[TK924]

We're tentatively looking at MLK weekend as a possibility for our next trip. DD has something like 5 days in a row off from school with the long weekend.
I've read that Jan is usually a good time to go, but have also read to stay away from any holiday weekend. If you've been to WDW before during Jan and/or MLK weekend, how does this weekend rank on a scale from 1 to 10. (with 10 being the most crowded and also knowing that there's no such thing as a "1", "2" and maybe even "3" scale for WDW).

Thanks.

[Dawn]

We went in 2007 and we are going again in 2009. The guides said most rides were 7-10. It was more crowded than the times when we had been in October. It was still very pleasant (not like the crowds at other holidays or summer). We did not wait more than 20-30 min for Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The extra magic hours are great to have this time of year too. Also I read on one of the other posts that Jan 20 has the possibility of being a PPP.

[cinderbella]

It will be crowded on any holiday weekend. Trust me. It was packed on Columbus Day. However, it will be much better than going during Christmas, New Years or Easter. And in January the weather is just about perfect.

[Glampire31]

I have gone a few times in January around MLK day, I don't remember it being that crowded, plus the weather was not too bad either.

[Big Al]

We have the same fear. Our trip in January is scheduled to arrive the afternoon of the 20th. We're hoping the holiday weekend traffic will be pulling out as we are arriving.

Also, the Super Bowl is in Tampa in January, so we want to be leaving WDW before that crowd starts to arrive. So we're going 20th to 27th.

Touringplans.com's website is still predicting light crowds after the 20th.

[TK924]

I found this at MouseSavers dot com.

Some less-known events that may affect crowds, park hours and/or traffic at Walt Disney World:

Cheerleeding/Twirl/Dance Competitions - Various dates each year, especially January-March. These usually don't have a lot of impact on the in-park crowds. The issue is that the Value resorts (All-Stars and Pop Century) play host to hordes of girls who can be extremely loud -- so you may want to avoid those resorts during competitions. Some events take place at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular in Disney's Hollywood Studios, so that attraction might be closed. Some of the competitions and events include UCA/UDA Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 25-28, 2008), College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championships (January 16-18, 2009), National Dance Team Championship (January 30-February 1, 2009), National High School Cheerleading Championship (February 7-8, 2009), Twirlmania (February 13-16, 2009), Contest of Champions Nationals (February 28-March 1 and March 6-8, 2009), National All Star Cheerleading Championship (March 14-15, 2009), All Star Cheerleading and Dance Worlds (last one was April 24-26, 2009).

I'd hate not being able to sleep due to loud teens. I doubt WDW would do much about it, would they?
This could really be a "deal breaker" for me.

[karliebug]

I have gone twice at this time and found it relatively uncrowded and flights were cheap! I flew once for $49 each way from Philly. The only thing my kids didn't like was that it was too cool to swim when we went and they really enjoy pool time.

[TK924]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I have gone twice at this time and found it relatively uncrowded and flights were cheap!

It sounds like some people's reports are much different than others. It may depend on which park you're at, right? I guess I'm not so much worried about the park attendance during this time as I am with the unsupervised teens at the value resorts up during all hours of the night running around and yelling.

[MissDisney]

MLK is not going to have the same crowds as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving or any of the bigger holidays. In fact, I bet January is a very pleasant low-crowd time to be there (except you might be wearing jackets). You will be just fine!

And if you ever do get to a park and feel the crowds are bigger than you'd like, just do the usual stuff -- stay late, use FPs, etc.

[johnkimv]

We went last year the week after and it was soooooo nice! Great weather and little crowds!! Doing it again this year!!

[tonyksl]

MLK weekend is a fairly busy time. The day after, it lightens up tremendously. One of the best times to go. Most of the cheerleading pains start in February.

[TK924]

Originally Posted by tonyksl

MLK weekend is a fairly busy time. The day after, it lightens up tremendously. One of the best times to go. Most of the cheerleading pains start in February.

According to what I found earlier, there will be some sort of cheerleading event from Jan 16-18, 2009 and that's MLK weekend as the holiday is on the 19th.
I guess we just may have to take our chances.

[TK924]

I'm reviving this thread again. After much discussion, this time frame in Jan seems like the best for all in my family. Plus, I needed to initiate the WDW countdown.

We haven't made reservations yet, but the dates would more than likely be Jan 17th - 21st to stay at Pop Century. I'm still watching the airline prices to see if they'll come down a bit more than what they're offering right now. We'll drive if we absolutley have to, but I really would prefer to fly...I'm spoiled.

I really, really hope that this long, extended weekend in Jan will be pleasant (crowds and weather). *fingers crossed*

[emperisse]

It'll be great TK924! We went two years ago in mid-January, and the crowds were pleasant and light, and the weather was SO nice! I'm in NJ, so winters are chilly! Going down to Florida in the middle of January was great. We were in t-shirts and jeans the whole time, and never had a wait over 15 minutes. I know you'll be there during the holiday weekend, but it won't come close to the insane summer crowd levels. Enjoy!!

[TK924]

Originally Posted by emperisse

I know you'll be there during the holiday weekend, but it won't come close to the insane summer crowd levels. Enjoy!!

I hope that this is the case.


We've been during Spring Break madness before and I vowed never to go back there during that time of year again.
Our trips in Sept and early Dec were the best so far, but it's getting more difficult to take our child out of school as she gets older.