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WDW Prep School

January at Disney World

Last updated on 11/30/2022

January February March April May June July August September October November December

We love January at Walt Disney World. It starts off with some of the year’s heaviest crowds, but finishes with low crowds and cool temps (2 of our favorite things to have when visiting!).

Here’s what you need to know:

Slinky Dog Dash January at Disney World
  • Ready to dive in? Jump down to the January Crowd Calendar

Is January a good time to visit Walt Disney World?

Yes, yes, yes. January (especially mid to late January) at Walt Disney World is an absolutely lovely time to visit. In fact, we love it so much, we visit Walt Disney World in January every year!

We are going to cover all the reasons why we recommend visiting WDW in January down below, but to kick off our discussion, here are some of the key takeaways we think you need to know about if traveling to Disney World in January.

Why we love January at Walt Disney World

  • The weather at Disney World in January is some of the best you’ll find all year, with average lows in the 50’s and highs in the 70’s.
  • Crowds after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday through the end of the month are typically some of the lowest you’ll find all year.
  • Over in Epcot, the delightful Festival of the Arts (which is free with your park admission) kicks off in January, too.
  • You can find some of the lowest rack rates of the year in January. Plus, outside New Year’s and the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, discounts are fairly common in January, too.
  • Did we mention the weather? We love the January weather so much we are going to list it twice because if you’ve ever visited central Florida in July you’ll know how amazing it is to go to the parks without sweating.

Ok, so clearly there is a lot to love about January at Walt Disney World. But, there are a few downsides to January, too. Here are some important things to keep in mind when planning your trip:

  • Most of the first half of the month (through the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday) are very busy, so avoid those if you can.
  • January is when the extremely popular runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon takes place across the entire WDW Resort. If traveling over those dates, expect heavier crowds and possibly some early morning road delays.
  • Holiday decorations will start coming down the first Monday after New Years, but it can take several weeks before everything is gone from all the parks and resorts. Although not usually a big deal, it is kind of weird to see Christmas trees in mid-January.
  • Refurbishments and closures are more common during January, since Disney typically schedules refurbs during slower times of the year.

But, in our opinion, even with these negatives, the pros for traveling to Walt Disney World in January far, FAR outweigh the cons.

Is Disney World busy in January?

Although January has a couple of big holidays that definitely make the parks busy, there are still large pockets of time when guests will find the crowd levels to be much more reasonable.

Keep in mind, however, that even if the overall crowds may be lower, it may not always feel like it.

There are several reasons for why that is and while it is all speculation, here are some things that we’ve noticed that can make the parks feel busier than they are:

  • Reduced capacity at attractions. Some attractions (like Space Mountain or Toy Story Mania, for example) have multiple “sides”, and during slower times of the year, Disney may only operate 1 side, which will definitely impact wait times.
  • Refurbishments. Whenever anything is closed (either for a refurbishment or even if an attraction simply goes down), all those people who may have been in line are now out in the park or waiting in line for a different attraction. January is a popular time for refurbishments, which means you have a good chance something will be closed and guests will have fewer attractions to visit.
  • Staffing. During slower times of the year, Disney adjusts staffing everywhere – not just at the attractions. That can mean longer waits everywhere you go, including at restaurants, Guest Services, tapstiles/entrance, security, etc.

But, on the positive, even if the overall wait times at attractions aren’t dramatically reduced, you can still definitely FEEL a difference in the parks.

It can be a lot easier to find a table at a quick service restaurant, the pathways and walkways in the parks aren’t as crowded, and it can be even easier to find a bench to sit on or a spot to watch the nighttime shows.

So, while traveling during a less busy time of the year may not save you a ton of time waiting in line (although we still are confident it can save you some), your overall experience is better.

To avoid the heaviest crowds in January, skip these dates:

  • January 1-2 – very busy time as people use their days off from work/school to vacation at Disney World for the holidays
  • January 3-9 – most schools are back in session during this time, but you can still expect moderate to heavy crowds due to the extremely popular runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon
  • January 13-16 – heavy crowds descend on Walt Disney World as guests visit for both the long holiday weekend and the UCA College Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals

Planning for Disney World in January

PARK HOURS | PRICES & DISCOUNTS | SPECIAL EVENTS | WEATHER | WHAT TO WEAR | REFURBISHMENTS & CLOSURES | WHAT’S NEW | TIPS

January Walt Disney World Park Hours

Disney publishes its park hours about 75 days in advance, but those hours can (and very often do) change.

Note: This used to be about 180 days in advance, but since the reopening, they have transitioned to a roughly 75-day window.

As the dates get closer, it isn’t unusual for Disney to tweak either the opening or closing times. And during especially busy times of the year, they may change both.

That means to avoid having your plans sidetracked, you’ll definitely want to keep checking the park hours – including while on your trip.

When it comes to park hours – in general – the heavier the crowds, the longer the parks will be open during the day. Of course, that also means that the parks will be open fewer hours of the day during less busy times of the years.

