Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR

[HydroGuy]

This thread was inspired by a current thread right now debating whether it is hotter at DLR or WDW. I decided to research data in Anaheim and Orlando and cross-correlate it so we can have some hard numbers to look at.

I have nine charts and four tables, and since this is a "super thread" I feel compelled to show them all.

I think the organization will work better if I show the DLR vs. WDW data first, discuss it, and then show the rest for reference. So, let's get to the data.


Here is a list of the tables and charts in this thread:

Chart 1. Comparison of monthly average high and low temperatures - DLR vs. WDW
Chart 2. Comparison of monthly record high and low temperatures - DLR vs. WDW
Chart 3. Comparison of monthly average rainfall: Anaheim vs. Orlando
Chart 4. Comparison of average number of rainy days per month: Anaheim vs. Orlando
Chart 5. Comparison of monthly average humidity in the morning and evening: Anaheim vs. Orlando
Chart 6. Monthly average high and low temperatures at DLR
Chart 7. Monthly record and average high and low temperatures at DLR
Chart 8. Monthly average high and low temperatures at WDW
Chart 9. Monthly record and average high and low temperatures at WDW
Table 1. Monthly average and record high and low temperatures at DLR
Table 2. Monthly average rainfall and humidity in Anaheim
Table 3. Monthly average and record high and low temperatures at WDW
Table 4. Monthly average rainfall and humidity in Orlando


How Hot Is It At DLR and WDW?

Looking at Chart 1 it is clear that in every month of the year WDW is warmer than DLR on average. Summer highs are 5-10 degrees F (3-6 degrees C) higher, and summer lows are 8-10 degrees F (5-6 degrees C) higher. Winter temperatures are also higher but not nearly as much.

Looking at Chart 2 it is clear that the temperature extremes at DLR are significantly larger than WDW. Summer temperatures can be 6-15 degrees F (4-9 degrees C) higher, while summer lows can be 6-15 degrees F (4-9 degrees C) lower. These are record temperatures but are indicative of what can occur at DLR.

Using Chart 1 and 2 it is easy to see why disagreement exists between which is warmer in the summer: DLR or WDW. On average WDW is warmer (Chart 1). On the other hand, there are some days when DLR is much warmer (Chart 2). Personal experience from visitors thus reflects the specific days those visitors happened to be at DLR. If they happened to visit during an Anaheim heat wave it is easy to see why they could conclude DLR is warmer than WDW. Such people are probably the ones who post the "never again DLR in the summer" opinions. If they had the good fortune to visit DLR multiple times in the summer (and over time experience the lower average temperatures at DLR) it is likely they would realize than DLR is much more pleasant in the summer than WDW.


How Humid Is It and How Much Does It Rain in Anaheim and Orlando?

I was not able to find all the rainfall and humidity data for DLR and WDW so I looked at Anaheim, CA and Orlando, FL.

Moving on to Charts 3 and 4 it will surprise no one that it rains much more in Orlando than Anaheim. Orlando is in a tropical climate while Anaheim is considered semi-arid. Interestingly, while it rains more at DLR than WDW in the winter (Chart 3), the rain is concentrated to fewer days at DLR (Chart 4). Chart 4 indicates that in every month of the year you are more likely to experience rain at WDW than DLR.

Charts 3 and 4 also show the huge difference in rainfall in the summer. WDW experiences a lot of rain in the summer while DLR has virtually none. So bring your rain ponchos to WDW for your summer trips but leave them at home for summer DLR trips.

Chart 5 shows that the peak humidity each day is higher in Orlando than DLR which also comes as no surpise. Note that this is relative humidity, which depends on the temperature. The higher temperature air in Orlando (on average) can hold more water than the lower temperature air at DLR. Hence Chart 5 does not say that it is 10% more humid at WDW. It is more than that because of the higher temperatures there.


Conclusions

On average WDW is warmer than DLR all year long during the day and evening. On certain days DLR can be much warmer or much colder than WDW. WDW has lots more rain and humidity, especially in the summer.


Other Links

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

"Detailed Weather History for WDW" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004631


Chart 1. Comparison of monthly average high and low temperatures - DLR vs. WDW

Chart 2. Comparison of monthly record high and low temperatures - DLR vs. WDW

Chart 3. Comparison of monthly average rainfall: Anaheim vs. Orlando

Chart 4. Comparison of average number of rainy days per month: Anaheim vs. Orlando

Chart 5. Comparison of monthly average humidity in the morning and evening: Anaheim vs. Orlando

Other charts for reference are given below...

