tips for January 2012 visit?

[California Mom]

Only been to WDW during July months...any tips/suggestions that are different from a summer visit? Park hours? Weather expected? thank you.

 

[mattsmom2000]

We have gone in January for the past 4 years and love it! The weather is the only challenge. One year found us with gloves, hats, etc with temps in the 30's at night. One year found us with shorts and t-shirts! It can really fluctuate from the 70's to 80's during the day for highs to 50's and 60's only for the highs during the day. Night time can bring temps as low as in the 30's to 40's and 50's.
The best part are the lines. We hardly hard to wait in any and with our fast passes, we got to ride everything without having to wait.
The down side is that the parks usually close earlier and it gets dark earlier, but we make sure that we are there for rope drop every day to make the most of it.
So in a nutshell, look at the weather a week or so in advance to see what you have to pack in the way of clothes. Be prepared for any kind of weather.
And I always have to remember that 30 degrees at night in Disney is better than 30 degrees at home!
Have a wonderful trip. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[California Mom]

thanks for the detailed info!

 

[Saylan]

Depending on the weekend you're going, also keep in mind events like the Marathon Weekend which may cause you to see a jump in crowds over a short period of time.

 

[Poppins2000]

And it's a little busier during MLK holiday weekend too but still, nothing like the summer crowds. We are going in January too!

 

[babybear42]

This will be our first trip to WDW in January, we mainly go either in May or September, so looking forward to being there when it's not so busy. This year started off really bad for us, so we're hoping to start next year off on a happier note.

 

[Uno Mas]

Keep tabs on the weather and be sure to pack layers. It can be chilly in the AM and evening and then warm during the day - quite unpredictable from year to year. As a PP said, one year it can be shorts weather, the next hats and gloves. I would avoid the water rides. And keep in mind that they often do refurbs during the slower winter months, so check in advance to see what attractions may be closed. We will be going back over MLK weekend again this year, and really haven't found the crowds to be much increased at all over that weekend.

 

[cglaura]

Keep in mind flight delays. Not so much because of FL or CA, but all the places in between that might hit winter hazards.

For example:

...have a plan if you have to stay extra nights (hotel/food $$)

...have a plan for someone to take care of anything at home that might need it.

We went end of Jan. / beginning of Feb. Great crowd levels, but it was COLD! But, I kind of liked being able to wear hoodies and jeans to the park (and not sweating)

Did not like worrying the last two days because there was a horrible blizzard in NJ. Did not like sleeping in the airport in Atlantic City from 10pm to 7am because the roads were too bad for our ride to get there! It was adventure for sure.

 

[Dorian0724]

you'll enjoy the weather so much more than july! It can range from cool to warm so dress in layers!

 

[gunnert]

As everyone said above, been in Jan. sometime cool and sometimes warm, great lines except for holiday weekends and the Brailians are in town!!!!

 

[GrammyJudy]

What is going on Jan 28 weekend...noticed the MK is open later and all flights are almost booked that weekend. Trying to pick which week 1/21-1/28 or 1/28-2/4

 

[babybear42]

We'll be there from the 12th Jan to the 26th Jan. As mentioned this year started off really horribly for us, my partner Shaun's mum had a massive stroke on New Year's Eve and died on the 6th Jan. His father who was suffering from cancer died on 15th April, very suddenly and to top it all off Shaun has found out that he is loosing his job on December 31st. So whatever the weather brings whilst we're over there it wont be as bad as this year.

 

[Svhadden]

Babybear, so sorry to hear of all the sad news this year has brought. Yes, Disney will help you forget about the troubles, at least for a time. We're also planning a late Jan trip after having gone in Sept every year. I'm very excited to go during the cooler months, and we can NEVER get enough Disney.

 

[bpesch]

Jan 27-29 2012 is the Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend in Disneyland. Can't find anything in the World.

 

[babybear42]

Babybear, so sorry to hear of all the sad news this year has brought. Yes, Disney will help you forget about the troubles, at least for a time. We're also planning a late Jan trip after having gone in Sept every year. I'm very excited to go during the cooler months, and we can NEVER get enough Disney.

You're right, you can never have too much Disney. We're going to be meeting up with some friends whilst we're there. We met them on our Baltic Cruise in 2010 and it just so happens that they'll be there the same time as us.

 

[slamborne]

We live in Florida. January is a nice time to come because the parks are not crowded. Weather may be an issue so just bring layers. On the coldest day you may need a jacket, long pants and even a hat for night time activities, but it may warm up to a T-Shirt and capris. Forget Tank tops and shorts.

 

[danimaroo]

I love visiting in late January. Crowds are way lower, weather is cooler, and it's already a great time. We went this past January and the only time I noticed crowds get icky was when the Brazilian tour groups showed up. My advice when you see the flag? Go the opposite direction. Even then, the crowds were nothing like they are at the busiest times.

Honestly, most days it was high 60s and nights were in the 50s. This totally didn't stop us from doing night swimming since the pools are heated and we're crazy, haha. Also, being in a cold and rain winter in Seattle, Florida weather felt pretty warm to us! Oh! There was one night there were tornado warnings so we had a terrible storm but it came on a perfect night as we needed a break from the parks and a night in, so it was perfect.

We loved it so much we are going again, same 10 days, this January.

 

[lisateaches]

a picture of us from last January. A couple of days it was down right frigid. We had to wear two fleeces and gloves and hats.

 

[babybear42]

I'm use to packing for whatever the weather throws at us. This year we went to Canada in May. We had 4 inches of snow one day, torrential rain for a couple of days and bright warm sunshine. So I think I'll be able to cope with the Florida weather, especially as last time we went in 2009 we had ten days of heavy rain and two of sunshine, one of those was on the day we came home. Let's just say that when we first got there they were in brought conditions, they weren't when we left.

 

[nokaoi5]

It is VITAL to pack layers. I have been there when it was 80 in January and when it was under 30... It definitely is cool in the evening.