Disney in January

tinkatpotc

tinkatpotc

Member
We are hoping to go to Disney in January, but have never been. WE NEED ADVICE...When is the best time to avoid the holiday crowds? Also, my husband is a veteran and we know that someone out there has a great deal on park tickets...does anyone know about this as well?

Please help!!!
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
You are pretty much good for the entire month of January save for the 1st. To my knowledge the only event in January is a marathon and their impact on the parks is minimal. If you husband is military the base will be your best source for tickets.
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
As Maste Yoda said, the whole month should be ok.
Few things to keep in mind. Holiday decorations will start to go down around say the first week of January. So if you are there early you may still be able to see them up. Or, that could ruin all your pictures if you don't want lights in them. Depends on your taste.
Only 1 water park will be open at a time, so if your heart was set on one or the other, it may be closed. I want to say that schedule comes out shortly, but don't hold me to it.
The marathon won't affect park attendance much. Marathon finishers do get in for free the Monday after the marathon, but for the most part they will just fill up the hotels and non park restaurants. It will however screw up transportation. The days of the races have road closures in the morning, so depending on where you are and where you need to be, you may be stuck. Some people reported the entire bus system shutting down for a few hours this year, but they claim to simply run in a reduced schedule. So if you may reservations for a character breakfast that weekend you may have problems making it.
 
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S

Susan Savia

Well-Known Member
It's a great time to visit. We will be there Jan 6-16, 2011. We like to alternate from January to February each year. Crowd levels are low, some attractions may be down for refurbishment like Splash Mountain and you rarely see Tour Groups. The days can be chilly and the nights sometimes are outright cold, but then not always. Plan for both warm and cold days. Don't know about park ticket deals, we use AP's.

On our way to Memphis, TN this past August we stopped in Hendersonville, TN to visit Johnny Cash's grave.
 
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HopLow

HopLow

Member
I love going in January! It gives you something to look forward to after the holidays. But as others have said, be prepared for any kind of weather. Also, the last time we went, it was around January 4th, which we thought would be ok because kids would have to be back in school. NOPE!!! Crowds were insane. So I try to avoid being there around any kind of holiday, just to be on the safe side.
 
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tinkatpotc

tinkatpotc

Member
Original Poster
Susan Savia said:
It's a great time to visit. We will be there Jan 6-16, 2011. We like to alternate from January to February each year. Crowd levels are low, some attractions may be down for refurbishment like Splash Mountain and you rarely see Tour Groups. The days can be chilly and the nights sometimes are outright cold, but then not always. Plan for both warm and cold days. Don't know about park ticket deals, we use AP's.

On our way to Memphis, TN this past August we stopped in Hendersonville, TN to visit Johnny Cash's grave.
Click to expand...


It was very heartbreaking that the Cash house burned a few years ago...The funeral for June was at my church! There is a lot of country music history in Hendersonville! It is a great place to live!!!

And thanks everyone!!! This has been SUPER helpful!!! I can't wait to make it trip number 17!!!
 
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Tybee

Tybee

Member
Nice to see more January threads popping up. My wife and I will be there Jan. 3 - 10, staying at WL. We're actually looking forward to catching some of the holiday decor before it comes down. Wish they'd leave it up longer. As it is, we'll probably only get to see the Osborne lights, since we've got DHS scheduled for our first evening, and everything comes down the next day. Though we're not doing the marathon, we did sign up for the associated 5K fun run (at the rate our training is going, "fun fast walk" will be more accurate :rolleyes: ).

Our last trip to WDW was in 2002 and we've never been in Winter, so it will be interesting to see the parks at that time of year. The weather is the biggest variable (I heard it was pretty damn cold for Florida last January), although we're coming from Atlanta, so it won't be THAT different. We also feel like the cool weather will enhance the feel of staying at the Wilderness Lodge (our first time there). Would be less charming if we were staying at, say Yacht & Beach Club, Poly, Coronado Springs, etc. ;)

Really hoping for light crowds. Supposedly this is the least crowded time of the year. It also looks like there won't be any major attraction closures (other than the FLE and Star Tours, obviously), so that's nice.

EDIT: Check that...Looks like Splash Mountain usually shuts down for refurb in Jan., and it's rumored that Kilimanjaro Safaris may start a major refurb this Jan. or Feb., but nothing official yet on either of those as far as I can tell.
 
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WishIwasThere

WishIwasThere

Active Member
tinkatpotc said:
We are hoping to go to Disney in January, but have never been. WE NEED ADVICE...When is the best time to avoid the holiday crowds? Also, my husband is a veteran and we know that someone out there has a great deal on park tickets...does anyone know about this as well?

