The Complete Guide for Walt Disney World in January
Updated for 2026
January 2024
Heading to the most magical place on Earth in January? It might be more chilly than you expect. In this guide, we’re covering everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World during the month of January. From weather tips to crowd levels and seasonal offerings, we’ll help you plan the perfect winter getaway. If you can handle Florida’s cooler temperatures, January is actually one of the best times of year to experience the parks with fewer crowds, lower prices, and plenty of magic.
The crowds dip, the weather chills out (literally), and the parks feel a little more relaxed after the December madness.
But that does not mean January had some dead crowds, in fact it has had some moderate to busy crowds before. I know this month does not usually scream “Disney season,” but hear me out; not an overwhelming amount of lines, some festive activities, and the chance to wear cute Mickey ears and a cozy hoodie at the same time? I do not know about you but I will take that deal! Revealing busy dates and closures to what to pack so you are ready for anything the parks throw your way, we got you prepared! Let’s get into everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World in January.
What are the busiest dates in January?
Thursday, January 1 – Friday, January 2, 2026: End of Holiday Season and New Years Day
It is safer to say that during these times, it would be very crowded and heavy traffic. New Year's Day is a holiday where many families usually extend their vacations through these days before heading home. While the parks will still be decorated with festival holiday decor, keep in mind that this is peak time so arrive early and plan ahead.
Wednesday, January 7 – Sunday, January 11, 2026: Marathon Weekend
This is Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. There are pros and cons to visiting this weekend whether you are a runner or not. Expect road closures, and elevated crowds, where many of the race routes pass through. On the upside, there is a fun vibe in the air! If you are not a runner, just plan for early mornings and have a little patience.
Saturday, January 17: First Day of Festival of the Arts
The first day of any EPCOT festival tends to be busy, and this one is no exception. If you love art, music, and food, this is a great time to visit! But make sure to book in advance.
Friday, January 16 – Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
This is a popular time for quick family vacay due to the extended holiday break. The parks typically experience a high crowd level so do not expect this to be a walk in the park. Since it overlaps with the Festival of the Arts, EPCOT will be especially crowded, and resort hotels may be more expensive or fully booked. With good planning, you can still have a fantastic visit.
Top Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World in January
Wednesday, January 7 – Sunday, January 11, 2026: Marathon Weekend
Marathon Weekend is one of the most exciting events hosted by runDisney each year. This multi-day race event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon plus special challenges for runners who complete multiple races. Participants race through the theme parks, often in fun costumes, before the parks open to the public. It is not just for elite athletes. It can also be for families, beginners, and Disney super fans that come together to run, cheer, and celebrate. Even if you are not a runner, the high-energy atmosphere makes it a memorable time to visit! If you are visiting during this time, enjoy the extra magic by cheering runners on or checking out exclusive merchandise and medals throughout the parks.
Saturday, January 17 – Tuesday, February 24, 2026: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is an annual event that takes place at Walt Disney World from January to February.
It is a cultural celebration that offers visitors the opportunity to experience various artistic activities. The festival provides a chance to explore different forms of art, such as paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital art. Moreover, you can enjoy live performances by artists, musicians, and other entertainers.
There is also a Disney on Broadway Concert Series, and the festival offers the most beautiful and colorful food of the year! You can test your skills with the Animation Academy and be a part of a paint-by-numbers mural. This is a great opportunity for a full day of family fun!
Paint by Number January 2024
Ride Closures, Openings, and Resort Refurbishments at Disney World
Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom) closes for an annual refurbishment. It typically closes every winter, and 2026 is no exception. Expect Kali River Rapids to be unavailable from mid-January to mid-March.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom) might close for an annual refurbishment. It skipped an early 2025 refurbishment so we expect it to have a short refurbishment in early 2026 for a general upkeep, aligning with the usual maintenance patterns for water rides.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) closed in early 2025 and is still undergoing refurbishment until 2026. There is no reopening date that has been specified yet, so it will remain unavailable.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) will be closed for refurbishment from August 2025, and the reopening date is still unknown. This ride would be to be announced until a date is revealed.
