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If you’re thinking about going to Disney World in January, then this post is for YOU! It has all the answers. With everything from crowds, ride closures, and park hours, to what to wear at Disney World in January, you and your family will be ready for an amazing vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my disclosure policy.

What is Disney World Like in January

I love to go to Disney World any time of the year, but January is one of my favorites, especially with the return of the Disney Dining Plan. If you are looking to go when the weather is pleasant, without being overly hot and humid, then January just may be a great time for you to visit.

In this post you will find information that will let you know what to expect and help you plan an amazing vacation!

All About Disney World in January

This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Disney in January including how to avoid the crowds, what rides and attractions to hit first, and which hotels I recommend near the parks.mIf you will be visiting another time of year, you can find a guide for each month of the year here.

Available Hotels Near Disney World

How to Get A Deal on a Disney World Vacation in January

There is no denying that Disney World vacations are EXPENSIVE. But, there are some things you can do to save money. One, is to stay off-site at a Walt Disney World Resort Good Neighbor Hotel.

Another way to save money is to bring your own snacks into the park. A third way, is to use a travel agent like my travel partner, Get Away Today. Travel agents are great, because they know how to get you the best deal, cheaper ticket prices, and can even change your package, if a better deal comes along before you travel.

Click the button below to check out Disney World vacation packages from Get Away Today and use the coupon code: Clubhouse10, or give them a call at 855-GET-AWAY and tell them that Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you!

What are crowds like at Disney World in January?

Generally, the first week of January is still busy due to the remaining holiday crowds and Christmas decorations. After that, crowd calendars indicate that the rest of the month should be a good time with lower crowds, but with increased crowd levels for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend.

These relatively low crowds make January one of the least crowded months of the year to go to Disney World! I do have some tips to help you deal with crowds below. These tips work even if it isn’t crowded as well.

Special Events at Disney World in January

There are not many special events scheduled at Disney World in January because January tends to be one of the slower months. But if you are looking to avoid crowds, you might want to plan your trip around these dates:

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• January 5-8: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
• January 12 – February 19: Epcot International Festival of the Arts
• January 10, 11, and February 2: Disney After Hours Events. These late-night experiences kick off, on select nights, Jan. 10 at Hollywood Studios, Jan. 11 at Magic Kingdom and Feb. 2 at EPCOT.

Tips for Crowded Days at Disney World

Below you will find tips and tricks that will help you have a seamless Disney World Vacation. You can pick and choose which of these tips will work for you and your family.

Disney Genie

The Fastpass + System has been retired at Walt Disney World and has been replaced with Disney Genie. Disney Genie is a complimentary service that is used through the My Disney Experience app.

This service will help you plan your day and help you Maximize your time by providing an itinerary that helps you accomplish the attractions and experiences that are important to you. You can read all about Disney Genie here.

Disney Genie+

Disney Genie+ is a paid service that is similar to the old Fastpass system. For $15 -$35 per person per day, you will have the ability to schedule times to ride certain attractions throughout the day to help cut down on long lines in the standby queue. You can read more about Disney Genie+ here.

Lightning Lane

Another paid service that can help you save time is Disney when it is crowded is Lightning Lane. If you want to skip the line on attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, you can purchase a Lightning Lane pass for each ride. Read my article about Disney Genie and Lightning Lane here.

Advance Dining Reservations

The restaurants at Disney World are amazing but they book up quickly, even during less crowded times like January. In most cases, you will need to have an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) in order to dine at table service restaurants. Currently, these reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.

Some of the most popular restaurants fill up quickly. If this happens to you, make sure you keep checking the My Disney Experience app because many people cancel their reservations, especially the closer you get to your date.

Planning ahead and making your dining reservations as soon as you can, will help you enjoy your favorite meals and beat the crowds! Read all about the Best Disney World Character Meals here.

Rider Switch

Another way to beat the crowds at Disney World is to use Rider Switch if your are traveling with small children. Rider Switch is designed for guests who are visiting with a child who is too small or may not ride certain attractions.

One adult can sit out with that child while the other adult goes on the ride. When the adult who rode the ride is done, the other adult can then ride with up to two guests without waiting in the sand-by line!

Rider Switch Attractions

Magic Kingdom

• The Barnstormer
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain 
• Stitch’s Great Escape
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Epcot

• Frozen Ever After
• Mission: SPACE
• Soarin’
• Test Track
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Disney’s Animal Kingdom 

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest
• Kali River Rapids

What is the Weather Like in January at Disney World?

The weather at Disney World in December is actually really mild. High average temperatures are in the 60s and 70s and lows are in the 40s and 50s.

The Orlando weather forecast for January shows a mix of partly cloudy days with a few rainy days mixed in and mild temperatures.

