Will I regret this???

[dancermommy1]

We just got back from WDW at the end of September. Srayed at Boardwalk club level, got upgraded to 2 room suite, was amazing... but our son was sick for part of the trip, throwing up, and so I felt so bad for him. So, I booked the Christmas gift family special offer. He is out of school through Jan 8, so i booked the 1st thru 5th at POR. Never srayed there before.

We go every year to WDW bur always either Sept or Oct (fall break, Epcot F&W). Am I gonna regret going during marathon week? Will it be freezing cold and make it not fun to do stuff? What can you do if it is too cold to swim, are hot tubs still open? Is it wall to wall crowded with 6 hour wait times on rides (I know, I am exaggerating).

The week we were there in Sept was the week after Irma. It was a lot more crowded than I expected. Calm me down, please. Remind me that a capacity day at WDW is better than any day anywhere else....

 

[Darbie]

We just got back from WDW at the end of September. Srayed at Boardwalk club level, got upgraded to 2 room suite, was amazing... but our son was sick for part of the trip, throwing up, and so I felt so bad for him. So, I booked the Christmas gift family special offer. He is out of school through Jan 8, so i booked the 1st thru 5th at POR. Never srayed there before.

We go every year to WDW bur always either Sept or Oct (fall break, Epcot F&W). Am I gonna regret going during marathon week? Will it be freezing cold and make it not fun to do stuff? What can you do if it is too cold to swim, are hot tubs still open? Is it wall to wall crowded with 6 hour wait times on rides (I know, I am exaggerating).

The week we were there in Sept was the week after Irma. It was a lot more crowded than I expected. Calm me down, please. Remind me that a capacity day at WDW is better than any day anywhere else....

It will be very crowded. I would be more worried about crowds than the weather. We arrive on the 7th specifically to avoid the New Year and marathon crowds.

 

[BriLovesDisney]

I think it'll be fine. We are going over Christmas week and I've also been concerned because of all of the crazy crowd stories I've heard.

My strategy is this: Just go into it realizing there will be crowds (as always) and just have fun. Take time out to have TS meals to relax away from the crowds. Getting there early will be a benefit for you guys, too. If you plan ahead you will have a good time!

 

[gap2368]

Disney is almost always crowded
Go have fun
Book your FP
go at rope drop
Pools are heated

 

[pattyw]

We went last year during Marathon week. The weather was pleasant- wore capris during the day, needed a light sweater at times. I don't think the crowds were bad. Like PP's have said, there's always crowds but it was very manageable.

 

[loves to dive]

We were there the 20th thru 24th last year, while it was a little more crowded than say mid-March it wasn't unmanageable. We are from Georgia and the week we were there the weather ran the gambit of shirt sleeve warm to having to buy a jacket to sun shine to pouring rain. I wore either capris or jeans and light weight long sleeve shirts and a jacket every night, some days I didn't need the jacket.

 

[dancermommy1]

20-24 of Jan or Christmas week?

 

[JennyDrake]

The weather can be ANYTHING. I've been in December/January when it was 92 and I've been when it never got above 58 degrees. Crowds are not peak or spring break, but I would not call them "low". Overall, I think it's a good time to go.

 

[kniquy]

I think for any busy time if you take advantage of rope drop you can get a lot accomplished (maybe aside from Christmas week). Maybe just focus on what he missed this past trip and not feel like you have to accomplish everything or every park. I just went this year Easter week (so another really busy time). We managed our FP used MDE to find waits less than 30 minutes and still accomplished all that we wanted. The weather can be variable- the time we went for NYE it was abnormally warm (in mid 80's mid day) and there are times a cold front goes through. Just check days leading up to the trip and pack accordingly. Really i wouldn't worry too much about the weather. It might not be warm enough for pools, but there will be plenty of other things/activities if you have some resort time.

 

[Eastern]

I've been at that time period twice. Crowds are probably the lightest I've seen compared to other times of the year. Weather can be extremely variable. It was down in the 40s one year and then up to 80s in the afternoon on other days so bring an assortment of clothing.

 

[DisneyFive]

Just for info, crowds are predicted be 8-10 out of 10, so expect high crowd levels. Temps will average high at 71F, but it is one of the lowest rains months.

Going in with the right mindset and expectations is the key I think.

Would be great to see the Christmas decorations throughout WDW, something that we've never seen since we've also historically visited in Sept/Oct.

Dan

 

[bumbershoot]

It is possible the weather will terribly cold. By the time you're packing you should have a basic handle on the forecast since it's a brief trip. If it's going to be cold, being thermals and gloves and hats and warm socks. AND bring swimsuits and shorts and light shirts and sunscreen. Because it could change.

My first marathon weekend in 2014 it went from 40 to 80 inside of one day. And it had been colder than 40 firnine of my race mornings. The following year I volunteered while ds and dh did the 5k and it was 35 when I got to the voluteer spot then dropped two degrees.

