My family goes nearly every year for Christmas. My friend once asked me what the weather was like. I asked him for the winning lottery numbers.
The weather is incredibly uncertain. This makes it difficult to pack and even plan for the day. I've gotten packing for the Christmas vacation down to a science, however.
Normally, I check the weekly weather forecast the weeks going into the trip and at the very last minute. For example, we left Tuesday, December 24th for our trip. I had an idea of what i wanted to wear, and on Sunday, December 22nd, I checked the weather and started to pack. Then on Monday, I finished packing and sealed my suitcase.
I normally pack for the 60s. Most days I'm comfortable in jeans and a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt. However, we have been to Disney when it has been miserably cold, and we have been to Disney when it was delightfully hot.
I remember our first year I thought "wow, December in Florida, I can't wait to get out of the cold weather and sit in shorts by the pool!" While the Amtrak ride was dreadful, it proved to be our saving grace. We had to pack on the layers on our trip from Long Island to Penn Station. Carrying suitcases filled with shorts, t-shirts, a few pairs of pants and shirts, we made our way to Penn Station wearing the opposite - hoodies, winter coats, etc. When we got to Disney it was 70, sunny and gorgeous outside. I ran into the room and peeled off my layers. Well, we didn't see the sun the rest of our trip. The temperatures topped out at 50 to mid-50s, and at night it was low 40s (sometimes even 30s) and miserably cold! We were so unprepared!
The next year (2010) we overpacked. We packed winter coats, gloves, scars, hoodies, all long-sleeve shirts, pants, thick socks, etc. Well, it was hotter most days than none. We were hot and uncomfortable all day with our heavy clothes.
In 2011 we took a break because a friend got married in Disney in April 2012. It was so nice to dress for one season!
In 2012, I had a plan. I started to break my packing into separate groups:
I had my base layer. The base layer would be my day-to-day wardrobe. Even in the 70s, I was comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. It gets hot, but has not gotten uncomfortably hot during our past few trips. So I pack jeans, long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts.
Then I pack for extreme temperatures. I wear a hoodie and a coat down on the plane. That leaves some room in my suitcase. I pack a sweater or two and I already have my hoodie to wear down. I also pack gloves, a scarf, a hat and some thick socks. If it gets a little chilly, I put on my hoodie. If it's very cold, I'll start layering with a coat and the scarf/gloves etc. Also, I started packing a thermal to stick under my shirts. It's an easy way to layer without the bulk!
But what if it gets hot? I normally sleep in mesh shorts. They're comfortable even for the parks. I pack two pairs regardless of the temperature and pack two nice pairs of shorts. I never swim on the trip, so no need for a bathing suit.
Basically, I pack for late October or late March/early April in New York. It could be sunny and 70, or cold and 35 degrees at night (we're going through this now!)
My rule of thumb for planning the day is this:
- If it's not sunny out, it's gonna be chilly. It doesn't matter if the weather is calling for 70-degree temperatures. Disney is surrounded by water and with the humidity, there will always be a chill.
- If the temperature does not hit 70+ and there's not sun, it's going to be chilly at night
- Always wear at least a hoodie at night. There will be a breeze
- Cut your day in half. My family always takes a break due to the crowds - but it also gives us a chance to change. If it's 65 outside during the day, we wear jeans and a t-shirt or shirt in the parks. At night, it may be low 50s. Going back to the room gives us the opportunity to grab a hoodie or jacket.
Of course, the weather depends on where you are from. Being from New York, 40 or 50 degrees doesn't feel like a vacation (not counting this year) but for someone from Minnesota or Alaska, 40 or 50 degrees is tropical!
THis past year the weather was incredible. It rained one day (normally rains an average of 5 days in December in Orlando.) We had multiple days in the 70s - including Christmas day and NYE. I wore a t-shirt more often than I wore a jacket. At night, I was comfortable in a wool button-down shirt and jeans.
. Then by the end of the week, the kids were in the pool.
I'm hoping really hard to not need coats but they will be packed incase, thanks for the tips!
