Visiting in January or December?

[OurDisney4]

How are the parks in January and where is the best place to stay? I've heard there are ride closures/maintenance in January and it may be a little cool to swim. I've been in October and March, but never in between. Maybe it's better to try and do a split stay in the beginning of December? We have a ton of points to use by 2/1/15 and are flexible on room type and dates.

 

[CarolMN]

How are the parks in January and where is the best place to stay? I've heard there are ride closures/maintenance in January and it may be a little cool to swim. I've been in October and March, but never in between. Maybe it's better to try and do a split stay in the beginning of December? We have a ton of points to use by 2/1/15 and are flexible on room type and dates.

At this point, it's probably going to come down to availability. December is pretty much sold out - it will be very tough to get in at all for the beginning of December for more than a night here or there. You'll probably have more options in January.

My advice is to use the Resort Availability Tool and see what you can get. If you need to use up points, book something acceptable as soon as you find it. Good luck!

 

[ganban]

I love WDW in January. It's a great way to escape the cold here in the northeast. Yes, you may get some cool nights, occasionally into the 30's, but lots of days in the upper 70's low 80's. Great for the parks and just enjoying the outdoors. Rarely get rain. Park attendance is light, but, yes, there is always a ride or two closed for maintenance. Seems like it's always the Brer Rabbit flume ride, my favorite. As for swimming, the main pools in the resorts where we stayed were heated, so we were fine. Can always warm up in the hot tub. Headed there this January. Can hardly wait!

 

[OurDisney4]

Thanks! We have a toddler that loves the pools and I'd hate to disappoint her. We also have an infant, so we'll have some down time at the resort to relax. Have you stayed at SSR in January? Since we're making last minute reservations, I think that may be where we have to stay. Are the last 2 weeks in January better to go than the first 2?

 

[ptlohmysoul]

How are the parks in January and where is the best place to stay? I've heard there are ride closures/maintenance in January and it may be a little cool to swim. I've been in October and March, but never in between. Maybe it's better to try and do a split stay in the beginning of December? We have a ton of points to use by 2/1/15 and are flexible on room type and dates.

It's somewhat chilly in the am and evening, but still perfect swimming weather during the day if you take a break from the parks and swim mid-day. Or, if you are used to a colder climate (than Florida), then it's not too bad in the evening.

 

[Candy Orlando]

How are the parks in January and where is the best place to stay? I've heard there are ride closures/maintenance in January and it may be a little cool to swim. I've been in October and March, but never in between. Maybe it's better to try and do a split stay in the beginning of December? We have a ton of points to use by 2/1/15 and are flexible on room type and dates.

We go for a week in Dec because it gets dark early in Massachusetts and we love the Disney Christmas decorations. Many times it's warm enough for swimming.

We also go for a week in Jan to get away from the snow in Massachusetts. It can also be warm enough to swim some of the days.

Each year the weather is perfect for going to the parks because I hate when it's too hot.

We also go for a week in March for the Flower and Garden show at Epcot.

Any time at Disney is fun so go and enjoy!!!

Candy

 

[TheDisneyFour]

Thanks! We have a toddler that loves the pools and I'd hate to disappoint her. We also have an infant, so we'll have some down time at the resort to relax. Have you stayed at SSR in January? Since we're making last minute reservations, I think that may be where we have to stay. Are the last 2 weeks in January better to go than the first 2?

We go every year at the beginning of Jan. Weather can be cold and rainy but also nice. Some ride closers, mainly water rides. Pools are heated and can be empty, that's nice. In the first two weeks you have to deal with Marathon weekend but you also get leftover Christmas, if you like that. We are doing a split stay of AKV and our first stay at SSR. Love AKV and very excited to stay at SSR for the first time.

 

[OurDisney4]

We live in New Hampshire and can't wait to get back to Disney, we haven't been since April. I would love to go for Christmas, but it seems December is booked up. I thought all of the decorations were taken down at New Years. Are they left up longer?

 

[TheDisneyFour]

We live in New Hampshire and can't wait to get back to Disney, we haven't been since April. I would love to go for Christmas, but it seems December is booked up. I thought all of the decorations were taken down at New Years. Are they left up longer?

