whats happening in January?

[DLfan4]

hi, planning a January 2015 trip and wondering whats the best time to go?
so I had a couple questions.

- when do kids go back to school in southern California? Jan 5, Jan 6 or ?
- When does the Christmas season end? is Jan 4th the last day?
- is MLK on Jan 19th? does this day have large crowds?
- the Star wars marathon is Sept 16 -18 should I expect large crowds in both parks those days, including Sept 15 the day of the Welcome party for the runner?
-3 kings day is January 6th. so are the very parks busy this day?

any other events that may draw larger crowds in January?

 

[bumbershoot]

They'll have the 5K one day, 10K and kids races the next, and the Half Marathon the following day. I was just there for the DL half, and the crowds, well, weren't. Not until the Monday, which was after all the runs. Of course, we were dealing with heat, and January isn't likely to be upwards of 90 degrees (Fahrenheit obviously).

The party is a separate event for those who choose to pay for it; it will either be off in a private space, or it will be after the park is closed. I highly doubt if the party will impact the park, other than a possible closure, at all.

 

[LisaT91403]

- when do kids go back to school in southern California? Jan 5, Jan 6 or ?

Los Angeles Unified (the largest So Cal school district) goes back on Jan. 12th.

 

[DizMe]

The NAMM music convention is huge, and it is held the weekend of the 22-25th. It draws an enormous number of convention attendees; they don't have much impact on the parks themselves but they have a great influence on hotel availability and cost, dining places, and traffic. If you plan to go during that time, reserve your hotel well ahead or you'll find that there are either no rooms or they are extremely inflated in price.

 

[lalasmama]

This year, we went the last weekend of January, and think the timing was wonderful! Some things to consider/remember, though:
--Weather is funny. We were wearing shorts and sweatshirts in the middle of the day, and coats in the evenings. We needed gloves and hoods one night. And an umbrella.
--Rain clears out the parks! Great if you are used to the rain (we were!), sucks if you aren't used to the rain. When there was a good shower going on, we went over to Trader Sam's, had drinks, and then went back to a nearly empty park....

As far as your actual questions:

- when do kids go back to school in southern California? Jan 5, Jan 6 or ?

Per the other poster's answer, 1/12.

- When does the Christmas season end? is Jan 4th the last day?

Three Kings Day, which is 1/6/15, is the typical ending of the Christmas season for the DLR.

- is MLK on Jan 19th? does this day have large crowds?

Overall, expect larger crowds *anytime* school is not in session. On days when others would have the day off as well (ie, Federal holidays), the crowds will be increased as well. Since MLK day will be a 3-day weekend for nearly "everyone" (yes, I realize not *everyone* has it off, just meaning a lot of people normally working will have it off), it will have larger crowds. Yes, MLK is 1/19/15.

- the Star wars marathon is Sept 16 -18 should I expect large crowds in both parks those days, including Sept 15 the day of the Welcome party for the runner?

Star Wars Days are 1/16-1/18/15. I'd expect increased crowds each day that there is something go on re: the race.

-3 kings day is January 6th. so are the very parks busy this day?

Kids will still be out of school in that area, so I would expect relatively busyness. May not be as bad as the week before, but won't be later-January-quietness.

any other events that may draw larger crowds in January?

According to the Anaheim Convention Center's Calendar:
1/3-1/5 Boys Volleyball Invitational. Could increase crowds, maybe increase hotel prices.
1/22-1/25 NAMM. Could increase hotel prices.