Trip in January

[mkpoohgirl]

I am taking my 8 year old daughter to Disney for the first time. I have been many times as a child but not since high school. We are to arrive 1/20/07. What advice and or suggestions does anyone have to offer from dining to weather to crowd levels.

 

[WDWRULZ]

You are going at one of the best times for low crowd numbers. We go three different times a year, 1 week each and this is the best time to have the parks to yourselves. I have 6 and 4 year old daughters. You will find that the princess meet line at the toon town fair, Magic Kingdom, is actually short compared to other times of the year. Make sure that you have all of your dining reservations ahead of time. If not, you will regret it. Don't worry too much. You both are going to have the time of your lives !!!

 

[MomofKatie]

You'll have a great time! I am taking my 8 year old DD in January, too. We are planning a couple of Character breakfasts so she can get photos and autographs with her favorite "people"- Stitch and Donald. I'd highly recommend doing at least one (call for ADRs soon- they book up fast).

We are also going to spend more time just exploring the different street performances and shows- DH seems to always be in a big hurry, and never wants to stop and enjoy them. There is a new Castle forecourt show called Dream Along With Mickey- your DD would probably like it.

The best advice I can give you for a "mom and daughter" trip is relax and do little things thet your DD is into. If she really wants to get character autographs, let her stand in line at Toontown and Camp Minnie Mickey (my DH never wants to wait for characters, because he wants to ride everything). If she wants to ride It's A Small World 5 times in a row, go ahead and do it! You'll be her hero.

Oh, and get to the parks at opening time. You will love zipping through the lines with no waits! Have a terrific trip!!

 

[fofinia]

We love January as well. Only bad thing is you have to prepare for all kinds of weather. We have had really cold days and needed our winter coats. Other times it's warm enough to wear shorts during the day but pants and jacket at night. It's still great. I just recommend bringing lots of layering options. not like say the summer where you can bring all short sleeves and shorts and you're still hot. Have fun. We'll be there over the same time period as you.

 

[tink4ever]

The only bad side to going in Jan when the crowds are low is that they refurbish some of the rides. And this Jan they are working on Splash Mt, RNRoller Coaster and Winnie the Pooh. My extended family is going with us for my 40th birthday and they are so disappointed because they have never been on these rides. Oh well we will still be in Disney!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We arrive the same day as you and are so excited. We love january. The crowds are so low that most of the time FP is not even needed. The hours are shorter so plan well what you wish to do and when.Spectro is only two nights that week. When we go in January we often stay in the parks from open to close which we do not do other times.
Take layers of clothes. t-****s and sweat shirts and a hooded jacket paired with jeans should be perfect. I also take a hat and gloves but we only needed them one trip one night (Dec).

I would call now for any ADR's but you should be able to get walk up many places. DDP might have created some increase in ADR's but our last Jan trip we could have walked into any place we wanted.

We are at pop this trip so we are taking a cofee maker for hot drinks when we return to the room. Deluxe hotels have them for use.

This is such a wonderful time.

ENJOY- We will.

 

[tammyct]

glad you asked I need the same advice

 

[tammyct]

I am going in January too, worried about weather and what to pack though

 

[tammyct]

How long are the lines in January for rides?

 

[tammyct]

Is it really warm enough to swim in January? I hope at least one day will be.

 

[3DisneyGals&1Grumpy]

Our family goes every year in January because of the low crowds. There is always at least one day that it is warm enough to swim ...usually more. What the other posters have said is very true. Bring lots of layers! It is not uncommon to start the day in long pants and sweatshirts, change to t-shirts and shorts in the afternoon, and then change back into long pants, sweaters and coats in the evening. One year I even had to buy mittens and hats for my girls because it was so cold. It is a pain with the luggage to bring so many items but because that is the only down side to January, I can't complain.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Lines?? What lines...Really our last January trip I do not think we waited more that 15 minutes for anything.

Ds always swims at least once but it is too cold for me.

 

[dpuck1998]

We've been going in Jan for many years. The only advise is you'll never know what the weather is going to be. I've seen snow (only once) and 80+ weather. For the most part its been a tad chilly in the morning/eve (50's) and very nice during the day (60-70s). It really is the best time for lines and to enjoy everything. One year we spent the entire day at the MK and did EVERYTHING!! Really...we went on every ride that we wanted to ride. All the big attractions and many of the smaller ones. Skipped a few like Hall of Presidents and Snow White (never liked that ride). Have fun...we'll be there this year on the 21st.

 

[ajcolorado]

We went last January - there were no crowds to speak of. We did run into some cool weather, which was really pleasant for touring the parks. We did swim one day and it was pleasant.

Check the park hours and show offerings since some items may be cut - you'll want to be sure that the parades etc. are available. Use the "calendar" function at www.disneyworld.com

Does your daughter like the Disney princesses? If so, you might want to look at this site which gives their location at WDW: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/disneyprincesses.html

 

[jensen]

We've gone the past two January's and plan to arrive again on 1/23/07. My best advice is plan for any weather. Our first year, it got so cold that they wrapped the flowers in sheets. And we weren't prepared. Last year, I took our gloves, hats, coats, rain jackets... everything, and the weather was glorious. We wore shorts every day! We swam several times and even hit Blizzard Beach.