Table 1. Monthly average and record high and low temperatures at DLR

Table 2. Monthly average rainfall and humidity in Anaheim

Table 3. Monthly average and record high and low temperatures at WDW

Table 4. Monthly average rainfall and humidity in Orlando

Chart 6. Monthly average high and low temperatures at DLR

Chart 7. Monthly record and average high and low temperatures at DLR

Chart 8. Monthly average high and low temperatures at WDW

Chart 9. Monthly record and average high and low temperatures at WDW

Data Sources:

DLR Temperature:
www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USCA1306

DLR/Anaheim Rainfall:
www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0192
Period of Record : 8/1/1989 to 6/29/2007

DLR/Anaheim Humidity:
www.weatherreports.com/United_States/CA/Anaheim/averages.html
Data taken over 47 years

WDW Temperature:
www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USFL0615

WDW/Orlando Rainfall and Humidity:
www.weatherreports.com/United_States/FL/Orlando/averages.html
Data taken over 26 years

 

[DLR29]

LOVE IT!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

This is fantabulous!!! I think it's the best thing I've seen on here yet!

 

[DangerMouse]

This thread was inspired by a current thread right now debating whether it is hotter at DLR or WDW. I decided to research data in Anaheim and Orlando and cross-correlate it so we can have some hard numbers to look at.

Of course you did you. . . you. . . engineer YOU!!

Love the extent you will go to to prove your point, Trey!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Wow. You seem to have a lot of time on your hands. What do you do for a living?

 

[brenda1966]

Thanks for compiling this. It's very interesting to see it mapped out.

I have been to DL during both a summer heat wave (102 degrees) and a summer rain and lightening storm that closed down nearly every ride, but I still prefer the Anaheim weather. The reduced humidity wins me over every time.

I've also been to WDW where it rained every day and was there once for a rare February freeze! Brrrrr! I'll take a cold non-humid day over a cold humid one any day.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

a lightning storm in anaheim? weird. of course, i was there once when there was what i would barely call a "storm." and the next day everyone i knew was freaking out about the insane thunderstorm. um, there were maybe a dozen cracks of thunder and lightning. big deal....haha. it's all about perspective.

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow. You seem to have a lot of time on your hands. What do you do for a living?

With three teenage boys and pre-teen boy, that keeps things pretty busy. In my spare time I own and run an engineering software company.

I pulled this thread together last night because my family was busy catching up on American Idol which I detest.

 

[fairycat]

a lightning storm in anaheim? weird. of course, i was there once when there was what i would barely call a "storm." and the next day everyone i knew was freaking out about the insane thunderstorm. um, there were maybe a dozen cracks of thunder and lightning. big deal....haha. it's all about perspective.

Ok after going to Chicago I realised what you people meant by THUNDERSTORMS!!!!!!!! EEKKKKKK!! I will never compare again!!!

I also dealt with the scariest rain EVER while driving through the midwest. We couldn't even pull off the road it was so bad, I had to help my friend find her way down the road by looking for the white line.

That is the thing about So Cal. we are so unaccustomed to "Weather" we have news reporters and their stations reporting for hours with fancy graphics cause OMG it is RAINING!!!! And not even RAINING more like raining.

The best part of So Cal weather is that unlike some other places it may be hot during the day but it is always nice at night. That is why DLR (amoung other reasons) stays open so late. Seista during the day and play at the parks in the morning and evening you will never hate our weather by the pool in the summer haha!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

LOVE it, Hydroguy! I'll take our SoCal dry heat any day over humidity. It's nice to see what kind of weather we might encounter this November in WDW. Did WDW in May once- ONCE. Thought the humidity might kill me. And I'm from Louisiana!

One of the reasons for early Disneyland success was the climate, I'm sure. It made it easy for people to vacation in a relatively mild, dry environment. New concept, this building a whole vacation around a theme park. You needed to ensure good weather year round. Brilliant thinking on Walt's part.

Not that buying a zillion acres of Florida swampland in Kissimmee was a bad idea either..!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Ok after going to Chicago I realised what you people meant by THUNDERSTORMS!!!!!!!! EEKKKKKK!! I will never compare again!!!

I also dealt with the scariest rain EVER while driving through the midwest. We couldn't even pull off the road it was so bad, I had to help my friend find her way down the road by looking for the white line.

That is the thing about So Cal. we are so unaccustomed to "Weather" we have news reporters and their stations reporting for hours with fancy graphics cause OMG it is RAINING!!!! And not even RAINING more like raining.

The best part of So Cal weather is that unlike some other places it may be hot during the day but it is always nice at night. That is why DLR (amoung other reasons) stays open so late. Seista during the day and play at the parks in the morning and evening you will never hate our weather by the pool in the summer haha!

When I was living in Orange, I thought the news was hilarious when they talked about weather. "STORM WATCH" for a light drizzle...haha. Last year it snowed somewhere that never gets snow (can't remember where) and people were freaking out. On the news, families were driving their kids out to see the snow and "play" in it. There was almost no snow on the ground. People driving were freaking out and turning around. I saw a picture of someone's car being pushed. Not sure why, there was maybe an 8th of an inch of snow on the ground. Funny stuff. And slightly sad....because I am a snow lover, I felt bad for them. Haha.

As far as weather at WDW vs. Disneyland....We've decided we'll probably only take trips to either place in November or January. The weather isn't much different during those months so it doesn't effect us.

