Who's been to Disney World in January? I need your input

[Britt_HeartsDisney]

if you have ever been to Disney World in January or if you know anything about what goes on at Disney in January I need your help. Any info you have at all about any event that takes place during the month of January and the best time of the month to go would be a great help! I have to switch my trip from Dec. to Jan. and don't know what goes on during that time. Please Help!

 

[ajcolorado]

We went for a weekend last January and the crowds were very low - which was a distinct plus. But you'll want to watch the schedule so you don't end up doing something like going to Magic Kingdom on a day where they're not doing Spectromagic, etc.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is listed through January 7th.

WDW Marathon - Jan. 4 - 7:

Pirage & Princess Party on January 22, 26, & 29. See: www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/pirateprincess-party.htm

 

[minniebeth]

We have gone in January before and loved it!
We are going again this Jan.
The crowds are low and the weather is very comforable.
The activities are all the same, except some rides are closed for refurb.
and the some park hours are shorter. But you can do a lot more in a day at this time of year.
We like the shorter hours since we still have relatively young children and get to really enjoy our resort. It's nice to rest up as well at night and get a fresh early start in the morning.
We are doing the Pirate and Princess Party at Magic Kingdom for a special event...

 

[jlovesee]

I've gone 5 times before in January... (we were married at Disney on Jan 26, 2002). Its a hit or miss time as far as weather. Most years its pretty nice, mid-60's, low 70's, doesn't ran much. Crowds are VERY light. There was one year, the year before last, were it was cold for Florida, the highs were in the upper 40's, we bundled up and were fine, just come prepared for different types of weather and you will be fine.

It's a good time of year to go.

Jennifer

 

[mikmin]

Boy do I remember that January. I took my 2 sister's with me and I told them that the weather was very nice. That year it made me a lier. I never was so cold my sister's never let me live down that trip. We all had a great time though. My oldest sister ended up getting the flew when we got back home. Oh well I think it was just a fluke that year. We will be there this January hopefully we will have great weather this time

BWV 1-Bedroom Family Trip 12-1 to 12-14 MVMCP 12-1 & CP

OKW 1-Bedroom trip Jan. 21 to 29 Girls staying at All Star Sports

 

[boettj]

My DW, newborn DS and I went in January. We left RI in 30 degree weather to have 40 weather in Disney. There were 2 days out of the 7 where the weather was 60's. That is the only downfall, you have to bring clothes prepared for hot or cold. Other than that it was great. Crowds were the lowest that we have ever seen.

 

[Disneylovingmom]

We have gone five times in January and once in February. We love it then - the crowds are low and the weather is usually great. There is usually one water park closed and a few rides closed for refurbishment. The only thing I don't like is there is usually no entertainment at the American Gardens Theater in Epcot. I love the Epcot live entertainment. We can usually wear shorts and short sleeves. Sometimes I have to put on long pants and long sleeves after dark. Two of our trips I had to wear jeans and a sweatshirt. I think we have gone swimming all except those two trips. ( only in the middle of the afternoon) We'll be there again this January - can't wait!!!

 

[grannychamp]

I went last January with 2 daughters and my sister and we frozzzzzzzzze. We had a great time though the hours are shorter.

 

[jworthy]

The weather is always a hit and miss in January. This year it was 50 one day and 75 the next. I went to the waterpark and was quite comfortable. We are arriving next year on MKJ Day to avoid that weekends crowds. It was pretty crowded this year on that weekend, but nothing like the summer.

 

[clemsondisneyfan]

the week of MLK Day - Jan 15th...

For some reason if people have one day off of work or school, they take the other 4 days off and go on vacation!

We LOVE to go in January and February. Every year we avoid the MLK Day week and President's Day week.

The weather could be cold or warm. At least it won't be 85+ and humid! this is a great site to check the weather predictions for January:

http://www.wunderground.com

Have fun!
68 days and counting.....

