Touring in the winter weather About This Page:

[AngelLily03]

Okay so I know when we go in Jan it could be 80, 40, or both. So I held out summer clothes, actually but them in the suitcase already. But was wondering for those of you who have toured this time of year. Is it best to have a change of clothes with you, if so what I was thinking jeans and a sweatshirt, coat if its cooler? If its 70 ish during the day it could still get quite cool at night. We want to avoid going back to the resort if possible and will have our pack mule with us 'stoller'.

[Laurast]

We have been there several times in January/early February and the temperatures can be quite unpredicatable! I always thrown some of those thin gloves into the suitcase since they can come in handy on chilly mornings and evenings and are so small that they fit into a backpack easily. We also do the layering thing and I tend to end up with my sweatshirt tied around my waist at some point during the day. Although we have never done this, I know many on the boards have mentioned renting a locker at the park where you will be that day and storing extra items in there. Have fun!

[mdobereiner]

I would suggest dressing in layers instead of brining changes of clothes. I watched the weather forecast each night to decide if we should wear jeans or shorts (to avoid having to change) and then we started off every morning and ended every night with jackets (winter coats for a few days too.) Make sure you pack hats and gloves- DH laughed at me when I tucked them into our luggage but boy was he thankful I packed them when he realized that in fact is can get cloder than 80 degrees in Orlando (he won't question my packing again!)

Of the 10 days we were there this past Jan, we spent about 8 in blue jeans and 2 in shorts. I would say we used full on winter gear (winter coats, gloves, hats) about 4 days, but definitely used the gloves and hat in the morning and evenings throughout the trip. During the really cold days we all did long sleves and sweaters underneath our coats, on the more mild but chilly days we did long sleeves with jackets (the kids wore puffy vests one day instead of a jacket), and then on the mild days we did short sleeves with jackets.

GL!
Mel

[honeybee723]

You'll notice the important word here is layering. When we went last January it was cooler at the beginning of the week, probably mid 60's and then it warmed up to high 70's by the end of the week. The mornings and evenings are always chilly, and I would definitely pack gloves or mittens, like the others have said.

[Carousel96]

We go between Thanksgiving and Christmas and have the same "What do I wear" dilemma.
While I do take shorts for the unusually hot days, we have found that jeans and tee shirts are usually a comfortable combination, and not too warm midday. We take along sweatshirts for evenings.
I agree with the above poster about the thin "magic gloves." Warm hands make a huge difference!

[Colexis Mom]

We've been in December when it's been mainly cold (very few warm days). I usually had jeans on, and many layers for tops. The mornings and nights were quite cold (hats/mittens) but with the sun, the afternoon felt nice even if it was only in the 60s. I would peel off a layer (usally the fleece jacket or sweatshirt I had under it) and then put it back on when I needed it. The kid did wear shorts now and then, but it was easy enough to stick pants over them and have them take them off if needed.

[Sue M.]

We go late Jan, and usually wear capris and hoodies. It is chilly early morning. I don't stay at the parks opening to closing, and usually go back to our resort for a mid day break. I may throw a pair of jeans on for evening when we go back to the park, but wouldn't take a change with me to the parks.

[WeRDisneyFanatics]

When we were there in January we had spring-like weather. Cool in the morning and evenings then warmer mid-day (especially in direct sun). Layers were the key for us -- I wore a t-shirt then had a hoodie or sweater with me. I brought some light-weight jeans and those were great for a few of they days. Capris were also good.

[tinkerbell24601]

This is great advice! I am also going in January for the first time and was not sure which items to pack.

[mousejunkie98]

I agree, layering is key! We love going in January and February, and typically we start off the day with sweatshirts or light jackets and shed layers as it warms up. In all but the coldest years (which are rare, but do happen occasionally), we've always been down to shorts or capris and t-shirts by mid-day. A hat and some gloves are great if you have room in a stroller, because if it does get below 50, having those will make you feel much warmer, Oh, and a scarf, they can warm you up a ton and don't take up much room.

[Her Dotness]

I would throw in a few wintry layers just in case.

The weather reports for our stay right after New Year's were for the typical mid-70's daytime highs with nights in the low to mid-50's.

Except the weatherfolk forgot to mention what they'd predicted to the Arctic front that dipped down past Orlando the day after we arrived, bringing windchills in the lower 20's and below freezing lows more than one night.

We had only one day of typical weather in our weeklong stay and were very grateful indeed that we'd come from zero-degree temps at home. We almost had enough layers to withstand the effects of the higher humidity combined with those vicious windchills.

This is a rarity, but it certainly can happen! As the old Scout motto goes, "Be prepared," just in case.

[EmilyJ]

I will definately be bookmarking this thread! We are going end of Jan-beginning of Feb and Im unsure of what to pack.

[bsblady01]

bring warm clothing we where their for new years and we froze for two staraight weeks. whear layers andn bring gloves and hats

[evenstar84]

I am going to Disney in January for the first time (previous visits were all in summer months) so this is really helpful! I would never have thought to bring gloves....that's a great idea! This is a really helpful thread!

[nurse_mom]

I am attending this Jan as well. I'm hoping for at least a few days of 70's, but then again 50 will be warm to me at that time. We will be leaving at least 18-38 degree weather. It may get up to above 40 if we are lucky. Don't forget the snow, and ice. Either way unless its 30 @ Disney, I think I'll feel like we hit a heat wave.