WDW in January?

[DoryDorito]

We are going to headed down the week the third week of January. I know the weather can be dicey, but for those who've visited in January, what are the crowds like?

We've been in March, Sept, October and December in the past. How will the crowds compare to those times?

 

[disney queen]

 

[momtosam]

We love Disney in January. Crowds are low (except MLK weekend and marathon weekend) and the weather is pleasant -- not warm enough for me to go swimming, but last trip I wore shorts each day and a sweatshirt in the evening. The parks aren't open as late, but that's a plus to me. You can get everything in, in fewer hours in January and I personally don't feel the need to still be touring at 11:00 pm!

 

[mike45248]

We have gone in Jan. this year and past months of May, June, Sept. and Oct. It was not crowded in Jan when we were there (Dec27-Jan14) It was a little more crowded the first week of Jan then Sept, but the second week it was very nice crowd wise. I just hated the weather. Warm one day then the next it was high around 38-40 with 20 MPH winds (Wind chill in the 20's)

Mike

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

We went in 2013 for my 30th birthday. We stayed from Thur-Sun (24-27). We won't be going back in January probably ever. Compared to our November (jersey Week) and December (10 days before Xmas) stays, January was terrible. The crowds were the highest we've ever experienced and there were tour groups EVERYWHERE.

Also, because it's allegedly a slower season there were some ride closures/refurbs. It was really hot and Splash Mountain was closed

We still had a great time, and because we go 2 xs a year we weren't trying to hit everything, but we decided we'll stick to Nov/Dec trips.

 

[blackmamba10000]

Crowds were super light for the most part. The most we ever waited for an attraction was in Magic Kingdom. It was a 20 minute wait for BOG lunch and 25 minutes for Belles Enchanted Tales. With that being said, we want to ride Living with the Land, and that was 40 minutes, but on an EMH day.

 

[blackmamba10000]

We have gone in Jan. this year and past months of May, June, Sept. and Oct. It was not crowded in Jan when we were there (Dec27-Jan14) It was a little more crowded the first week of Jan then Sept, but the second week it was very nice crowd wise. I just hated the weather. Warm one day then the next it was high around 38-40 with 20 MPH winds (Wind chill in the 20's)

Mike

We went this past January too!! And the weather was kind of a bummer!!

 

[daizieduck]

We go every October. This year and last, in addition to our Oct. trip, we also went the third week in January. Both times I did Epcot Friday and MK Saturday. Last year was great. This year MK was VERY crowded on Saturday. Like someone else said, there were a lot of tour groups. But I still did not have any trouble doing most of the attractions I wanted to do. Don't feel like I didn't get my money or time worth. Only really missed out on Splash Mountain since it's always closed for refurbishment in Jan. For me, I wear jeans during the day and layer tanks, t-shirts and sweatshirts for daytime so I can run in the ladies room and add or subtract layers as needed. A light weight jacket early morning and for night time. And I also carry gloves and a hat in my back pack in case I want those. I usually use the gloves but not the hat. Oh, and I always wear sneakers. Too cold for sandals.

 

[michsig]

I was there January 6-13, 2013. We had perfect weather (high 70s, sunny every day, no rain). The only other month's I've gone are June and July, so I can't speak to comparing the crowds to the other times you've gone. However, the crowds were low and very manageable. We didn't wait longer than 30 minutes for anything except Test Track.

 

[mousekatool]

We went in January 3 years ago, and it was perfect. Nearly everything was walkon, and the weather was gorgeous. However, I was sweating it because 2 weeks earlier, it was in the 30s every day! I would definitely go back in January, but just know that the weather can be sporadic.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

We went 1/20/08-1/27/08. I used to love going in January because crowds were light. However, during our trip in 2008, it was horrible. Crowd levels were high. January seems to be when many Brazilian teens visit. We were also freeeeezing (but I know weather can be hit or miss). We will never return in January again!

 

[CounselorX]

We went this last January and it was a lot colder than I expected. 40 to 45 degrees, rain just about every day and high wind. I'm normally not affected by cold weather but it was a bit too much. The wind really pushed it over the edge. My wife was even more miserable because she can't stand the cold.

