Weather and Lines in January??

[gcarney]

Not sure if this is the right location for this topic - but here goes.

We are seasoned WDW travelers BUT we've never been in January. We will be at the MGV Jan 11-18. Will it be warm enough to swim? Keep in mind we are from Boston so anything in the mid 70's will be warm to us in January.

Also what are the lines like for the parks at this time?

Thank you!!!!

 

[Planogirl]

It can be warm enough to swim but it can also be bitterly cold. We used to go the first week of February every year and have seen the temperature range from 80 down to just about freezing (rare). You might want to pack for every possibility.

As for crowds, that time of year used to be pretty quiet but it has been a while for us. Some of the crowd calendars might be helpful.

 

[gcarney]

It can be warm enough to swim but it can also be bitterly cold. We used to go the first week of February every year and have seen the temperature range from 80 down to just about freezing (rare). You might want to pack for every possibility. As for crowds, that time of year used to be pretty quiet but it has been a while for us. Some of the crowd calendars might be helpful.

. The long range forecast for Florida calls for a warmer than average winter

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I have been in January and it was not warm enough to swim when we went but the crowds were very low. Just avoid any holidays in January and you should be fine.

Florida weather is so unpredictable you can never tell what it is going to be like until about a week before you are going to leave.

There is no need to even look at the forecast until 5 to 7 days prior to getting there because it changes every day.

On our last trip a week ago Nov 10th-16th the weather was forecast to be in the mid 80's with "feels like" 90 and I was worried about it because I can't tolerate heat. But 3 days before we left there was a slight cool front that came through and lowered the temps into the high 70's low 80's and was much cooler than I expected.

But it can work the other way too. We went April 2012 and had beautiful weather of high 70's. We went this past April and had temps in the high 80's with "feels like" mid 90's. It was miserable.

 

[gcarney]

I have been in January and it was not warm enough to swim when we went but the crowds were very low. Just avoid any holidays in January and you should be fine. Florida weather is so unpredictable you can never tell what it is going to be like until about a week before you are going to leave. There is no need to even look at the forecast until 5 to 7 days prior to getting there because it changes every day. On our last trip a week ago Nov 10th-16th the weather was forecast to be in the mid 80's with "feels like" 90 and I was worried about it because I can't tolerate heat. But 3 days before we left there was a slight cool front that came through and lowered the temps into the high 70's low 80's and was much cooler than I expected. But it can work the other way too. We went April 2012 and had beautiful weather of high 70's. We went this past April and had temps in the high 80's with "feels like" mid 90's. It was miserable.

I've been at Christmas/New Year's-March-April-June-and September. Was COLD the year we went for the holidays, but we did have 2 pool days.....

It's been predicted a warmer winter in most of the lower 48, so I'm crossing my fingers and toes they are right. I will be glued to weather.com to figure what to pack but a few sweatshirts will be in the suitcase

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Keep in mind Janurary is Florida's coldest month so pack accordingly. The crowds will be heavy the 2nd weekend in Jan. because of the marathon race.


The race is Jan 8 -12.

 

[gcarney]

Keep in mind Janurary is Florida's coldest month so pack accordingly. The crowds will be heavy the 2nd weekend in Jan. because of the marathon race. The race is Jan 8 -12.

.

Just our luck we arrive 01/11.

I was there MLK weekend in 2006. I remember it being warm, but sweatshirts at night.

We never go to the parks on the weekends anyway. We figure locals mostly go then.

Thanks for the heads up