What to expect in January?

[JanMary]

Hi

I am new to posting on boards - so I hope I get this right!

We have just booked our first Disney holiday for our kids for January - DD8, DD6 and DS will be 15 months. Probably not ideal time to visit but best we could manage.

Can anyone let me know what weather we can expect? Do we need shorts or gloves or both? Also likely park hours etc. would be great.

Can't wait - not telling the kids until Christmas morning - will be a big surprise

 

[mom-2greatkids]

We go every January and love it!

The crowds are light (except for MLK weekend), which allows you to tour at a slower pace, even though park hours are shorter.

Weather is a mixed bag. Last January we wore everything from shorts and t-shirts to multi-layers with hats and gloves. Be prepared for everything. I think the worst thing would be expecting warm Florida weather and coming unprepared--both clothing-wise and mentally.

Enjoy!

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

Here is a link to historical park hours for the last few years. January 2006 hours will be released in early November.

http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/historical/archive/default.asp

What mom-2greatkids said about the weather is true: January weather in Orlando is completely unpredictable. You could have days in the 80sF/26-28C with cool mornings; or you could have mornings near freezing with afternoon highs in the 40sF/8-10C.

Enjoy your trip...it looks like you will all have a Happy Christmas!

Bob

 

[meandtheguys2]

We love going in January! You'll need gloves, hats, jackets, shorts, t's... We have used all of them the last 3 years we have gone in Jan.! Don't know when the hours will be released!

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[3littleHalls]

I would like to know the answer to this one too! We are taking our 3 kids at the end of January(6, 3, and will be 18mos) Our oldest is a 'fair weather' kind of kid and can't stand the heat. But we would like it to be nice for swimming a day or two. We are hoping for low crowds also. I think that is why we picked this time. We went very end of April this year and had more of a crowd than we were used to that time of year. Is that too much to ask for??

 

[Princesswoodymom]

We are going in Jan. as well for 10 days. Our first trip home as DVC members with all my research I seem to think weather is the only question. I am a little afraid, my DD will turn 5 on MKD and I know she will want to spend it in MK I just hope the crowds won't be to bad I hate crowds that is why we picked Jan. It's her bday so I will suck it up and enjoy. Making resv on Monday hope I can get CRT for her she loves Cinderella

 

[kiddoc]

We went to WDW January 2005 and had great weather. We swam in the Poly pool every afternoon. Occasionally wore windbreakers at night. January 2003 we were freezing!! Very unpredictable. Crowds are great at this time, though, so we continue to go despite the unpredictable weather. Hope it's warm this time...it's our first stay at BC and DD's are looking forward to SAB pool.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Marathon weekend presents minor logistics issues with busses..mostly on Sunday with the marathon.

Other than that--it's all great in January.

 

[TerriBelle]

We have been in Jan. and really enjoyed it.

The parks tend to close early so it works best if you get up early. Epcot is usually open the latest so we try and do most if it at night. The year that we went the kids swam a few days in the heated hotel pools. We did not go to the water parks because we thought it would be cool walking up the hills to the slides. You were warm in the heated pool but it was cool when you got out.

 

[JanMary]

Thanks for all your replies so far.

We are staying off site in a villa with heated pool. Early days and not many late nights will suite our kids fine. We are going for 2 weeks so plan to spread out our days at the parks. Hopefully if we keep an eye on the weather we can pick the best days for the parks and keep the others for relaxing / shopping etc.

 

[goofygal531]

I've been going in January not by choice. I like that there's no crowds, the weather is comfortable by Florida standards. Cool, but not HOT like we normally experience in May. It's actually perfect for touring the parks.

Two things to keep in mind:

1) On average, you won't need dining reservations. We tried winging a lot of it since it was our first trip with our toddler. We only encountered a problem on Friday night when restaurants were packed at the resorts. It never occured to me that local people dine out in WDW. Just something you don't think about when the parks are empty, you expect everywhere to be empty.

2) Expect some rehabs. I was so bummed that Small World and Dumbo were closed! Also, there was a wall infront of the castle for minor construction.

Other than that, January is a nice time to go. You can't beat the prices compared to peak season!

 

[gigi1313]

we're also heading down in january... and have been asking the same questions about weather... i figure we'll travel down in long pants/sleeves and layers, using the layers if we need them once we're down there... my plan is to bring mostly capris for me and dd and a mix of long pants/shorts for dh/ds... tee shirts for all... i hope we plan correctly! LOL!

 

[goofygal531]

We didn't wear shorts once last year. I think due to the blizzard that hit NY the day before our trip, the east coast had a cold front. I wore capris, tee shirts, with a light denim jacket. I had to have sweats for my son (11 months old last trip) to put on over his clothes in the evenings it was that cold.

Don't get me wrong, there were people in the heated pools, just with a toddler I wasn't taking him in there.

You know how the weather is now in NY, it was like that. Comfortable, but with that cold breeze/wind. Perfect for touring.

Check the weather right before you leave. I wouldn't over pack and bring summer and winter clothes. Comfortable fall clothing should be fine. Obviously, your'll have your winter coats with you in case it gets really cold.

All I can say is check www.accuweather.com right before your flight.