When should we go in January?

[Tigger&Belle]

My DD and I might take a trip to WDW in January. She will be on winter break from college and I don't yet know when school will resume at the end of January. I've been several time the end of January (great for low crowds), but I think she will have to be back in school by then.

I want to avoid crowds, so know that New Years is out. Same with MLK weekend. How crowded is it during the marathon? We'd probably stay for 5 days.

So, when should we go?

 

[Manon]

I would wait just after the marathon....After that it should be less crowded!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Is the marathon Jan 7th? Any idea how quickly the crowds thin out after the marathon? We couldn't wait until too long after the 7th since then we'd be getting into MLK crowds. I'm assuming that MLK crowds are worse than marathon crowds.

I wish that her school resumed the very end of Jan so we could go the weekend after MLK, but I doubt that it does.

 

[kelleigh1]

We're booked for Jan. 15-22...yes, the start of our trip is MLK day, but still.

I did read in another thread that there is a huge convention in Orlando right before MLK weekend and after the marathon where they are expecting something like 100,000 people in Orlando. Not sure what impact that will have on WDW, but I'm glad that our trip is after that convention and not during.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You should be ok with your dates--things will clear out quickly by Tuesday. I wish I knew when my DD's classes resume--that's driving me crazy!

 

[kelleigh1]

We figure we'll definitely avoid MK on MLK day. Haven't figured out which park we will go to yet, but definitely not MK. And we did get the Plus option on our tickets, so even if we find one place is really busy, we might just hop to another park.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My sister called today and told me that my nephew, his wife, and baby are thinking about visiting me in January.

Hmmm, why is there always a kink that develops?

If he calls then I'll find out his plans. Of course I hope he'll visit--I've never met his wife and baby. I'll just need to work around that visit. And he can probably be somewhat flexible with his dates.

 

[kelleigh1]

So now you've got to work around the visit and the return to school. Good luck with that! Hopefully it will all fall into place nicely for you...and not work out that you can only go during the busiest time.

 

[bavaria]

I'd go the week of the 8th based on past experience. That way you avoid post-holiday stragglers and the big convention which took up a lot of ADR's last year.

Plus that way I may actually achieve one of my goals, which is to meet Tigger&Belle in person after following her around the boards for so long!

 

[kelleigh1]

I'd go the week of the 8th based on past experience. That way you avoid post-holiday stragglers and the big convention which took up a lot of ADR's last year.

Plus that way I may actually achieve one of my goals, which is to meet Tigger&Belle in person after following her around the boards for so long!

I thought I read that the convention is the 11th-13th this year...so that's during the week of the 8th. Did I read that wrong?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Plus that way I may actually achieve one of my goals, which is to meet Tigger&Belle in person after following her around the boards for so long!

I've been hanging out at the Community Board for awhile now. I figured that after 4 trips in one year it would be awhile before I'd be back and Disney. Should have known I'd have a hard time staying away.

I IMed my DD and found out that college doesn't resume until Jan 30 and she won't be moving back into the dorms until Jan 29th. So that gives us a bit more flexibility, which is good.

Any idea which conference will be at WDW the 11th-13th so I can confirm the dates?

Thanks!

 

[kelleigh1]

Here's a link to another thread where it is mentioned.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=928281&highlight=convention+january

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks for the link! Any clue if this is a yearly thing (I think I read it is, but I think I'm confusing myself, which I tend to do ) and what impact all those people have on crowds in the parks?

 

[bavaria]

I was at WDW on the Sat/Sun/Mon of MLK weekend in 2005, which was the Homebuilders Conference. Apparently it was so large in 2005 due to the 2004 hurricane season (expect it to be larger in 2006 as a result)

Hotels were filling with 'overflow' rooms because the convention expanded so much - in fact, I actually paid - gasp - full price for one night for the first time ever in my life!!!!

During the day, the conventioneers were offsite. There were busses for their transport, and a lot of people in business attire walking around POR in the mornings. Other than that, one didn't see them.

At night, however, it was pretty much impossible to get an ADR and only a few unpopular places were taking walk up reservations. There were also functions in Epcot ie private Illuminations viewings but that didn't really disturb other guests that I could see (think 500 people in suits walking into the rear gate of Epcot to the private viewing area and then filing out again)

Hope that helps!!!

 

[awdwnut]

I thought I read that the convention is the 11th-13th this year...so that's during the week of the 8th. Did I read that wrong?

The Homebuilders Conference in definetly from 1-11 thru 1-13, I just found this out after booking our trip for the week of the 8th months ago. Hopefully it won't be too bad!

awdwnut

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I was at WDW on the Sat/Sun/Mon of MLK weekend in 2005, which was the Homebuilders Conference. Apparently it was so large in 2005 due to the 2004 hurricane season (expect it to be larger in 2006 as a result)

At night, however, it was pretty much impossible to get an ADR and only a few unpopular places were taking walk up reservations. There were also functions in Epcot ie private Illuminations viewings but that didn't really disturb other guests that I could see (think 500 people in suits walking into the rear gate of Epcot to the private viewing area and then filing out again)

And you're going again this time of the year why???

awdwnut, It sounds like it doesn't increase park attendance, except maybe for the days leading up to or after the conference with people tacking on some extra vacation time. That is unless lots of people bring their families who spend their days in the parks while their spouses are at the conference.

And it sure isn't as bad as peak weeks!

 

[bavaria]

Both Disney and the Orlando CVB have done a great job in the last few years of increasing business during traditional 'slow' periods. This means that it will be tougher to get those weeks and weeks of no lines, no crowds. This is a great example of how the CVB managed to fill up a traditionally slow week in Orlando.

I'll still take that week in January - I love the fact that this year I walked around World Showcase wearing a wool turtleneck, jacket, gloves, and a wool hat!

 

[Hope73]

The convention you keep talking about is the National Association of Homebuilders. This is a huge trade show where anyone in the industry from building-renting-major retailers or manufacturers will feature their products. We were there last year for it and are returning this year. Honestly I didn't notice much of an impact at the parks. Most who go to this trade show are there for the business. I think my family is the minority. It is scheduled for Atlanta for 06&07 them to LasVegas the next two years after that.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Both Disney and the Orlando CVB have done a great job in the last few years of increasing business during traditional 'slow' periods. This means that it will be tougher to get those weeks and weeks of no lines, no crowds. This is a great example of how the CVB managed to fill up a traditionally slow week in Orlando.

I'll still take that week in January - I love the fact that this year I walked around World Showcase wearing a wool turtleneck, jacket, gloves, and a wool hat!

I like the short sleeve weather that we can enjoy in Orlando in winter! Of course I can't count on that in winter, but just the chance of that gives me hope!

When my DH and I went about this time last year it was SO dead (right after one of the hurricanes) that it was almost eerie. Great for going on rides, but WDW seemed to be missing something. True though, that there aren't many of those weeks. We've had really good luck the end of January. Of course if a person wants good swimming weather that's not the time to go.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The convention you keep talking about is the National Association of Homebuilders. This is a huge trade show where anyone in the industry from building-renting-major retailers or manufacturers will feature their products. We were there last year for it and are returning this year. Honestly I didn't notice much of an impact at the parks. Most who go to this trade show are there for the business. I think my family is the minority. It is scheduled for Atlanta for 06&07 them to LasVegas the next two years after that.

Wow, lots of people! In case anyone is interested, here's the website. http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/