A Complete Guide to Disney World in January

The holiday season is over and it’s a new year filled with lots of opportunities to visit Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

It’s gonna be a great year, not just a good year, my fellow Disney friends!

2024 brought us some new attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a new Country Bear Jamboree show, CommuniCore Hall & Plaza, and the start of a complete overhaul of Test Track.

If you’re looking to book a trip to Disney World in January, be sure to go through this guide to ensure it’s the best time for you to visit.

Or if you’ve already booked, take note of what’s closed, plus any special events going on.

Keep reading for my guide to Disney World in January, including weather, what to wear, crowd predictions, new attractions, closures, events, and more.

All dates and information subject to change throughout the year. This post will be updated frequently, but for the most up to date information on what’s closed and what’s reopened, check out my post about Disney World closures and what’s new.

Weather in Orlando in January

According to NOAA, January is usually the chilliest month in the Orlando area, with an average high of 72° F and low of 52° F.

The January weather is also dry – by Florida standards, anyway – with an average of 2.1 inches of rain.

As a New Englander, this weather sounds absolutely sublime to me! No sweaty, sticky days and less chance of rain? I’ll take it!

If you hate the sweltering humid weather, January will be a great time to visit for you, too. Just be sure to bring warm layers that you can put on and take off easily, as the temps vary greatly from rope drop to fireworks.

What to wear to Disney World in January

Given the cooler temperatures, it’s important to pack layers when visiting Walt Disney World in January.

For many, low 70s or even high 60s is still shorts and t-shirt weather, while others will need a winter jacket.

You know your tolerance of temps the best, but given how erratic Florida weather can be, I do recommend packing warm and cold outfits!

For me, I usually stick to jeans and t-shirts this time of year, with a warm layer that I can easily throw on or take off.

And while I’m almost always in Birkenstock sandals at Disney, you’ll likely find me wearing sneakers instead. I hate when my feet are cold!

In short: t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sweatshirts or a light jacket, sneakers, and hats are all great picks for what to wear to Disney World in January.

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Notable Walt Disney World Events in January

Although the major holiday season is over, there are a number of special events in January.

First up in January is New Year’s day which will no doubt result in some leftover crowds through the end of the week.

This rolls right into Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, which runs from January 7-11, 2026.

This runDisney race includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon race, plus a health and fitness expo, spread across 5 days.

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts usually starts the Friday of Martin Luther King, Jr weekend, which is January 16, 2026. Dates haven’t been announced for the 2026 festival yet, but that’s been the start date in previous years.

The federal holiday, MLK Jr Day, is Monday, January 19, which many people will have off, resulting in a slight uptick in visitors over the long weekend.

For tips about planning your visit to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, check out my comprehensive guide.

How crowded is Disney World in January?

The crowds at Disney World ebb and flow throughout the month of January.

There are a few pockets where the crowds are nice and small. Combined with the lovely January weather, it makes for a blissful visit!

For a more detailed look at the best and worst times to visit Disney World, check out my Disney World crowd calendar.

You can also sign up for my newsletter to get access to a free download of my month-by-month crowd calendar.

What’s closed at Disney World in January?

The winter months are often packed with ride and attraction closures either for refurbishment or due to cooler temperatures that would make water rides and parks unsafe.

Check out the lists below to see what’s closed at Walt Disney World Resort in January.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Kali River Rapids often closes in January for a refurbishment during the colder months. Dates for 2026 haven’t been announced yet.
• The closing date for DINOSAUR hasn’t been announced yet as of February 23, 2025, but this ride and the rest of DinoLand USA is expected to close at some point in 2025 or 2026 to make way for the new Tropical Americas land.

Epcot

• As of February 2025, closures for Epcot in January 2026 haven’t been announced. But since it is a slightly slower time of year, it’s possible that there will be at least 1 attraction down for refurbishment. Only time will tell!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The Grand Avenue area, where Muppet Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose are located, closes in Spring 2025. Expect construction to be underway in January as it transforms into Monstropolis, complete with a hanging door roller coaster, just like in Monsters, Inc.
• In addition, Rock n Roller Coaster is expected to close at some point to undergo a retheme from Aerosmith to The Muppets. The closure for this retheme hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s possible this ride will be closed in January 2026.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland closed for a year long refurbishment on January 6, 2025. It is expected to open in early 2026, but an exact date has yet to be publicized. It’s likely it will be closed some or all of January 2026

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon is usually closed in January, while Blizzard Beach is open. That said, if you’ve got your heart set on visiting Blizzard Beach, keep in mind that Disney will close the water park if it gets too cold for safety reasons (and of course, low attendance). Considering January is one of the coldest months, it’s possible that it will close with little notice during your visit.

Resorts & other locations at Walt Disney World

Lastly, the Skyliner is typically down for maintenance for a week or two at the end of January. As of February 23, 2025, Disney has not announced when this will happen in January 2026.

Will you visit Walt Disney World in January?

Overall, Disney World in January is one of my favorite times of year to visit, thanks to the lower temps and and easier crowd level to deal with.

Let us know in the comments below what your favorite time to visit Disney World is!

For more Disney World vacation planning tips, check out the posts below:

• The Ultimate Packing List for Disney World
• A Complete Guide to Disney Skyliner Transportation
• Epcot Festival of the Arts Guide & Tips
• The Best Things to Do in Disney Springs

Lastly, for more monthly vacation planning guides, check out these posts:

1. WDW in February
2. WDW in March
3. WDW in April
4. WDW in May
5. WDW in June
6. WDW in July
7. WDW in August
8. WDW in September
9. WDW in October
10. WDW in November
11. WDW in December

This post was originally published January 7, 2023 and last updated February 23, 2025.