Compared to a Canadian winter...what does it 'feel' like in February?

[kwannabee]

Im starting to pack away my summer clothes, yet the plan was to 'pack' them into a suitcase instead for our trip in February

But, not sure about the weather there...leaving the bone chilling blizzards at home for the February sun...will it be shorts weather or should i just pack up all my capris? The boys have a couple pairs of tear away pants that convert to shorts, thats all Im taking for them...and DH only wears jeans no matter what temp it is...now me, Im not sure what to pack...i dont actually do well with high temperatures...

 

[Gigi22]

Just checked my most recent Frommer's for Orlando. It gives Central Florida's average temperatures in Feb. as a High of 73 degrees F./23 degrees C. and a Low of 50 degrees F./10 degrees C. Now, these are average temperatures for the area, so I would make sure everyone has a sweatshirt/warm hoodie and gloves, as well as some lighter clothing packed, just in case. You don't want to get stuck having to buy cheaply-made overpriced Disney sweatshirts for your entire family if it turns out chilly!

 

[kwannabee]

Im thinking 23C might actually be kind of perfect considering all the walking we'll be up to...we definately won't be cold. I wonder if we can still buy those jacket thingies that fold up into a package...i cant remember what they're called.

Im such an over packer and i dont want to be taking more then i need, plus I don't want to be stuck running around all day lugging a bunch of junk like extra sweaters, based on past experiences I'm leaving 'Betsy the pack mule' at home this trip

 

[Gigi22]

I haven't visited WDW in Feb., but I have visited in Nov./Dec. It gets chilly very quickly when the sun sets--we were trying to catch the evening parade at Epcot, and we were cold, even with the drinks (ahem!) we got from a kiosk near France. We carried lightweight plastic ponchos with us and slipped them on over our clothing for warmth, but we really needed something warmer under them too. You may get lucky and Feb. 2012 may be terribly warm, of course.

 

[Queenscoroots]

Im starting to pack away my summer clothes, yet the plan was to 'pack' them into a suitcase instead for our trip in February

But, not sure about the weather there...leaving the bone chilling blizzards at home for the February sun...will it be shorts weather or should i just pack up all my capris? The boys have a couple pairs of tear away pants that convert to shorts, thats all Im taking for them...and DH only wears jeans no matter what temp it is...now me, Im not sure what to pack...i dont actually do well with high temperatures...

We visited WDW in February 2000. I found it extremely cold! Just to be prepared, you should definitely take gloves, long pants and fleece, with a windbreaker. I never wore shorts (I did wear capris a few times), and did not go swimming once when we were there (but DH did) - too cold! I would liken it to late November (in Atlantic Canada).

 

[minnie mum]

Jan. and Feb. can be so unpredictable as far as day time temps go. Some days sunny and quite warm (for us northerners). Other days really chilly. The only advice I can give is bring layers. I'd pack a few pairs of capris, but also slacks. Definitely bring a warm sweater or hoodie, and don't leave your gloves in the car at the airport!! Even if the days are warm, it will cool down fast as soon as it gets dark. So if you are planning on a day AND evening in a park, either be prepared to carry that hoodie all day, or rent a locker as you enter the park in the morning.

The resort pools are heated, so you might get a couple of days of swimming in. Southerners always laugh at the guests they see in the pools even though it's only in the 60s. Have a feeling a lot of those swimmers they're laughing at are us Canadians

 

[IndianSummer]

I've been there in Feb. A few times. In Feb. '11, they had record highs and it was unbearably hot, over 30 degrees some days. In Feb. '10, we only had two days of pool weather our entire week and the mornings were near freezing (around +4 degrees celcius). I would have worn gloves if I'd had them. Watch the weather forecast the week before your trip to ge t an idea of the trend that particular year, but bring a bit of everything for clothes just incase, maybe layers.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

During our trip in January 2009, we arrived on a gorgeous sunny day wearing jeans and t-shirts under our jackets (it was freezing cold when we left Pearson). Even after immediately shedding our coats, we thought we'd melt until we got our luggage delivered by ME and could change into something cooler. Later that day, at the dock at Port Orleans Riverside while waiting for the boat to Downtown Disney, an older couple commented that we must be "northerners" because no one wore shorts in "the winter". Turns out the woman was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY but had apparently not been "home" in many years. Long enough to forget that almost 80 degrees F most definitely was not classed as "wintery" in Niagara.

The next day, we were swimming at the pool at POR and chatted a bit with one of the lifeguard (who had her red windsuit sipped right up to her neck). She immediately remarks "You're from Canada, aren't you?". Kind of surprised she could guess so accurately, I asked her how she could tell. Her response? "You guys are the only ones who swim at this time of year"!

All that said, the evening and mornings were quite cool the week we were there. Afternoons were mostly lovely. Usually we started with jackets but didnt need them by noon. We had one overcast day that definitely impacted the overall temperature. The weeks immediately before we arrived had been unseasonably hot, and the week after was unseasonably cool. We spent time in the hot tub almost every night, though it was a mighty chilly walk some evenings from our room to the pool area.

We will be packing a little bit of everything for this year's trip: jeans, capris, t's, sweats, jackets ... just to be sure we are set for any weather. 'Cause you just never know!

