January in DW??????????????????????????

[audiotinker]

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what its like in January at DW. I'm wondering about the crowds, if there are any events, and what the parks themselves and the weather is like during this time. Basically any info on the subject of Jan. in Dw. Thanks!

 

[jugglingfanatic]

During my trips the first week in January I have never seen the crane, I guess we were just lucky and fortunate. They did take down the garland/wreaths/trees overnight at each of the parks when I was there in 2009. With it being so close to the New Year's holiday, the first few days of your trip (if nothing else) you can almost bet most (if not all) the rides are going to be open and decorations will be undisturbed. I thought I had read last year the big crane by the castle was there for so long because of the moat refurb, but I could be wrong.

 

[BLY]

Are you going to do the Princess Half Marathon??? That's my goal! :wave:[/QUOTE

I am hoping to sign up for the Princess it looks really good. Have you done it or a half before?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

^^^

I wasn't sure if it was the moat or the lights or the back facade or what. I know early in our trip we saw the castle lights then later I think they were gone. Maybe the crane did double-duty. It was the first time I had seen it there in all the many trips but I think this year was the earliest we had gone in January other than 2004 but they didn't do the castle lights then. :animwink:

The Princess would be my first ever running event. That princess bling at the end drives me out of my mind. I neeeeed one of those medals! LOL!

 

[Michael Hall]

I was there in January last year and it was misserably cold . 20,s till noon nearly froze to death . I love Disney but am not going this January going in September instead . :wave: 11 weeks

 

[Cubs Brian]

We were there in Jan2009 and it was awesome. Jan1st was very very crowded but over the next 6 days the only rides with more than a ten minute wait were EE, TSM, ToT and Soarin'. weather was also great. rained one day with temps in the upper 50's but the rest of the days were sunny with temps from high 60's to high 70's.Going back next Jan and I'm hoping for much more of the same!

 

[Master Yoda]

Last year is not exactly the best year to judge January in Florida. It was unseasonably cold in fact it was multiple record breaking, killing every tropical plant is sight, unseasonably cold.

 

[jugglingfanatic]

I keep forgetting to mention this: There is a website that will predict the weather up to 2 years out from today's date for most places in the US. Before anyone says 'yeah right' please continue to read. It is not 100% accurate (the website claims an 83% accuracy), BUT, it does get within 5-10 degrees. I've used it for weather at WDW as well as back home (near Chicago, Illinois). This past year, Jan 2010, it was saying lows would be around 38-45 and highs would be 50-60. The highs were a little more off, but it still allowed us to pack appropriately and also know a year ahead of time what the weather was going to be like. As Master Yoda pointed out, last year was an extreme weather pattern. I don't blame the website for not accurately predicting last year's weather years ahead of time.

For our Jan 2009 trip we started watching this weather site in October of 2008 and it was almost spot on, and even had the one day of rain on the correct day (it was a Wednesday by the way). Here is the link: http://theweatherwiz.com/ As the day comes closer, it will update slightly, but I would say what it says about a month to two months ahead of time is what it will most likely end up being.

Those going on trips in the next few months reading this - please post your results, I'd be curious to know how others felt about the site.

 

[Susan Savia]

We have been in both January and February and love it. 2009 we arrived on Marathon weekend, but there were no problems whatsoever. We went to AK first and by time we hopped to Epcot the race was over. We never came across closed roads because of the race. The weather is chilly, but its tolerable with a sweatshirt and gloves. We are on the go and it didn't bother us. Lines are short, some attractions didn't even have lines. Heading back January 2010!!

 

[Magical Dreamer]

The last 2 years January has had some very cold weather.....some nights were in the high 20's......

I now avoid January to Mid Feb. because too many times it has been too cold.

 

[audiotinker]

Thanks for all of the great advice! Do you think the crane would be down by the week of Jan 21-30? And is it crowded during that week? I checked the weatherwiz too, thanks. That looks like a warmer week. :wave:

 

[Tazer19]

Thanks for all of the great advice! Do you think the crane would be down by the week of Jan 21-30? And is it crowded during that week? I checked the weatherwiz too, thanks. That looks like a warmer week. :wave:

We've been there that week a number of times in the past and have never seen the crane.

