Disney in January

[tinkatpotc]

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!!!

 

[Tybee]

Splash seems to be closed in January...usually. It was open when we went in Jan '03. So you never know...

We're kind of operating under the assumption that Splash will be closed during our Jan. 2010 visit. If it's open, it will be a pleasant surprise but we rode it four or five times last trip, so we could survive missing it this time.

But what about other water rides? Specifically, I'm thinking about Kali River Rapids, as that was closed during our trip in the summer of '02 and my wife was really bummed at the thought of missing it again. But then we were watching a Travel Channel program about DL/DCA and it noted that Grizzly River Run was designed to accommodate seasonal changes, running with less water in fall/winter so guests could still enjoy the ride without fear of getting soaked and freezing their Tinkerballs off.

Having ridden both Kali and Grizzly, it's obvious that they use the same ride system, so I'm wondering if Kali is similarly "season proof."

 

[tinkatpotc]

So we are officially booked for Jan 18!!! Staying at Animal Kingdom! Very excited!!! When will the lights on the castle start coming down? That is something that I would love to see in person and I was curious if we would be able to or not.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

So we are officially booked for Jan 18!!! Staying at Animal Kingdom! Very excited!!! When will the lights on the castle start coming down? That is something that I would love to see in person and I was curious if we would be able to or not.

I doubt you will see much of it being taken down during the day..They usually have it behind a rehab wall by Sir Mickey's sitting there collapsed and doing nothing.

 

[Lunamis]

I'm going Jan 2-7...can't wait!
I'm a little worried about the weather since I'm trying to get away with packing as little as possible to avoid checking luggage.

I know it's a mixed bag as someone said but...coat required you think? Or are a couple of good sweatshirts adequate?

 

[Club34]

I've been going every year in january for almost 10 years. Don't go!!!

Unless you like:

-low crowds and walking on rides. i did everest literally six times in a row and was at the doctor for nausea the next day. :hurl:

-temperate weather. does anyone really like 90 degrees with 95% humidity? :hammer:


This past january was really really cold and im from chicago. most other years i generally can swim and enjoy myself. but the cool nights rule. nothing like putting on the carhartt hoodie and climbing the SFRTH at night and no one else is on it :sohappy:

If youre looking for better weather with low crowds try early november. thats the time of year i go with my extended family. the weather is slightly warmer on a consistent basis. my mom never thought twice about taking me out of school to avoid the crowds. :wave:

RE packing: My general rule of thumb is to pack for it to be slightly cooler than you'd like it to be. and what i mean is, i bring shorts but maybe not as many to make room for an extra hoodie or something. the trade off is, i may do laundry more often or sooner if i have to wear the shorts more often because it ends up being warmer. thats better than packing a full wardrobe for 2 seasons.

 

[HisDisneyMagoo]

My boyfriend and I are going this Jan. We are driving down on the 8th. staying at a hotel right outside the gates then early on the 9th we are checking in at POP and leaving on the 15th. This will be our first time going in Jan. I have been in March, June and July. Im not too worried about the weather because we are from Baton Rouge and the temps are usually pretty much the same. However, I am a little worried on how many rides will be closed and how the marathon will affect our trip. That Tuesday we are going to Universal so after that day should the marathon crowd be gone??

 

[mp2bill]

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.

This is your best, most concise answer.

 

[Tybee]

Looks like it's official:

Splash Mountain will be closing for refurbishment in early 2011 from January 3 2011 to January 31 2011.

Oh well. Anyone know if Kali River Rapids will remain open?

So we are officially booked for Jan 18!!! Staying at Animal Kingdom! Very excited!!! When will the lights on the castle start coming down? That is something that I would love to see in person and I was curious if we would be able to or not.

Last night for the Osborne Family Lights at Disney Studios and the lights on Cinderella castle at MK is Jan. 3. We actually arrive that day and are currently scheduled to do the Studios that night, but might try and run over to MK to see the castle if at all possible.

I know some folks take deep offense at holiday decor being left up past New Year's Day, but I've never understood that. Winter is long, cold and dark. There are no major holidays (at least none that warrant decoration) until maybe Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day (though who decorates for those?). Why not leave the lights up to cheer things up? What's the big hurry to yank everything down and stare at bare trees?

 

[tinkatpotc]

I agree!!! I think the lights and decorations could stay up at least through January...start taking things down in Feb. That way more people can enjoy it!

 

[Master Yoda]

Looks like it's official:

Splash Mountain will be closing for refurbishment in early 2011 from January 3 2011 to January 31 2011.

Oh well. Anyone know if Kali River Rapids will remain open?



Last night for the Osborne Family Lights at Disney Studios and the lights on Cinderella castle at MK is Jan. 3. We actually arrive that day and are currently scheduled to do the Studios that night, but might try and run over to MK to see the castle if at all possible.

I know some folks take deep offense at holiday decor being left up past New Year's Day, but I've never understood that. Winter is long, cold and dark. There are no major holidays (at least none that warrant decoration) until maybe Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day (though who decorates for those?). Why not leave the lights up to cheer things up? What's the big hurry to yank everything down and stare at bare trees?

I agree!!! I think the lights and decorations could stay up at least through January...start taking things down in Feb. That way more people can enjoy it!

You have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. January is about the only slow time WDW has anymore and both of these displays take quite a bit of time to take down. If they were to wait even a couple of weeks latter this would overlap into the peak season that occurs in mid February.

 

[Tybee]

You have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. January is about the only slow time WDW has anymore and both of these displays take quite a bit of time to take down. If they were to wait even a couple of weeks latter this would overlap into the peak season that occurs in mid February.

No, I understand the scheduling pressures that lead Disney to start pulling the lights down in early January. And honestly, as Club34 was intoning above, it's little things like this that enable us to enjoy cheap rates and mostly empty parks in January, so a small price to pay in the big scheme of things.

I was mainly just opining about decoration nazis in general, be they inside or outside WDW. :xmas:

 

[Master Yoda]

No, I understand the scheduling pressures that lead Disney to start pulling the lights down in early January. And honestly, as Club34 was intoning above, it's little things like this that enable us to enjoy cheap rates and mostly empty parks in January, so a small price to pay in the big scheme of things.

I was mainly just opining about decoration nazis in general, be they inside or outside WDW. :xmas:

Yeah I am far from one of those as evident by the Jack Skellington in Santa gear still in my foyer window.:lookaroun

 

[Tybee]

Add Kali River Rapids and Primeval Whirl to the January refurb pile.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=642445

Disney spirit fading...

 

[ctosh]

We take the kids out of school and go every January. It was so cold this year!!! This was our first year to see all of the holiday decor.. It was worth seeing. We were there from 12-31 thru 1-9 and on the last day we woke up to sleet hitting the window. We have had warmer temps in the past but the last few years it has been cold. Just keep an eye on the weather so you will know what to pack.

Our next trip is Jan 14