After the merriment (or madness) of the holidays that accompanies December, Disney World in January is a relatively relaxing time. We can think of no better place to make (or break) a few New Year's resolutions than at the theme parks.
Overview of Disney World in January
If you pick the right days, January can be a terrific time to visit Walt Disney World. The majority of the month historically has seen low to medium crowds, especially after the first week of the year, when the kids are back in school. Although the temperature can be chilly in the early mornings and evenings, and there are occasional "cold" days that close the water parks, Orlando is nowhere near as cold or as dark as the rest of the country this time of year. There is still plenty of Florida sunshine, and with the pools heated, you might forget that it's still winter!
Crowds at Disney World in January
As far as crowd levels go, January is divided. The week of New Year's Day sees some of the highest crowd levels possible. After that first week, the crowds are overwhelmingly neutral with a handful of low days sprinkled in. If you're considering taking the kids out of school for vacation, the second half of the month is a better time than the first. We know this is a personal decision, and we won’t judge you either way (here are a few questions to ask yourself before you do).
Before you book your trip to Disney World in January, we recommend you check out the Crowd Calendar to find the best travel dates and then revisiting it again as you get closer to your actual trip to pick the recommended park by day.
Weather at Disney World in January
Rainfall chances in January are low; the average high is 74 and the low is 49. Disney's Blizzard Beach and LEGOLAND’s Water Park are typically closed for the season (Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, SeaWorld by Aquatica and Wet 'n' Wild are open and heated). The Disney resort pools and most Orlando hotel pools are heated! Here is the packing list for this time of year.
Events at Disney World in January
There are a few events happening at Disney World in January. Here’s the rundown of the major theme park events that usually take place in January. Be sure to check out special events pages for Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa for full details.
- Walt Disney World Marathon
- A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
Are you planning to visit Disney World in February? Share any questions you have in comments below! You'll find more resources to help you plan your Disney World vacation on our When to Visit Orlando page inside the Orlando Planning Guide.
Keep hopping!