The decorations hang around for at least the first week of Jan. The Osborne Family Lights are there until about Jan 6th. We seem to always schedule Hollywood Studios as one of our first stops just to see that.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have gone down over MLK weekend 2x now. The first time we stayed at VWL - great place for a winter trip with all the fireplaces. It is a real "lodge". Very fitting. It was on the cool side (60's-70ish) during the daytime. One day it got up to about 73 or 75 so we thought we'd go to the pool. We ended up sitting in the hot tub the whole time. Then we froze to death when we got out. This past January we went and stayed at Jambo House to squeeze as much as we could out of our points. VERY chilly most days. I think there was one of those polar vortex things that reached pretty far south. Snow storms at home in DC. We ended up having to buy / bring some of those "packable down" jackets and some heavy fleeces with us. It was 50's-60's during the middle of the day and 40's-50 at night (and windy). No pool time for us at those temps. I saw like 2 or 3 people in the pool on one day (must've been from Canada). The day we left it was supposed to warm up into the lower 70's I think. Figures.

I have a cousin who goes down for the marathon week - her family always seems to luck out with some days in the 80's. I guess our timing just sucks.

Usually 1 water park is closed as is Splash Mountain. But it's always too cold for those rides anyway.

 

[OurDisney4]

We have gone down over MLK weekend 2x now. The first time we stayed at VWL - great place for a winter trip with all the fireplaces. It is a real "lodge". Very fitting. It was on the cool side (60's-70ish) during the daytime. One day it got up to about 73 or 75 so we thought we'd go to the pool. We ended up sitting in the hot tub the whole time. Then we froze to death when we got out. This past January we went and stayed at Jambo House to squeeze as much as we could out of our points. VERY chilly most days. I think there was one of those polar vortex things that reached pretty far south. Snow storms at home in DC. We ended up having to buy / bring some of those "packable down" jackets and some heavy fleeces with us. It was 50's-60's during the middle of the day and 40's-50 at night (and windy). No pool time for us at those temps. I saw like 2 or 3 people in the pool on one day (must've been from Canada). The day we left it was supposed to warm up into the lower 70's I think. Figures. I have a cousin who goes down for the marathon week - her family always seems to luck out with some days in the 80's. I guess our timing just sucks. Usually 1 water park is closed as is Splash Mountain. But it's always too cold for those rides anyway.

Hmmm, sounds a little too chilly to risk it. Although, we may not have a choice based on availability. I'm still hoping we can piece together 4 or 5 nights in December, but I know it will be a long shot.

 

[Kidanifan08]

If you want to go during Christmas, you may want to look at the week of 12/14-12/21. There appears to be some availability and the crowds are not too bad, since most kids will not start their holiday break until 12/20. The crowds will get noticeably larger as that week progresses. Otherwise, there is a decent amount of availability the last two weeks of January.

We were there the first week of Dec 2010 and froze most of the week. We went the same exact week in 2012 and it was in the 80's, which allowed us to swim every day we were there. We haven't been there in January, but we loved our one stay in late February. It was cool in the morning and evening, but sunny and low 70's by midday; and there were no crowds. Of course, it was February 2009, and the down economy may have had an impact.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I LOVE going in December and Jan. Here are a few pictures from our Jan '12 trip to give you an idea of crowd levels. Temperatures fluctuated greatly. We ore shorts some days and sweatshirts other days.

 

[OurDisney4]

If you want to go during Christmas, you may want to look at the week of 12/14-12/21. There appears to be some availability and the crowds are not too bad, since most kids will not start their holiday break until 12/20. The crowds will get noticeably larger as that week progresses. Otherwise, there is a decent amount of availability the last two weeks of January. We were there the first week of Dec 2010 and froze most of the week. We went the same exact week in 2012 and it was in the 80's, which allowed us to swim every day we were there. We haven't been there in January, but we loved our one stay in late February. It was cool in the morning and evening, but sunny and low 70's by midday; and there were no crowds. Of course, it was February 2009, and the down economy may have had an impact.

That's promising! Do you recall which resorts? We'd like to do our research and then book as soon as we can. I know availability changes by the minute, just wondering......

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's promising! Do you recall which resorts? We'd like to do our research and then book as soon as we can. I know availability changes by the minute, just wondering......

You might get SSR.

 

[OurDisney4]

I LOVE going in December and Jan. Here are a few pictures from our Jan '12 trip to give you an idea of crowd levels. Temperatures fluctuated greatly. We ore shorts some days and sweatshirts other days.

Thanks so much! Love to see less crowds!

 

[heynowirv]

First 2 weeks in Dec. are my favorite,the christmas decorations are up everyone's in a festive mood.The weather can be iffy in winter so be prepared for just about anything but snow.