Touring In The Evening

[mialovesart]

My hubby, 6 yo son, and I are planning our next trip to wdw January 13-19. On our last trip in 2016, we discovered that we love sleeping in, enjoying breakfast, playing in the hotel pool, and heading to the parks from 3 pm-close.

In the evenings, the parks were less crowded and the temps are cooler. Plus, we really were relaxed from mornings by the pool. It cut down on the rushed feeling.

Is it still possible to enjoy lower crowds in the evening? Especially in January, when the parks close earlier? We’ve always traveled to the parks in the late spring & this is our first winter trip.

Anyone else prefer touring later in the day?

 

[dolewhipdreams]

The parks are definitely closing earlier that week so if you prefer touring in the afternoons and evenings then you just need to know that you won't have as much time as you might be used to in the spring. We'll be there that week as well and aside from Epcot EMM most of the parks close by 9pm, if not earlier.

Additionally, I wouldn't count on pool time every day. January weather can be unpredictable and when we were there last January it was downright cold. I never wore less than a longsleeve shirt and jeans and I couldn't imagine swimming! That being said, it could also be 80+ degrees and beautiful.

Be aware that your arrival day is the tail end of the marathon weekend so there may be some additional crowds hanging over into the first part of the week. Other than that we found that daytime crowds in January were pretty reasonable, especially when you don't also have the heat to contend with.

If you like touring late then all power to you- no need to change if you don't want to. But just be flexible and maybe if it's too cold to swim you can see what the parks are like earlier in the day!

 

[mialovesart]

That’s very helpful! I was wondering about pool time in January. We’re from New England so it will probably feel warmer but I heard it can still be pretty chilly! I’m hoping to tour slower & more leisurely. Maybe going earlier & leaving earlier will work better for this time of year

 

[Lisa F]

That’s very helpful! I was wondering about pool time in January. We’re from New England so it will probably feel warmer but I heard it can still be pretty chilly! I’m hoping to tour slower & more leisurely. Maybe going earlier & leaving earlier will work better for this time of year

I'm from New England too and when we were there in December 2016, the temperature dropped for our planned pool day from the 80's to a high of about 66. The pool was pretty empty but the water was warm (it is heated)... the air was a little cool but we enjoyed it. The thing is though that prime pool time is going to be in the afternoon around 1-3pm.

So I'd probably shift it to going to the parks when they first open (maybe not being there an hour before rope drop but around that time - they open at 9am generally in the less busy season) and then take a nice long break during prime swimming time and go back to the parks in the evening. Epcot is pretty much open same time all year round but MK, AK and HS will all close earlier. You'll have time for a few rides, dinner and a nighttime show.

I have pretty much structured the end of my trip this way - we have a break at the resort planned, if not swimming we'll figure something else out. But your best shot at swimming is during the warmest part of the day. Sunset will be around 5:30 or something that time of year too.

 

[mialovesart]

Good point about afternoon swimming & earlier sunsets. I didn’t even think of that. I just assumed that it would automatically feel warm since New England is so cold in January!

January definitely seems like it requires a different touring strategy. The challenge for me will be figuring out how to pace our touring. We’re not really “early risers” on vacation.

We’re staying onsite at AKL Kidani Village & are renting a car. Hopefully this will give us flexibility by being on site & having our own transportation.

 

[pens4821]

We go in Jan/Feb every couple years. Unfortunately with the earlier closures, we feel we can get much more done early in the morning, although I hate getting up early. I'm disappointed that the parks are closing at 8 (9 at EP) while we are there arriving the 19th. the hours do/can change, but I don't think they will. Last years hours that week are about the same as they are now. Not only that, but a couple years ago when we were there in February the pools closed at 11, last year I read they were closing at 8. Last time we went we stayed in the park till closing, then took a 30-60 minute swim. It seems like after 8 there is really not much to do, so may as well go to bed early, get up early. I'm not telling you to do that, just saying that's what we figure for us.

I get its a slow time, but wish all the parks would be open until at least 9, preferably 10. Like I said, it seems like everything is going to be closed up by 8. We were there when it was in the 30s/40s a couple days, and the pool was heated enough that it was fine. Just getting out and walking to the room was COLD.

