What is the best week to go in January?

[disfanforlife]

We have never been to Disney in January before. Our daughters will be off from college for three weeks in January. At first I didn't think that I wanted to go then because I thought it would be cooler, and also because we are going in November. So, I wanted to book in March (which is when they have Spring Break) and also to have longer between our two trips. But now after everything I have been reading I think March will be too crowded for us. We are used to going in November when it is quieter. I heard that it is best to avoid Martin Luther King weekend and also the Marathon weekend. So, I am thinking the week of January 6th. Anyone gone then and what was it like?

 

[robinb]

I just peeked at Touring Plan's historical crowd calendar and it looks like the crowds are very low in that week between the Monday after NYE and the Marathon. It gets busier on Sat/Sun of the Marathon but the week before looks like clear sailing! Make sure to book your room NOW as the Thursday and Friday of Marathon weekend are already sold out at some resorts (BWV for instance).

 

[disfanforlife]

I just peeked at Touring Plan's historical crowd calendar and it looks like the crowds are very low in that week between the Monday after NYE and the Marathon. It gets busier on Sat/Sun of the Marathon but the week before looks like clear sailing! Make sure to book your room NOW as the Thursday and Friday of Marathon weekend are already sold out at some resorts (BWV for instance).

Thanks, is the Marathon weekend the 11th? I booked at AKV because we own there. We just added in at BWV (resale) but the points haven't loaded into our account yet. I was hoping to be able to get at least half or our stay booked there and the other half at AKV - maybe I will be able to book it for the first half of the week. Was everything booked at BWV? Or just studios? Because we would want a one or two bedroom.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We unknowingly arrived on the marathon day last trip, and ran into a bunch of closed roads. I feel like the parks, especially the magic kingdom was busier than other weeks in january when we have gone. It was warm enough for us to swim everyday, other years it has been way to cold to swim. That first week after nye is a great week to go.

Sent from my phone using DISBoards Ap, please excuse any typos and autocorrect mistakes.

 

[aes74]

If you can avoid the week the Brazilian kids tour group comes on their winter break that would be a plus. They are a nightmare. If you can't, go to whichever park they are not in that day.

 

[disfanforlife]

If you can avoid the week the Brazilian kids tour group comes on their winter break that would be a plus. They are a nightmare. If you can't, go to whichever park they are not in that day.

I have no idea when that is. We are planning to arrive on Sunday January 5th and leave on Saturday January 11th. We would arrive a day earlier but don't know if that is better or worse. The Marathon I believe is 11 th so that seems like a good day to leave to me!

 

[disfanforlife]

We unknowingly arrived on the marathon day last trip, and ran into a bunch of closed roads. I feel like the parks, especially the magic kingdom was busier than other weeks in january when we have gone. It was warm enough for us to swim everyday, other years it has been way to cold to swim. That first week after nye is a great week to go.

Sent from my phone using DISBoards Ap, please excuse any typos and autocorrect mistakes.

Thank you. I want to avoid that if possible. I hope it's warm. Even if its not warm enough to swim, just as long as we don't have to wear winter coats I will be happy!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The marathon weekend starts on Wednesday, Jan 8, with the Expo, on Thursday the 5K race, Friday the 10K race, Saturday half marathon and Sunday full marathon. And the family runs will be somewhere in there, too.

The roads will be impacted on Saturday and Sunday with the half and full marathons.

 

[gopfans]

The actual marathon is on Sunday the 12th. The half marathon is Saturday the 12th. You will have road closures both days. Folks will start coming on Wednesday or even before for the weekend since the 5k will be on Thursday and 10k Friday. With the addition of the Dopey Challenge and 10k race for 2014 plan for an even bigger crowd this year. Last year was very warm that weekend. Definite pool and shorts weather.

 

[Halle]

We went January 22nd to 27th fabulous weather and low crowds.

 

[disfanforlife]

The actual marathon is on Sunday the 12th. The half marathon is Saturday the 12th. You will have road closures both days. Folks will start coming on Wednesday or even before for the weekend since the 5k will be on Thursday and 10k Friday. With the addition of the Dopey Challenge and 10k race for 2014 plan for an even bigger crowd this year. Last year was very warm that weekend. Definite pool and shorts weather.

Not as busy as spring break though? That is why we are changing our plans from march to January. If it is going to be just as crowded, then I might rethink the whole idea.

 

[disfanforlife]

We went January 22nd to 27th fabulous weather and low crowds.

Girls go back to college on the 26 so that week is not good. I was thinking the week after marathon, but thought that would be busier with Martin Luther king holiday.

 

[disfanforlife]

The marathon weekend starts on Wednesday, Jan 8, with the Expo, on Thursday the 5K race, Friday the 10K race, Saturday half marathon and Sunday full marathon. And the family runs will be somewhere in there, too.

The roads will be impacted on Saturday and Sunday with the half and full marathons.