Please help!!!
Click to expand...

If he is only a veteran and not a retired veteran, then there is not much you can do about tickets. But what you can do...is stay at Shades of Green resort as a veteran during the months of January and September. Go to shadesofgreen.org to check the place out.

In case you are unfamiliar with it...it used to be a Disney Resort, (first the Disney Golf Resort, then the Disney Inn). It is now owned and operated by the government for use to its military personnel. Rooms are the same exact size as the Polynesian Resort room...which they are huge. At a fraction of the cost. We stayed there last Sept for a little over $100/nt. It is a short...maybe 1/4 mile walk...from the lobby to the Poly to catch the monorail. Or if you have a car, you can park at the parks for free. They have their own shuttle bus, but we didn't use it. You still have access for extra magic hours as well. I loved the place and you can't beat the price. Not as themed and 'Disneyfied' as Disney resorts, but it is still considered to be a Deluxe Resort.

When you call for reservations, make sure you state you are staying as a veteran (not active or retired). You will be required to show a copy of your DD214 (discharge papers) showing you were honorably discharged.

Hope this helps.
 
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madswithano

madswithano

New Member
January is a GREAT time to go! We've been in January 4 times now and will be going again in January 2011. The end of the 1st week through the rest of the month is pretty amazingly uncrowded save for the marathon crowd (myself included) and although the weather isn't a guarantee, it's usually pretty great. The only downside is that splash mountain is always closed that time of year for refurb.
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
tinkatpotc said:
When is the marathon?
Click to expand...

The next marathon weekend is January 6 - 9 2011. The dates may change each year, but is usually the first or second weekend in January. Depends on when New Years falls and such. The dates for 2012 should be confirmed by that weekend, as the registration typically opens the day after.
 
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Mori Anne

Mori Anne

Active Member
In the Parks
No
Hi, My family and I are military AND visit WDW regularly in January.

1. SOG is nice, but it is NOT the cheapest or best deal. The room sizes are big but we find we prefer the POP. Check out www.mousesavers.com for the latest discount codes. Typically we get a room at pop for under 60 per night.
SOG has the perk of being able to walk to the Polynesian (sp?) AND the TTC.

2. Tickets, Military tickets, plus staying at a value resort is usually the cheapest (but always double check).

**HOWEVER, if you can get a discounted package deal from WDW with food (even quick service), hotel (value resort), and tickets, it tends to be cheaper than food (OOP, plus military tickets, plus pop) - this would be like buy 4, stay for 3 more free/ free dining, etc.. Again, always see what your needs are and estimate your costs and see if it works for you to be cheaper.

3. Weather, every-time we have have gone in January the weather has always been a mixed bag. It could be shorts weather in the day and , jean and jacket weather at night. One year we even needed our gloves, scarf, and hat every night. REMEMBER, a 50 degree night might seem warm during the winter, but when it is 80 during the day, the 50 feels VERY cold. My best advice is to bring a hat (for the ears), scarf, and gloves. Also bring a lightweight jacket. We found capris worked best for the girls and thin pants for the boys (or long shorts). Be prepared for anything!! Bring your rain poncho as well. That rain gets COLD in January.

4. Crowds .... as long as school is in session, it will mostly likely be an enjoyable crowd level. January tends to be a slow time of the year anyways. The marathon is a big pain to deal with if you have reservations. I would skip making them this day unless it is later in the day. My experience is the day or two after the marathon lightens up in the crowd, but even with the marathon it doesn't seem that bad IMHO.

5. count on Splash Mountain being closed for refurbishment. I have yet to go in January and it is open.

6. I love going in January and try to whenever I can.

7. HAVE FFFFFUUUUUUNNNNNNN

** The above is all based on my experience (gone 6 times in Jan) and all made in my honest opinion.
 
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csaguy

csaguy

Member
January

Yes, last year was COLD! We went to DL instead. I guess we are going to WDW this January since our October trip is canceled. Are you sure you still have your old sweatshirt?
 
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tinkatpotc

tinkatpotc

Member
Original Poster
Soooo helpful!!! Thanks everyone!! Splash is my husband and dad's favorite ride...but it's not like we haven't done it a millions times before...(We could just listen to instead)! I do have my sweatshirt!!! I may just have to layer under it...We have been at Christmas and it was pretty cold then too...but not too unbearable....I don't really care what they weather is like...as long as I am there!!!! There is nothing like Disney to warm your heart! :sohappy:
 
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