Disney World in January 2027: What to Really Expect for Crowds, Weather & the Marathon
Visiting Disney World in January is one of my personal favorite times of the entire year — and honestly, it’s one of the most underrated.
January 2027 offers a genuinely unique Disney World experience. The holiday crowds are gone, temperatures are cooler and more comfortable than any other time of year, and Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts is one of the most delightful festivals Disney produces. The trade-offs? January brings some of the year’s biggest refurbishments, the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend creates a noticeable crowd spike, and the weather (while generally pleasant) can occasionally be surprisingly cold.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to expect so you can decide if January is the right time for your Disney World vacation.
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Planning a Disney World vacation in 2027? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer!
Is January a Good Time to Visit Disney World?
Pros to visiting Disney World in January:
- Some of the lowest crowds of the entire year – Outside of holiday weekends and the Marathon weekend, January is one of the quietest months on the Disney World calendar. If shorter lines and a more relaxed park atmosphere are your priority, January delivers.
- Comfortable, cooler weather – If the Florida summer heat isn’t your thing, January is your month. Average highs around 72°F with low humidity make for genuinely pleasant park days. Mornings and evenings are cooler, but afternoons are often perfectly comfortable.
- Lower prices – January is one of the most budget-friendly months to visit Disney World. Hotel rates, ticket prices, and even airfare tend to be lower than in peak seasons. Disney also frequently offers room discounts and package deals in January… worth watching for when planning your trip!
- Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts – This is honestly one of my favorite Epcot festivals of the entire year. Artistic culinary creations, animation classes, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, paint-by-number murals, workshops, photo ops, and galleries make this a genuinely special event. If you haven’t experienced it yet, January is a great reason to visit!
- Walt Disney World Marathon weekend – If running is your thing, the Marathon weekend (January 6-10, 2027) is an incredible experience. Even if you’re not racing, the energy around the resort during this weekend is genuinely fun.
Cons to visiting Disney World in January:
- Weather can be unpredictable – January is the most temperature-variable month of the year at Disney World. I’ve personally visited when it was close to freezing at rope drop and also when it was over 80 degrees in the same month. Pack for both… layers are essential. You do not want to be caught at an early morning rope drop in just a t-shirt if temperatures drop overnight!
- Refurbishments are more common – January is one of Disney’s heaviest refurbishment months. Water-based attractions especially tend to close in January due to cooler temperatures, and other attractions use this quieter period for maintenance. Always check the refurbishment schedule before your trip.
- Disney Skyliner closure – The Disney Skyliner will be closed January 24-30, 2027, for routine maintenance. If you’re staying at a resort that relies on the Skyliner for transportation, plan for buses during this window.
- Pools and water parks may be limited – Water parks typically close or reduce operations in January due to cooler temperatures. Resort pools may also close on particularly cold days. If pool time is important to your trip, this is worth knowing in advance.
- Holiday weekends bring crowd spikes – New Year’s, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, and the Marathon weekend all bring noticeable crowd increases. If you’re visiting specifically for the low crowds, avoid these windows.
Bottom Line: January is one of the most underrated months to visit Disney World. Comfortable temperatures, low crowds outside of holiday weekends, lower prices, and the Festival of the Arts make it a genuinely wonderful time to visit. Just pack your layers and check the refurbishment schedule before you go!
Weather at Disney World in January
January weather in Orlando is genuinely pleasant, but it requires more flexibility than any other month. The average temperatures are comfortable, but January is also the month when you’re most likely to experience the full range of Florida weather in a single trip. On our most recent January trip, my family ended up wearing tank tops and shorts on one day and heavy coats, hats, and gloves just a few days later. So be prepared, and check the weather for your trip when beginning to pack!
What to expect:
- Highs: around 72°F
- Lows: around 51°F
- Humidity: low — one of the driest months of the year
- Rain: minimal
What it feels like in the parks:
Mornings at rope drop can feel genuinely cold in January. A real jacket for morning hours is not optional if you’re planning to be there at opening. By midday, temperatures typically warm up to very comfortable levels, and afternoons can feel almost summery on warmer days.