As for crowds, we think it's great. Though the only other time we go to WDW is arond the holidays, so for us it's a night and day difference.

We'll be there the same week as you and are definitely hoping the weather is back to 'normal' compared to this year!

 

[DisneyNut7578]

Last year is not exactly the best year to judge January in Florida. It was unseasonably cold in fact it was multiple record breaking, killing every tropical plant is sight, unseasonably cold.

True, don't base last year's cold as the norm. My grass looked like a nuclear wasteland.

The weather is tolerable. I've lived in Cleveland and Hartford, and a Disney January is still a lot warmer than a Cleveland January. I go every year, either Jan., or Feb, and only once have I had to wear a jacket.

 

[tracyandalex]

we were there the last weekend of january this year and there weren't many others there which was nice. it was a little chilly, especially at night. with long sleeves and/or light jackets we were fine.

enjoy :wave:

 

[experiment624]

Last week of January should be great. The crowd is still pretty light, it generally doesn't pick up too heavily until around Spring/Easter. The holiday decorations are gone. As for the weather, it will still be pretty chilly, ESPECIALLY in the evening. You could probably get away with light clothing during the day like jeans and a T-shirt, but you'll want sweatshirts, sweaters, or windbreakers for the evening. This year it stayed pretty cold here in Central Florida until then end of March. We had the heater running at night in the house. Plus you're far away from hurricane season so you wont have to worry about that getting in your way.

 

[disney4life2008]

I was there this past January (9th through 16th). It was FREEZING!!! Even during peak time of the day, the temps were about 40/50 degrees. I had on jeans, socks, hodddie, hat, gloves and jacket. It seemed to be unseasonably cold this year. It was really bad. It did warm up though when I was leaving, lol. But, its Disneyworld - be thankful you are there. Crowds after the 3rd are non existant. However, beware of the BRAZILLIAN TRAVEL GROUPS!!!

 

[Hrudey3032]

I for one don't mind it a little bit cooler as I am from Indiana and usually in January it is about 15-30 degrees for a high temp.50 to me would be a great football weather type of day and I would be out in my shorts and either a hoodie or long sleeve t-shirt.I was at Epcot back in early Feb of 2001 and I just wore a windbreaker as the temps were about 55 everyday and rainy(more misty then downpour) and I loved it but that is just me.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I for one don't mind it a little bit cooler as I am from Indiana and usually in January it is about 15-30 degrees for a high temp.50 to me would be a great football weather type of day and I would be out in my shorts and either a hoodie or long sleeve t-shirt.I was at Epcot back in early Feb of 2001 and I just wore a windbreaker as the temps were about 55 everyday and rainy(more misty then downpour) and I loved it but that is just me.

I wish you could've been with us for high temps in the 20s....and that was in the sunshine. It was only like that a couple days of our 9 day trip but it made a huuuuge impression. I'd gladly have taken the highs in the 50s that I was used to for the "cold" days. Then again, how many people can say they were at WDW for real snow/sleet twice??? :lol: We didn't see it but CMs told us it happened in the wee hours on two different days.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Well, from how many have said it being cooler temps I don't have a problem with that. Living in chicago it's common for me. I can't wait to go!

 

[Hrudey3032]

I wish you could've been with us for high temps in the 20s....and that was in the sunshine. It was only like that a couple days of our 9 day trip but it made a huuuuge impression. I'd gladly have taken the highs in the 50s that I was used to for the "cold" days. Then again, how many people can say they were at WDW for real snow/sleet twice??? :lol: We didn't see it but CMs told us it happened in the wee hours on two different days.

I would love that! Snow at WDW would be freakin' sweet!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I would love that! Snow at WDW would be freakin' sweet!

From what we were told both times it was at the crack of dawn before the sun came up. I am never up that early so we missed it. DH said they saw some whitish stuff on some overhangs or something like that when they left early in the morning for golf one of the days. Crazy. I never want to be that cold again. Ever.