Visiting WDW In January

[debster812]

Howdy all my fellow January folks! We're back.

Quick summary:

Crowds: not there at all. We arrived the Sunday of MLK weekend, and there were definitely more bodies in the parks on Sunday and Monday, but by Tuesday, 90% of the Fast Pass machines were covered, and most rides were walk ons (those that weren't, were a 10 minute or so wait).

The weather was 'cool' but that is all in your perspective. We left Boston in -20 degree weather, so for us, anything above 40 and we're breaking out the shorts!

It was cooler than we would have liked, but it did make for nice touring. We would start the mornings with shorts, tshirts, and sweatshirts. Most days, the sweatshirts came off by mid day, and we put them back on as the sun started going down. There were a couple of evenings we wished we had long pants in the backpack, but totally manageable.

DH and DS did go swimming a couple of times, and the pools were heated almost like bathwater!

Any other questions, fire away. I'm working on the full trip report, but it is slow going trying to read my own scribble.

 

[deb305]

Welcome back. Once you go in January it is hard to go anyother time of year, yet we are going in October (better than never). Hope the Jan secret doesn't get out too much

 

[disneymama73]

This makes me want to cancel my Oct. 2004 trip and reschedule for Jan. 2005! My girls are really looking forward to MNSSHP though...

Maybe the following year...

 

[TerriBelle]

disneymama73,

We have been both months - Jan this year and Oct in 2001. We did not think crowds were that different and we got to swim a lot more in October. I think the weather is more of a chance in Jan! Our kids really enjoy the pool time so they were disappointed with the Jan. weather. They did manage to swim a few times but we didn't do any "pool days". If you haven't done MNSSHP, then try October.

 

[disneymama73]

Originally posted by TerriBelle
disneymama73,

We have been both months - Jan this year and Oct in 2001. We did not think crowds were that different and we got to swim a lot more in October. I think the weather is more of a chance in Jan! Our kids really enjoy the pool time so they were disappointed with the Jan. weather. They did manage to swim a few times but we didn't do any "pool days". If you haven't done MNSSHP, then try October.

Hi, TerriBelle!

We've been going in October for the past 4 years or so and love it! LOVE the Food & Wine Festival and MNSSHP. We don't spend a lot of time at the pool (maybe an hour every night).

My husband went in January when he was a teenager and still goes on and on about "no lines!" Maybe we'll give it a try in the future. For now, my kids really enjoy MNSSHP, and I would hate for them to miss it.

Thanks for your post!!!

 

[Mad4Dizne]

Pierce, not sure when you are considering going, but I would steer clear of MLK week. We were there this year and on TUesday after the holiday the Magic Kingdom was so crowded I thought I was there in July (we did that one year...). I could not get over how crowded the parks were that week and typically we have gone in January and crowds were mild. I'm not sure if the extremely cold temperatures around the country, or that MLK week, with one day off already...is now a popular week to go. I'm definately avoiding this week on future trips.

I'm not sure if anyone else experienced this or not, and we were at the park for opening...still can't get over how crowded it was!!
Flo

 

[debster812]

Flo--we were there MLK week of this year as well. On that Tuesday, we spent the day at AK which was not too crowded at all. Wednesday was our first full day at MK and it was manageable.

I agree with you, though, the week AFTER MLK week was much less crowded last year.

I think we will be looking at October for our next trip depending on the school schedule for DS.

It's all good though, we were at Disney!!!

 

[TerriBelle]

Our school system had MLK day off and then Thur & Friday they got out 3 1/2 hours early. There was no kindergarten on these days. That is why we decided to try Jan. I think there were a lot of MD families because when we met Snow White and Princess Aurora, they asked my DD what kingdom she was from. She said MD. They looked at each other and said "We have met a lot of people this week from MD".

 

[HillPete]

We were there Jan. 27-Feb. 1 and barely waited for anything. I think the food lines were longer than the ride lines! The only park that felt crowded was AK and it really wasn't. I think the paths are smaller and the trees are bigger, making it seem crowded, but we never had a wait for any ride there. My son rode Triceratops spin 4 times while I was riding the second half of the child swap in Primeval Whirl.
Our resort felt a bit crowded in the dining hall at mealtimes, but I think it was because the room was small and the other half of the resort is closed now. We are definitly planning another late-Jan. trip in the next couple of years. We'd love to go when the holiday decorations are up, but if 2003 is any indicator, early Dec. might not be a good time anymore.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I was at WDW Jan 5th to 11th and thought the crowds were much larger than I remember them being any of the 3 early December trips I took. We celebrated my DS's 3rd birthday. I am planning to go back before my baby DD turns 3 on Jan 21, 2005. I wanted to avoid Marathon week and MLK and that doesn't leave much room so I'm actually thinking now that we'll go in October. We can enjoy the Food & Wine Fest. More chance to swim and we won't have to worry about the kids getting sick or flight delays due to snow. I'm also worried that if we celebrate my baby DD's birthday her oldest sister will feel left out if her 2 siblings get to celebrate a birthday at Disney.

I've always really loved the early Dec trips but its just so hard with all the holiday preparations. Maybe when the kids are older we can do a Dec trip.

 

[PierceP525]

Thanks for all the information from you folks who went this year. I really appreciate it. You've helped me out a lot on some decision making for future trips!

Pierce

 

[wilderness01]

This year the crowds were heavier than they were last year in January.

 

[mirlow]

We went the last week of January and they had a lot of conventioneers, cheerleaders, people from the NE trying to get away from the cold snap they have been having and then all of us who wanted to go visit WDW in January. The hotels were packed that weekend. I thought it was just as busy as it is during our Aug. trips. Having said that we never wait in lines on any of our trips. We just use fast pass or move on to another ride with a shorter line.