 

[CdnCarrie]

We've been in January/February 3 times in the last 5 years. Only a few mornings have been chilly. One morning I even wore mitts!

It's varied from jeans and a sweatshirt to shorts weather.

Take some long pants but also take capris/shorts.

 

[mbb]

For our January February trips, we all wear sweats/jeans on the plane, long sleeve shirts, and hoodies.

I pack those zip off shorts for the kids, tshirts, and swimsuits.

I bring a pair of shorts and comfy capris.

Rain ponchos for chillier mornings and usually by 9:30am, we're ditching the layers

It feels cool, crisp, and heavy dews sometimes.

Park evenings, we wear the sweats, because it can get chilly

HTH!!

 

[mtmbyck]

No guessing what you will have. Florida in Jan/Feb is a guessing game. Last year was wonderful. But in 2006 it was colder than I have ever seen. Keep the shorts and capris handy but keep an eye on weather long range forecast before you go. If you see cold evenings, take winter coats, hats and gloves. We froze watching evening parades and even 2 layers of fleece wasn't warm enough for those winds.

Great time of year to go. Smaller crowds and you should get some use of the pools.

 

[ph-mtl]

Im starting to pack away my summer clothes, yet the plan was to 'pack' them into a suitcase instead for our trip in February

But, not sure about the weather there...leaving the bone chilling blizzards at home for the February sun...will it be shorts weather or should i just pack up all my capris? The boys have a couple pairs of tear away pants that convert to shorts, thats all Im taking for them...and DH only wears jeans no matter what temp it is...now me, Im not sure what to pack...i dont actually do well with high temperatures...

Any idea what the weather is like in Dec. We were
there at the end of May beginning of June and it was in the High 80's. I know December will not be Hot but just wondering how I should pack.

 

[Gigi22]

For Dec. Frommer's guidebook gives average temperatures as High of 73 degrees F./23 degrees C. and Low of 51 degrees F./11 degrees C. I have been to WDW in early to mid. Dec. You can get nice days, and then the temperature drops at sunset. You can also get chilly days. All of the comments above for Feb. apply. Bring layers. You may be able to swim, the pools are heated.

 

[Gnat]

We were there last January/February and I found I was very comfortable in capris and a light t-shirt all day and I just brought a small packable windbreaker for the evenings. My husband wore shorts the entire time we were there.

We did get some funny looks from people who were walking around in parkas, hats and mitts - but us Canadians know that "cold" is very relative!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneyfreak89]

We always go in January/February and the weather has varied every year. This past year was absolutely beautiful warm weather! We say its because of La Ninia. The few years before (El Ninio) were downright bone chilling and we had to wear our winter coats and gloves. Best thing to do is pack a little of everything. If you find you are wearing some outfits more than others, all resorts have laundry facilities and you can freshen them up as the need arises. Have fun!

 

[kwannabee]

Thanks everybody...i love the comment 'you must be canadians!'

ive gotten that before too, cleaning off my car in -46 temps and 3 feet of snow tends to make me appreciate anything over 0!

Anyway yesterday here at home it was 23C...i was quite toasty wearing jean capris and a t-shirt with all my running around, so if the average feb temp is 23 i think i should be fine!

Can't wait til February!!! (now thats not something we canajuns say very often )

 

[TagsMissy]

February is very unpredictable! The last time we were there in February the temperatures at WDW were colder than at home in BC. We were bundled up in multiple layers as there was suddenly a state of emergency cold spell.

Needless to say were froze our tooshies off for part of the trip then of course the last 2 days it was nice and warm no jackets required. Murphy's Law!

OP be prepared to pack between shorts and fleece jackets and if you have a goretex or other sort of waterproof jacket I recommend bringing it.

 

[ph-mtl]

For Dec. Frommer's guidebook gives average temperatures as High of 73 degrees F./23 degrees C. and Low of 51 degrees F./11 degrees C. I have been to WDW in early to mid. Dec. You can get nice days, and then the temperature drops at sunset. You can also get chilly days. All of the comments above for Feb. apply. Bring layers. You may be able to swim, the pools are heated.

Thanks I will certainly bring layers. 23 Degrees C will certainly be better than
-3C. It can get pretty cold here in Montreal, Qc.

 

[kwannabee]

you know i was thinking...i wonder if theres a humidex there...if the average temp is 23 but it 'feels' warmer due to humidity...it would probably be quite pleasant!

 

[coastgirl]

We went for the last two weeks of Feb last year and had a rental house. The first week was quite cool, the kids used the pool but not too much. The house had a hard time keeping up with cold nights--ac they have in spades, furnaces not so much! It was good for park touring though, I hate the heat. We also went Jan/Feb a few years ago, stayed on site...first week COLD. I still have the Tinkerbell sweat pants I bought at the Magic Kingdom (at a ridiculous price) b/c I INSISTED on wearing my darn shorts. Last year we did a couple of water park days, very nice and uncrowded, but warmer would've been nicer. Bring some long pants, a hoodie or sweatshirt each, and you should be fine.

I do the same thing with the summer clothes--we are hoping to do March break on the gulf coast this year, and I have the kids' summer stuff earmarked for the luggage.