DINOSAUR, rest of Dinoland USA (Animal Kingdom) are permanently closed to make way for a brand new area. While details are still limited, it has been confirmed that a major reimagining is coming to the area which is exciting!
Sunday, January 25 – January 31, 2026: Disney World Skyliner is a scenic gondola system that connects EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and several resorts and will be closed for an annual refurbishment. This closure can affect all the lines and services that are happening during these dates.
Planning for the Weather at Disney World in January
January is generally considered the coldest month of the year in Florida. The average high temperature is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low temperature is typically around 48 degrees Fahrenheit. It is advisable to wear layered clothing when visiting the parks during this time of year. If you have young children in strollers, you may want to bring blankets to keep them warm in the cool evening temperatures. The humidity in Florida makes the cold feel even colder, so it's essential to pack for all seasons. However, one advantage of visiting Florida in January is that it is one of the driest months of the year.
How to Make the Most of Your January Trip to Disney World
● Disney Park After Hours is a game changer: 10:00 PM–1:00 AM at Magic Kingdom, 9:30 PM–12:30 AM at Hollywood Studios, and 10:00 PM–1:00 AM at EPCOT. Guests can enter the park as early as 7:00 PM, before the event officially begins. After Hours is a separate-ticket special event.
Thursday, January 1st — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM
Monday, January 5th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, January 7th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
Monday, January 12th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, January 14th — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
Monday, January 19th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
Wednesday, January 21st — Magic Kingdom, 9PM – 11PM
Monday, January 26th — Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9PM – 11PM
● Watch out for shorter park hours. January often comes with reduced operating hours, especially midweek. That means fewer nighttime fireworks shows or earlier closings at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. Always double-check the park schedule before planning a full-day itinerary and consider using evenings to explore Disney Springs, grab dinner at a resort, or even just chill by the pool with a hot drink. Yes, a pool day in January is possible. Florida is weird like that.
Most of the month, park hours look pretty consistent, but be sure to check My Disney Experience every day. Hours can change, especially during race weekends.
Magic Kingdom: 9AM-9PM
EPCOT: 9AM-9PM
Hollywood Studios: 9AM-9PM
Animal Kingdom: 8AM-6PM
Typhoon Lagoon: 10AM-5PM
Blizzard Beach: CLOSED
● Prioritize shows and entertainment. This is one of my favorite underrated January perks. With cooler temps and slightly fewer people, it's the perfect time to grab seats for shows you might normally skip. You’re not sweating through it, the performers are full of energy, and it adds a nice balance to a ride-heavy day.
● Avoid park-hopping during Marathon Weekend. This one’s for the sanity of your feet and your patience. Between road closures, re-routed buses, and large crowds of runners, hopping parks on race days is just not it. Stick to one park and enjoy the vibe because there’s still plenty to do.
● Use Mobile Order like a pro. Even in January, festival booths and popular quick service spots can get slammed. Pull up menus in the app the night before or during breakfast so you can plan your foodie stops ahead of time. It’ll save you time and hangry energy.
Best Days to Visit Each Park in January (According to Thrill-Data)
When I’m planning a January trip, I always reference historical wait-time data from Thrill-Data to guide park selection. Thrill-Data doesn’t predict the future, but it does a great job showing long-term patterns based on average wait times, which is exactly what matters when you’re deciding how to structure your week.
Overall, January trends lower than most months, but which park you choose on which day still matters.
Magic Kingdom tends to be the outlier. According to Thrill-Data patterns, Sundays often show lower average wait times than Mondays. This surprises a lot of people, but it makes sense. Many guests travel home on Sundays or save Magic Kingdom for later in their trip, which can make Sunday a quieter option compared to the Monday surge of arrivals.
EPCOT generally performs best midweek. Tuesdays through Thursdays consistently show lower average wait times compared to weekends. With Festival of the Arts running in January, EPCOT still sees crowds, but midweek days are noticeably more manageable, especially in the mornings and early afternoons.
