Near End of January is Crazy Busy?

[FinePhotoGraphx]

Just curious. We are taking a mini trip from 1/22 - 1/26. Crowd calendars look decent for most of our trip days. but we had a devil of a time booking a value resort. Even now All-Star Music is going for $256 a night (insane) and the other All-Stars are not available.

I know mid January

• MLK Day 1/20 (Traditionally busier)
• Cheerleading competitions 1/17-19, 1/31-2/2
• Epcot Festival of the Arts 1/17 - 2/24
• Pro Bowl in Orlando 1/26

Anyone know any other major events during my trip time booking up all the value resorts? Did they close off huge blocks of rooms in All-Star Music and Sports for renovation or something? Concerned I overlooked some massive convention that will mean everything is crowded despite "off-season."

Thanks.

 

[drizgirl]

That All-Star price is likely for a suite, which is the equivalent of 2 rooms.

 

[FinePhotoGraphx]

That All-Star price is likely for a suite, which is the equivalent of 2 rooms.

Ah, you are correct. Still not sure why everything else All-Stars is booked solid for this time.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

My thought is that people are branching out from their norm and trying to find “slower” and “less expensive” times to go.

I feel you though. I’ve been trying to plan a 4 or 5 day trip like a Weds to Sunday and it’s near impossible to find dates that are both available and in my comfort zone in regards to price. I hope you find something that works for you. The price increases at the AS resorts over the past few years is significant.

 

[FinePhotoGraphx]

My thought is that people are branching out from their norm and trying to find “slower” and “less expensive” times to go.

I feel you though. I’ve been trying to plan a 4 or 5 day trip like a Weds to Sunday and it’s near impossible to find dates that are both available and in my comfort zone in regards to price. I hope you find something that works for you. The price increases at the AS resorts over the past few years is significant.

Thanks Jen. We did book a 4 night at All Star Movies back in late October for the late January 2020 period. We had to call thought because everything online was totally booked, still is really at the value resort level, maybe a $168/night room or two at Animation left and suites at Music. I think we got ASM resort for like $133/night. Not great, but there were no deals at the time, plus the deals now have lots of qualifying strings attached.

We're a conservative spending, middle income family from the midwest. We're not into debt so we just can't afford $200-$500 / night for a super nice hotel on property. And we definitely like to stay on property. I fear this is the last vacation to Disney we can afford. $5 for bottled water (we'll bring our own), FastPass+ gone 60 days out, struggling to get an ADR, etc. just such a lot of money to pay for so much hassle.

If anyone finds out if late January is so booked due to room rennovations or something please let us know. And Jen, I hope you can give them a call and they can work a little magic for you too.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

Thanks Jen. We did book a 4 night at All Star Movies back in late October for the late January 2020 period. We had to call thought because everything online was totally booked, still is really at the value resort level, maybe a $168/night room or two at Animation left and suites at Music. I think we got ASM resort for like $133/night. Not great, but there were no deals at the time, plus the deals now have lots of qualifying strings attached.

We're a conservative spending, middle income family from the midwest. We're not into debt so we just can't afford $200-$500 / night for a super nice hotel on property. And we definitely like to stay on property. I fear this is the last vacation to Disney we can afford. $5 for bottled water (we'll bring our own), FastPass+ gone 60 days out, struggling to get an ADR, etc. just such a lot of money to pay for so much hassle.

If anyone finds out if late January is so booked due to room rennovations or something please let us know. And Jen, I hope you can give them a call and they can work a little magic for you too.

Thank you, I will try your advice, but I’m thinking I’m going to probably hold off for now. I’m glad you got $133, that’s really not too bad at all. A lot of Brazilians tend to go end of January/early February because they are in summer vacation in their country. In January 2017 I went for a short trip from 25-28th, Weds to Sat. Parks were not very crowded, however MK was busy on that Saturday, even in January. Just be prepared for cold temps, during that trip I had shorts on 2 days and was wearing a hoodie and down jacket the other days. But if you’re coming from the Midwest you’ll be wearing warm winter clothing. Have a fantastic trip!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Just curious. We are taking a mini trip from 1/22 - 1/26. Crowd calendars look decent for most of our trip days. but we had a devil of a time booking a value resort. Even now All-Star Music is going for $256 a night (insane) and the other All-Stars are not available.

I know mid January

• MLK Day 1/20 (Traditionally busier)
• Cheerleading competitions 1/17-19, 1/31-2/2
• Epcot Festival of the Arts 1/17 - 2/24
• Pro Bowl in Orlando 1/26

Anyone know any other major events during my trip time booking up all the value resorts? Did they close off huge blocks of rooms in All-Star Music and Sports for renovation or something? Concerned I overlooked some massive convention that will mean everything is crowded despite "off-season."

Thanks.

There is a "Bowl" that is relativley "Super" that's happening in Miami on the 2nd and many guests take the advantage of staying for the week on WDW property to not only see the game if they got tickets but, to see the VIP Parade the following day at MK...I go normally around this time it's pretty common and I'm glad that I booked a year in advance at Pop Century..There is the one other thing I forgot to mention......This is also the start of the onslaught of Brazilion tour groups that also come take blocks of rooms...Which is why it gets crazy busy as they figured out they can stay on property and not off of I-4 hotels....

 

[Lilofan]

There is a "Bowl" that is relativley "Super" that's happening in Miami on the 2nd and many guests take the advantage of staying for the week on WDW property to not only see the game if they got tickets but, to see the VIP Parade the following day at MK...I go normally around this time it's pretty common and I'm glad that I booked a year in advance at Pop Century..There is the one other thing I forgot to mention......This is also the start of the onslaught of Brazilion tour groups that also come take blocks of rooms...Which is why it gets crazy busy as they figured out they can stay on property and not off of I-4 hotels....

