Disney World in January: Ultimate Trip Planning Guide

Planning a trip to Disney World in January? Or wondering if January is a good time to visit? It can be cold, but fewer crowds and lower costs may be worth it. Here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit, special events, crowds, weather and more.

January Events & Holidays

The Walt Disney World Marathon takes place in early January. If you’re not participating in the event, you may want to plan your trip for later in the month when there will be more rooms available and more things to do (like EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts).

The International Festival of the Arts starts in the second half of January and is full of visual, music and culinary arts. Like other EPCOT festivals, there is a concert series (Disney on Broadway) and outdoor food booths for trying a variety of small bites and drinks. Additionally, there are artists, art displays and art activities.

The other major event in January is MLK Jr. Day, which is a three-day weekend for many people. Flights and resorts are typically more expensive around this time, so if you want to take advantage of the long weekend, make your travel plans well in advance for the best prices.

2026 Event Dates

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (Jan. 7-11, 2026)
International Festival of the Arts (TBD)
MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 19, 2026)

Crowds

Avoid the Walt Disney World Marathon and MLK Jr. Day weekends to save money on your hotel/resort/flights and have fewer crowds in the theme parks. This means planning your trip during the last two weeks of January.

Even with these events, January crowds are lower compared to other months. We recommend checking resort prices and flights on different dates to find the most affordable (and less crowded) time to visit. If flights are expensive and availability is limited for Disney resorts and nearby hotels, it’s a good indication that more people than normal will be visiting Walt Disney World.

January Weather

January is the coldest month at Disney World with high temperatures typically in the 60s and 70s (source). However, temperatures drop after dark. Average lows are in the 40s at night, but it can dip into the 30s. The humid climate makes it feel colder, so unless you love cold weather, you’ll likely not want to be outside in the parks after the sun goes down.

On the plus side, it doesn’t rain very much in January. It is one of the driest months of the year at Disney World along with February, March, October, November and December.

What to Wear

Layers are key in January, starting with short or long-sleeve shirts that wick away moisture. You’ll also want a fleece jacket or sweatshirt and a warm jacket. We’ve been on trips where we wanted more warm clothes in the suitcase. A scarf and/or winter hat can also be helpful lightweight items to pack.

If you plan to get in the hot tub at your resort (not available at the value resorts), don’t forget to bring a swimsuit and flip flops or sandals you can wear to the pool area. Otherwise, you’ll want plenty of socks and one or two pairs of good walking shoes to keep your feet warm and comfortable.

Planning Tips

One park per day tickets are a better value than park hoppers if you don’t want to be outside when the sun goes down.
Make dining reservations for dinner or plan to visit the signature or fun-themed restaurants on property with walkup seating. This way you can enjoy the Disney property without being outside when the temperatures drop.
Staying on Disney property is better in January as transportation will be more frequent and more convenient, which is helpful if it’s cold outside.
Consider staying at a resort with multiple restaurants and one that doesn’t require walking outside to get to these restaurants. Two of the most affordable options are typically the Swan & Dolphin resorts on Disney’s Boardwalk. Other resorts to consider include the Contemporary, Riviera, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

More Tips & Advice

Top photo credit: HarshLight/Flickr.com via Creative Commons