Going Next Month..what should I expect?

[MBELSANTI]

Hi!
DS and I are going to VWL next month from 2/8-2/13. I have never been to WDW in the Winter time. Do you think we will be able to swim? Should I bring any shorts? What about sunblock? Hopefully we will not get hit with a snowstorm in Chicago and get stuck here!

 

[zumbergc]

Best thing I recommend is watching the weather, up until you leave. We've gone several times in dec, and well sometimes its warm, sometimes it moderate and sometimes its cold.

One thing to note is that when your in the parks, there isn't heat anywhere, in those restraunts, or in the attractions and rides. Of course your room has heat, but not in the parks.

In dec sometimes it would only get up to 45-50, and at night would drop even colder. So sitting on main street waiting for the parade and the cold wind picks up. So, you might want to bring hats and mittens. On one trip the weather.com changed the night before we left and the cold was coming in, what the weather was going to be. The temp was dropping to like the 40's at night. Well, I checked the weather, and packed our winter coats, and we brought them and wore them in the parks. Many people left MK that night because it was so cold, and we had an awesome time, walk on everywhere.

This last dec we got lucky it got up to high 70's the week we were there. Even got into the pools. You could also wear a rash guard in the pools to help keep you warm, those swim shirts.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Best thing I recommend is watching the weather, up until you leave. We've gone several times in dec, and well sometimes its warm, sometimes it moderate and sometimes its cold.

One thing to note is that when your in the parks, there isn't heat anywhere, in those restraunts, or in the attractions and rides. Of course your room has heat, but not in the parks.

In dec sometimes it would only get up to 45-50, and at night would drop even colder. So sitting on main street waiting for the parade and the cold wind picks up. So, you might want to bring hats and mittens. On one trip the weather.com changed the night before we left and the cold was coming in, what the weather was going to be. The temp was dropping to like the 40's at night. Well, I checked the weather, and packed our winter coats, and we brought them and wore them in the parks. Many people left MK that night because it was so cold, and we had an awesome time, walk on everywhere.

This last dec we got lucky it got up to high 70's the week we were there. Even got into the pools. You could also wear a rash guard in the pools to help keep you warm, those swim shirts.

I never thought about it not being heated in any of the attractions, restaurants and so forth! Good to know.

BTW what is a rash guard shirt?

 

[pilferk]

Hi!
DS and I are going to VWL next month from 2/8-2/13. I have never been to WDW in the Winter time. Do you think we will be able to swim? Should I bring any shorts? What about sunblock? Hopefully we will not get hit with a snowstorm in Chicago and get stuck here!

We just got back. It was near 80 just about every day...plenty warm enough to swim.

The week before we got there, it was mostly in the 50's and 60's...pretty cold for Florida and not NEARLY warm enough to swim.

The best advice you could get has been given in this thread already: Watch the weather the week before you go, and pack for just about everything. There's a good chance you'll get at least a COUPLE days where it's warm enough to swim. And you might get significantly more.

 

[zumbergc]

http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-289/Surfing-Short-Sleeve-Rash-Guards.html

Here is a link to scuba.com they have rash guards there. They are shirts made of the swimsuit material (women's stretchy suits). They keep you warm. The other alternative is if you have any of those specialty biking shirts, those under armor workout shirts. When your in the water, just wearing a cotten t-shirt will keep you warmer, getting out in cold weather you would freeze. A dry fit, or moisture wicking fabric shirt (for working out it) would also work. but if you workout a lot, you may not want to expose it to chlorine as it will wear it out faster.

 

[MBELSANTI]

THanks for the tips! I wish I was going this weekend, as it is supposed to be 20 below zero or colder. That will make 40 at WDW seem like another day at the beach.

 

[crisi]

Even watching the weather, pack a sweatshirt for everyone and make sure to have long pants and layers available - as well as shorts and tshirts. Because we know the weatherman is infaliable.

I've owned a Disney sweatshirt or two I didn't plan on buying.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

BTW what is a rash guard shirt?

Great for body or board surfing.

 

[drusba]

I question whether that no heat comment in the parks is correct. We were there Jan 2 and 3, which the weathermen called the two coldest days Orlando had seen in 5 years, and I remember the park shops, in door attractions, and restaurants being fine though it only got up to low 40s outside in day and was in low 30s and into the 20s in evening.

You should be prepared for range from cold to warm. We were actually there Jan 1 to 8. As noted, the 2d and 3d were brutally cold, the 4th better (mid-60s), the 5th low 70s, and the 6th and 7th were high 70s to low 80s and ability to go to pool. Such ranges can happen anytime in Jan, Feb.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Great for body or board surfing.

LOL I wonder if this comes in my size?

 

[MBELSANTI]

I question whether that no heat comment in the parks is correct. We were there Jan 2 and 3, which the weathermen called the two coldest days Orlando had seen in 5 years, and I remember the park shops, in door attractions, and restaurants being fine though it only got up to low 40s outside in day and was in low 30s and into the 20s in evening.

You should be prepared for range from cold to warm. We were actually there Jan 1 to 8. As noted, the 2d and 3d were brutally cold, the 4th better (mid-60s), the 5th low 70s, and the 6th and 7th were high 70s to low 80s and ability to go to pool. Such ranges can happen anytime in Jan, Feb.

I guess this means I will not be packing lightly like I planned!
I am just glad that I will have a chance to tour AK and not sweat like a crazy!

 

[JimMIA]

I'd certainly bring sunblock. You'll be much closer to the sun here than you are in Chicago. The sun is at a lower angle in the winter, but you can still get a burn.