UPDATED December 17, 2024

Here are the deets you need to know if you’re planning a January trip to Disney World!

What better way to start out the year than a vacation to Disney World?? There are some serious benefits to a January trip (including lower crowds AND temperatures!). But in order to realllly make the most of your time at Disney, there are some important things to know before you go!

Crowds at Disney World in January

For the most part, crowds are relatively low in January — by Disney World standards, at least! But, if avoiding crowds is a top priority when planning your trip, there are a few important dates to avoid. Attendance will be high during the first few days of January and the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, since a lot of guests typically visit on these holidays.

But it’s not just holidays you need to look out for! Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend usually falls in early or mid-January, and these events will draw tens of thousands of participants! So, be sure to check on the dates for Marathon Weekend before you book your trip if you’re aiming to avoid crowds as much as possible.

Interested in trying a runDisney event? Here are some tips to know before you sign up!

Park Hours at Disney World in January

The parks tend to stay open a little bit later through the first few days of January with the holiday crowds still around. Most parks will close between 9PM and 11PM, depending on the specific park and day. But, lower attendance throughout the rest of the month also brings shorter park hours! Throughout most of January, the parks will close at 8PM or 9PM. (Animal Kingdom may close as early as 6PM many days.)

So, if you’re a night owl looking to stay in the parks as late as possible, keep in mind that the parks will close a little earlier throughout most of January!

You can see ALL of the Disney World Park Hours for January HERE!

Weather at Disney World in January

January is a great time to visit if you’re looking for milder temperatures! The average high temperature in January is 72 degrees and the average low is 51 degrees. So if the Florida heat and humidity is too much for you to bear, January could be your answer!

January is also less rainy than the spring and summer months in Disney World, with an average of 4 rainy days throughout the month. So overall, it’s a pretty great month for weather in Disney!

Can’t escape the rainy weather? Here are 5 fun rainy day activities in Disney World!

How to Pack for Disney World in January

You’ll definitely want to pack those layers for your January vacation! It can get especially chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so bring a sweatshirt/jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf that you can wear when you head out to the parks and stash in your bag when it starts to warm up!

And another tip for guests who usually wear sandals around the parks — make sure you bring at least one pair of closed-toe shoes and socks for your January vacay! Those chilly temps can be especially tough on the feet, so it’s good to have a backup plan!

Looking for a way to warm up? Here’s everything you need to know about coffee in Disney World!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

The newest addition to the Epcot festival lineup is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts! Since making its debut in 2017, this festival has kicked off annually in mid-January. And the dates for the 2025 Festival of the Arts are January 17th through February 24th.  The festival itself is included in the cost of admission, but you’ll find food, merchandise, and add-on activities available for purchase!

Let’s start with a subject near-and-dear to our hearts — FOOD! The Festival of the Arts features Food Studios located throughout the World Showcase. There’s a huge focus on the presentation of the food served at the festival.

As far as special events, this festival has plenty of awesome offerings! The Disney on Broadway Concert Series features performances of Disney songs by accomplished Broadway actors and actresses. Plus, there are Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages available which guarantee priority seating for the performance!

Other entertainment in past years has included chalk artists, living statues, choirs, marching bands, and more, located throughout the park!

Visual art is also represented throughout the park with displays and galleries! Plus, another fun way to get in on the action — there’s an interactive wall mural where guests can paint a piece of the final product!

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in mid or late-January, we definitely suggest spending some time at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts!

Click here for our best Epcot International Festival of the Arts Tips!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

Before you start planning a January vacation to Disney World, be sure to check if any scheduled ride refurbishments are planned! Attractions that are scheduled to be closed for refurbishment are listed on the calendar on the Disney World website. There are some rides that go down for refurbishment every year — both Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom are typically closed starting in early or mid-January for annual maintenance.

If you have any attractions that are a must-do for your family, be sure to check the refurbishment schedule at the start of your trip planning process, since January is a common month for maintenance!

January 2025 Dates to Know

We have provided a list of events and good-thing-to-know specifically for January 2025 right here… Just click any of the links below to learn more about any of these important dates!

• January 1st: New Disney World Hotel Water Park perk begins (Guests staying at a Disney World hotel now get free access to Disney’s water parks on the day of their check-in)

• January 6th: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom closes for year-long refurbishment
• January 6th: Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom will close for its annual seasonal refurbishment

• Select dates January 6th to May 19th: Magic Kingdom After Hours events return — see full dates here!

• January 8th-12th: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

• January 13th: TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures officially permanently closed in Animal Kingdom

• January 17th through February 24th: Festival of the Arts in EPCOT

• Select dates January 22nd to September 3rd: After Hours at Hollywood Studios return — see full dates here!

• January 2025 to April 2025: Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort under refurbishment

• January 2025 to June 2025: Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool area at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts closed for refurbishment

Between the typically lower crowds, comfortable weather, and super fun Festival of the Arts, January can be a great time to visit Disney World. Just be sure to keep these things in mind when planning your trip so you can set yourself up for a magical vacation!

Are you still undecided about when you want to vacation in Disney World? Check out our Month By Month Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation. 

Will your trip extend into February? Check out our February Disney World Trip Planning Guide!

Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting when you plan your Disney World vacation!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in January? Let us know in the comments!