January Disney World crowds (for the most part) are low, making this one of my personal favorite months of the year to visit. As you’re about to see, heading to WDW in January is a true blast—given that the month starts off by ringing in the new year with some of the best fireworks you could ever see. If you haven’t seen the Magic Kingdom’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular (or at least a video of the show), it really is a must-see…
Plus, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off in January! If you love Disney art (who doesn’t?!), live entertainment, interactive art classes, and delicious Instagram-worthy food, you’ll want to plan a trip to WDW during this festival.
Just in case you’re already craving a January trip to WDW, I figured now might be a good time to let you know about our friends at Destinations to Travel. Their team of Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are dedicated to ensuring you have the most magical experience possible (and their services are entirely free)! Send them a message today (and let them know Danny sent you).
January Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar
Not only are the crowds fairly low at WDW in January, but so are the temperatures! Low crowds, low temperatures (if you’re not a fan of the summertime Florida heat), and a fun-filled EPCOT festival make this month a truly amazing time to visit WDW.
Dad’s Guide to WDW Crowd Calendar Disclaimer
This calendar is based on historical facts as we know them today, and personal experiences. Walt Disney World is an ever-changing destination and you might find the crowds, weather, or seasonal experiences to be different from what we’ve predicted.
How to avoid January crowds
If you don’t visit WDW right after New Year’s Day, during the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, the rest of the month (for the most part) should have very low crowds. Oh—you might also want to avoid EPCOT on the first day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts… Unless you love the excitement of something new happening at a park and just have to be there for “opening day,” in which case, you’ll have a blast!
Find more tips to help you avoid crowds at WDW here.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is VERY busy—in fact, it’s historically one of the busiest days of the year at Walt Disney World. You can expect extremely long lines on attractions and very long waits for quick-service restaurants. But, if you’d like to experience the lively, unforgettable, party-like atmosphere in the parks on New Year’s Eve, it just might be worth dealing with the heavy crowd levels!
January Events
- Walt Disney World Marathon – This is one of the biggest runDisney events of the year and can cause some congestion in some areas of the parks impacted by the race(s). If you’re visiting at this time, be sure to check the race routes and times in advance to best plan your day. the Walt Disney World Marathon doesn’t have a very significant impact on crowds
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – Since its debut in 2017, this has become my personal favorite annual EPCOT festival. From getting to interact with Disney Artists to fun photo-ops allowing you to step into famous works of art—and the stunning food and drink offerings, it is a true must-do!
The Best Time to Visit Disney World?
Wondering when is the best time to visit WDW? Of course, that really depends on you—your preferences, your schedule, and what’s on your must-do list. But, before booking your next vacation, here’s a breakdown of the factors you should consider.
Discover when the “best time to visit Walt Disney World” is here.
See all of our Walt Disney World crowd calendars here.
