What's going on at WDW in January 2008?

[Nadine&Scott]

My DW and I are planning to take her parents to WDW in January 2008. Does anyone know of anything going on during that month? Such as cheerleaders taking over the park. We would like to go during the most quiet week and avoid any large herds of kids. Glad the kids can enjoy large gatherings at the park but we would prefer to avoid those times.

We plan on making a 2bdr ressie at SSR "Our home resort" at the 11 month mark and then trying to change it to BWV at the 7 month mark.

Any info will be appreciated.

Scott

 

[ADP]

The half and full Marathons are usually the first or second weekend of January. You might check other websites for the official dates.

MLK weekend will also have an effect on crowd levels.

 

[Candace]

You have the marathon, MLK weekend and cheerleaders in January each year. My son was there this year from Jan 6 - 14, and the marathon was going on during the first part. Then MLK weekend I was there and so were the cheerleaders. When I flew home on the 15th, they were also in the airport (still cheering!), so I guess it is scheduled sometime around MLK weekend as well. Unless someone knows of something else going on, then I would guess that sometime after mid-January would be a quieter time to go.

 

[CinderellaPug]

The half marathon is on January 12 and the full is January 13. We are signed up to run the full. It will be interesting to see how the crowds are. We plan on booking our trip this week.

 

[Nadine&Scott]

Thanks everyone, we have stayed during the last week of Jan. in the past "it was quiet at the parks" and heard stories about the cheerleaders invading the parks, think we will try to avoid the early and middle of the month.

And ADP, congrats to the Colts from a Pats fan, the best team won, "This Time".

Scott

 

[AKVCRVDVC]

Thanks everyone, we have stayed during the last week of Jan. in the past "it was quiet at the parks" and heard stories about the cheerleaders invading the parks, think we will try to avoid the early and middle of the month.

And ADP, congrats to the Colts from a Pats fan, the best team won, "This Time".

Scott

We were at WDW about a week ago, and the Cheerleaders had invaded the place. Well, actually, they were dancers, but all that matters is that they were *EVERYWHERE*. They weren't roughty at all in the parks, and I really don't know about the resorts because there didn't seem to be any there where we stayed (AKL). With that being said, you should be able to avoid them as long as you are there during the early/mid part of January. Good luck with your planning!

 

[tink4ever]

Every year during MLK weekend the College National Cheerleaders are there. My DD is one of them and let me tell you they are not roudy. Yes I know the popwarner and high school cheerleaders are roudy I already read all of the other posts but don't forget there are also so many other sports there at this time of year. We saw baseball players and soccer players as well. Also the disney resorts were booked because of conventions during this time. It isn't as crowded as Dec or April but it was a little crowded during the week of Jan 12-21.

 

[bwvBound]

IBM's Lotusphere Conf dates for 2008 are Jan 20-24th. The conf will crowd the hotels near Epcot (Dolphin, Swan, Yacht and Beach) -- but will not be an impact on parks.

 

[disney-super-mom]

IBM's Lotusphere Conf dates for 2008 are Jan 20-24th. The conf will crowd the hotels near Epcot (Dolphin, Swan, Yacht and Beach) -- but will not be an impact on parks.

Yes, DH and I were just at WDW, Janaury 21-25, during the Lotusphere Conference, and it didn't affect the crowds at the parks AT ALL. The parks, for the most part, were very quiet. We stayed at SSR, which was also delightful!

The last week of January is a wonderful time to visit......except for the rain......but we just pulled out our rain parkas and had a GREAT TIME!

 

[mikkiscott]

Hi! We are thinking of flying in on New Years Day and staying for a week. Has anyone stayed during that time in recent years... is there any overflow from the Christmas/New Years crowds? We were at Disneyland that week (mid-week) and it was at full capacity. Looks like we'll miss the marathon and cheerleaders, but do people stay over after New Years? Thanks for any replies!

 

[jonestavern]

Well we really can't say, but if you ask a similar question at this time next year we should be able to give firsthand info, as we are planning on booking at BCV for the last week of January 2008.

Chris, Jean & Patrick

 

[castleri]

Hi! We are thinking of flying in on New Years Day and staying for a week. Has anyone stayed during that time in recent years... is there any overflow from the Christmas/New Years crowds? We were at Disneyland that week (mid-week) and it was at full capacity. Looks like we'll miss the marathon and cheerleaders, but do people stay over after New Years? Thanks for any replies!

We have done the Christmas / New Year week three times and this past one was the only one that it seemed to me there were still large crowds after the 1st. I wonder if it was because the marathon was the following weekend so you had some people staying over and some arriving early. The other two times it seemed like the crowds dropped dramatically the week after the 1st. We were there Christmas weeks 2002. 2003 and 2006 through the New Year and several says after each time.

 

[abner1776]

The National Cheerleading competition and the National Dance Competition usually take over WDW for two weeks around the end of Jan and beginning of Feb. These are high school age girls and support staff and parents. They occupy a lot of rooms, especially at the value resorts, but since they are competing most of the time, their impact on the parks is minimal.

I think most of the issues with rowdiness from the Pop Warner cheerleaders has to do with the age of the girls. They are middle schoolers and having had two middle school girls in my household a few years ago...well...enough said.

 

[edk35]

WE WILL BE THERE! We love going in Jan. We have been twice the end of Jan. and this past trip ENDED WITH US PURCHASING DVC. WOOHOOO You will love JAN.

 

[edk35]

Well we really can't say, but if you ask a similar question at this time next year we should be able to give firsthand info, as we are planning on booking at BCV for the last week of January 2008.

Chris, Jean & Patrick

YOU WILL LOVE THAT TIME OF YEAR. The crowds are low. It was pretty cold this past Jan trip but we had a blast. We will always try and go in Jan. from now on.