What’s Disney like the first week of January?

[mala55]

We have been to Disney a few times but always in the Spring. We are thinking of going in January 2023. My teen usually has the first week of January off of school. What’s it like compared to Spring? Is it crowded? Weather? General vibe?
Thx,
Maureen

 

[megs1313]

It can be pretty chilly. If you're planning to be there before schools are back in, it will also be crowded. Usually there are some attractions down for maintenance at that time of year. The thing that is the most annoying to me, though, is that the park hours are shorter and we tend to be night time tour-ers. we also ran into issues with quick service or other food service areas being closed early.

we used to like going in January AFTER the schools are back in so it isn't very busy, but the vibes were just too off the last time and we switched back to spring.

 

[SkyGuy]

It will be busy. You will still have the Christmas crowds, plus there will be the Disney marathon crowds coming in as well (and sometime there are dance/cheer contests around this time). I believe the 2023 marathon is the 5th-8th. People will come early for that and overlap the holiday crowds, and then stay after hoping some of the holiday crowds will head home. There should be a short window in which crowds lessen before MLK, and then that weekend will pick up again before the (traditionally) lower crowds begin, but who knows if those crowd calendars will reset next year or not. Weather should be nice, cooler (or downright cold) mornings and evenings with pleasant days and very low rain chances. Shorter park hours, and things closed for your future enjoyment.

 

[wisblue]

Marathon Weekend can be a mixed blessing.

There are a lot of people onsite and there can be road closures early in the mornings that can make it more difficult to get to some of the parks.

But, if you can get to a park in the morning (allowing for a little extra time) they might be less crowded for awhile because of the people who are participating in the events and their supporters.