Hi Cynthia!
Thank you for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. It sounds like you've already done some great research on finding the lower crowd times to visit Disneyland Resort!
As far as refurbishments and parade schedules, you'd want to check the
Disneyland Resort Calendar, but unfortunately this is only released approximately a month and a half to two months out so it wouldn't be of great help in deciding between January and September. Your best bet is to go on historical seasonal refurbishments with the understanding that things are always subject to change. The attractions that are closed at the same time every year that would impact your decision usually include Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise,
it's a small world and Space Mountain.
For a January trip these are the possible seasonal refurbishments. Splash Mountain normally closes in mid-January through February and Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion and it's a small world usually close early to mid-January and reopen in late January to early February to remove the holiday overlays.
For a September trip, Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion have historically closed in late August and reopen in mid-September with their holiday overlays,
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and
Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Please let us know if we can help in any other way and I hope you have a great trip to the
Happiest Place on Earth!
-Lindsey ºOº