Hollywood Studios follows a similar midweek pattern. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have lower average waits than weekends. This park still benefits from rope drop even in January, but choosing a midweek day makes a noticeable difference, especially for headliners.
Animal Kingdom also trends lighter midweek, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Because this park often closes earlier and doesn’t draw the same nighttime crowd, picking the right day helps you avoid condensed wait times caused by shorter operating hours.
Across all four parks, Mondays consistently rank among the busiest days of the week. This is largely driven by guests arriving over the weekend and starting their vacations on Monday, which is why I usually avoid Mondays for major park days whenever possible.
The biggest takeaway is that January gives you flexibility, but it’s still worth being intentional. Pair lower-crowd days with the right park, and you’ll feel the difference even without perfect conditions. And as always, this is why I recommend checking wait-time trends alongside park hours and events rather than planning blindly.
January may be calmer overall, but smart planning is what turns a good trip into a great one.
What’s New at Disney World in 2026?
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster gets a Muppet makeover. It is saying goodbye to Aerosmith and welcoming the Muppets in 2026. Yep, you heard that right! The ride’s getting a full re-theme with new characters, storyline, and soundtrack. It’s still open throughout 2025, but expect a seasonal closure before reopening with all the Muppet magic next year. Honestly, I’m excited to see how they will be able to include that classic Muppet humor into a high-speed coaster. It could totally breathe new life into a beloved ride. If you’re a fan of the Muppets or just love a fresh twist on nostalgia, keep this one on your radar.
F1 and Disney Collaboration: In 2026, Disney is officially teaming up with Formula 1, and it’s bringing a whole new level of speed and thrills to the parks. Rumors point to immersive F1-themed experiences, merchandise, and maybe even new attractions inspired by the adrenaline rush of racing. Can’t wait to see how this blend of tech, storytelling, and racing vibes comes together.
So What Does This Mean for Lightning Lane in January?
By now, you’ve heard me talk about how January has lower crowds and is generally easier to manage. Because of that, a lot of people assume this is the month you can skip Lightning Lane altogether. I get why that sounds tempting, but the reality is a little more nuanced.
I don’t think Lightning Lane is something you should skip on a once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime Disney trip. The only time I truly recommend skipping Lightning Lane is if you’re a very frequent Disney visitor or you’re intentionally planning a slow, casual park day where missing a few rides won’t ruin your experience. For most families, especially those traveling with kids, Lightning Lane is still one of the biggest stress-reducers you have.
We go to Disney multiple times a year, and even we rarely skip Lightning Lane completely. Not because the parks are impossible without it, but because we don’t want the mental load of worrying whether we’ll get on our favorite rides.
Here’s the key thing to understand: lower crowds do not change which rides are popular. The same attractions that sell out in peak seasons still sell out in January. They just tend to sell out a little later in the day, especially midweek.
At Magic Kingdom, you will still see Lightning Lane availability disappear for the usual suspects. Peter Pan’s Flight and Space Mountain consistently sell out, often by early afternoon. Tron Lightcycle/Run remains a priority attraction and should be treated as such regardless of the month.
At Hollywood Studios, nothing changes when it comes to Slinky Dog Dash. This ride will sell out. Every time. January does not magically fix that. If Slinky Dog Dash is important to your family, it needs to be your top Lightning Lane priority.
At EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After are the most competitive Lightning Lane selections, with Test Track close behind. This is exactly why they sit in the highest tier. January may give you more flexibility, but it does not remove the demand.
And at Animal Kingdom, Avatar Flight of Passage continues to be the ride that sells out first. Even on lower crowd days, this attraction doesn’t suddenly become easy to walk onto.
Yes, could you rope drop some of these rides and skip Lightning Lane? Absolutely. But that only works if you are truly a rope-drop family. And I’m very honest about this. We are not a rope-drop family. We aim to be there at or just after park opening, but we are not sprinting to the gates at dawn. For us, Lightning Lane removes the pressure of having to “win” the morning to have a good day.
January gives you more breathing room, not a free pass to ignore strategy. Lightning Lane is still worth it if you want flexibility, less stress, and the confidence that you’ll experience your must-do rides without building your entire day around wait times.
