TRIP IN JANUARY!! (first winter trip--suggestions???)

mattfz

New Member
So I just booked our fourth Disney Vacation for January 14-17. We have always gone in the summer time. What can I expect, what can I look forward to, and what might be fun to check out at this time of the year?

Matt
 
Here's what to expect:

Unpredictable weather. It could be in the 70's during the day OR it could be in the low 50's/high 40's. It was cold when we were there in January. With wind chill it was low 40's during the day and around freezing at night. The day my parents left it was 78.....bummer. So check the weather for Orlando often and bring multi season clothes.....

You are going on what I think is Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend. It will definitely be busier. It is also the weekend of the College Cheerleading/Dance Competition.....Just a heads up. The crowds still won't match peak seasons. So, hopefully it will still be fun.

Good luck...we will be there Jan 28th-Feb 5th.
 
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aimster

Active Member
Definitely bring some warm clothes just in case. It can be nice during the day, but it can be downright cold at night. I remember 4 years ago freezing my butt off on New Year's Eve. It was in the 30's that night! Was half expecting it to snow or something... it was that cold! Best to be prepared. Weather down here in Florida is nuts year-round.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have alot of fun. :)
 
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DMage

New Member
Went the second week of January two winters ago. It was cool (55 to 60) but it was amazing. Parks were not crowded at all. Seems like we caught it right when everyone had gone back to school after winter break. No line was longer than 5 minutes, and at night we were able to walk through the parks like we owned them. Absolutely amazing. Aside from the cool weather which I didnt mind (as I am from New York and the same time at home it was negative 5) it is a great time to go. I have plans to go this January from the 4th through the 17th. Bring some pants and a jacket and you'll enjoy your trip.
 
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djhammon

New Member
Hi all.
I have been in January and it seams that the weather was really good (Kind of hot) Well for me any was (as i'm from England)..

We have booked from 14jan for 2 weeks.

Can some one confirm if it is Martin Luther King Weekend!!!! and is this weekend normally busy!!!!!!

Regards
 
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*MichelleP*

Member
Looking at the school calendar, MLK day is January 17, so your first weekend there will most likely include those crowds. It's pretty busy.

Echoing what everyone else said, definately include some warm clothes in your packing!
 
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bhg469

Well-Known Member
Yeah depends on where your from, i was in shorts at the end of december, while all the lifguards were wearing puffy winter coats. I called them baywatch: Alaska. If your from the north, like me than 60+ degrees is short weather. bring pants, maybe a light jacket but i never had any problems there. at that time of year.
 
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Atlaslaw

New Member
You really have to pack twice as many clothes due to the unpredictability of the weather in January. We've been in January when it was in the 40's and we've also been when it was in the 70's. You may have a 40 degree day one day and a 70 degree day the next. Like others said though, usually the crowds are minimal. It really is the best time to go. I assume early February will be the same. I'm set to go Feb. 6th for a week :)
 
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Lauriebar

Well-Known Member
Like everyone is saying the weather is cool. We have gone several times in January and the best tip I can give you is to layer your clothing. It is coolest in the morning and then by noon it can be quite warm...so, we would wear shorts and a tank covered by a t-shirt and windpants and then a sweatshirt on top. This way we could be comfortable at all points in the day. It would also not be a bad idea to bring gloves/mittens and a hat...no kidding, it gets CHILLY!! Have fun!!!!
 
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maelstrom

Well-Known Member
I'm also going in January, the 6th-14th.

Bring warm clothes, bring summer clothes, bring a jacket, bring pants. Florida is so unpredictable. I've been there in December and it was freezing, February where it was okay during the day and cold at night, and January where we just wore windbreakers, so anything goes.
 
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rick3236

Active Member
I love WDW in January. We usually take a quick weekend trip near the end of the month, into early February. The weather is great during the days 60's 70's. Very pleasant time to stroll around. But chili to downright cold at nigfht. Last year it was freezing at night when we were there (last weekend in January).

Note also that the waterparks take turns rehabbing around that time, so if a waterpark is in your plans your choices may be limited.
 
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TeddyGrams

New Member
OMG! why do most of you people get to go to disney world.. I mean I live in canada so I can never aford it.. I been to canada's wonderland and marine land before though.. where do you people live anyways to actually be able to go there.. you must live in the states? if not then thats very suprising.. O_O
 
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Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
Phew! Good to hear that the Cheering Competition is a week before my trip. Jan 21st-27th Look at me I'm cheering!---> :sohappy:. Anywhoozle. I've gone mostly in october the past 2 times and since hearing how it gets in January gets me even more excited how the parks will be. I can finnally have my own Train on the TTA...sweet bliss:lol: .
 
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crazydaveh

Active Member
Bring warm clothes, bring summer clothes, bring a jacket, bring pants. Florida is so unpredictable. I've been there in December and it was freezing, February where it was okay during the day and cold at night, and January where we just wore windbreakers, so anything goes.

I agree. Bring a wide variety of clothing as Orlando has crazy weather in Jan. It can be 80 degrees on Friday, then 50 on Saturday. Just plan to have it turn in an instant and you will be fine.

The parks do close earlier than in the summer. I realized this and became bored in the evenings. It won't be too crowded either. If it's cold and raining, pack extra socks and hit the parks! All the daytrippers will stay home!

Have fun!
 
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mrtoad

Well-Known Member
We have been going in January for the past 3 years. As mentioned it can be warm or chilly but not usually cold. Night time can be cold though so bring some fleece jackets. Two years ago we did have one really cold night and I mean really cold. We had to buy gloves. But other than that one time, it has been nice.

Take advantage of the early entry days as the parks do close earlier. The early closing are not a big deal though as the crowds are thin and you can do a lot more in a day.

Cary a backpack so you can toss the jackets in there as you might need them early in the morning then put them away when it warms up and then put them back on when the sun goes down.
 
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campdisney

New Member
We always take our trips in Jan/Feb. Its a great time of year to get away from the snow and cold (plus it keeps us from over-spending at Christmas). The parks aren't crowded at all, wait times for rides are minimal and if you're from the north, the weather at WDW is bound to better than wherever you came from, however low it dips. :rolleyes:

Pack some jeans and sweatshirts along with the shorts and Ts and you'll do fine. And if a sweatshirt doesn't cut it, its a good excuse to buy a new Disney themed fleece pullover. :lol:
 
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Adreamisawish

New Member
We were there the end of last January. The best advice I can give is LAYERS!

We wore track suits made of breathable polyester. It rained when we were there, but it didn't bother us and our clothes were less hot than the plastic raincoats. Our track suits dried out in no time and when it got the hottest we only had to remove our jackets....which we put in our backpacks.

Another thing...we were on our way to South Florida for a convention my husband was attending. We were either doing WDW on the way down or on the way back. On the way back was the Cheerleaders! We did WDW on the way down. EVERYONE we talked to at WDW said we made the right decision, ESPECIALLY the CM's!

If you can avoid it at ALL costs....DO! Let the cheerleaders take over the World for a week. Let them have their fun.

Go before or after they are there and then everyone is happy.

Trust me...AND the CM's......you don't want to be there when the cheerleaders are there unless you really like cheerleaders and their sponsors and being kept awake all night and totally annoyed in line for rides.

Like I said...........let the cheerleaders and their sponsors have their fun....and then you can have yours. Forewarned is forearmed.
 
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