So, the events on Wednesday - Friday won't effect the parks too much? We would leave on Saturday. Probably not the same level of crowds as spring break in march?

 

[disfanforlife]

When do the New Years crowds generally leave? I can move our trip earlier. I really want to go the least crowded week in January. We can travel anytime between Jan 1-23.

 

[drusba]

Jan 1 is Wed. You will still have large Christmas size crowds until Friday, although they could last through the 4th. They will lighten fairly quickly after that. The hotel Christmas decorations will likely come down overnight between Jan 3 and 4. The will start taking park decorations down Jan 5 or 6 and those usually take a few days to take down completely. The marathon group comes in Wednesday as events start Thurs. However, the parks will actually not be real crowded during that weekend. You will have some blocked roads during the various race days although that usually ends by afternoon and it does not stop the park buses from running; they may just have some rerouting. After Sunday the 12, the marathon group will be gone and crowds will not be bad that whole week, The MLK group starts to move in Friday and crowds get heavy but it really is not hugely crowded during that time. After Jan 21, crowds will be fine again through the end of the month.

As to being warm enough for pools, it will be hit or miss. some years you can be there a week and have temps in high 70s all week and another year they can sit at 50 or below.What often occurs is that you get some warm days and some cool ones .

 

[disfanforlife]

Jan 1 is Wed. You will still have large Christmas size crowds until Friday, although they could last through the 4th. They will lighten fairly quickly after that. The hotel Christmas decorations will likely come down overnight between Jan 3 and 4. The will start taking park decorations down Jan 5 or 6 and those usually take a few days to take down completely. The marathon group comes in Wednesday as events start Thurs. However, the parks will actually not be real crowded during that weekend. You will have some blocked roads during the various race days although that usually ends by afternoon and it does not stop the park buses from running; they may just have some rerouting. After Sunday the 12, the marathon group will be gone and crowds will not be bad that whole week, The MLK group starts to move in Friday and crowds get heavy but it really is not hugely crowded during that time. After Jan 21, crowds will be fine again through the end of the month.

As to being warm enough for pools, it will be hit or miss. some years you can be there a week and have temps in high 70s all week and another year they can sit at 50 or below.What often occurs is that you get some warm days and some cool ones .

Thank you for that information! I talked with my DH and we agreed Arrive January 5 and depart on January 11. We might try the next week that would include MlK weekend the next year. This is our first year going one week with our son and another week with our daughters. 2015 we will hope to travel with all three kids together.

 

[robinb]

Yes, there is availability in a 2BR (I assume, with 3 kids) and a 1BR at BWV for the start of that week. You should be able to book something when your points are deposited and then get on the waitlist for the other nights. I remembered the process of getting my points from Disney on my resales was pretty quick and painless.

My ONLY concern is the traffic closures on Saturday when you leave. You will have to allow a lot more time to get out of the Disney area when you leave for the airport.

 

[Li Li]

As to being warm enough for pools, it will be hit or miss. some years you can be there a week and have temps in high 70s all week and another year they can sit at 50 or below.What often occurs is that you get some warm days and some cool ones .

This exactly! January is so hard to predict. We have gone different weeks in January the past six years or so, and it has generally been warm (70s and some 80s). But one year, we got 50s and 40s! Brr! Nothing like a picture of you in front of the castle with hooded sweatshirts!

 

[disfanforlife]

Yes, there is availability in a 2BR (I assume, with 3 kids) and a 1BR at BWV for the start of that week. You should be able to book something when your points are deposited and then get on the waitlist for the other nights. I remembered the process of getting my points from Disney on my resales was pretty quick and painless.

My ONLY concern is the traffic closures on Saturday when you leave. You will have to allow a lot more time to get out of the Disney area when you leave for the airport.

Thank you again! We will only have two of kids with us. But, we really enjoy having the extra space of a two bedroom. If we can't get one we will squish in a smaller villa. This is the beginning of more complicated trip planning for us. Next year both of our daughters will be in college - so they can only go at certain times (not going to be skipping any classes). We have taken all three kids out of school to go in November during veteran's day week. So, we planned a trip then with our son. Then we started thinking more and decided to add on so that we could take two trips a year or go during busier times when we need more points. Also, we really wanted a home resort in the epcot area!
We will be using magical express so I assume they take the marathon into consideration and will pick us up early enough. Thank you for the heads up on that point though. I appreciate it! I really wanted to go in March when our daughters have spring break. But hubby thinks January will be quieter and the girls have more time off too. So, we will try it.

 

[disfanforlife]

This exactly! January is so hard to predict. We have gone different weeks in January the past six years or so, and it has generally been warm (70s and some 80s). But one year, we got 50s and 40s! Brr! Nothing like a picture of you in front of the castle with hooded sweatshirts!

We can deal with the cold. We are from the north country. We went twice in February and both times it was cold. One year it was actually colder than home - 38 degrees one morning. I prefer it to be warmer of course, hopefully it will be.