 

[chickybanky]

Last year it snowed somewhere that never gets snow (can't remember where) and people were freaking out. On the news, families were driving their kids out to see the snow and "play" in it. There was almost no snow on the ground. People driving were freaking out and turning around. I saw a picture of someone's car being pushed. Not sure why, there was maybe an 8th of an inch of snow on the ground. Funny stuff. And slightly sad....because I am a snow lover, I felt bad for them. Haha.

Yeah, that was Malibu. Yeah, we freak out when it snows here!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

LOVE IT!

that was really great of you to spend all that time making this...I knew the minute I saw the title for this thread which location had the warmer temp...and I knew hands down it was Orlando

 

[Mrs. Bee]

from OP....."between which is warmer in the summer: DLR or WDW. On average WDW is warmer (Chart 1). On the other hand, there are some days when DLR is much warmer (Chart 2). Personal experience from visitors thus reflects the specific days those visitors happened to be at DLR. If they happened to visit during an Anaheim heat wave it is easy to see why they could conclude DLR is warmer than WDW. Such people are probably the ones who post the "never again DLR in the summer" opinions. If they had the good fortune to visit DLR multiple times in the summer (and over time experience the lower average temperatures at DLR) it is likely they would realize than DLR is much more pleasant in the summer than WDW."

I can only imagine that you are referring to me and/or quest4fun in the other thread. If you are...you've got it wrong. (If you aren't, then disregard this post.) We will most likely never visit Disneyland (or WDW) again in the summer months. Yes, it was 108 when we were there last summer (actually, I think it was early September, another month we probably won't visit there.) No, that was not the only time we've been there in summer months. Summer of 2006, I was there once a week, sometimes more. It was icky and crowded most of the time. And I'm pretty sure quest4fun has been there just about every summer his entire life.

Disneyland in November last year was great. And WDW in January was fabulous. If I had to guess, all of our future trips will be in the Fall or Winter months. I hate summer everywhere. Worst season ever. Ugh. I'd rather stay home with the AC on than be on vacation somewhere (except maybe the bahamas or florida keys where I can spend the whole time in the water.)

WDW might be 6 to 10 degrees hotter all year long. But the difference between 80 degrees and 90 degrees doesn't matter much to me. Both are far too hot to be walking around outside all day.

 

[HydroGuy]

from OP....."between which is warmer in the summer: DLR or WDW. On average WDW is warmer (Chart 1). On the other hand, there are some days when DLR is much warmer (Chart 2). Personal experience from visitors thus reflects the specific days those visitors happened to be at DLR. If they happened to visit during an Anaheim heat wave it is easy to see why they could conclude DLR is warmer than WDW. Such people are probably the ones who post the "never again DLR in the summer" opinions. If they had the good fortune to visit DLR multiple times in the summer (and over time experience the lower average temperatures at DLR) it is likely they would realize than DLR is much more pleasant in the summer than WDW."

I can only imagine that you are referring to me and/or quest4fun in the other thread. If you are...you've got it wrong. (If you aren't, then disregard this post.)

No, I was not referring to you specifically. As you know, posts about summer heat at DLR and WDW are common around here and I was referring to the general issue and no one in particular.

I have posted similar sentiments many times in the past such as here: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for the Temp / Humidity detail, Trey.

As someone who grew up in 90/90 weather in Houston (for four months out of the year), it was interesting to see the same 90/90 weather in Orlando for June/July/Aug.

Thankfully i live where it's a little dryer (but still darn hot), but I've visited SoCal virtually every summer for the past 30 years, & I love the drier summers.

It's funny, I bet 9 out of 10 people who live near me (if they visit Disney) head east (including me 3 times) & endure the dreaded 90/90 each summer. If they only knew.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I see from that thread in your signature that you have many topics you've started for tips and whatnot for DLR and WDW. I'm not going to lie I didn't really read much of them. But I was wondering how you apparently know so much about DL and WDW?

 

[DangerMouse]

Mrs. Bee, Trey (Hydroguy) is one of the resident experts here on the DL board, with so much information to offer. I recommend his tips threads to everyone I know who is going to DLR, and consider his research and efforts of great value. You really ought to read them sometime. He knows his stuff.

 

[HydroGuy]

I see from that thread in your signature that you have many topics you've started for tips and whatnot for DLR and WDW. I'm not going to lie I didn't really read much of them. But I was wondering how you apparently know so much about DL and WDW?

I don't claim to know whole lot about WDW and therefore do not have much in the way of tips for WDW. About DLR, well, I have been going there for over 40 years. And I read a lot.

 

[HydroGuy]

Mrs. Bee, Trey (Hydroguy) is one of the resident experts here on the DL board, with so much information to offer. I recommend his tips threads to everyone I know who is going to DLR, and consider his research and efforts of great value. You really ought to read them sometime. He knows his stuff.

Well that may be true, but I certainly do not know about the "DEP Dash" like you do.