In January, that means that you’ll typically find the parks open longer at the beginning of the year and around the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Read More:

  • Guide to Magic Kingdom Park Hours
  • Guide to Epcot Park Hours
  • Guide to Hollywood Studios Park Hours
  • Guide to Animal Kingdom Park Hours

Prices and Discounts for January at Disney World

If you are looking for a good deal, January is typically a prime time to snag one.

Tickets over the busy New Year’s Holiday and Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend are pricey. But if you can avoid traveling over those dates, you’ll find some of the lowest prices of the year.

Also, January has seen discounts of some sort for at least the past 7 years (which is as long as we’ve been tracking them).

  •  Guide to Disney World Discounts

Special Events at Disney World in January

Holiday decorations (Resort-wide)

While not really a “special event”, if you are traveling during the first few days of January, you’ll likely get to see many of the holiday decorations still up across the parks.

January at Disney World

Decorations typically begin coming down on the first Monday after New Year’s.

This process takes a while, though. And, with so many resorts and parks, it usually takes a couple of weeks for all traces of the holidays to be removed and if you’re just ready for the holidays to be over, it can be frustrating to see remnants of Christmas splashed in the parks.

  •  When do the decorations come down?

Walt Disney World marathon (Resort-wide)

The most popular of all the runDisney races is the Walt Disney World Marathon, which typically takes place the first weekend after New Year’s Day.

This multi-day event includes the full and half-marathons, plus a 5k and 10k race, and thousands and thousands of guests descend on the Walt Disney World Resort over Race Weekend to run one (or more) of them.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts (Epcot)

The newest festival at Epcot is called Festival of the Arts, and it is one of our favorites.

Festival of the Arts sign

Taking place in January and February, this festival covers all things “art”. This includes visual, culinary, and performing arts.

The cost is free with your park ticket, and we definitely think it is worth spending a little bit of time enjoying.

  •  Overview of the International Festival of the Arts

50th Anniversary Celebration

Walt Disney World is celebrating 50 years!

Cinderella castle at night

Extending all the way from October 1, 2021 until April 1, 2023, this celebration will offer guests the opportunities for new experiences, entertainment, and of course merchandise and treats.

  •  Complete Guide to the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World

Weather​

If you prefer cooler temperatures and low humidity, January is the month for you.

But even though the temps range from lows in the 50s to highs in the 70s, remember those are just averages.

It isn’t unusual to see those lows dip into the 30s and the highs to climb into the 80s.

Layers are a necessity during this time of the year. Even the characters wear long sleeves and jackets in January.

In addition to cool temps, January also sees some of the least amounts of rain, with an average of fewer than 3 inches per month.

That combination (cool temps, low humidity, and minimal rain) helps make January a pleasant time to visit.

  •  How to handle the weather at Disney World

Can you swim in January?​

Yes, you can!

The good news is that the pools across the resort are heated. And, in fact, one of Disney’s 2 water parks is also typically open in January.

Port Orleans Pool January at Disney World

But, just because you can swim doesn’t mean it won’t be chilly.

We generally hear from people that if you are from a cold climate, swimming during January isn’t bad.

However, if you are from a typically warm climate, then jumping in a pool when it is 70 degrees out might be a bit too chilly.

And, in our experience, while many kids seem oblivious to the coolness of swimming in January, the adults might find it rough.

If swimming is a must-do, your best bet is to give it a go during the middle of the day when the air temperatures are the highest.

Note: during especially cold stretches, Disney will close the pools and water parks.

  •  FAQ’s about the Pools at Walt Disney World

What to wear

When packing for Disney World in January, layers will be key.

The mornings and evenings are likely to be chilly, but you may find that short sleeves will work just fine during the middle of the day.

That’s why having things you can easily take off and put back on is essential.

Again, what climate you come from will likely determine just how heavy your layers are. In general, if traveling in January, we recommend everyone have a heavy jacket or coat.

Alice in Wonderland

Sweatshirts and hoodies are also good options for milder days.

In addition, we’ve had several trips where we found ourselves purchasing gloves in the parks, so we now are sure to pack those with us when we head to Walt Disney World in January.

  • Ultimate Packing List for Walt Disney World

Refurbishments and closures

Disney tends to save major refurbishments for times of the year when the crowds are the lowest, typically after the busy holiday season but before summer.

That means January will usually see several refurbishments.

  • Disney World Refurbishment Calendar

Water parks

During the colder months, Disney also typically closes Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon (one at a time) for refurbishment.

These scheduled closings typically take place between the end of October and mid-March.

Make sure you check the calendar below to see what park will be open during your visit.

What’s new at Disney World in January?​

At this time, no major new attraction, restaurant, or show is scheduled to open in January.

Tips for Disney World in January

  • Layers, layers, layers. The weather can fluctuate greatly, so make sure you pack things you can take off and put on easily.
  • Keep checking for discounts. January is a popular month for them. And if you are flexible in your resort choice, you may be able to save a nice amount of money.
  • Be prepared for some closures. It is pretty typical for attractions like Splash Mountain to be down for routine maintenance in January.
  • New Year’s and the Martin Luther King, Jr. holidays are both historically busy times of the year at Walt Disney World. Avoid them if you can.

What order should you visit the parks?

