VWL In Jan- What to Expect?

[disneyfool_1202]

Hi! :wavey: We just booked our very first DVC vacation since joining last December (while there on our honeymoon) and we are staying at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge in January (11th).

I've never been to VWL OR to WDW in the month of January. Can you tell me what to expect in terms of crowds, weather, and tips/points, recommendations/comments on VWL (the pictures in the DVC membership look awsome)!

We are taking my brother in law, his wife & kids (who have never been to WDW) and my mother in law (also has never been).

I'm so PSYCHED we bought DVC Membership!!!

 

[Wislodgers]

We were at VWL for 10 nights last January. We did go at the end of the month. The weather was perfect (70's) when we were there. No rain. I know the weather that time of year can be unpredictable. We always pack for all temps. One trip that was at the beginning of February started out very cold. One night while on Mainstreet I was wishing I had packed my winter jacket from home(It warmed up the next day for the rest of the trip)! Some mornings the kids would wear windsuits with shorts underneath. We always carry a backpack to put all the "stuff" in.

The lodge was fabulous. Our first 4 nights were in a studio, then the last 6 in a 2 bedroom with BIL and family. It was their first trip to Disney. We had a great time. The first 4 days we went into all the parks together and would sometimes split by the afternoon. The last couple days everyone did their own thing. They knew then were things were and how the transportation worked. Before our trip was over, they wanted to know when they can come back with us! We have another trip planned for Jan 2004 with them! The crowds were not bad at all. The parks did get busier in the afternoon and the hours are shorter than other times of the year, but we were easily able to do and see everything we wanted. We like the early park hours as our kids are early to bed and early to rise!!

It is fun to just spend time as a family, but also we had fun with our the extended family too. We love our DVC too!

 

[dizneeluvr]

We will also be checking into VWL on Jan 11th. It will be our second January as DVC members, and our 4th January in a row overall. That should tell you how much we love that time of year.

The weather is unpredictable. The first two years you needed to have AT LEAST a light weight jacket and sometimes more in early morning/late evening. We tended to dress in layers so we could peel stuff off as the day progressed. But it hit 80 on the day we were leaving both of those years (figures). People were still swimming (as the pools are heated). This past January was gorgeous...upper 70's everyday so we were in shorts the whole time. Both scenarios were wonderful for different reasons and we will continue to go at this time.

As for crowds, it is wonderful. The earlier closing really doesn't hurt anything because you aren't wasting so much of your day waiting on lines. The weekend of MLK starts to pick up somewhat but still not bad!

Enjoy your trip! You'll love it!

Laura