Evenings cool back down quickly, so that jacket you needed in the morning will come in handy again by dinner. The good news? No heat, no humidity, and no afternoon rainstorms. It’s a trade-off most visitors are very happy to make.
The unpredictability is the one thing to genuinely prepare for. I’ve had January trips where I wore shorts every afternoon and January trips where I was bundled up all day. Check the forecast as your trip approaches and pack accordingly — layers are your best friend in January.
Bottom Line: January weather is some of the most comfortable of the entire year — if you’re prepared for it. Dress in layers, bring a real jacket for mornings and evenings, and enjoy one of the most pleasant months to be in the parks.
Crowds at Disney World in January 2027
January crowds follow a clear pattern. The month opens with the tail end of New Year’s holiday crowds, spikes again for the Marathon weekend and MLK weekend, and is otherwise one of the quietest months of the entire year.
Early January (New Year’s hangover) – The very beginning of January still carries elevated crowds from the New Year’s holiday. As the first week progresses and families head home after the holidays, crowds drop off noticeably. But they won’t drop for long, as the marathon weekend brings some significant crowds back to the parks.
- Elevated crowds in the first few days as the holiday wraps up
- Crowds drop significantly once schools return to session
- Walt Disney World Marathon weekend (January 6-10) brings a noticeable spike
- Resort availability around Marathon weekend will be tighter than a typical January week
The Marathon weekend is fun and festive, but if low crowds are your priority, plan around it rather than during it.
Mid January – Once the Marathon weekend passes, mid-January is genuinely one of the most peaceful times of the entire year at Disney World. Schools are in session, holiday travel is over, and the parks feel refreshingly manageable.
- Among the lowest crowd levels of the entire year
- Wait times are noticeably shorter across all parks
- Weekdays are especially quiet
- Martin Luther King Jr. weekend (January 15-18) will bring a modest crowd increase
Mid-January weekdays — outside of the MLK holiday weekend — are some of the most relaxed park days you’ll find anywhere on the annual calendar. If shorter wait times are important, this is your window.
Late January – Late January holds steady with the calm pattern of mid-month. The DII National School Spirit Championships (January 29-31) will affect resort availability and may bring larger groups to the area, but the parks themselves should remain manageable.
- Consistently low crowd levels
- Short wait times across all parks
- DII National School Spirit Championships (January 29-31) may affect resort availability and value resort crowds
- Disney Skyliner closed January 24-30 — plan transportation accordingly
Late January is another excellent window for a low-key Disney trip, with the caveat that the Skyliner closure is worth planning around if your resort relies on it.
January Events
The biggest event of January is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, taking place January 6-10, 2027. Races include a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, and the Dopey Challenge. This is one of runDisney’s most popular events of the entire year — even if you’re not racing, the energy around the resort during this weekend is genuinely infectious. Just be aware that resort availability is tighter and transportation demand is higher during Marathon weekend.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is one of my personal favorites of all the Epcot festivals. Running from mid-January through late February, the festival features artistic culinary creations, animation classes, a paint-by-number mural, workshops, photo ops throughout the park, galleries, and artwork available for purchase. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series runs on select nights throughout the festival — a genuinely special experience that’s worth planning your Epcot day around.
Pro Tip: Epcot festivals bring more local crowds on evenings and weekends. If crowds are a concern, plan your Epcot day on a weekday — you’ll have a much more relaxed experience!
Walt Disney World (as well as ESPN Wide World of Sports) typically hosts several athletic events each month. These events don’t usually have a major impact on crowds in the parks, but they will likely affect resort availability and crowds at Disney’s value resorts.
Speaking of sports, the DII National School Spirit Championships will take place January 29-31, 2027. Expect this to affect resort availability and value resort crowds during that window. You may also notice some bigger groups in the parks. When we’ve been at the parks during events such as this, we’ve definitely noticed the uptick in teens and big groups. We also noticed longer lines for attractions that appealed most to teens. (Tron was especially busy!) But overall, it was manageable.
Also, keep in mind that Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend (January 15-18) brings a modest crowd increase as families take advantage of the long holiday weekend.
