January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part IV !!!

[jenjolt]

Only 4 more day 4 more days...I keep telling myself I can survive 4 more days...why do my students choose during EXAM week to act crazy...of course they put EXAM week and last week before Christmas break together...but none the less LOL!!!

I'm done with my final grad class for a long time...turned in the final yesterday morning.

Our play went great but I'm glad that is done LOL!!! Now to really focus on CHristmas which is only WHAT...10 days AWAY..where did time go

Oh well hope you are all having a great day!!

 

[jenjolt]

OH BOY!! Guess what I just realized my fellow snowbirds.....




I'M AT THE ONE MONTH MARK!!!!!!!!

One month from today I will be driving into DTD and picking up my AP and trying not to spend all my gift cards in the World of Disney store YAY!!!

 

[dklam]

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[figmentfan0724]

Congrats! We will be there around the same time you are!

 

[jenjolt]

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

Yes to all of the above LOL...okay I admit I wasn't much help!!

I have acclimatized to the weather down here so I'll be in jeans and have long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts with me. I will definitely have a jacket or hoodie in my backpack with my ponchos. As far as gloves and hats...not quite sure if you are from the north you'll find you'll need them.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

Here in the south, our weather is somewhat similar to Orlando. (You never know what you are going to get.) For example, this week's prediction is 50-70-45-45-70.

Just as Jen said, I would suggest packing a bit of everything. Lots of layers. I'm going to wear longsleeve shirts under shortsleeve shirts. If it gets too hot, I can just shed the LS shirt. I'm also bring a wintercoat, just in case. I plan on wearing jeans everyday, but that's just me.

You can track the Orlando winter weather on accuweather.com. It gives a forecast 15 days out. I've been watching it everyday. It seems that the high is in the 70's and the low is in the 50's.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Howdy from the snowy region of NW ontario!

We are having a snow day today! We got 25 cm of snow from yesterday morning until early this morning! ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED!

since the people I babysit for are all teachers as well, I had no extra kids today!

so me and my DD's walked (yes walked about a mile in -30 weather in waist deep snow) to my sister's house to hang out with her and her kids for the morning! Just got home a while ago and got my 2 resting - they are both wiped!

I have 35 days until I see the warm Florida sun!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

I see you're from New England. You might think 60 degrees is warmer than someone from Florida. We pack capris, shorts, shirts to layer (t-shirts and sweatshirt), one jacket, one pair of jeans. Since we are driving, we'll wear warmer clothes on the way down and then we'll have them if needed. I'll only have gloves since I'll have them in the car. I do not intend to use them!
We were there around the 20th last year and it was cool and rainy/misty. I was comfortable in capris, t-shirt and a cardigan. A rain jacket would have been a little better.
Good luck.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I see you're from New England. You might think 60 degrees is warmer than someone from Florida. We pack capris, shorts, shirts to layer (t-shirts and sweatshirt), one jacket, one pair of jeans. Since we are driving, we'll wear warmer clothes on the way down and then we'll have them if needed. I'll only have gloves since I'll have them in the car. I do not intend to use them!
We were there around the 20th last year and it was cool and rainy/misty. I was comfortable in capris, t-shirt and a cardigan. A rain jacket would have been a little better.
Good luck.

Oh, yes! Don't listen to me if you are used to colder weather! I freeze in 60 degree weather.

 

[snykymom]

Boy people sound sort of snotty there! I was just wondering if they restrict the seating area or not? I would guess that would be the last section filled anyway, since it's off to the side. I might just send MIL and SIL in early anyway since they walk real slow. They can get our seats! Our dinner ressie is really early, I might call and see about this, b/c I don't really care to eat at 3:30 just to get reserved seating if I am not going to get it! I have to call and correct a spelling on one of the names anyway, maybe I can find out more. If so, I'll post.

That's one of the reasons I decided to do away with the Fantasmic package. We're not on the dining plan, it's more expensive and doesn't take the Tables in Wonderland card. If I don't even get a different entrance, I'll take my chances. We'll do Brown Derby for lunch instead, and either bring in or buy dinner in the theater.

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

Well, if you're coming from New England, won't you have a coat & gloves with you anyway? I'm flying out of Logan. I've got a ski jacket that's basically a three-in-one: zip out fleece lining and shell. I'll wear them together to get on the plane, and then separate them, giving me a fleece jacket (it be worn by itself), and a waterproof shell for any predictions of rain. And the gloves will be stuffed into the pockets of the shell. (And a benefit that H can't argue with - it's not packed! )

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow you little birdies were chatty while I was grocery shopping!

Thanks to everyone who PM'd me their changes!

 

[sharadoc]

Mine came really quickly! I think it was only 2 weeks or less! Now I wish I'd waited because we get to do more now that we extended our trip. Oh well, they're pretty cool especially in color! (I'm too cheap on ink and have a cruddy printer so it would have been in black and white if I printed it at home.) I'm thinking of using the maps as background paper for scrapbooking (at some point).

