January - coming from the north

[EmmMOM2]

We are thinking about going the first 2 weeks of January in 2011....

Coming from New England, should I be concerned about possible snowstorms that will disrupt flights etc.....my other concern is the kids having the flu or something since it is during a prime time when they are usually sick from winter...

Anyonw gone in January with young children (mine are 6 & 3) ???

Advice??

WOULD YOU PICK JAN or AUG if you had to pick one?

[faline]

I've gone in January but not with young children. Whenever you travel in winter, you run the risk of having flights disrupted due to bad weather. We once sat in the Orlando airport for 7-8 hours due to delayed flights. We did finally get off the ground and ended up being the last flight of the evening allowed into Logan - we landed in snow on a snow covered runway.

There's the risk of colds/flu, other viruses regardless of the time of year you travel. You just need to cross your fingers and hope the illness is done before you leave or doesn't set it until you get home.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We are going the first two weeks of January. We know that there is a risk of weather delays, so we added a couple of extra days to the trip, so we don't feel rushed.

We've been twice in August, and although we had great trips, it was just way too hot to be comfortable, and we're really looking forward to more "normal" weather and not sweating bullets at WDW.

[DizneyRox]

Flying is like a box of chocolates...

Even if you were in the deep south, Winter Storms can disrupt your travel as the planes may be stuck somewhere else.

We've gone at all times of the year, never had a problem, but we've been lucky.

Being sick wouldn't concern me either. You could break both legs in a car accident one week before your trip, you just never know.

[Pirate Granny]

Our eldest (adult daughter) broke her foot one week before we were leaving for Paris for ten days...she called in tears and said I can't go...I said..oh yes you can...they have wheelchairs everywhere...the hotel actually gave us a number and reserved a chair for us...we had a great time...thankfully her sisters could push the wheelchair...subways were interesting...thanks Mama Bruski for carrying that chair up and down the stairs.

[Jasper]

I want to echo what has already been said, you can't predict this far in advance for anything. We prefer January because it is not nearly as hot as August. Having said that though you can also run into some very chilly days in Orlando in January as well so it becomes a trade off. I say go in January.

[Ed]

Having said that though you can also run into some very chilly days in Orlando in January as well so it becomes a trade off. I say go in January.

January is very unpredictable. This past winter was brutal, as far as "normal" Florida weather goes. We had several days below freezing, and many in the low 40's.

That said, next January might very well be very comfortable - - 70's daytime, 50's nighttime.

To paraphrase Disney Rox ~~~ "Weather is like a box of chocolates"........... or

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

We've had a flight cancelled in July in the Northeast due to weather and the bad weather wasn't even here! Our plane couldn't take off from wherever it was coming from. So it can happen anytime of year, anywhere. Going in Jan, you might not be able to go swimming. Going in Aug you HAVE to go swimming. Otherwise it's unbearable. Both times of years have their pros and cons.

And you can get sick any time of year. The one time I had pneumonia, it was in June.

[ThanxForNoticin]

January or August? That's an easy one - January. As previously mentioned, flights can be delayed for various reasons, not just weather. And what about the remote possibility of hurricanes during August? There are pros and cons to both dates. One thing we always try to do, however, to minimize potential issues with flights is to find non-stop flights whenever we can. Then you only have to worry about weather issues with one plane - not multiple planes. Hope you have a great trip....

[Disney1977]

I have been to WDW in January and August and I prefer January. Florida Summers are brutal if you are used to New England weather in August. Also the crowds are lower in January.

My sons were 3, 7 & 10 when we went in January and we had no problems with illness.

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

[ginger19]

You do risk flight issues in NE in the winter and you also risk very cold weather in florida in January. We have been twice in January and were very cold both times. If you don't mind not being able to swim and can deal with flight delays, the shorter lines make it a nice time to visit. Our first year saw 30's in the mornings and 50's in the afternoons for a good part of our trip.

[Ropachs]

Given the ages of your children...JANUARY!!!!!!
I'm from a Buffalo, NY suburb and for us, August is just way too hot. When your kids get older, it will be harder to take them out of school for vacations, so do it now and enjoy lighter crowds!

[arm00leg]

We are also thinking about going in January. What I'd like to know is are there any reasons (besides weather) to not go in January? We have always gone just after Thanksgiving, this will be our firt time going in January. Any certain goings on this time of year that should be avoided? Like the cheerleading groups, etc. Any January tips or info would be greatly appreciated.

[faline]

The marathon is in January and there are some cheerleading competitions mid-month. I wouldn't let either of these deter you from a January visit.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We actually decided to embrace the whole marathon-thing. We're not runners, but we've signed up for the family 5K, and are starting to train...so, you might want to check out some of the events, to see if any of them interest you.

[Daisy'sMom]

January is very unpredictable. This past winter was brutal, as far as "normal" Florida weather goes. We had several days below freezing, and many in the low 40's.

That said, next January might very well be very comfortable - - 70's daytime, 50's nighttime.

To paraphrase Disney Rox ~~~ "Weather is like a box of chocolates"........... or

If we have another winter like this last one, I will go crazy. It was brutal. The joke in the neighborhood was , "we're moving to Florida if we can find it."

[peemagg]

We go in January all the time and love it. So far (knock on wood), we have not had any issues with weather and cancellations.

One thing we have begun doing is bringing one empty suitcase to the airport with us. In it goes our winter coats and then we check it. I have been there too many times wishing I had it, that it is worth the extra trouble to bring it. If we need it we have it. If not then it just stays in the suitcase until we return. There is usually extra room in there too for a few other things, like souvenirs.