Traveling to WDW in Janurary

[DisneyFanNJ93]

My family and I are talking about making a trip down to WDW this coming Janurary, most likely the second week. Just wanted to know what the crowds and weather are like and if there are a lot of attractions that are down for refurbs. We are thinking about staying at BLT.

[WesTheTallGuy]

My family and I are talking about making a trip down to WDW this coming Janurary, most likely the second week. Just wanted to know what the crowds and weather are like and if there are a lot of attractions that are down for refurbs. We are thinking about staying at BLT.

My wife and I have been 3 of the last 4 Januarys. The second week of January has a pretty low crowd, so if you're looking to do lots of rides, it's the perfect time to do it. The Walt Disney World Marathon weekend is from the 10th to the 13th, so there will be more people then, but still not too terrible (and they're mostly morning people, so evenings are not too bad).

January is the coldest month of the year, with highs around 72 and lows around 50. That being said, sometimes it is considerably colder, and on one of the days we were there, the high was 54 and the park was full of people wearing hats, mittens, scarves, etc... Needless to say, water parks are definitely not a big attraction, and Blizzard Beach will be closed from January 6th-March 16th. I don't see anything about Splash Mountain, but it's been closed two of the three times I've been.

[DisneyFanNJ93]

Thanks for the insight Wes we haven't made a decision yet but I hope we can go especially with the low crowds! We have always gone during the summer so I think it will be strange to see the parks far less crowded

[N234MickeyMouse]

I went at the end of January this year... weather was great during the days, but was cold at night (down to high 30s one night)... enough to make me pay gift-shop prices for sweatshirts! It was still worth it to survive the cold while having a hammock to myself on the Polynesian beach to watch Wishes

The low crowd levels makes me want to take an annual trip around that time, despite some attractions being closed. My friends usually take a January trip (reason for going this past January) and a summer trip. They can have the summer trip to themselves--I'm going in January!

[adan65]

We have gone in Jan the last 2 years and one reason that hit me is that fantastic is detailed everyday. The last 2 years they have only had it once or twice per weeks. Any ideas on why they might have modified it for 2013?

[Glenn Briggs]

I don't know if there is a super slow time anymore. Look at the special events for that weekend. January has the Marathon, Cheer Competitions, and Brazilian Tour Groups. On the positive side, The cheer groups are college kids and the Brazilian groups are not as rowdy as the summer groups. Still, January is a great time to go. And, if you like it less crowded, wait until May.

[supernova]

We have gone in Jan the last 2 years and one reason that hit me is that fantastic is detailed everyday. The last 2 years they have only had it once or twice per weeks. Any ideas on why they might have modified it for 2013?

I'm not sure what you're asking by "Fantastic is detailed everyday." Is that auto-spellcheck kicking it?

[HauntedGabe]

I went at the end of January this year... weather was great during the days, but was cold at night (down to high 30s one night)... enough to make me pay gift-shop prices for sweatshirts! It was still worth it to survive the cold while having a hammock to myself on the Polynesian beach to watch Wishes

The low crowd levels makes me want to take an annual trip around that time, despite some attractions being closed. My friends usually take a January trip (reason for going this past January) and a summer trip. They can have the summer trip to themselves--I'm going in January!

Cold is relative. Being from No. IL most Florida evenings in January are not what I'd consider cold. Well, except for the weather they have had for Marathon weekend the last few years. Felt for those runners.

[DisneyFanNJ93]

Cold is relative. Being from No. IL most Florida evenings in January are not what I'd consider cold. Well, except for the weather they have had for Marathon weekend the last few years. Felt for those runners.

Agreed Gabe living in Jersey this time of year I see temps range from 50s one day to 30s the next day so I'm not too worried about the temps when we go

[supernova]

Eleven years ago, I went on the Disney Cruise out of Florida, taking a land and sea package. The weather was so cold, WDW ran out of out gloves (literally). They started selling little hand warmers packets for your pockets. But no gloves. There were signs everywhere apologizing for the vegetation and plant life, but the cold snap was killing everything off with temps into the 20s. This made for a very unpleasant vacation, but as was mentioned above, it gets much colder than that up north, so I was used to it, though ill-prepared.

[supernova]

Just got back last night. Hope to put together some sort of trip report soon. Maybe. We'll see.

[Kellie19891992]

crowds were big and lines were long when we went from the 5-13th

[DVCDad]

crowds were big and lines were long when we went from the 5-13th

If you think crowds were big at that time, I'd suggest sticking with your local 6 flags. In touring plans crowd numbers they were a 2 or 3 out of ten.

We love going in January for the small crowds, but it's hit and miss on the weather.

[Kellie19891992]

our local six flags was seasonal here in Buffalo, NY until six flags sold it back to an individual smaller company.

1 hour wait for test track, 1 wait for the new little mermaid ride. It was nice to get out of the cold of Buffalo in january but we prefer disney in October/November or May