A few questions re: Jan/Feb, and Disney "After Hours"

[JS514]

Hello all!

We have a trip rapidly approaching, January 26th-Feb 4th. First, I'd like a little feedback as to what to expect during that time. We've been at Disney nearly every other time of year but this one.

The first weekend we are there, the big Harry Potter weekend is happening at UO. Does that have a noticeable impact on WDW crowd levels?
Also, in general, how are crowds? I know there is no such things as low crowds anymore, but compared to Early-Mid May (our typical WDW dates), are the lower/higher/same?


The first day there, January 26th, MK has the ticketed After Hours event. We are planning to do MK that day and was wanting to watch HEA. Will that still go on as planned at 8pm, or will the After Hours event affect that?


Thank you!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I am a veteran of the end of Jan/Feb and coming back for a 2 week stay starting the 29th...And normally it was never too busy but, it did have Tour groups and Cheerleading competitions that are fairly common around that time..Wait times were typically around 20-40 mins on the majority of rides but, got busier during the weekend...

But, having said that...They have started something new last year... You are arriving on a date that could be pretty impacted due to crowds...During that week of Jan 24th and the following weekend on Jan 28th is the NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando...Which Disney is having a few things happening on Property at Wild World of Sports and minor things at Disney Springs..

https://www.espnwwos.com/events/spectator/nfl-pro-bowl/
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ceive-vip-treatment-at-the-2018-nfl-pro-bowl/

I'm glad I planned my trip out a day after they mayhem...But, then again..The Cheerleader, Tour Groups and Flocks of guests that also come to see the Super Bowl Winners at the Magic Kingdom on Jan 5th is another day I'm going to avoid...

 

[JS514]

I am a veteran of the end of Jan/Feb and coming back for a 2 week stay starting the 29th...And normally it was never too busy but, it did have Tour groups and Cheerleading competitions that are fairly common around that time..Wait times were typically around 20-40 mins on the majority of rides but, got busier during the weekend...

But, having said that...They have started something new last year... You are arriving on a date that could be pretty impacted due to crowds...During that week of Jan 24th and the following weekend on Jan 28th is the NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando...Which Disney is having a few things happening on Property at Wild World of Sports and minor things at Disney Springs..

https://www.espnwwos.com/events/spectator/nfl-pro-bowl/
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ceive-vip-treatment-at-the-2018-nfl-pro-bowl/

I'm glad I planned my trip out a day after they mayhem...But, then again..The Cheerleader, Tour Groups and Flocks of guests that also come to see the Super Bowl Winners at the Magic Kingdom on Jan 5th is another day I'm going to avoid...

Appreciate the feedback! I do remember seeing about pro bowl, but honestly forgot all about it until you mentioned it. We, like many, are very "fluent" in Disney vacations, so we can easily manage crowds, tour groups, weather etc...but always good to know whats going on ahead of time, especially where we are newbs for this time of year. Selfishly hoping a lot of the ProBowl/Potter crowd will disperse after the first weekend, but, eh....can't really complain regardless if you're at Disney!


On another note, we had some excess money saved (if there really is such a thing) in our Disney savings, so we took the plunge and bought tickets to the After Hours event. Figured we'd never know if we would we enjoy it or not unless we tried it out! Curious if anyone has any experience with it...

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

While I have not done the after hours event...I would think it would be similiar to an Extra Magic Hours but, way less crowds due to it being a limited ticket event...I might consider it myself as it does look like a fun thing...

 

[Courtney6682]

My 17 year old and I did the after hours event in Feb of this year and it was amazing!! I'd jump at the chance to do it again!! We were allowed in at 7pm (even tho the event is from 8-11pm). Included in admission was all you can eat ice cream( Mickey bar and popsicles), popcorn and 20 oz bottles coke products. There were many times we couldn't even see another person! Rides had no wait at all and we even got to ride a few alone! All of these pics were taken between 9 and 11 pm that night.