Thinking about a magical family trip to Walt Disney World in January? In this guide, learn why this could be your ideal vacation planning window. From comfortable January temperatures and easy-to-manage crowds to the start of the International Festival of the Arts — the January hype is real.
As we discussed in our post detailing the best times to visit Disney World, January is busy, but still one of our favorite times to visit. Before finalizing your Disney itinerary, read that post for essential dates and vacation tips!
In this post, we discuss visiting Walt Disney World in January, covering everything from weather to events to crowd levels – plus personal tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years. In recent years, January has become a popular time to visit Disney. With the tail end of holidays wrapping up, the Walt Disney World Marathon taking place, and the kick-off of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts, a LOT is happening!
Another reason guests are drawn to vacation at Disney World in January is the historically low hotel and park ticket prices. For example, one-day park tickets start at around $139 in January, compared to $164 in July. Check out our money-saving posts for more ways to save at Disney World.
Walt Disney World In January – Weather
If you are looking for cooler temperatures while visiting Disney World in January, this is the month to go. It can get downright chilly in January, with temperatures typically ranging from the low 40s to the high 70s.
One of our favorite things about this month’s weather is the lack of rain. With hurricane season officially over, rainy days decrease dramatically. Expect mostly sunny days, welcomed by January’s amazing temperatures.
Our most recent vacation to Disney World was in January, and dressing in layers was vital! The bright Florida sun warmed us up during the day, but once it set, things got chilly. Being able to put on or take off a layer made sure we all stayed comfortable.
However, a word of caution: I remember having to wear gloves and a cardigan with my thick winter coat when working at Animal Kingdom in the early morning and evening. Bearing this in mind, be sure to pack some winter gear just in case. And don’t wait to purchase these items when you are down in Orlando. Often, stores do not have a large selection of winter wear, and what they do have will sell out quickly during a cold snap.
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Disney Crowds in January
- There is so much FUN at Walt Disney World in January. Because of this, expect crowd levels to range from moderate to heavy. The month begins with the holiday happenings…well, still happening! Christmas and the New Year are, without a doubt, Disney World’s busiest time of year, and vacationers linger into the first of January. Crowds will be merry but high. For those who don’t love longer wait times, you have been warned.
- Shortly after all that, Disney kicks off a new year of marathons with the aptly named Walt Disney World Marathon! It is hard to say exactly what to expect. Some years, the crowd counts decrease, while last year, they actually increased.
- Typically, crowds begin to trickle down in mid-January. However, this year may prove otherwise for various reasons.
- The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins on the 17th—and one thing about locals—they love an EPCOT festival. They will enjoy the festivities after work, when playing hooky, and on the weekends!
- Lastly, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a four-day weekend, with locals and out-of-town visitors celebrating in the parks. We’ve only been once and were shocked by the crowds!
- With no holidays occurring and the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts starting two weeks into the month, the last week in January is predicted to be the least crowded, despite overlapping cheer and dance competitions.
Weekly Highlights
- January 1 – 4, 2026: Between Christmas and New Year’s, this week is extremely popular.
- January 7 – 11: The runDisney Marathon takes place, drawing large crowds.
- January 12 – 15: Slight break in crowds before the holiday weekend (but moderate crowds).
- January 16 – 19: MLK Day is on January 19, 2026, making this weekend popular and busy.
- January 23 – 26: USA Field Hockey Sunshine Showcase – popular weekend with moderate crowds.
- January 30 – February 1st: The National School Spirit Championships – a popular weekend with moderate crowds.
We’ve been visiting Disney World in late January for years now. Although the crowds are moderate, the fantastic weather makes up for it. For a quicker review of Disney crowds, month by month, check out this post.
Events At Disney World In January
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Dates: January 7th to 11th, 2026
Celebrate Disney nostalgia with Mickey and his pals during the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend! Running events include a 5K, 10K, Half, and Full marathon races, plus Goofy and Dopey’s challenges.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Dates: January 16th – February 23rd, 2026
Art lovers rejoice! From Disney Broadway performances to art-themed culinary delights, guests will be immersed in all things art. This includes visual, musical, culinary, and more! Visitors can even partake in the artistry with a paint-by-numbers mural, Animation Academy drawing lessons, larger-than-life photo-ops of famous artwork, and more!
Events at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports
runDisney Marathon (January 7-11, 2026)
Disney Girls Soccer Showcase (January 16-19, 2026)
College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships (January 16-19, 2026)
USA Field Hockey Sunshine Showcase (January 22-24, 2026)
Sand Dollar Whitlow Invitational (January 23-25, 2026)
National School Spirit Championship DII (January 30-February 1, 2026)
Tips For Visiting Walt Disney World In January
- If you vacation at Disney World during the Walt Disney World Marathon, be mindful of possible early morning road delays. Races take place on various roads around Walt Disney World and in theme park parking lots, resulting in altered bus times, road closures, and alternative routes. Our preferred advice is to sleep in on those days and have a slow morning. However, if you’re an early bird, you may want to give yourself some extra travel time.
- Because temperatures vary widely in January at Disney World, check the extended Orlando weather forecast when packing. That will give you a better idea of what to bring. A chilly week on the lower side with 30-50 degrees temps? You will want to bring gloves, hats, scarves, and sweaters. It gets cold while walking around the parks in those temps!
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