Any tips for avoiding bring fall/winter clothes to Florida?

[peacefrogdog]

We usually travel in Oct/Nov and fly out of Buffalo when it is usually cold when leaving. It's always been a bit of a hassle to pack our fall/winter clothes. Wearing them on the plane is a big pain (not to mention being uncomfortable on the plane or at the Orlando airport), but packing them into our suitcases once we get to the departing airport isn't the most convenient thing to do either. This last trip, we left our coats in our car (that we left at Fasttrack parking) which worked reasonably well only because it wasn't that cold when we landed back in Buffalo.

Last I checked, there weren't any lockers in the Buffalo airport we could use to store our warmer clothes while we're away.

Does anyone have any tips for what you do with your warmer clothes (other than pack them) when traveling down to warm, sunny Florida?

 

[dis_guy]

What works for me is to wear two layers, usually a fleece jacket with a windbreaker over that. I find it comfortable down to -20 C or so. Once on the plane (or in the terminal) I put the fleece jacket into my carry on bag and keep the windbreaker out to wear if I need it.

 

[TimNDansMom]

I wear a hoodie under a spring/fall jacket. I have found during winter trips to Florida that they have often come in handy for chilly nights down there.

We usually leave winter coats and boots, if necessary, in the car just in case we have any problems driving home from Buffalo or Detroit Airports, especially if it's well into winter.

 

[mtmbyck]

layers is definatley the answer. We go in March which is A LOT colder and we often warm up the car, and the kids wear capris and then 2 layers of jackets - the fleece I pack and then the rain coat I have packed. I also throw in a blacket for each of them. Coming home I always have them wear jeans (we always pack at least 2 pairs of pants) and we have our coats/fleece in a backpack to put on when we get to the airport.

I wouldn't use a locker - you just might be glad to have those warm clothes at Fantasmic!

 

[Echie]

I wear a hoodie under a spring/fall jacket. I have found during winter trips to Florida that they have often come in handy for chilly nights down there.

We usually leave winter coats and boots, if necessary, in the car just in case we have any problems driving home from Buffalo or Detroit Airports, especially if it's well into winter.

That's smart about bringing and then leaving the heavy winter stuff in the car!

 

[surfer_ed]

We just take 1 set, plus sweaters and leave the parka's, mits etc in the car. I put the stuff in a diaper box in the back of the van. Then I freeze and go get everything and then DW and kids stay in the airport until I pick them up. The freezing is worth the pain vs lugging jackets etc for all 4 of us.

 

[DonnaBoo]

Layers. For pants, I have the kind you can zip off the legs and make them shorts.

 

[mackeyapp]

Layers is the way to go. We have been doing that the past four Dec/Jan trips and we are coming from the East Coast. I have everyone wear a long sleeve t-shirt, their polar fleece or hoodie and then a windbreaker over that. They start to deposit layers in DS backpack as we get closer to Florida. We just work in reverse on the way home. Have Fun!!

 

[ajschell]

I am in agreement with the layering as well. A sweatshirt/hoodie underneath a spring type coat has always worked perfectly for us. That way you have a sweatshirt for cooler nights and a spring coat for a possible rainy day.

 

[Minnie & Me]

Stuff a pair of those inexpensive stretchy knitt gloves in everyone's jacket pocket.

 

[Ham Ham]

Leave your winter clothes in the car. Have a driver (dad) drop everyone off at the terminal then send him off to park. When you return reverse the process.

 

[Luhts]

Leaving them in the car would only work if you were parking very close to the airport, plus wouldn't the coats be freezing cold? I guess if you're talking November it wouldn't be that bad but I wouldn't do it in January! We pack ours in the suitcases for the trip south, then place them in the overhead compartments on the way home...this actually ensures we have room in our suitcases for all our souvenirs! lol

 

[Sillyminny40]

Leave your winter clothes in the car. Have a driver (dad) drop everyone off at the terminal then send him off to park. When you return reverse the process.

Ham has it right. My dh drops me and the three kids off at the airport then parks his car. Better yet, have grandpa drop everyone off, or pay a friend to do so (if they insist not, get them a gift certificate for a restaurant and leave on seat in car).

 

[SydneyFalco]

I just shiver. Truth be told, I don't always wear the most appropriate of clothes in winter to begin with.

 

[dis_guy]

I just shiver. Truth be told, I don't always wear the most appropriate of clothes in winter to begin with.

(Chuckle) Ah, the famous Quebec sense for fashion.

 

[SydneyFalco]

I think of it as "refusal to grow up/somehow still in college at the age of 37" denial syndrome.

 

[laura001]

We just bite the cold and wear shorts with running shoes and a sweatshirt and make a b-line for the terminal. Yup, it is a little cold but it makes it fun! We do keep sweat pants and coats in the car for when we get back.

 

[princess pooh]

Stuff a pair of those inexpensive stretchy knitt gloves in everyone's jacket pocket.

One year it was so cold in Orlando that I used the gloves and hat I travelled with. My fall jacket got a lot of use as well.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

great thread!!! I like having hoodies it's like a security blanket & fleecies are cozy like a nice hug. I hate being cold.

 

[fallen_angel727]

I usually just wear jeans a t-**** and a light jacket or zip-up sweater and brave the cold for a bit. Also (and most people think this is strange but oh well) I ALWAYS wear a pair of socks with individual toes and my flip flops...even when it's snowing. My BF thinks this is insane but it keeps my feet warm-ish and I can just throw them in my carry-on later in the flight