WDW ~ the first week of Jan?

[PaulaSue]

Has anyone gone the first week of Jan? How were the crowds? About what were the times open of the parks? Were they still decorated for the holidays?

TIA!

 

[madge62]

We were there this past January, actually arrived the 9th. The Marathon was run that day so there were several runners in and out of the parks for the next few days. It was actually more crowded at the parks than when we had visited the same time 2 years ago. With the use of FP though, we never had to wait in any long lines.

Most of the time the Christmas decorations are up at least through the first week of January. By the 9th though they were gone from the parks but we still enjoyed the beautiful Christmas tree at AKL.

Personally, I think the first week of January is one of the best times to go, although weather can be a little iffy (it was awesome this year).

 

[kareneast]

Has anyone gone the first week of Jan? How were the crowds? About what were the times open of the parks? Were they still decorated for the holidays?

TIA!

We were there the first week of January this year, 1/3-1/7. The parks were busier then we expected but still very manageable. Using fastpass the longest we waited for anything was about 20 min. Holiday decorations were still up when we arrived but they slowly dissappeared everyday as the week went on.

Here were the park hours for January 2 - 6, 2005:

MK (Sunday, Monday) 9am-9pm
(Tues, Wed, Fri) 9am-7pm
(Thurs, Sat) 9am-8pm

MGM (Daily) 9am-7pm

Epcot (Future World Daily) 9am-7pm
(World Showcase Daily) 11am-9pm

AK (Sun, Mon) 9am-6pm
(Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat) 9am-5pm

 

[Simba's Mom]

We were also there this year 1/1-1/6. It was my third trip that very first week in January. Weather was great, but the crowds were very heavy those first few days. Sunday, 1/2, I planned to do EMH at MGM, but I left about 8:30, because of it was so crowded. Just before I left, I talked to a CM who said that it was the worst year by far. Other years have been great-crowds dropped off right after the first. Yes, the Christmas decorations are usually all still up until about the 3rd, and come down after that. Just beware-when things come down, they come down literally over night. I was amazed that the tall tree in Epcot was there one day and suddenly, all traces of it were gone and the area was replanted the next morning (1/4 I think). The only bad part(I think) is the Christmas music-by the first week in January, I must admit I'm ready for no more Christmas music. But unfortunately, they didn't stop the Christmas music and go back to the regular Disney music until about 1/5.

 

[winniedapooh]

We have gone several times this time of year and have found it very quiet. Sounds like this year was a bit different though! We will be there next year 12/25-1/7! Hopefully the crowds will go down some.

 

[drusba]

Went 1/1 to 1/8. 1/1 (Sat) and 1/2 Sun, were still the huge Christmas crowd. 1/3 (Mon) was also very crowded -- this is the modern pattern, when 1/1 falls on a Thursday to Sunday, most do not depart until Monday and Tuesday. Tues through Fri was fine for crowds although still somewhat more crowded than I had seen before at that time. Hotels kept Christmas decorations up until 1/7. Ones in parks came down piecemeal Monday to Wednesday. Osborne Lights went to Sunday 1/2; likely to go to Monday 1/2 next year since Monday will be an official holiday with 1/1 on a Sunday. Weather this year was perfect -- high 70's to low 80's daily and only a couple of brief showers the whole week. That should not be counted on as it can be quite cool during that time.