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Who has been to Disney World in January?


hedwigtheowl
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Sigh. I really don't want to go at all. I hate crowds and standing in line! 

 

But my daughter really wants to go, has been begging for years, and I have agreed.

 

If I go in January, what is the quietest week and should I still expect significant lines? 

 

Did you travel independently or on a tour e.g. AAA?

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I've been there in mid January and I thought it was our best trip there ever.  I'm not a huge Disney/amusement park person either, but we have relatives in that area.  Crowds were lowish and it wasn't super hot.  If I had to chose a month to go, that would be what I would pick.  That's been a few years - I would check the crowd calendars and try to hit the parks on weekdays if possible.

 

We've always gone independently.  Though we have a relative that works for Disney so she's gotten us some deals and discounts at times.

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We were there Jan 19-28 this year and will do Jan 14-20 in 2017. I don't handle the heat very well, so I love January for the mild temps. Last year we had one day warm enough to wear shorts and swim. The temps were in the upper 60's most afternoons with cool evenings. We were actually cold a few evenings even with thick sweatshirts over tee-shirts, so we will be packing a heavier jacket this year. I also had one of those thin pair of gloves I wore a couple of nights after the sun went down.

 

Yes, there were several South American tour groups but several online websites predict less travel from these groups this next year. While large groups of excited teens are not thrilling to encounter, I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from going ;)

 

We are hitting MLK weekend because we couldn't work around it this year, but I recommend going after MLK. The first few days of Jan will have holiday crowds and the run/race (can't think of what it is called) is after the New Year holiday but before MLK weekend. Lowest Jan. crowds should be after the 17th.

 

As far as hating crowds and standing in line go, make a touring plan and use your fast passes to minimize crowds. Also do a google search on quiet places to dine at WDW. Getting away from the noise for a bit really helps.

 

At MK:

Upstairs Columbia Harbor House (quick-service) is usually peacefully quiet

There is an area between Tomorowland and Mainstreet that is quiet just to sit and rest (also has bathrooms nearby)

Leave and take the boat to Fort Wilderness to eat at Trail's End - one of the cheapest WDW buffets)

Be Our Guest is not all that quiet, but a corner table in the Dark Wing is not all that loud

 

At EPCOT:

Garden Grill is not cheap, but has characters and is usually not very loud (especially compared to other character meals)

Sitting outside the quick-service spot by the fountain can be nice (& free drink refills). Great for fountain & people watching

There are several spots to sit and relax around world showcase or take in a less popular show (France has seats, China and Canada you must stand)

 

LEAVE THE PARK when the crowds/noise gets overwhelming. Many of the resorts have nice dining options that will get you out of the crowds. Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful and if you don't want to pay for table-service, you can still enjoy the sights then eat at Mara (quick-service). Sanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village has an awesome bread service with several toppings that make a fun meal to share and it is super quiet ;)

 

If you are staying on-site, note that food courts and buses seems to be more chaotic at the value resorts than the campground and delux resorts. When we have stayed at the value resorts we always took our food outside to eat as the noise level inside can be crazy at times.

 

I have never used a travel agent. I love the Unofficial Guide book and allears.net for planning.

 

Good luck and enjoy your time with your daughter :)

Edited by Bensmom
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I am also thinking of January 14th onwards. Probably two days at Disney and then Harry Potter at Universal.

 

We won't be going on the big roller-coaster rides anyway so I hope that will help.

 

You are making me feel much more positive!

Edited by hedwigtheowl
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OP I think you will pay more for your hotel or Timeshare nights in January, because there are a lot of people from Canada and cold areas of the USA who vacation in Florida during January. The weather may be somewhat unpredictable in January, but will probably be fine. Personally, I believe April and October are the best months, for weather and smaller crowds,  but everyone has their preferences.STUDY before you go and have a great time!

Edited by Lanny
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We have gone in February and it was quiet. 

 

One thing that I packed helped immensely.  You know those really thin, sort of felty baby mattress pads?  They're just big enough for butts.  It would rain, we'd head back out, and have rides and parade spots to ourselves because nobody wanted to sit in the water.  I'd throw one of these down and sit comfy.

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I am also thinking of January 14th onwards. Probably two days at Disney and then Harry Potter at Universal.

 

We won't be going on the big roller-coaster rides anyway so I hope that will help.

 

You are making me feel much more positive!

 

Check crowd calendars. You want to avoid MLK Jr. weekend and the marathons that are in January. Also avoid Mardi Gras week because half of Louisiana shows up (if you come later into February and Easter is early?).

 

We've gone frequently in January and early February. The weather is more unpredictable. It tends to be rainier and cooler. Lots of South American tour groups because it's summer there. The crowds are lower, but that means that they staff at lower levels and have rides and transportation operating at lower levels. You can still wind up waiting and should look into strategy and planning despite the relatively low crowds. Check the ride refurbishment schedule too because they tend to do repairs and renovations in low seasons. :)

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The last couple weeks of January into early February are great times to go. It's one of the lowest crowd levels of the year, but park days at WDW will always be the least crowded on weekdays (I'm sure that's the case with Universal as well), so I'd plan to use my weekends for travel and be there during the week.

 

I'm a Disney travel agent, so obviously I am partial to Disney. I think you may want to consider more than 2 days there since there are a total of 4 parks. Universal has 2 parks, and both have Harry Potter areas, so you need to look at the offerings and decide which of those you'd like to see, unless you plan to do both.

 

If you are staying in a Disney resort (value resorts there are quite reasonable), I can book your trip for you (my services are free), make dining reservations and fast passes, help you with an itinerary, etc.

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Sigh. I really don't want to go at all. I hate crowds and standing in line!

 

But my daughter really wants to go, has been begging for years, and I have agreed.

 

If I go in January, what is the quietest week and should I still expect significant lines?

 

Did you travel independently or on a tour e.g. AAA?

Nothing but sympathy here. Our little DD *loves* Disney and as much as I will hate every second there, we are compromising and going for one day in January...
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