Trying to avoid the crowds - even in January....

[addicted2disney]

Magical4us4... Its going to be crowded. We did the same as you... always go in January, but went over MLK weekend because the kids had a 4 day weekend. It was awful. Awful because I know how UNcrowded January is. I remember walking around MK on Saturday of MLK, and not finding a SINGLE ride with less than a 45 minute wait!!! We were so disgusted that we left.

I tried to avoid MK the rest of the weekend, but MGM was crowded too. We go so little done, that it just wasnt worth it to go then. We waited to go back to MK on MOnday, hoping the MLK crowds would be gone, and because they were showing Spectro, and it was STILL crowded. I found out after I got home that if Spectro is shown on a Monday, the locals will stay and go to MK then.. GRRRR The rest of the trip was back to normal.. NO CROWDS and very very short lines if any lines at all. If you can.. I would switch to the following weekend. You will be MUCH HAPPIER if you dont want crowds!!!!

 

[mport]

We too have been at Disney on MLK weekend. To say it is crowded is way over stating it. Going from no wait in line to 15 to 20 minute wait is not crowded. That is all we had to deal with which was nothing.
Take time to plan you next ride/attraction while you are waiting in line or just watch the people, it is quit interesting.

 

[GoofyGirlnPrincessV]

DH was at a conference and the kids and I tagged along and there were no crowds at any of the parks. It was great. I think the longest line we had to wait for was Space Mountain that was under 5 minutes.

It was kind of chilly in the morning so I bought some sweatshirts. By around 10 it was t-shirt weather. I did wear jeans that trip though.

 

[heather31]

My trip is planned for Jan 9-16 (monday through Monday), and I had no idea that MLK weekend would be a bad time. We don't plan on going to the parks on arrival/departure days so we won't be there on the Monday which from what I have heard is bad anyway. Hopefully we can get the bulk of our touring BEFORE the weekend bustle starts.

 

[magical4us4]

Oh boy! I am going to have to reschedule my trip for MLK weekend. We were there for spring break in March and it was just awful! I need to go back just to get the full feeling again because it was just too crowded in March. I will most definitely cancel MLK weekend and try other dates. What a dissapointment. I guess the kids can miss a couple of days of school - it will be worth the trip with no crowds!! Thanks everyone for your input!!!

 

[addicted2disney]

well, when I was there over MLK weekend, the waits were NOT only 15-20 minutes. We kept walking to different rides and they were all 35-45 minutes. It was crowded, and all of us that go every January were irritated with the crowds and lines. If you are planning a trip with the least amount of crowds, then you dont want to be there over MLK weekends. It wont be as bad as Spring Break, summer and Christmas, but its crowded for a January. A lot more crowded than it will be the following weekend.