[StormyTink]

I'm looking for some predictions on crowd levels during the days of January 1 - 5, 2009. Most of what I've found on the subject of Disney and January has been either for late January or very outdated threads...I may have a new job by then and probably can't take off for vacation time, but my job will be in a school, so I'll have until January 6 free, just like my kids. Any advice would be much appreciated.


We've been during Spring Break before, and I'm specifically wondering how the first week of January crowds might compare to that. It was quite crowded during Spring break, but the only park we couldn't really even get into was MK. We had a good time in the others though. So if the first week of January isn't any worse than Spring Break, we might be ok. I'm hoping it might even be a little better...


Thank you!

[PhilliesFan]

There is just heresay as I have never been to WDW during the first week of January. My neighbor went in 2007, he left on New Year's Day. I remember that he told that it was very very very very very crowded. From what he told me, I gather the crowd was the size of the spring break crowd.

[hanwill]

Plus, you need to look around at when the marathon occurs. I have heard that it is really busy then as well...

[johnkimv]

I think those days will be ok. Most people come for Christmas and leave at New Years.

[dancing4disney]

This year school breaks are most likely until Sunday the 3rd. (New Years Day is on a Thursday which is late this year). I have a feeling more people may stay for the 1st adn 2nd if not the 3rd.

[tea]

If you are asking specifically for New Years day then I can say that crowds are MASSIVE! If you stay on property they guarantee you entrance to one of the parks, then you have to stay there because there is no guaranteed re-entry.

If you are asking for the first couple of weeks after the 1st then they are not bad ;) Even with the marathon the parks dont get very crowded. But I would wait until until school starts up again to visit WDW.

[StormyTink]

Originally Posted by tea

But I would wait until until school starts up again to visit WDW.

Well, I'd love to wait until school is back in session after the holidays before we go, but since I'll probably be working then, getting time off so soon after being hired won't be an option.

So, we'll have to make do with a trip during our school holidays. At least I'll get the same holidays since I'll be employed in a school.

Thank you so much for the replies everyone, and please wish us luck! I made reservations yesterday! This will be sort of a combination Christmas, birthday, daughter's graduation (she graduates from high school in May), and New Year's celebration for us. If the crowds aren't any worse than they were when we went during Spring Break a few years ago, we'll be ok. That was one of our best trips ever, even though it was very crowded.

[bethishooked]

Be sure to let us know after the trip how the crowds were. I've looked at those dates before, and really didn't have too much discussion how the crowds were either.

[StormyTink]

I did find the following on Allears.net, which looks encouraging. I hope it's right, because then Jan. 1 would be the only supercrowded day, and the rest should be better.

Disney states:

The Lowest Attendance --
January (except New Year's Day) until just prior to Presidents' Week in February
The week following Labor Day until the week prior to Thanksgiving
The week following Thanksgiving until mid-December


More Moderate Attendance:
After Presidents' week in February through early March
Late April through early June (except Memorial Day weekend)
Columbus Day Weekend (October)
The first part of Thanksgiving week

Highest Attendance:
Presidents' week in February
Mid March through Late April ("Spring Break")
Memorial Day weekend
Mid June through Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and weekend
Christmas week through New Year's Day

We're crossing our fingers!