Glad the Super Bowl is not in Orlando. Not from experience, but there are many "escorts" from all over the world flying in during Super Bowl weekend to earn their living.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Glad the Super Bowl is not in Orlando. Not from experience, but there are many "escorts" from all over the world flying in during Super Bowl weekend to earn their living.

At least 2021's is in LA so DL could have said parade giving MK a breather...

 

[GinaD613]

@Cmdr_Crimson you just made my DH a very happy man! And me very depressed thinking about the crowds I’m going to have to deal with in MK that Monday.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

@Cmdr_Crimson you just made my DH a very happy man! And me very depressed thinking about the crowds I’m going to have to deal with in MK that Monday.

It happens around Mid-day but, again there is also cheerleader dance competitions and Tour Groups in full effect so it's going to be busy...I steer clear of that park that day and go to the other ones to not deal with them....However, the night of Super Bowl is not too busy.....Then again, it's still in Miami and guests are taking said advanted so, this will be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[GinaD613]

My hope is that super bowl night most people will be watching the game, so lines will be shorter. I wonder if Disney will have watch parties with big screens, etc.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

My hope is that super bowl night most people will be watching the game, so lines will be shorter. I wonder if Disney will have watch parties with big screens, etc.

It also helps if it's raining that night..And No they do not have big screens playing the game in the parks..You have to go to the Springs to do that..Plus the resorts do things in their food courts during the game..

 

[DugLovesU]

At least 2021's is in LA so DL could have said parade giving MK a breather...

I'm afraid you're wrong, at least according to foxsports.com. The 2022 Super Bowl is in Los Angeles. 2021 is in Tampa-right about an hour down the I4. While Miami is too far away to affect WDW very much, Tampa's a different story. Expect the first two weeks of next February to be CRAZY crowded. So much so that I'm moving my usual Winter trip to late Spring-after Easter and before school's out.

 

[DugLovesU]

It also helps if it's raining that night..And No they do not have big screens playing the game in the parks..You have to go to the Springs to do that..Plus the resorts do things in their food courts during the game..

If you're not into the game, SB Sunday Night is a great time to go to Epcot. I went one year & the place was nearly deserted. This was before The Arts Festival though.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I'm afraid you're wrong, at least according to foxsports.com. The 2022 Super Bowl is in Los Angeles. 2021 is in Tampa-right about an hour down the I4. While Miami is too far away to affect WDW very much, Tampa's a different story. Expect the first two weeks of next February to be CRAZY crowded. So much so that I'm moving my usual Winter trip to late Spring-after Easter and before school's out.

Eh..Doesn't matter to me..I don't watch sports..So, whomever wins it will still be there the following day in MK making it the park to avoid..

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

If you're not into the game, SB Sunday Night is a great time to go to Epcot. I went one year & the place was nearly deserted. This was before The Arts Festival though.

MK was the same..I grabbed dinner in Cosmic Rays only to find out I was the only guest in there with the CM's so I chit chatted with them for the time being..

 

[EmmieSue]

Thanks Jen. We did book a 4 night at All Star Movies back in late October for the late January 2020 period. We had to call thought because everything online was totally booked, still is really at the value resort level, maybe a $168/night room or two at Animation left and suites at Music. I think we got ASM resort for like $133/night. Not great, but there were no deals at the time, plus the deals now have lots of qualifying strings attached.

We're a conservative spending, middle income family from the midwest. We're not into debt so we just can't afford $200-$500 / night for a super nice hotel on property. And we definitely like to stay on property. I fear this is the last vacation to Disney we can afford. $5 for bottled water (we'll bring our own), FastPass+ gone 60 days out, struggling to get an ADR, etc. just such a lot of money to pay for so much hassle.

If anyone finds out if late January is so booked due to room rennovations or something please let us know. And Jen, I hope you can give them a call and they can work a little magic for you too.

I just wanted to throw you a little tip since you mentioned the $5 water. Quick service places give free cups of filtered ice water in the parks and you can fill up your own water bottles at the resorts before you head out for free as well.

 

[disney4life2008]

Glad the Super Bowl is not in Orlando. Not from experience, but there are many "escorts" from all over the world flying in during Super Bowl weekend to earn their living.

At least 2021's is in LA so DL could have said parade giving MK a breather...

Download any gay app you will see hundreds of escorts many of whom are also cms. There is also a secret Disney club for cms.

 

[plutofan15]

There is a "Bowl" that is relativley "Super" that's happening in Miami on the 2nd and many guests take the advantage of staying for the week on WDW property to not only see the game if they got tickets but, to see the VIP Parade the following day at MK...I go normally around this time it's pretty common and I'm glad that I booked a year in advance at Pop Century..There is the one other thing I forgot to mention......This is also the start of the onslaught of Brazilion tour groups that also come take blocks of rooms...Which is why it gets crazy busy as they figured out they can stay on property and not off of I-4 hotels....

We have been to WDW numerous times during Super Bowl weekend, Including last year, and found that the parade at MK has little to no affect on crowd sizes. To stay in Orlando and make the drive to Miami is crazy. We were in WDW one year when the game was in Tampa and there was no noticeable affect on the crowd size. But as others have said, if you do not care to watch the game, it is a great time to visit the parks as crowds are noticeably lower. In addition to visitors opting to watch the game instead of going to the parks, fewer locals will be visiting the parks as well. The only affect the game has on the crowds at the parks that we noticed, is that you will see many people wearing the gear of the teams playing in the game.
Obviously, every bar/lounge will have the game on and ESPN does have a viewing party which fills up rather early. Weather permitting, they will set up additional TVs and tables outside on the boardwalk.
The most likely cause of the higher rates and low availability are the tour groups and cheerleading competition. Those groups tend to stay in either value or moderate resorts.