WDW in January...What's it like?

[daisy_77]

How is the weather? The crowds? Are a lot of the rides closed down for refurbishment?
Thank you for any info or tips!

 

[LizAgna]

One word WONDERFUL!!! We went this Jan (1/21-1/29) we stayed at POP. The first few days of our trip were in the 80's, the last few were in the low 70's & chilly enough for a jacket at night. My DD would wear shorts under her velour jogging suits, shed the jacket and the pants about mid morning and then put them back on after dark. As far as the waits went - Rock N Rollercoaster 5 min standby, Tower of Terror 10 min standby, Mission Space 10 min standby, Space Mountain 20 min standby, It's a Small World walked right on. I think the longest lines we stood in were for Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh. We used Fast Pass on a few rides...Soarin', Winnie the Pooh.

As far as refurbs they do refurb rides more in the off season. While we were there Test Track, Buzz Lightyear & Splash Mountain were all closed. TT & Buzz were closed the whole time but Splash was open part of the time so we got to ride it.

I really think you would enjoy going in January. We hope to go back in Jan again one day.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We have been all different times of year (excluding mid-summer), but January is our absolute favorite time to go. We were there 1/16-1/20 2006. Temps were in the mid '70's during the afternoons. Mornings and evenings were cool -maybe in the lower '50's or upper '40's. We all wore fleeces in morning and evenings. Test Track and Buzz were both down, but we hardly missed them. Crowds were a little thick at MK on 1/19, but that was because it was an EMH day and there was a Spectro show that night. We are going again next January and I can't wait . I am guessing Space Mountain and probably something else big will be down for refurb, but it is worth it because the weather and crowds are just great.
FWIW, we are lucky because our kids get 2-3 days off from school each mid-January between terms. This makes for an ideal time to get away and miss only a couple days of school.

 

[jlovesee]

We have gone during the last week of January every year for the past five years, and this year was a nice year. Keep in mind the tempeature CAN and WILL fluctuate. One year we were down there and the temps barely reached into the mid 50's, with it going down to almost freezing at night. That's abnormal but it can happen. From what I've seen the highs are usually in the upper 60's, lower 70's. The worst part of this is you never know what you are going to get so you have to pack for everything.

Beside that, we love going in January. Its a lot warmer there then it is in good ol' Kansas City, MO, and the crowds are light. I was really suprised this year with all the rides that were down for refurbishment. Usually there is maybe one major ride down, like Big Thunder Mountain or something, but this year it was I believe three (Splash Mountain, Test Track and Buzz Lightyear). I honestly wouldn't expect so many rides to be down at once like this January.

Another of my favorite things about January is the rates, this year we payed $49 a night for Pop Century, which was dirt cheap, with AP discount. I have NEVER paid rack rates for January.

Jennifer

 

[princess22]

I totally agree with them! Jan. and Oct. are the best times to go. Right after the school holidays end (around 1/5-1/10) The weather is perfect and the crowds are minimal which allows you to enjoy Disney to the fullest.

Even though there are a few rides here and there closed during the slower times, you will be ok, because you will be able to ride every other ride in the park!

 

[Nala56]

We have gone in January for the past six years. For weather, we have had it all! Some years we froze, I pack those hand warmers hunters use and two years ago I could have made a fortune selling them, everyone one wanted them. They were even selling blankets at Fantasmic. This year 1/20-29, was the best weather we have ever had, it was perfect.

Crowds are very low, most rides walk ons or 10 minute stand-by.

Restaurants aren't very crowded. Sometimes I wait till we get there to make reservations because we don't overplan, and so we don't always know what park we will be in on a peticular day. Even lunch places are not crowded as I hear they are in summer.

The resort buses aren't packed so easy to get a seat.

Can you tell I love January. If you go have a great time!!

 

[mommabo]

We went 1/1-1/9/06 and loved it. Mind you it was still crowded as many schools still on break and families visiting WDW for holidays, but we used TGM and much, much success. Weather was wonderful (better than expected as we only brough 1 pair of shorts each and were doing laundry to get b ) One day was actually very cold - we were in Epcot WS - and the girls joke we went round the world in 3 hours because we didn't want to dawdle and freeze. But we have pictures in everyland so we could say we were there. It went something like this.
Ok, here is England.
Oh look there is the telephone booth (very England like).
Everyone get in, quick picture.
Now on to France
Oh, look how pretty.
Look the Eiffel tower.
Quick everyone smile, snap picture.
And were off....
Of course in England we did stop and watch the comedy show (kids still say, Grail, Grail, Grail, umph......Rubbish!)

 

[daisy_77]

Thank you everyone for giving me all that wonderful info and advice! I talked to my DH and we are actually going to go in February now to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary!

I am soooo excited! I feels like eons since I was at WDW- it has only been 5 months! It was the best trip! It was just me and my DH...this time we are bringing our sweetheart, Maddie! She is going to love it!

Well, regardless of the weather I will be outside in the pool no matter what! Hey, I'm from Idaho!

 

[crazyj4488]

The weather and crowds were perfect in Jan. It was one of my favorite trips. One warning...a lot of stuff was down for refurb though.

 

[Disney Fool]

A word of caution: If you are used to going during the warmer months, and you are used to the parks being open late, be advised that the parks, particularly MK, will close very early. 6 or 7 p.m. There will also be some rides that will be closed for refurbishment--and these may very well be the most popular rides. Do not plan on swimming--you may be the only one in the pool! The pools are heated; it's getting out of the pool thats the problem. We were there last year from Jan 15-20 at AKL. It was too cold to swim every day, except one and that was only for one afternoon. We wore sweatshirts, and sometimes hoods the entire time. Be prepared for these things, it's a big change from going May - Sept. It is definitely a trade-off.

 

[MACUSER]

We went a few years ago went the last week and it was perfect highs in the 80's all week no lines walked on and off tower of terror 6 times in a row stayed on splash mountian 5 or 6 times with out get out. It was great. But I think we got lucky weather wise the week before was cold so i think it could be hit or miss..