If it is THAT cold then the pools won't actually be open. And that's a good thing. Because as nice as the covered parts feel in an 80 degree pool, it's highly umpleaaant to get out, and if you get splashed while in the water the splashed parts are freezing.


That said, it probably won't be that cold. After all, I'm not going then. If I suddenly make plans then watch out because I seem to bring the cold with me.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

There used to be a mass exodus on 1/1 - back when most kids went back to school right after New Year’s. It seems that more kids continue to be off of school into January AND it’s possible that more parents keep their kids out a little longer. We have gone for the first week of Jan. many times. It will be busy but not Christmas busy.

Marathon traditionally has very little effect on park crowds. You’ll just see a lot of people in running gear at the hotels. Your crowds will be due to kids being off school or parents keeping them out longer as opposed to the marathon.

Weather will be unpredictable. No lie, on one trip the high was 80 degrees for our first 2 days, 40-55 for the next 4 then 70 the last. When it’s cold we just spend all the time in the parks and skip the pool. Actually, we don’t spend much time at the pool anyways!

You will have a great time even if it is crowded. You have all the tools at your fingertips. Use FP, rope drop, etc and you’ll be just fine.

I do not like cold weather but I actually don’t mind high crowds as much when it’s not super hot!

 

[chartle]

I've been at that time period twice. Crowds are probably the lightest I've seen compared to other times of the year. Weather can be extremely variable. It was down in the 40s one year and then up to 80s in the afternoon on other days so bring an assortment of clothing.

When is the last time you've been there at this time frame? I ask because I have seen reports that this time while not Xmas busy its busy since it seems many school districts are also off the week after NY.

In years past most people would say the day after New Years day it was dead but not sure anymore.

Oh and OP as for it being freezing it depends on where you live. I'm in Western PA and have been in WDW the last week in Feb and walking around in a light coat while all the locals (including the CMs) were in heavy coats, stocking caps and gloves. Met a "suit" from Mass. in just a long sleeve shirt and we sort of had a bit of a laugh as we watched guests and CMs dressed as though there were on an Arctic expedition.

 

[dancermommy1]

Ok, well, hubby has been during Christmas on a day when the park closed bc it was at capacity. He hasn't said it was horrendous. Thanks everyone, I will be happy to be at my favorite place in this country, anyway. Yes, i rember being at Discovery Cove in Orlando in January and it being both warm and cold.

 

[Sorahana]

Ok, well, hubby has been during Christmas on a day when the park closed bc it was at capacity. He hasn't said it was horrendous. Thanks everyone, I will be happy to be at my favorite place in this country, anyway. Yes, i rember being at Discovery Cove in Orlando in January and it being both warm and cold.

Good mindset to go in with! I agree with what everyone else has mentioned already; I would go at rope drop, fastpass what you can, take advantage of single rider (if you can) and go in knowing there may be crowds. Bring a hoodie/jacket in case it's cold. Gotta love Florida and it's unpredictable weather

 

[GovieMom]

In years past most people would say the day after New Years day it was dead but not sure anymore.

Oh and OP as for it being freezing it depends on where you live.

OP, prepare yourself, because this is how it's looking: January 1 falls on a Monday next year. Many, many schools will have that entire week off before classes resume. The two main WDW crowd predictor sites are both forecasting peak crowd levels until Sunday of that week, so expect the parks to be packed.

As for it being freezing; yes, it actually can be. We happened to be there during the freeze of 2010, and the temps got so low the bushes had frost on them. All the pools, water parks, water rides, etc. were closed. Everyone was dressed in winter jackets/coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc., and we still froze. Granted that year was a fluke, but it can happen. Hopefully not anytime soon though.

 

[dancermommy1]

Well, i guess if we can handle 3 hpur waot times for FOP and 50 minutes for spaceship earth ?!? and even 20 minutes for people mover (and this was in september!) Then we will live

 

[Eastern]

When is the last time you've been there at this time frame? I ask because I have seen reports that this time while not Xmas busy its busy since it seems many school districts are also off the week after NY.

In years past most people would say the day after New Years day it was dead but not sure anymore

We went during NYE twice, 2015 and 2016? Got there right before NYE and stayed several days after. NYE and NY day busy but after that most people get their kids back to school (elementary). Colleges are usually off an additional week but not enough to make it crazy crowded.

 

[chartle]

We went during NYE twice, 2015 and 2016? Got there right before NYE and stayed several days after. NYE and NY day busy but after that most people get their kids back to school (elementary). Colleges are usually off an additional week but not enough to make it crazy crowded.

But I have also heard of lower stage closings at MK this week. I'm pretty sure there were a few in 2014. We were helping my BIL with a trip that year.

His wife is a k-6 school teacher and this was the only time they had. This year my district's break ends Jan 1 but again they are off that entire week. They are in a huge 67k student district in Texas. I'm not sure if this is just them or its a Texas state thing.