It’s a good idea to check the weather again a week or two before you go, so that you can be prepared. I was there last year in January and had to buy a coat at Epcot! For up to date weather information in Orlando, click here.

Disney World Hours in January

Here are the hours for the theme parks at Walt Disney World in January. As always, hours are subject to change, so check Disney’s website for current information.

Magic Kingdom Park

• Early Entry 8:30 am – 9:00 am
• Open from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Extended Evening Hours (for Deluxe resort and select hotels guests) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm on Wednesdays

Epcot

• Early Entry 8:30 am – 9:00 am
• Open from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Extended Evening Hours (for Deluxe resort and select hotels guests) 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm on Mondays

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Early Entry 8:30 am – 9:00 am
• Open from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Early Entry 8:30 am – 9:00 am
• Open from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

January Ride Closures

Disney is great at keeping their rides and attractions in top notch form. That is one of the reasons that I am ok with spending more money to visit their theme parks.

For an updated list of what rides will be closed in January, visit Disney World’s website.

What to Pack in January

If you’re wondering what to pack for you Disney World January trip, I’ve got you covered!

Before we get into that list, make sure to check out my Disney World Packing List, How Amazon Can Save You Money at Disney and 10 Items You Need in your Disney Backpack to make sure you have everything you need. Here is a list of things you will need to pack for Disney World in January.

Pack Rain Gear

The weather in Orlando can be very unpredictable and rain storms can come quickly out of nowhere. Also, as I mentioned above, there are a few days in January that are forecasted to have rain. Make sure to be prepared for rain storms by bringing along an umbrella, poncho, and stroller protection.

You can find all sorts of cute Disney-themed umbrellas on Amazon that are so much cheaper than if you bought them at the parks. They also have an assortment of ponchos for adults and kids that have Disney characters on them. 

I like to bring a few disposable ponchos per person, that can be thrown away when you’re done with them. That way you don’t have to worry about storing them!

Ponchos are also great to wear on rides where you will get wet. My kids don’t like to get their clothes wet while riding Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain, so ponchos allow them to stay dry and still enjoy the ride.

If you have a stroller, check out these universal rain covers that are great to keep your stuff and your child dry when the rain comes.

Pack Sun Protection

Even though temperatures are not in the 80s and 90s in January, you and your family are still at risk of getting a sunburn!

Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen. Buying at your resort or in the parks is much more expensive than bringing it yourself.

It’s also a great idea to pack sunglasses and a cute hat. There are tons of Disney hat options on Amazon.

What to Wear at Disney World in January

When I take my family to Disney World, comfort is my number one priority. It’s not fun to be hot, cold, or just plain uncomfortable because you didn’t know what to wear.

For Women:

Wear a pair of leggings, a cute Disney themed t-shirt, comfortable shoes, and bring along a sweatshirt for cooler temperatures! 

For Men:

Wear a pair of jeans, a manly Disney t-shirt, comfortable shoes, and a sweatshirt for early morning and evening.

For Kids:

When dressing your kids for Disney World in January, I would go by the same guidelines as for men and women above. Click HERE to look at cute Disney shirts for girls and HERE to see options for boys.

Where to Buy Cute Disney Apparel

When it comes to buying cute Disney clothing, there are SO many options out there. The internet is full of amazing items that are perfect for your vacation photos. I always check Walmart, Target, and Kohl’s as well as these options below.

Jane.com

If you’re looking for cute Disney apparel for the whole family that won’t break the bank, check out Jane.com!

I always look there before I go on a Disney vacation to pick up cute t-shirts for around $20 plus shipping.

Act fast though, because the deals from Jane change daily. Follow @MommyMouseClubhouse on Instagram to stay up to date on all of the amazing Disney-themed merchandise!

For more detailed info on how to order from Jane, check out my post Where I Buy My Cute Disney Shirts!

shopDisney

I’ve also had really good luck taking advantage of sales from the Disney Store. If you can catch a sale, you can save so much money over what you would pay for the same items at the parks.

Amazon

Amazon has tons of cute Disney apparel for  the whole family! You can find everything from matching family Disney t-shirts, to Minnie Ears and autograph books!

How to Save Money on Disney World Tickets & Hotels

When booking your next Disney World vacation, make sure to check out Get Away Today! Their customer service is THE BEST!

They are an authorized Disney partner that offers DISCOUNT DISNEY WORLD TICKETS and they often offer deals like discounts on rooms, free dining, and more when you book a vacation package!

Check Disney World vacation package prices here an use the coupon code: Clubhouse10 or give them a call at 855-GET-AWAY for current deals at Walt Disney World and tell them the Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you!

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