WDW in January?

[Antonia]

Who has been to WDW in JANUARY??? Was it too cold to use resort pool? Are the resorts empty? The Parks? No Spectro, etc?

If we go with DS and his wife and keep the same points which must be used before April 2007, we would have to go in January!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To me this does not sound appealing. DH would probably want to play a little golf and I don't want to freeze on Splash Mountain.

Any advice?????? It is a lot to spend to be too cold to enjoy our visit.

 

[Antonia]

P.S. We would be at VWL which would make it a little cozier for wintertime.

 

[spereira]

I was there this jan 6-16th and it was cold....there were 2 days in the 60's maybe lower 70's but other then that I was cold and I'm from CT. It was really windy so that made it even worse.....but the week after we left it was beautiful out, go figure...It's a gamble with the weather in Jan. but one things for sure I would rather be cold in Disney then cold in CT...

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were there over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. I used the BWV pool, but was the only one in at the time. We had very blustery windy weather at times. The Friendship boats couldn't even stop at the SD one evening.

However, we got to see Wishes (I think it was at 8PM), we ate dinner at the Castle, and did some other things we've not been able to do when the parks are crowded. It wasn't too cold for us to enjoy Fantasmic one evening. We do go other places when we visit Florida in January, up to Blue Springs SP to see the manatees is one "must do." I'm pretty sure we'll be going again this coming January as well. But you're right, we didn't do Kali River Rapids or Splash Mountain.

Bobbi

 

[bcvprincesses]

We have been there every year for the past 8 years and the weather is hit or miss. One year it was actually snowing and many years have been very warm. Last year it was 80's all weak and we were swimming every day. The parks are very quiet but it seems to get more and more busy evey year we go. We are planning on going Jan 17 for a week.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

We were there this Jan. from 1st to 7th. It was great...nice & warm 70s & 80s...not that crowded, IMO and very pleasant. It got cold (50s) on our last day. Of course, we're from Massachusetts and we had to shovel ourselves out to get to the airport, so it was gonna be great for us even if it was in the 50s the whole week. I've heard it is hit or miss at that time of year, but that wouldn't stop me from going!!!!! And IMO, better than the heat & humidity!!!

 

[abner1776]

The 3rd week of Jan 2006 was wonderful at WDW. It was cool in the morning but sunny and 75 by early afternoon. DW did need a sweater in the evening and I took along a windbreaker for myself, but being from NE, the weather felt balmy. There was no reason to visit the water parks, but plenty of people were in the pool at WL. Crowds were non-existant and the staff seemed to be very relaxed and talkative. We found mid-Jan to be a great time to visit WDW.

 

[marathonmommy]

We have been there every year for the past 8 years and the weather is hit or miss. One year it was actually snowing and many years have been very warm. Last year it was 80's all weak and we were swimming every day. The parks are very quiet but it seems to get more and more busy evey year we go. We are planning on going Jan 17 for a week.

I would have to agree with the above poster. I was there in 2003 for suring marathon week, and it was cold! I wore a sweatshirt and pants the entire time. Returned in 2005 for marathon week and it was HOT! Even at 4:30 in the AM, waiting for the race to start, a tshirt and shorts was all that was needed. Swimming was certainly an option. You can never be sure!

 

[winjos]

We really like going in January. Here's why:

1) Small crowds!!!!!
2) Quiet resorts!!! (Just enough people, but not too crowded)
3) Easy to get in everything you want to do because the wait is minimal!
4) Ok, the weather is a crap shoot, but it is sooooooo much better than melting in the July/August heat and humidity.
5) The CMs seem extra friendly because they have time to chat, joke, and get to know ya.

We braved the pool last year --- 70 with a cold wind. The pool felt like a bath. Since they've lowered the temp, I think I would pass on the pool.

Enjoy!

 

[MinnieGi]

We went the second week in January this year and loved it!! We were at the VWL and had a wonderful time. We've been in February too and the winter weather can be unpredictable day to day but it is always warmer than home!!!

Our Jan. week turned out to be wonderful weather wise. It was in the mid to high 70's everday, perfect for touring the parks and for swimming. We swam in the afternoons and nights. We love touring the parks at this time of year - not alot of waiting and easy to make ADR's.

