9 Reasons January Could Be Brutal in Disney World

Just a couple of sleeps and it will be 2024!

And that means your next Disney World trip is rapidly approaching. There are so many things that you need to do when planning like figuring out where to stay and what to eat. Oh, and probably most important of all — When are you planning on visiting? If you’re thinking January is the month for you, well we’ve got a list of all the confirmed dates you need to know about that could make it a pretty brutal month to visit. Let’s talk about it!

January Events

January 3rd to 7th: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

First and foremost, we’ve got the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. It takes place from January 3rd to 7th — and this is one of the most popular events of the year. Runners and their families FLOCK to the parks to participate in the races.

The races take place early in the morning, so by the afternoon and evening the runners are celebrating in the parks! Expect more crowds and longer wait times.

January 9th: Major Disney World Rule Changes!

While this next one isn’t an “event” per se, there are A TON of Disney World rules are changing on January 9th! Park Pass Reservations will no longer be required for date-based 1-day and multi-day tickets, or a vacation package with date-based tickets. Not only that, but all-day park-hopping is returning! And, the Disney Dining Plan returns on this date as well!

We won’t know how this will affect you specifically, but we expect there could be some technical problems with the new system.

January 10th: After-Hours Events

Disney After Hours events are returning to Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT in 2024 on select evenings between January 10th and April 4th, 2024. You can enter the parks as early as 7PM even if you don’t have a daytime park ticket.

These are separately ticketed events that feature fewer crowds, low wait times, characters, free snacks, and more.

January 12th: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins on January 12th and will run through February 19th.

You can expect a variety of food booths, as well as festival-related activities and entertainment themed around the visual, culinary, and performing arts. Additionally, you should expect more crowds and longer wait times.

January 25th: DVC Moonlight Magic Events

Moonlight Magic events are sort of like After Hours — but they’re reserved exclusively for Disney Vacation Club members and are free! In 2024, Moonlight Magic is taking place in EPCOT on January 25th.

Keep an eye out for more crowds and longer wait times throughout the day.

January Closures

January 8th: Kali River Rapids Closure

Next on the calendar, Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment beginning on January 8th.

As of right now, no opening date has been confirmed, but we’ll be keeping our eyes and ears out.

January 8th: Rock n Roller Coaster Closure

Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith in Hollywood Studios will also close for a refurb on January 8th.

Disney hasn’t announced when this ride will open either, so stay tuned for more details!

January 16th-22nd: Big Thunder Mountain Closure

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom is closing for refurbishment on January 16th.

But don’t worry because it won’t be closed for long. It’s scheduled to reopen on January 22nd.

January 16th: Skyliner Closure

Annual Skyliner maintenance will happen from January 16th through 21st. That means the Skyliner will be closed during that time.

There will be an extended closure of the Skyliner from the Riviera to EPCOT until January 27th. If you’ll be in the parks then and were planning to rely on the Skyliner, you might want to make other plans!

Stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney World planning tips and more!

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Are you heading to Disney World in January 2024? Tell us in the comments.

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