On the flip side, I've been in September and it's burning to death during that time. lol

 

[OchreHand]

I went in 2011 and 2012 for Marathon weekend and stayed the week.

I never went during a "8" or "9" days so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought it was somewhat crowded but manageable with a good touring plan. Crowds were heavier in 2012 especially the Friday before MLK. Seemed like 'everyone' took that day off.

Lots of tour groups and refurbs (I haven't been able to ride Splash Mountain)

Weather is hit or miss, as people mentioned.

 

[Disney4nonah]

We love January!
We get there day after MLK and crowds continually get lower and lower. Yes, no Splash, usually but it's ok, we've been on it a few hundred times, & it's low crowds. The Tour Groups, we saw them but they caused us ZERO problems.
2010 was great weather, 60-65 and slight breeze, perfect for us.
Yes, i did see Jan 2014 was colder then usual, we'll just pack for the weather.
Because January is really the best time!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

January is our favorite month to go. We've gone several times during that month over the past years. Our last January trip was just a couple of years ago. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and sometimes we were the only people on the bus when it picked us up and took us to a park. The buses weren't crowded to come back to the resort in the evening either.

Yes, the weather might be a bit chilly for the locals but we're from Michigan so just getting away from the snow, ice and frigid cold is great to us!

We usually can wear shorts/t-shirts during the day, and if it gets chilly in the evening we go back to the resort and change to jeans/sweatshirts.

I do remember one evening in the Magic Kingdom when it was cold enough we could see our breath, and I was kind of wishing for a hat and gloves but we still had a great time, and even got to ride Thunder Mountain twice (not getting off after the first ride) since the crowds were so low.

Generally the rides/attractions are either walk-on, or maybe a 5-10 minute wait for the more popular ones.

Plus I think it's the least expensive time of the year to go and stay on site.

I've been to WDW in March and September as well, and didn't care for either of those months. March was spring break for a lot of kids/colleges so it was super busy, and September was also quite busy but still very, very hot and humid.

We'll be going again the last week of January next year, with our DD and her DH and their two kids plus her DH's parents. Can't wait, as it'll be the grandchildren's (ages 6 and 9) first visit!

 

[tinkerbesh]

I've been once during the mid-20s in January of 2012, and it was fantastic- low crowds, beautiful weather. Splash was closed, but I think I got to do everything else. I would trust whatever easywdw says about crowds.

 

[CounselorX]

January is our favorite month to go. We've gone several times during that month over the past years. Our last January trip was just a couple of years ago. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and sometimes we were the only people on the bus when it picked us up and took us to a park. The buses weren't crowded to come back to the resort in the evening either.

Yes, the weather might be a bit chilly for the locals but we're from Michigan so just getting away from the snow, ice and frigid cold is great to us!

We usually can wear shorts/t-shirts during the day, and if it gets chilly in the evening we go back to the resort and change to jeans/sweatshirts.

I do remember one evening in the Magic Kingdom when it was cold enough we could see our breath, and I was kind of wishing for a hat and gloves but we still had a great time, and even got to ride Thunder Mountain twice (not getting off after the first ride) since the crowds were so low.

Generally the rides/attractions are either walk-on, or maybe a 5-10 minute wait for the more popular ones.

Plus I think it's the least expensive time of the year to go and stay on site.

I've been to WDW in March and September as well, and didn't care for either of those months. March was spring break for a lot of kids/colleges so it was super busy, and September was also quite busy but still very, very hot and humid.

We'll be going again the last week of January next year, with our DD and her DH and their two kids plus her DH's parents. Can't wait, as it'll be the grandchildren's (ages 6 and 9) first visit!

Historically, the week after labor day in September is the lowest crowd period of the year I think. But, you're right - very hot and humid. I'm already trying to prepare myself for the next trip lol.

 

[natfrac]

We usually go the third and fourth week of January, and the third week is always busier due to MLK day. The weather can also be hit or miss, but we just pack accordingly.