How to dress????

shannonj.swafa

First time to Disney for the family!!!
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
8
I will be taking my family of 4 for the first time ever on dec 10th-14th and SO EXCITED! I am wondering how to pack? What will the weather be like? Should I bust out the gloves and winter coats? I live in phoenix so I am not sure I own anything...lol! Thanks for the help!
 
We're here right now and while it's cooler and windier than normal, my daughters, 12 and 8 and I are fine with hoodies and beanies or a muffler/scarf.
 
Layers.

We were there in December once (well, twice, but only talking about the one specific time here) and while most of the days were warmer than our September trip, one morning was absolutely COLD. I had a sweater and fleece hat for DS, but he was turning blue (he was 3) and I was off searching for gloves and a scarf. Was unsuccessful but he sure needed something else that was warmer! Even my hubby, who wears shorts almost everywhere, was cold.
 
Just keep an eye on the weather, but right now it is COLD here in SoCal! Anaheim is 35 this morning, San Diego is 37. I am heading up to the parks for a day trip tomorrow and I'm imagining I'll be freezing once the sun goes down when I stay for fireworks. I'm going to wear LOTS of layers.
 

I will be taking my family of 4 for the first time ever on dec 10th-14th and SO EXCITED! I am wondering how to pack? What will the weather be like? Should I bust out the gloves and winter coats? I live in phoenix so I am not sure I own anything...lol! Thanks for the help!

We're there almost the same time (11th-15th)...from Phoenix too!:) I was wondering the same...layers it is!
 
We just got back and it was chilly the entire week we were there except for one day. There was only one day that we could go without a hoodie/sweater/jacket. Layer everything because we found it to be freezing at night and in the morning, it got better in the afternoon hours but sometimes the wind was blowing and making it chilly.
 
We are from Phoenix (originally from Orange County though). We do bring winter coats, gloves and lighter hoodies and long sleeved t's for layering. We're ready for most types of weather and keep an eye on weather.com. We take an entire suitcase of just jackets, gloves, extra shoes just for the 4 of us in winter. Remember there is a Target at Harbor and Chapman if you need anything. I found a jacket for dd one time for $4!
 
Layering is the best way to go. The buildings will have the heater on, so it gets rather warm in there. So what ever you do to stay warm when your outside, make sure its easy to get off and easy to carry.

If you are waiting outside for a show or paraide, it can get a lot colder then when your walking around. So you may want bring a blaket or towel to sit on and wrap your legs. We use to sit and wait for New Years to roll in on Main Street and we sit for hours. It got cold!:scared1:

Just note that it can be cold one min and if the Santa Ana winds kick up, you will want a t-shirt and shorts. So I pack a little of everything. Because you just never know. Have a fun trip.
 
Being from Australia, I have no advice on what to wear, but I just wanted to say have a great trip! :goodvibes
 
I'll be there the same time as you :). Here is where I have been checking for weather:http://www.myforecast.com

We're from Washington, and it's 43 degrees and wet, so I guess a high of 70 isn't too bad (although I am still holding out for really warm weather!)
 
Yes, we are also from Phoenix area - it is COLD there, the park is damp from all the vegetation - it feels way colder than it is, to us desert rats.

I would recommend heavy coat for night along with ear covers and gloves. Not kidding.

IN the day, however, it can be all over the map - so just check weather ahead and layer!

We take long sleeved shirts, sweatshirt/jackets, and wear jeans - seems to work okay.

It is not hard -just take the stuff, then you have it.
 
I totally agree about the layers! We have been to DL in Dec and wished I had shorts. We have also been to DL in Dec and wished I had a snowmobile suit!

I study the weather forecast before we go and it's usually pretty close to what it predicts. We always hope for sunshine in So Cal. The nights after the sun goes down can and usually does get chilly.

We take layers. We take long sleeves generally, hoodies, jackets, scarves, mittens, and hats. We have them if we need them. I have even taken those hand warmers you put in your mittens for late nights in the park. My DD fell asleep on her hands watching the fireworks a few years a go! princess:
 
Ok hi local here.. and I have to say umm I was cold last night at DLR. I had a turtle beck on with my beloved Disneyland sweatshirt over it and I had gloves on and it was windy and I was still a bit cold! I did appreciate having the gloves cause as soon as the sun went down it was chilly!

:tinker:
 
I will be taking my family of 4 for the first time ever on dec 10th-14th and SO EXCITED! I am wondering how to pack? What will the weather be like? Should I bust out the gloves and winter coats? I live in phoenix so I am not sure I own anything...lol! Thanks for the help!

I'm also from Phoenix, so I'm a wuss when it gets cold (cold = below 60 at night :thumbsup2). We're usually there in December (we're going again right after you, 12/16-12/19). The daytime is usually a little nippy, but it definitely gets cold as the sun goes down.

Other have said to bring layers, and I would agree with that, since you don't know what you're going to need to keep comfortable until you're in the moment. If you don't prepare, you could find yourself in one of those desperate situations where you run around saying "I don't care how much it costs, I'm COLD!" And DLR is not a place to proclaim that price is no object.
 
I will be taking my family of 4 for the first time ever on dec 10th-14th and SO EXCITED! I am wondering how to pack? What will the weather be like? Should I bust out the gloves and winter coats? I live in phoenix so I am not sure I own anything...lol! Thanks for the help!

We're from Phoenix also....but we're at DL right now. According to DH back home it's miserable cold there, lol. But it's also quite cold right now here at DL....60's for highs and 40's for lows.

We've come this week before and it's not been this cold in the past....so it is possible that it will be more "normal" by the time you get here. Normal is more like 70's for highs, and sometimes even higher.

Layers work well...a long sleeve thin shirt underneath a t-shirt is both stylish and warm (per my daughters, lol...I have no fashion sense...I wear a T and jeans every day of the year, lol). If it possibly gets warm enough take off the long sleeve and tie it around your waist.

Or....what I am doing is wearing a light jacket...same one I use in Phoenix for the two weeks in January when you need a jacket during the day, lol. When it gets warm I tie the jacket around my waist or shoulders depending on what we're going to do.

If you tend to need jackets during normal fall weather in Phoenix, you may find that you want your jacket all the time here.

Keep in mind also that you can always rent a locker to keep the jackets in until the evening when the sun goes down and even in 'normal' weather it gets cool around Southern California.
 
We're coming over from Australia in January and I was wondering whether (on average) you'd expect it to be colder then than it is now?

Also do they sell scarves, gloves and beanies in the park, or just at Target etc nearby? TIA.
 
They do sell jackets and sweatshirts around the DLR. Gloves and scarves are a more limited amount and if it's particularly cold, probably slim pickins. This happened to me at Disneyworld one year; there wasn't a jacket or gloves to be found. And within DLR they are a bit pricey if you're not anticipating that into your budget.

The Walgreen's around the area may have gloves and beanies, if you're in a pinch and Target is out. There are also shopping malls within 5 or so miles.
 
There is a Target with in walking distance from DLR. It's on Harbor south of Katella. They sell jackets, sweatshirts, gloves and hats this time of year. They aren't Disney but they are at a much cheaper price.
 
December trip takers,

I still have Christmas maps for both parks DCA and DLR!! If you don’t have a trip till the end of the month you still have time to get a map or a set!!

Please pm me with an address and I will quickly get them sent out!!

IF YOUR Not taking a trip and like a set anyways, I can do that also!!!
 
I think I"ll end up bringing what I can scrounge from home. I can always offload those before heading to Hawaii after DL, for our 2nd week of holidays! Thanks for the advice.
 


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