January 2019 Disney World Crowd Calendar

January at Disney World can best be characterized as mild temps, relatively light crowds and sometimes several refurbishments.

Except for the first days of the month, Marathon Weekend, and MLK weekend, January is mostly low crowds and low prices. However, going during a time when there's less people visiting comes with a negative side: Disney likes to take that opportunity to do several refurbishments so people traveling in January will often miss out on some attractions.

Most people visiting Disney World can pack summer clothes since it's usually hot, but it can be quite cool in January. I suggest paying close attention to the forecast before your trip and planning to wear layers. Start the day with a jacket and/or long sleeves and then remove layers as the temperatures warm up. Some people do swim in January, but not too many.

(Example alerts: "park hours just released," "event tickets just went on sale")

Explanation of park recommendations and abbreviations below
In general, I recommend avoiding parks with Extra Magic Hours because they tend to be the busiest parks that day. Animal Kingdom is an exception because it's usually not too bad, even on EMH days.Magic Kingdom usually sees a surge on Saturdays, so other parks are usually a better choice.MK = Magic Kingdom, EP = Epcot, HS = Hollywood Studios, AK = Animal Kingdom,
TL = Typhoon Lagoon, BB = Blizzard Beach, EMH = Extra Magic Hour

What the dates in each day of the calendar mean
(click the + sign beside each date to add it to your calendar):
When guests can start making Advanced Dining Reservations
When onsite guests can start making FastPass+ reservations
When offsite guests can start making FastPass+ reservations

Park colors:
Suggested park
Moderately suggested park
Park not suggested

Trip planning checklist

☑ June or earlier: book your hotel, make your daily plans and choose dining options ☑ July or early August: 180 days before your trip begins, make dining reservations (website is available at 6 a.m. eastern, phone lines are open at 7 a.m. Eastern). Use the dates on the calendar to show you when to do that. ☑ September - November: book flights (tips on finding best flights) ☑ November or early December: if you're staying onsite, you can start making FastPass+ reservations 60 days before your trip begins. Use dates on the calendar to see when you can start making FP+ reservations online beginning at 7 a.m. eastern time. You can also check in online for your resort room if you'd like. ☑ December or earlier: set up Magical Express, purchase Memory Maker and order groceries ☑ January: pack (packing list to help you) and go to Disney World! ☑ February: finalize PhotoPass pics and order within 45 days after your trip

Refurbishment Details

January 31, 2017 - June 30, 2019 - Coronado Springs - construction, Major construction and a reconfiguration of the resort currently under way. (Resort)

August 1, 2017 - December 31, 2019 - Art of Animation - Disney Skyliner construction, Construction of the new Disney gondola system known as the "Disney Skyliner" has begun at Art of Animation. During this time construction noise may be seen or heard throughout the resort, but noise should not be heard from Guest rooms between dusk and 9am. (Resort)

November 2, 2017 - July 31, 2019 - NBA Experience (opening summer 2019), (Attraction)

January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019 - Flights of Wonder closing permanently January 1, 2018 , (Attraction)

May 14, 2018 - May 13, 2019 - New Signature dining location (opening date TBD), (Dining)

July 1, 2018 - May 31, 2019 - Villa del Lago - Coming Soon!, Opening in 2019 (Dining)

September 4, 2018 - January 6, 2019 - Refurbishment - Siestas Cantina Pool Bar, Siestas Cantina Pool Bar will be closed for refurbishment during the same time as the main feature pool. (Dining)

October 21, 2018 - May 1, 2019 - Rafiki Planet Watch Refurbishment, (Attraction)

October 30, 2018 - November 30, 2019 - Riviera Resort (Opening Fall 2019), (Resort)

December 1, 2018 - October 31, 2019 - WDW Railroad Closure, WDW Railroad will not circle the park during this time in order to allow for construction of the TRON rollercoaster. The train will be stationary at the Main Street Station for guests to visit. (Attraction)

January 2, 2019 - July 31, 2019 - Refurbishment - Tron Construction, Tomorrowland Speedway will close to allow for construction of TRON rollercoaster. (Attraction)

January 7, 2019 - February 2, 2019 - Peter Pan's Flight Refurbishment, (Attraction)