five is easier to move around then 200 teens!

 

[Kallie724]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!

I wouldn't think they could be as bad as when the cheerleaders take over. Goodness when we were there in March they were horrible. Rude, snooty, thought that they owned the place, chanted constantly and LOUD. Even my daughter who is 5 made a comment about them being too loud during Enchanted Tales with Belle.

 

[disney-inspired]

We go late January every year. they've never bothered us at all. If you notice the group of them go to a ride..just choose another ride. Even with the groups its not busy at all!

They aren't so bad in regards to crowds. Mostly it's just that they're hundreds of teenagers yelling and chanting in Portuguese, being obnoxious. As a PP said, if you see them heading for a ride pick a different one. I was just there last week and while there were a lot of groups there, it's easy to pass them since even a family of five is easier to move around then 200 teens!

I wouldn't think they could be as bad as when the cheerleaders take over. Goodness when we were there in March they were horrible. Rude, snooty, thought that they owned the place, chanted constantly and LOUD. Even my daughter who is 5 made a comment about them being too loud during Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Thank you for allaying my fears a bit. I mean, we aren't locked in for dates and could easily rebook for earlier if it were to solve our problem. The only possible problem could be ADRs but just checking now, they still have openings for Ohana so I'm thinking the rest wouldn't be too hard.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!
I was reading they usually invade WDW in July and January.
Anyone know if it's early or late January?!

I am very willing to push up our dates if that is the case!

From what I've read they are there from mid January into the end of the month.

But most people just advise to go the opposite direction when you see them and all will be good!

 

[DisMama3]

Should I be worried about the Brazilian Tour Groups?!
I was reading they usually invade WDW in July and January.
Anyone know if it's early or late January?!

I am very willing to push up our dates if that is the case!

We unfortunately had a bad experience with them this past January. They were so rude and obnoxious and EVERYWHERE. They stop in the middle of walkways, and being a large group in some areas it is almost impossible to get past them. On busses they laugh in your face if you ask them to make room when they squeeze you on the bus. I was alone with my 3 kids so that was always nerve wracking. They cut lines. They pushed my 2 year old son down to get into a line past us. It was a really frustrating and obnoxious experience. They also do line holding with characters so just when you think you are there, 20 emerge and take forever with a character getting individual shots. When we were there the "no seat until you have food rule" was not in effect in QS restaurants so we had a tough time with seating. I confess we did the parks with EMH so I think when we go back this January we will not be doing this. Frustrating as it is a perk of staying onsite but not worth a repeat headache. We were there the week after MLK weekend.

 

[Kallie724]

Aaaahhhh ok trip is officially booked!!!! Jan 2-9...we might extend it to the 10th if a promotion comes out. I can't wait! Let the planning begin!

 

[dizneedebbie]

Hi Everyone,
Just booked January 6-10 at POR for myself and my kids (ages 21 and 18). DH will not go -hates WDW - imagine that??

It's my 11th trip, but I don't think I've ever gone during a "light" crowds time, so I am super excited to maybe slow down my touring pace a bit and be able to really savor the parks instead of rushing from one attraction to another. I know the holiday decorations will be down by the time we get there, but DD has never seen the Osborne lights, and i've heard they are shown throughout the first week of Jan. ANyone think they will still be shown Jan 6 or 7? I've checked WDW web site and they don't list the official dates yet.

Sooooo excited and glad to find this thread!!

 

[katiee37]

Hi Everyone,
Just booked January 6-10 at POR for myself and my kids (ages 21 and 18). DH will not go -hates WDW - imagine that??

It's my 11th trip, but I don't think I've ever gone during a "light" crowds time, so I am super excited to maybe slow down my touring pace a bit and be able to really savor the parks instead of rushing from one attraction to another. I know the holiday decorations will be down by the time we get there, but DD has never seen the Osborne lights, and i've heard they are shown throughout the first week of Jan. ANyone think they will still be shown Jan 6 or 7? I've checked WDW web site and they don't list the official dates yet.

Sooooo excited and glad to find this thread!!

I want to know this as well! I know a lot of MK's decorations are still up (and the castle still lit!) since there has to be a decent light source for the marathon since a lot of it occurs before sunrise. Not to sure if Osbourne Lights are still up or if a lot of the resorts still have their decorations up, but if so I know where I'm heading when I arrive January 7

 

[SingingMom]

I want to know this as well! I know a lot of MK's decorations are still up (and the castle still lit!) since there has to be a decent light source for the marathon since a lot of it occurs before sunrise. Not to sure if Osbourne Lights are still up or if a lot of the resorts still have their decorations up, but if so I know where I'm heading when I arrive January 7

Lights were over right before we arrived last year. We saw a few holiday decorations and then one day they were all gone. Lol. But, the calmness of the crowds was so pleasant! We did everything we wanted, then saw all the characters, and enjoyed the resort. Can't wait to return this January!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

January 24 - Feb 3 for us.

 

[Kallie724]

I've read and heard that the last day of the Osborne lights will be Jan 5. We are arriving on the 2nd and hopefully Epcot will still be decorated. I know the Animal Kingdom holiday parade does it's last showing on the 2nd so we are definitely going to hit that up. Just trying to decide if we should try Epcot that night if there's a chance it still might be decorated or if we should just go on to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Winterbell]

So I'm playing around with doing an illuminations cruise. We would have 6 that would leave 4 for the cruise. Has anyone ever done this cruise in January? Would anyone want to look into splitting a cruise to watch the fireworks at Epcot??

We're a family of four (Mum, Dad, and daughters 11 and 9) interested in sharing an Illuminatins fireworks cruise sometime between Jan. 26-31. What dates were you thinking about?

 

[MrsJessica]

I've read and heard that the last day of the Osborne lights will be Jan 5.

This is what I've heard, too. Not posted anywhere officially, but more by seeing the last day in years previous being the Sunday after the 1st. Really hoping the official word comes out soon, we really want to see these again! Definitely one of the highlights of our last family trip!

 

[Winterbell]

Just booked an Illuminations cruise for January 31 2014 leaving out of the Yacht Club; room for 6 more! Anyone interested in sharing the experience and cost? If we get 10 people the cost would be $40/person including a tip for the captain.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I want to know this as well! I know a lot of MK's decorations are still up (and the castle still lit!) since there has to be a decent light source for the marathon since a lot of it occurs before sunrise. Not to sure if Osbourne Lights are still up or if a lot of the resorts still have their decorations up, but if so I know where I'm heading when I arrive January 7

I've read and heard that the last day of the Osborne lights will be Jan 5. We are arriving on the 2nd and hopefully Epcot will still be decorated. I know the Animal Kingdom holiday parade does it's last showing on the 2nd so we are definitely going to hit that up. Just trying to decide if we should try Epcot that night if there's a chance it still might be decorated or if we should just go on to Magic Kingdom.

January 6, 2013 was the last date for the Osborne lights and we made sure to see them during our trip January 2013. They are a must see. Everything was still decorated during on January 5-12, 2013 trip except the Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian but you will start to see decoartions coming down at the resorts during this week.