Depending on the length of your trip, here’s how many days we recommend for each park:

Suggested number of days in each park

When it comes time to decide which days are best for each park, here are some general things to keep in mind:

  • Hollywood Studios is consistently the first park to reach capacity, primarily because of popular attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash.
  • Magic Kingdom is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think “Disney World”. Saturdays and Mondays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
  • Epcot hosts nearly year-round festivals, and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors and with locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for are alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you’d find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn’t the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays.
  • Even with the new Park Pass system, Animal Kingdom remains one of the “easiest” parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.
  •  We go into a lot more detail in our guide on The Best Days to Visit Each Park.

How our January Crowd Calendar Works

How the Crowd Calendars work

1. For each day of the month, we tell you on a scale of 1-10 how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort is when compared to other days of the year.

2. Then, for each park, you’ll see the park hours and any special events that are planned.

3. We also track refurbishments and closings (which you can toggle on and off).

4. We have a handy feature that allows you to automatically add your Advanced Dining Reservation date to your calendar.

5. And, one of the most useful features is the ability to be able to print the calendar so that you can have a paper copy for planning (or to just use as a backup).

January Crowd Calendar

Crowd Calendar
January 2023

Print as PDF

Official park hours are usually released around 75 days in advance.

Crowd Levels

The "crowd level" compares each day to the rest of the year; it indicates how crowded the entire WDW Resort area is on a scale of 1-10.

Thursday, November 1, 2018
10/10 crowd level
  • 1-3 crowd levels
  • 4-7 crowd levels
  • 8-10 crowd levels
  • About advanced reservations

  • - Advanced dining reservations: Advanced dining reservations can be made 60 days beforehand beginning online at 6 am EST or by phone at 7:00 am EST.
  • Tips from our ground crew

  • - In general, we recommend booking Park Pass reservations for Hollywood Studios early in your trip to maximize your chances to ride Rise of the Resistance.
  • - Magic Kingdom typically sees a surge on Saturdays, so other parks are usually a better choice.
  • - Since the festivals can draw lots of locals, avoid Epcot on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • - Animal Kingdom is a good option for most days, so plug it into your trip wherever it is easiest.

  • Quick Toggle

      Magic Kingdom Epcot Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach Disney Springs Dining Closings Attraction Closings Reservation Dates
    Loading calendar...

      Recent Updates

    No updates published yet.

      Refurbishment Details

    December 3, 2018 - December 31, 2023 - WDW Railroad at Magic Kingdom, (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular , (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Victoria and Albert's, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Restaurant Marrakesh, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Monsieur Paul, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, (Dining)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, (Attraction)

    March 16, 2020 - December 31, 2078 - Enchanted Tales with Belle, (Attraction)

    March 31, 2020 - April 1, 2023 - All-Star Sports - Temporarily Closed, (Resort)

    March 15, 2022 - December 31, 2023 - Boardwalk Renovation, (Resort)

    March 15, 2022 - December 31, 2023 - Boardwalk Renovation, (Resort)

    June 18, 2022 - December 31, 2078 - Narcoossee’s, (Dining)

    August 15, 2022 - December 31, 2078 - Kona Cafe Refurbishment, Kona Cafe will be closing for a complete refurbishment. No reopening date has been announced yet. During the closure, Mobile Ordering will be available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Kona Island. (Dining)

    January 1, 2023 - March 31, 2023 - High Rock Spring Pool and On the Rocks Pool Bar, The main feature pool at Saratoga Springs will be down for scheduled maintenance. (Resort)

    January 9, 2023 - April 30, 2023 - Pool Refurbishment, The Feature Pool and whirlpool spas will be closed for refurbishment. Guests can use the water play area and Bay Lake Pool during this time. (Resort)

      Available Discounts

    No discounts currently available.

    See the chart of past discounts for previous promotion dates.

      Special Events

    January 1, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    January 2, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 4, 2023 - January 8, 2023 - WDW Marathon Weekend

    January 4, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    January 9, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    January 9, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 11, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    January 11, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    January 13, 2023 - February 20, 2023 - EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Click for more info)

    January 16, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    January 16, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 18, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    January 18, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    January 23, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    January 23, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 9PM-11PM (Click for more info)

    January 25, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    January 25, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours 10PM-12AM (Click for more info)

    January 30, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 1, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 6, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 7, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 13, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 15, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    February 15, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 16, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    February 20, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    February 20, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 21, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    February 22, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    February 23, 2023 - February 26, 2023 - Princess Half Marathon Weekend

    February 27, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    February 27, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 1, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 2, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 6, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 6, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 8, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 13, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 13, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 15, 2023 - Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (Click for more info)

    March 16, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 20, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 22, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    March 27, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Magic Kingdom (Click for more info)

    March 29, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    April 2, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    April 5, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    April 13, 2023 - April 16, 2023 - runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

    April 19, 2023 - Disney After Hours – Hollywood Studios (Click for more info)

    We will update this soon.

      Crowds

    January 1 - 2
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    January 3 - 8
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    January 9
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    January 10 - 12
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    January 13 - 16
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    January 17 - 23
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    January 24 - 27
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    January 28 - 30
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    January 31
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    Related articles

    We will update this soon.

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