January Refurbishments & Closures
January is one of Disney’s heavier refurbishment months. It’s worth checking the schedule carefully before your trip. Disney takes advantage of the quieter crowds to perform maintenance and updates, particularly on water-based attractions.
Here’s what to know for January 2027:
- Disney Skyliner will be closed January 24-30, 2027, for routine maintenance. Resorts on the Skyliner line will use buses during this time.
- Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom continues to operate in shuttle mode due to ongoing construction.
- Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom remains permanently closed for the Tropical Americas expansion.
Always check closer to your travel dates for updated schedules. Here’s a full list of what’s currently scheduled for closure and refurbishment.
How to Plan a Trip to Disney World in January
Planning a January Disney World trip is all about taking advantage of the low crowds while being smart about the holiday weekends and the refurbishment schedule.
If visiting Marathon weekend (January 6-10):
The Marathon weekend is festive and fun. Just go in knowing it’s busier than a typical January week.
- Book your resort well in advance. Marathon weekend fills up faster than a typical January week
- Rope drop and early entry are still your best tools for beating the crowds
- Use Lightning Lane for headliners. Pressure is higher than a typical January weekday
- Embrace the energy. Even non-runners find the Marathon weekend atmosphere a lot of fun!
If visiting mid to late January (outside of holiday weekends):
This is where January really shines. Take full advantage of the low crowds.
- Enjoy some of the shortest wait times of the entire year. This is a genuine perk of January
- Visit Epcot on a weekday for the Festival of the Arts. Evenings and weekends bring more local crowds. (World Showcase gets especially busy in the evening!)
- Plan your Epcot day to include the Disney on Broadway Concert Series if possible. Worth it!
- Dress in layers every single day. Mornings and evenings can be cold, and afternoons warm up
- Check the refurbishment schedule before your trip. January closures are more common than in other months
- If your resort uses the Skyliner, buses will be utilized from January 24-30.
January Disney World Crowd Calendar
While crowd calendars can be a big help in knowing what to expect, keep in mind that they are predictions at best. When designing our calendars, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. But unfortunately, our crowd calendars cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Disney World in January?
January is one of the most underrated months of the entire year to visit Disney World and one of my personal favorites.
The combination of comfortable temperatures, genuinely low crowds outside of holiday weekends, lower prices, and the Festival of the Arts at Epcot makes January a surprisingly strong month to visit. It’s not the flashiest month on the Disney World calendar. There’s no Halloween magic or Christmas transformation. But there’s something really special about experiencing the parks in a quieter, more relaxed way.
My family has done several January trips and loved them. The ability to walk onto attractions with minimal waits, enjoy the Festival of the Arts at a relaxed pace, and experience the parks without the summer heat or holiday crowds is genuinely refreshing. Just come prepared for the weather. That’s the one thing January will surprise you with.
Best and Worst Times to Visit Disney World in January:
- Best: Mid-January weekdays (outside of MLK weekend) are some of the lowest crowds of the entire year
- Busiest: Marathon weekend (January 6-10) and New Year’s holiday (early January)
- Worth noting: MLK weekend (January 15-18) and DII Championships (January 29-31) bring modest crowd increases
If you have flexibility, aim for mid-January weekdays. It’s one of the most relaxed and enjoyable times of the entire year at Disney World. Pack your layers, check the refurbishment schedule, and get ready for some of the shortest wait times on the calendar!
Bottom Line: Disney World is amazing, no matter when you choose to visit. If January works for your family, embrace everything this underrated month has to offer. The cooler weather, lower crowds, and Festival of the Arts make it genuinely special. Plan smart and have a fantastic time!
Ready to start planning your visit to Walt Disney World in January?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Walt Disney World Resort Guides:
- Disney Value Resort Hotels
- Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
- Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
- Disney Deluxe Villas
Walt Disney World Dining Guides:
Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:
- Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
- Attraction Guide for Epcot
- Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
- Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom
There’s nothing better than knowing what to expect on your Disney World vacation. Our monthly guides can help you visit with a plan!
January (you are here) | February
Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