 

[emh1129]

From everything I've read, January sounds like a great time to go
I heard there will be some groups there during that time, but I think the crowds will still be much lower when compared to other times of the year

 

[clemsondisneyfan]

Last year the cheerleaders arrived for competition the week before President's Day (Feb. 11th - 16th). We left that same weekend (Feb. 10th) but my friend arrived the day we left. She said they would get on the bus with the little kids at 10 p.m. and cheerleaders would break out into cheers on the bus. That is not fun for any family after a long day - the kids fall asleep on that ride back! She said they practiced outside the hotels too. They were also cheering all around the parks!

It might be something to look into before you book! We had the gymnasts there with us that week and they were perfectly fine - and quiet! But, that weekend that the early arrival cheerleaders came in it got noisy on the buses and at the parks for us too. I am just glad we only had to endure 2 days of it!

 

[All Morganic]

We're going the end of Jan thru Feb 4! I'm just hoping it's warm enough at least 1 day for the kidlets to swim. Oh, and not too cold for the Pirate and Princess Party. I'm a little concerned with this since it's at night, but I figured I'll put long clothes under DDs princess costumes and carry their jackets. I wonder how the P&P Party will effect crowd level. Hope not too much!

 

[tink4ever]

We were there Jan 12 last year for our DD College Cheerleading Competition and again UCA College Cheer and Dance competitions are Jan 12-15 this year. Last year there were also other sports teams at the Wide World of Sports. I was suprised that there were 40 minute waits for rides and the weather was warm for 2 days while it was also cool for a couple days. I think after the MLK weekend the parks clear out a little. It seems that January is becoming a popular time to go.

 

[Britt_HeartsDisney]

Thanks for all the replies and info.!!! It seems like January will be a good time to go. But I will still miss all of the Christmas decorations

 

[beccasmom]

the week of MLK Day - Jan 15th...

For some reason if people have one day off of work or school, they take the other 4 days off and go on vacation!

I agree!!!! My birthday is 1/16 and we've been at WDW twice to celebrate (my favorite gift! ). The crowds can be daunting. And the weather can be iffy. On one of our trips, we enjoyed nice (but chilly) weather. On the second one, it was cold (40's day/30's at night) and fairly rainy. The weather was warmer at home in PA!

 

[floridacitrus]

Hello all! We have lived an hour from Orlando for 2 years now and we have not been to WDW for 6 years. We look forward to my birthday present from my parents....Disney season passes! We will be there 12/31/06-1/4/07. We have had season passes for the "other" 4 theme parks in the area the last 2 years and we are looking forward to becoming reaquainted with WDW. That is why I have decided to join these boards and learn a few things. As to the weather, today was beautiful, sunny and 70. 4 days ago the high was in the 50's and windy. As other posters have said, it is hit and miss this time of year.
The good thing is you can bundle up....better than being hot with no way to get relief! Have a great night!

 

[dundeehunter]

Oh gracious...are the parks really busier the week of MLK day???? I have off that day from work, but didn't realize that other people would vacation for 1 day off. We are going in between my sister's college breaks. My family went last year 1/23-1/30 and the crowds were really light. Being from Wisconsin, I thought the weather was excellent. We wore shorts or capri's every day with a short sleeve shirt and took along a hooded sweatshirt for the evenings. We swam one day only because we were in the parks every minute possible.
Tammy

 

[marconat]

We are also going in Jan. the firs 2 weeks... Hope we'll have a great time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Jan can be a great time, but a few things CAN be disappointing IF you are not prepared for them. One thing is there is a lot of rehabs.

The other is weather is hit and miss and one week can run the whole gambit. Sunny and 70's and 80's or cold and mid 50's. Sometimes over night.

Pack for EVERYTHING. Take a winter coat, gloves and even a warm hat. You must might need them one night or day. Bring your bathing suit and shorts, chances are you will be able to use them some too.

Cold weather doesn't slow you down, and cold fronts are often short lived, but can stay a few days.

We will be there this Jan 3rd to 10th at BCV. We are hoping it will be warm enough to swim a few times at SAB.