waterpark and more tickets worth the extra$ in jan???

[keltshan]

we will be going to disney at the end of jan. (2 adults/4&5 yr old) i was wondering if we would even be able to use the waterparks then and if disneyquest is worth the extra $ for kids this age (my daughter is under several of the ht requiremnets) this is our 1st disney trip and we will celebrate DD 5th bday while there we are staying 5 days and i don't want to feel like i have to cram everything in---should i even add the parkhopper option or just do 1 park per day? We plan on staying at wilderness lodge.

thanks for feedback,
kellie

 

[susykt4]

I've gone in January 4 times and three of them got a package promotion for free ticket upgrades to Hoppers and Waterparks and More. I've still never been to a waterpark and while DQ was fun and my kids did enjoy it, I would never pay for it until they are at least tweens, meet all/most height requirements and are really into video games. My kids were 6 and 4 last time we went to DQ and they called it Disney Chuck E. Cheese. With the things they were old enough to do, that was pretty appropriate.

The wonderful thing about Disney in January is that the temps and crowds are low enough that you can go to a park at opening and stay until you're done. You don't have to leave midday to escape the crowds and the heat. We didn't get Hoppers our January trip this year (no free upgrades) and we didn't miss them at all. The parks close so early that it honestly makes more sense to go from open until done or from (whenever) until close for the fireworks/night shows.

On all of our January trips the kids have gotten it at least 2-4 days of swimming with temps in the mid-70s. We've also had at least one day of really cool high temps in the 50s and one year two days in the 40s. They close the pools when the temp is below 55F or maybe even 50! Uh, no thanks! There are ALWAYS people in the pools if they are open. Ugh. January/early Feb is my favorite time to go. Have fun!

 

[susykt4]

I forgot to mention that you can add these features when you're already there, even days into your vacation so you CAN wait and see if you have a heat wave or if hopping is something you want to do.

 

[keltshan]

thanks so much for your info! i have been questioning our decision for a jan. travel date, but i really wanted to be there on my daughters actual bday---now i'm fighting with DH on the flight times and total nights (he wants afternoon flight---we do live 2 hr from the airport we would be flying out of which means a wake up time of 4am, if i get my earlier flight---i'm a morning person and i know my kids will tolerate it just fine) plus he only wants to do 5 nights and i'm pushing for 6---i want to do it right now because this may be the only time (at least the only time with GRUMPY)
thanks so much,
kellie

 

[happymommy]

If you're that far from the airport, I'd take an early morning flight and spend the night at an airport hotel the night before. I did this with my kids once when we were flying at 6am out of Washington DC to Hawaii, and was so glad I did. We didn't have to worry about traffic, and I could have the house all picked up the afternoon before, then leave leisurely.

Also, on perk: many airport hotels have free parking for a week or two if you stay there like that, so it really isn't much more of an expense, if any.

And we've never done the water parks yet. Did Disneyquest once, and I really wasn't thrilled. I agree - tweens may enjoy it, but there is so much else to see and do. And for my kids, the pool at the resort is enough, until they are older, then I'll take them to the water parks if they want.

 

[keltshan]

thanks for the suggestions---my goal is to not feel rushed, halfway please my DH, maximize our time spent at disney and minimal whining!
thanks,
kellie

 

[santa's surpriz]

I would personally skip it ion January..I went last year in Jan and it was very cold. When or bus stopped at the waterpark no one was there. For kids that age the pool will seem like a waterpark. Most Disney resort"s pools have a waterslide that will keep them occupied for hours!