In January, Lightning Lane becomes less about survival and more about comfort. And for most families, that comfort is still absolutely worth it.
Things you may not expect in January
January 2022
January is also known as Disney’s big refurbishment month. After coming off the three busiest months of the year, October through December, Disney uses this time to reset. Once marathon weekend wraps up, refurbishments really start to ramp up across property.
That means you may see rides, transportation options, and even resort areas go down for scheduled maintenance. This is completely normal for January, but it’s something you need to plan for. It can be a real bummer if you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip and suddenly realize one of your must-do attractions or a favorite hotel feature is under refurbishment. This is why I always stress checking the refurbishment calendar before you finalize dates or get too attached to a specific plan.
Packing is also important this time of year. Do not pack like you’re going to the beach. I know it’s Florida, but January in Orlando is cold. The combination of cooler temperatures and humidity creates a damp, wet chill that feels colder than you expect, especially at night. Layers are key, and jackets are a must.
January is also a huge month for youth sports. ESPN Wide World of Sports hosts multiple tournaments, so you’ll see a lot of football teams, soccer teams, and other youth sports groups around property. This doesn’t usually mean the parks are packed, but it does mean value and moderate resorts can feel very full and busy, especially in the evenings.
Lastly, keep an eye on the holidays and special weekends I mentioned earlier. Even though January is generally a lower-crowd month, those specific dates can bring noticeable spikes. With a little awareness and planning, January can still be an amazing time to visit, you just want to go in with realistic expectations.
Why my family loves January
I’m here to tell you that January is actually one of my absolute favorite months to visit Walt Disney World, and I know that surprises a lot of people. I’ve personally visited in January 2022, 2024, and 2025, and we’re already planning another January trip in 2027. For the first time, we’re even considering race weekend.
The parks are very crowded through the end of the first week of January. You still have the marathon weekend, and the Christmas season really stretches into that first week. New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World is wild, with parks often open until 2 a.m., and many guests stay through that first full weekend of the month. Holiday decorations are still up during this time, but once you hit the second week of January, everything starts to shift.
By mid-January, the Christmas decorations come down, and Disney returns to what I lovingly call “ordinary time.” I was raised Catholic, so that phrase really resonates with me. After a holiday season that runs from August through the first week of January, I love seeing the parks return to their classic state. No extra sparkle, no seasonal overlays, just Disney being Disney.
January also overlaps with one of my favorite EPCOT festivals. Festival of the Arts is incredibly colorful and offers so many fun, interactive experiences for kids. It feels creative, playful, and less overwhelming than some of the larger festivals.
Weather-wise, January is typically the coldest month of the year at Walt Disney World, so you’ll definitely want to pack layers and jackets. Even if you’re coming from the north, the Florida cold hits differently. Because of the humidity, it’s a damp cold that can feel chillier than winter back home. That said, the cooler weather is a huge win for park touring. You can stay in the parks much longer without the heat draining your energy. I still recommend midday breaks and checking in with your family to see what everyone needs, but overall, we’re able to go harder because the weather is so comfortable.
We don’t use the pool much in January, but you will absolutely find us in the hot tub. We also try not to miss a resort campfire. There’s just something about sitting around a fire on a cool Florida evening that feels extra magical.
Crowds also drop significantly after that second week of January. While we never skip Lightning Lane, the parks are much easier to manage, especially Monday through Friday. Outside of holiday weekends, you’ll really notice how calm the parks feel, and it makes the overall experience so much more enjoyable.
January is also the only time we’ve ever done a VIP tour. Prices drop to around $650 per hour, making it the second-cheapest time of year after September, when you can sometimes find rates closer to $450 per hour. The lower crowds also make January a great time to travel with friends or manage a larger group. Everything just feels more doable.
I truly love when January arrives and the holiday decorations come down. Disney in “ordinary time” is my favorite version of the parks. After months of nonstop seasonal decor, it feels refreshing, calm, and classic. For me, it’s the perfect reset.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family's favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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