Visiting WDW In January

[PierceP525]

Hello, all.

I would like to ask for some information.

My wife and I usually visit WDW the second week of December each year. In fact, we just got back.

We were thinking about moving the trip to January next time. But, I wanted to ask those of you who have been to the parks in January if the wait times are any shorter in January than the December dates we usually go or if they are the same. Even though I think the Fastpass is a great concept, I prefer to ride a ride when I want to. But, I don't want to stand in line forever. This week, the waits got up to 30 minutes for some rides and as much as 60 minutes for the Tower of Terror. I was wondering if the waits are any better in January or if they are about the same as this past week in December.

If any of you could provide some feedback, I would greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks,

Pierce

 

[MissMagnolia]

We've never been in Dec., but 2 years ago we went the second week of January and it was fantastic. We are going again this January from the 10-17. We never waited on any rides - pretty much walked right on each and every one. Sometimes, we got to ride twice in a row without getting off.

We're from WI, so we loved the weather. Sweatshirts in the a.m., shorts by afternoon. Hope this helps - for us January is the only time to go (we've also been in May, Sept., and Oct.).

 

[Jordan's MOM]

WE just got back too. Bet we saw you there!!! WE have also been the 2nd week of January and the crowds are much thinner!!! WE were surprised at all the people!!!! January there was nobody there! WE like the Chirstmas activities, but think we would go back to January.


Jordan's mom

 

[debster812]

We were there last January from the 26-Feb 5th. This year we are going from the 18th to the 26th (gotta get full use of those AP's ).

We found the waits to be NON-EXISTANT. Let me repeat that NON-EXISTANT. In fact, none of the Fastpass machines were even uncovered. Everything was a walk on.

This year, I am expected a little increase in the crowds for our first weekend as it is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday long weekend, but after Monday, they should drop back off.

We too enjoyed the weather. Sweatshirts and shorts in the am, t shirts by lunchtime, and back into sweatshirts/long sleeve by evening. Being from cold and snowy Mass. the cool did not bother us at all.

We are going to continue to go in January, until DS is too old to miss that much school. (but that's a whole different debate )

 

[PierceP525]

Thanks for all the replies all.

Debster, I would really like to hear how things went for you during the week of the 19th when you get back. That is probably the week we would end up going. The second week of January is a little tough on my work schedule.

Jordan's Mom, I bet we saw you, too. We also like the Christmas activities. We enjoy Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the Osbourne Light Show (I was sorely upset they did not do that this year). But, I would rather have shorter ride waits than see all the Christmas stuff.

Also, I'd like to ask all of you who have been in January if you have encountered any rides being down for maintenance. I have always heard they do a lot of ride maintenance in January.

Thanks again to all who have replied!

Pierce

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Last year splash mountian, figment & blizzard beach were down in January. Still so much open and so few lines.


Jordans mom

 

[Kevs mom]

We went this past January (25th-1st) and like the others said we practically walked on everything! We had the best time ever so we are headed back this January 24th-31st - CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[debster812]

Pierce--I will happily share the info when we get back. I will subscribe to this thread right now, so I can find it again when we get back.

 

[MissMagnolia]

Two years ago when we went the only ride that was down for maintenance was Splash Mountain. So far this year (unless things haven't been updated yet), it looks like for the second week of Jan., at least, all is up and running!

 

[PierceP525]

Thanks, Debster. I appreciate it.

Also, another question to you all, how are the parks on the weekends in January? In December, I have noticed things get a lot busier on the weekends with locals coming in. Have you guys noticed the parks getting busier on the weekends or is it just as dead as during the week?

From reading all these posts, it looks like I need to go in January!

Thanks!

Pierce

 

[DisneyPhD]

We also like going early in Dec (13-20 2001) but the college where my hubby teaches changed there sememsters and don't get off early enough now to go before Christmas. So this year we are going Jan 1 to the 7th. I am concerned there will be crowds the 1st couple days, but hope it really drops off near the end. I hope the weather is at least mid 70's for a high. I can handle that fine. (much better then the current weather in Michigan right now.)

I would rather go later in Jan, but you have to take vacations when you can.

 

[deb305]

We went last week of Jan 2003, arrived the morning after the coldest night ever-the fountain at GF froze. We were in sweatshirts, the staff dressed for North Pole.
We would go again in January in a heart beat. NO LINEs, we did everyride in Fantasyland in less than an hour. You can eat anywhere, practically a walk in. Rainforest Cafe-no wait. All the shows were on. The best part was fireworks at 7:00. With DS 1 yr and DD then 4 yrs, they finally got to see it. You can actually get a spot to watch the parade a few minutes before it starts.
Because we had a stroller we drove to MGM and AK, and I was able to push it to the entrance in no time. There were so many characters with little or no lines that they would actually walk up to you as you were walking. DD, loves them, but she was so bombarded that she started hiding from them.
We did over pack, in the future I would only bring one pair of shorts (for water rides), longs pants were great. Most of the time we only needed sweatshirts. When we were leaving the days were back up in the 70's and 80's so swimming was possible.
Just remember avoid Marathon weekend and MLK weekend in Januayr.

 

[TerriBelle]

This thread is getting me really excited since this will be our 1st January trip! I hope we are lucky enough to be able to walk on most rides. We will start our trip over MLK weekend but I am planning to avoid MK until after Monday.

Were you able to swim when you went in January? My kids have gone in the heated pools in November and February, so they are hoping to this year!

 

[debster812]

Terribelle--we swam 6 days out of 9 last year. A couple of times we stayed in the water a bit too long, and the sun had started to go down, so the walk back to the room, was a *tad* chilly, but the pools were DELIGHTFUL.

 

[PierceP525]

Deb305, what's Marathon weekend? Sorry, but I'm not familiar with that. Is that some special event that packs people in or something?

Pierce

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by PierceP525
Deb305, what's Marathon weekend? Sorry, but I'm not familiar with that. Is that some special event that packs people in or something?

Pierce

LOL!! Yep, it packs them in! This year, I believe its the wknd of the 11th...its the WDW Marathon, runners through and around WDW...even with packing them in, it's still not as crowded as Dec..We're going Jan18-Feb2 - as much as we would like to go at Christmastime, the crowds just keep us away...the kids are just in kindergarten, so we're taking them out and going...we're expecting a "big"crowd the pm of the 18th too, just like debster (maybe we'll see you there!!) Cheerleaders are usually scheduled during this time as well - late Jan and into Feb...National Finals etc. Usually, they are accomodated at the Value and Mods Resorts.

Enjoy!!

 

[debster812]

Hi mbb My father's side of the family is originally from Nova Scotia (Cape Breton Island in the Sydney area). We will be at Ft. Wilderness Cabins.

We were there last year during the National Dance Championships and all the kids were saw were full of energy, and enthusiastic, but certainly VERY well behaved.

 

[BevS97]

I think Cheerleading Finals were last week - we certainly saw a LOT of cheerleaders and they seemed to be wearing t-shirts about Nationals on them.

 

[PierceP525]

It seems there are at lot of cheerleading things that go on around there. There is a lady where I work who usually takes her daughter to one in March. And, every December we have been there that I can recall, there were a lot of cheerleaders walking around.

Pierce

 

[deb305]

I'm fuzzy on the exact schedule but last year the Marathon was a weekend or two befor ML Day, and the Cheerleaders were the first full weekend in Feb. That is why we went from the Jan 23 to about Jan 30. There is Pop Warner Cheerleading in December and I think, just guessing, the Feb Cheerleading is a different organization.
The last weekend in January is usually pretty calm, cool, but calm.