What will Jan 1 be like?

[nuts]

We never go to Disney World during the holidays (too busy). Well, this year we decided to make an exception. Arriving Dec 30th, leaving Jan 5th. I realize that Dec 30th and 31st will be absolutely crazy...but what will January 1st and after be like? I remember going to Disney World 25 years ago during this time. December 31st it was bumper to bumper people, but on the 1st it felt like we had the park to ourselves!! Any comments from you experienced holidayers?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We never go to Disney World during the holidays (too busy). Well, this year we decided to make an exception. Arriving Dec 30th, leaving Jan 5th. I realize that Dec 30th and 31st will be absolutely crazy...but what will January 1st and after be like? I remember going to Disney World 25 years ago during this time. December 31st it was bumper to bumper people, but on the 1st it felt like we had the park to ourselves!! Any comments from you experienced holidayers?

We avoid holidays like the plague.... and we have never even come near to your dates... I hope you will see everyone leaving as you are arriving though...

Good Luck.

 

[PamOKW]

I think you'll still experience a big dropoff on Jan. 1, especially since it's a Monday this year. A lot of the crazy crowds include people who are down for various "bowl" games throughout Florida -- they head home Jan. 1

But, you can count on 12/31 being just as crazy or crazier than you remember! And keep my tag in mind "a hat and gloves"....worth their weight in gold if a cold snap hits Orlando!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think you'll still experience a big dropoff on Jan. 1, especially since it's a Monday this year. A lot of the crazy crowds include people who are down for various "bowl" games throughout Florida -- they head home Jan. 1

But, you can count on 12/31 being just as crazy or crazier than you remember! And keep my tag in mind "a hat and gloves"....worth their weight in gold if a cold snap hits Orlando!

That's just not right... from a Connecticut girl?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

double post?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Triple post... that's a first?

 

[simzac]

Triple post... that's a first?

Thats the way to get to ol post count up As for the OP's question, we have arrived on the 1st the last 3 years. The 1st has been very busy in the parks. Each subsequent day thereafter it begins to lighten up as far as the crowds. Alot of schools will be out until the 6th, so I feel it may be very busy. Have a great trip regardless.

 

[drusba]

As we tend to go almost every year from Jan 1 to 8, here is what you should really expect:

Jan 1 is a Tuesday in 2008. Jan 1 will be just as crowded as Christmas Week. Wall to wall people. Jan 2 will be less but still hugely crowded. Because large numbers of schools will actually still be on break that entire week, Jan 3 and 4 will still be very crowded but less than Jan 2. Sat will be less than the 4th but still crowded.

What you experienced 25 years ago is no longer the pattern. Jan 1 is now always hugely crowded regardless of day of week it falls on. If Jan 1 is on a Friday or Saturday, crowds start disappearing on Monday. If on a Sunday or Monday, they start disappearing on Tuesday. If on Tuesday through Thursday, because many schools have now switched to having that entire week off when Jan 1 falls on one of those days, you get the pattern I mentioned in the paragraph above.

 

[jade1]

Jan 1 is a great time to open MK (or any park), very light until about 10AM-we had done most all we wanted by then.

 

[ErinC]

We were there last year from the 30th- 6th. I kept expecting the crowds to fall off after the 1st, but I was really disappointed. They stayed pretty strong all week with hour long waits for most of the larger attractions. As we left, we were fighting the Marathon traffic trying to get off property. You will have that to your advantage this year as the marathon has been bumped back to the 2nd week in Jan. this year. Just be prepared and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[tomandrobin]

The AM on January 1st, the crowds are very, very light! Each day after the 1st, the crowds should be lighter and lighter.

The 30th and 31st its every man or woman for themselves. I would not expect much in the way of rides. Wait times are either long or forever. We get to the parks at rope drop, ride what we can, then just chill the rest of the day. We will be doing the EMH on the 30th at MK, open til 4am!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The AM on January 1st, the crowds are very, very light! Each day after the 1st, the crowds should be lighter and lighter.

The 30th and 31st its every man or woman for themselves. I would not expect much in the way of rides. Wait times are either long or forever. We get to the parks at rope drop, ride what we can, then just chill the rest of the day. We will be doing the EMH on the 30th at MK, open til 4am!

A little OT, but how is the week before Christmas?