Thoughts on going Jan 1-5 2019

[Thuydee]

We're planning a short trip, flying in afternoon of Jan 1 and leaving on the 5th. This is our first trip to s
Will the crowds have thinned out by then, or will it still be crazy?
Also, will the holiday decorations still be up?

 

[StageTek]

Holiday Decorations will still be up.

Crowds will be slightly less than the previous week but it will be crazy busy.

 

[mom2rtk]

A lot of schools are out until Monday the 7th. That's when the big crowd drop-off should be.

 

[Alesia]

Crowds will still be crazy

 

[GovieMom]

Crowds will still be crazy

This.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Christmas week gets a bad rap, however, the Beach Club lobby was much more crowded when we checked out on 1/1 than when we checked in on 12/24. I think marathon week is getting much-more popular.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Still a lot of schools out, but at least for 2019 the WDW Marathon is 1/13, so the second weekend after NYE. This year it was the weeekend immediately after NYE, which served to continue the holiday craziness. Still need to plan for high crowds though, just like many times of the year. Resort rates drop materially 1/1+.

 

[HopperFan]

We're planning a short trip, flying in afternoon of Jan 1 and leaving on the 5th. This is our first trip to s
Will the crowds have thinned out by then, or will it still be crazy?
Also, will the holiday decorations still be up?

First trip?
Well ..... if that it true you won't have anything to compare it to.
It will be very crowded your entire trip.
Pack your patience.
Make your FP+ as soon as you can.
Study the FP+ system so you can roll the 4th if possible.
Make any of your ADRS asap.
Highly suggest hopper tickets.
Yes, decorations should still be up the time.

 

[nkereina]

Just to add, January has the potential of being very cold which can be uncomfortable for touring and make pool time unreliable. You also have some of the shortest daylight hours of the year, which translates to shorter park hours and earlier evening entertainment. Maybe not so much at the start of that date range because of the holiday crowds, but by the end at least. There also seems to be a lot of things that go down for refurbishment in January, because otherwise its a lower crowd month.

If it were me and it were my first trip, I'd postpone it for the Spring which also gives you more time for due diligence, ADRs, etc.

 

[czmom]

We will be there Jan 1-4 and I’m expecting heavy crowds. Some schools go back January 2, but most are out until the 7th or 8th.
Decorations should still be up

 

[Thuydee]

First trip?
Well ..... if that it true you won't have anything to compare it to.
It will be very crowded your entire trip.
Pack your patience.
Make your FP+ as soon as you can.
Study the FP+ system so you can roll the 4th if possible.
Make any of your ADRS asap.
Highly suggest hopper tickets.
Yes, decorations should still be up the time.

We’ve been numerous times, but this is our first winter trip( taking advantage of our annual passes).
We don’t have any must dos, just wanted to be at Disney