Of course the low point values for January sure are nice!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

We have been in January numerous times, and it has been anywhere from 30 to 80.

 

[andriade]

We were there this past January 1-7. We had pool weather the first 2 days, nice days and downright FREEZING the last day. It was in the 30's. I was in the pool just a few days before. It was in the 80's I think. It was managable though but sooooooo cold that last day.

We were also there in Jan. 2004 and it was HOT!

So, the weather can go either way. We had a blast both times though.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have gone many times in early January, and we LOVE that time of year! First of all, the parks are not at all busy. The weather can be iffy, but it's always better than it is at home, and we don't usually swim, but we do hot tub every night. This year we were there from Jan. 1-10, and the weather was spectacular! It was bright and sunny every day, and only one day was the high below 60, and even that day was sunny, so it felt fine. At any rate, it was a WHOLE lot better than -20! I think this year most days were upper 60's to mid 70's, and we wore shorts at least half the days.

 

[TinkGirl]

January is our first choice time to go. Florida weather actually feels good! The way we look at it, (almost always) winter weather is going to be nicer in Florida than in Maryland. We've gone the last three Januarys and have had mostly sun and daytime temperatures from mid-50's to mid-80s. I don't think it rains much in January there. Anyway, temperatures feel so good that we spend much more time in the parks--no need for breaks. Crowds are usually low, so we can ride our favorites over and over. I think we must have ridden Space Mountain 15 times or more when we were there this year. We have had success bringing sweatshirts for morning and evening and just taking them off in the middle of the day. We have used the pools every trip. Keep in mind that my kids will swim even when it's too cold for me. One year we went to Blizzard Beach when the temperature was about 70 degrees outside and sunny. That was a big mistake--it was freezing! We will do Splash Mountain, but choose to do Kali only if it is pretty warm out. I think the best thing about January is that we are not all drained from heat and humidity, and we don't wait long in line. We are going again in June--I think we're spoiled by our winter trips. Another good thing about January is low points. You may be able to make your vacation a little longer--always a good thing at WDW!

 

[toesmom]

IT WAS COLD. The parks weren't busy esp at opening, but we had our winter jackets on. And in the evenings (5 of 7 nights) we were out on the boardwalk with our winter coats.

Swimming, well, you've heard about the drop in pool temperatures. I was shivering in the pool.

I think a holiday in the world is better enjoyed with warmer weather, but it's not possible for everyone to go when it's warmer. But there was less people for sure - for good reason, IT WAS COLD.

You may be lucky and have a little warmer days, but it's more than likely to be cool.

 

[TRUSTYSTHEBEST]

The weather is hit or miss for mild temperatures. January is normally dry, so you will see little rain. Swimming is usually left to the true snow birds. It has to be 80 for me to swim, that is what I get for living in Florida. The parks are normally not crowded, provided you don't pick the weekend for their marathon. January is nice; but I prefer the second week of February.

 

[dianeschlicht]

IT WAS COLD. The parks weren't busy esp at opening, but we had our winter jackets on. And in the evenings (5 of 7 nights) we were out on the boardwalk with our winter coats.

Swimming, well, you've heard about the drop in pool temperatures. I was shivering in the pool.

I think a holiday in the world is better enjoyed with warmer weather, but it's not possible for everyone to go when it's warmer. But there was less people for sure - for good reason, IT WAS COLD.

You may be lucky and have a little warmer days, but it's more than likely to be cool.

You must have been there a different time than we were. We found this January (first 10 days) to be one of the nicest January trips we have had for weather.

 

[VA_mouseman]

I've been at WDW the past two January's. In 2005, a few evenings were in the upper 30's, IIRC. Daytime highs that week were in the mid-60's.

This past January, it was very pleasant during the day (mid-70's), and the evenings were comfortable but cool - definitely pants/jacket/sweatshirt.

My boys had a blast in Stormalong Bay, but the hot tub (shock of shocks!) was the most popular spot.

I'll take the cool weather in January over the blazing heat of the summers. Also, the crowds are light in January. Our longest wait was 70 minutes for Soarin.