 

[Lisa F]

We go in Jan/Feb every couple years. Unfortunately with the earlier closures, we feel we can get much more done early in the morning, although I hate getting up early. I'm disappointed that the parks are closing at 8 (9 at EP) while we are there arriving the 19th. the hours do/can change, but I don't think they will. Last years hours that week are about the same as they are now. Not only that, but a couple years ago when we were there in February the pools closed at 11, last year I read they were closing at 8. Last time we went we stayed in the park till closing, then took a 30-60 minute swim. It seems like after 8 there is really not much to do, so may as well go to bed early, get up early. I'm not telling you to do that, just saying that's what we figure for us.

I get its a slow time, but wish all the parks would be open until at least 9, preferably 10. Like I said, it seems like everything is going to be closed up by 8. We were there when it was in the 30s/40s a couple days, and the pool was heated enough that it was fine. Just getting out and walking to the room was COLD.

agree there is less to do at night which will shift your schedule back some.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I don't prefer it (in January) but if that was my style Id look into cutting the total number of days on my tickets and adding a disney after hours event at magic kingdom

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...for-disney-after-hours-at-magic-kingdom-park/

Usually, swimming can be done but its not usually very enjoyable. You could always plan your breakfasts in the parks and hit a couple of things standby then hop to another park (or head back to the same park) where you had your FP+ waiting for you.

Not everyone's vacation is the same but I don't go to WDW for relaxation but if I am there and want to relax we pretty much just skip the parks that day.

 

[DisneyOma]

As long as you are fine doing a lot of stand by queues, you should be fine. It may be difficult to get extra FP+ if your original 3 FP+ are afternoon ones.

 

[Nancyg56]

That’s very helpful! I was wondering about pool time in January. We’re from New England so it will probably feel warmer but I heard it can still be pretty chilly! I’m hoping to tour slower & more leisurely. Maybe going earlier & leaving earlier will work better for this time of year

We are in New England as well and are used to cooler temps, but on a few of our winter trips it was too cold to enjoy the pools. If you want pool time I woudl go to the parks early. And come back to swim in the afternoon.

WE also enjoye night swimming. The water definately feels warmer to me after dark. The air is something else though.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

We’ve actually evolved from RD park commandos to exactly this style of touring. As long as you know going in that you aren’t going to be able to pack a full park day in, it’s an incredibly relaxing way to do the parks. we will typically get to the park around lunchtime, and stay either until close or dinner ADRs.
We have our big trip every year the last week in January/first week in feb, and yes, weather IS unpredictable (makes packing really fun, as you have to plan for a lot of different temps) but we’ve managed a pool day just about every trip.

 

[mialovesart]

On previous trips, we were RD commandos too. It definitely is efficient & a good idea for some families but it didn’t work for us. It felt better for us when we went at a leisurely pace but part of that is because I have RA. I walk at a slower pace.

I’m cool with being flexible & only accomplishing a few things. Just being at Disney feels magical!

I’m also good with accepting that the pool may not be in the cards. That’s ok. I’ll definitely bring lots of layers! I’m used to unpredictable weather in New England!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We often tour that way - it depends on the day for us. But I should note we are semi-local AP's who visit often for day trips so we aren't investing in tons of money on tickets. That makes a difference.

When we stay nearby and visit WDW as a staycation spot, we often do lots of afternoons and evenings because my DH wants to golf in the morning. I love it. I am NOT a morning person so I can sleep in, order room service, and lay by the pool until he finishes his round. We wander into the park early afternoon and stay until close. Exception to that is during party season, we always do an early MK day on a party day because the low crowds are amazing then. I pulled 10 FP's in 2.5 hours on a recent MNSSHP day!

January does put a kink into that because the parks close so darn early - esp for night owls - and the temp can be freezing, esp in the morning. And we often find ourselves looking for something to do past 8pm - if we had gotten going earlier, we might be tired enough to head back to the hotel and chill by then. That's when we end up spending money by hitting the outlet mall, playing puttputt, seeing a movie, visiting CityWalk, etc. :/

Vacation time is sacred - we don't get much of it, and we invest a lot into it. Do what's good with your family and what will garner the most fun and family time together. If you miss some rides due to lines, there is always next trip. Make your FP's for right after lunch and if you head there earlier, take advantage of the shorter stand-by lines until it's time for your FP's. Or do what I do and refresh like a madman on the way to the park and bump them all earlier

 

[SUSIEQ]

We don't do early mornings anymore. We like to sleep in when we're not working.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

We found going at less busy times we could still sleep in, get to the parks around 10/1030 and leave by 6/7 and still get plenty done. Some evenings we would grab dinner at a resort by the park we were in and explore. You could save your pool mornings for the days you are planning on going to EPCOT or a park that may be open later.

When the parks close earlier, you have the evening to relax. Have fun!