That's a cool idea. Also, don't forget to pick up all the free guidebooks and pamphlets all around the World for your scrapbooking. I've used them just to make photo albums (before scrapbooking), and I would cut out the little descriptions from the brochures as a lead-in to the photos about the activity or attraction or show. They are really handy.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Do you think they'll get it when they see the sunglasses?

oops I would be one of those 2 people- I'm such a slacker sometimes! I'm pming you asap!

I think they might get it when they see the sunglasses. DH doesn't think they'll get it until they see the - "you might need these for the plane" part! We'll see. . .


Still waiting on that PM. . .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm not sure about all this. We've never seen Fantasmic or had the package before so I don't know what to compare it to. I guess it means I won't have to wait in line so early but still have seats guaranteed? Only difference is I get in the bigger line rather than a smaller one? So is the package still worth it? I just don't want to have to stand in line for 2 hours.

I hope we would still have our seats reserved. I would assume so anyway or what good would it be. . . I think it is still worth it, especially when they are only showing it twice a week. We'll find out shortly!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Dream Along With Mickey (Magic Kingdom) will not be offered 1/6/09 - 1/20/09.

Martinique Quiet Pool (Caribbean Beach Resort) closed 1/26/09 - 1/30/09 for refurbishment. Guests may use the other 5 village pools and the main pool.

FYI - saw these in the mousesavers newsletter. Some may already know about these. The other ones I saw in there I already knew about, but these were new to me.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Boy people sound sort of snotty there! I was just wondering if they restrict the seating area or not? I would guess that would be the last section filled anyway, since it's off to the side. I might just send MIL and SIL in early anyway since they walk real slow. They can get our seats! Our dinner ressie is really early, I might call and see about this, b/c I don't really care to eat at 3:30 just to get reserved seating if I am not going to get it! I have to call and correct a spelling on one of the names anyway, maybe I can find out more. If so, I'll post.

Yes, unfortunately there almost always has to be someone that makes a snotty remark on these threads. . .

 

[Mndisneygirl]

That's a cool idea. Also, don't forget to pick up all the free guidebooks and pamphlets all around the World for your scrapbooking. I've used them just to make photo albums (before scrapbooking), and I would cut out the little descriptions from the brochures as a lead-in to the photos about the activity or attraction or show. They are really handy.

Thanks for the reminder - I usually save everything - tickets, brochures etc. Before I started scrapbooking, they just ended up in a pile, eventually getting tossed.

 

[coffeehousemom]

We were down there at the end of the month last year. It was -30 here when we left & 40 above in Fl that night when we got there. The first 2 nights we were there were the only cool nights. We wore our sweatshirts under our lightweight spring type coats. After that we only wore sweats at night. DD & I wore capris most of the time. DS & DH wore shorts during the day & "swish" type pants at night. This year planing on about the same type of clothing. I typically wore layered tanks with over shirt during the day. Would put on the shirt in airconditioning. DD layers EVERYTHING now so I will just plan on that for her, leggings, etc. DS & DH have their personal thermostats stuck on high & are always hot so they will pretty much wear shorts.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Dream Along With Mickey (Magic Kingdom) will not be offered 1/6/09 - 1/20/09.

Martinique Quiet Pool (Caribbean Beach Resort) closed 1/26/09 - 1/30/09 for refurbishment. Guests may use the other 5 village pools and the main pool.

FYI - saw these in the mousesavers newsletter. Some may already know about these. The other ones I saw in there I already knew about, but these were new to me.

I saw that Dream Along with Mickey a few days ago. I added it to the list on the fist page. Last I heard though it was the Barbados quiet pool that was being refurbed. Thanks for the new info!

 

[Kazooie01]

I would love to start our packing, but having never been before in January (we have always gone in mid-April during school vacation), I have no idea how to pack and what to pack. I know that about 2 weeks prior to leaving, I'll start monitoring the extended forecast for Orlando, but I am so confused about what to expect. D and I would be more than happy to do capris every day, but is this realistic (we are going the 22nd - 26th)? I know we should pack a few pairs of jeans and some long sleeves, along with a fleece jacket, but should be do short sleeve shirts and shorts too? Is a coat necessary? I have even been told to bring gloves/hats.

I don't want to overpack (which H says that I am famous for no matter where we go - LOL). I guess I can start with our toiletries and things like that, but would like to get some of this done over the upcoming school vacation between Christmas and New Years. Any help would be appreciated!

Everybody takes the weather a bit different, but going by our past trips (this is our third January in a row) you should need no worse than Capri’s, t-shirts, windbreaker and a sweatshirt. I am no where close to being as warm blooded as my Husband (who is in shorts when it's above 50) but I have never needed hats and mittens. I have packed a single pair of jeans each year but have yet to need them. It's been in low 60's and raining all the way to 85 and sunny. It can get a bit cold at night but with the much shorter park hours you tend not to be out much after 8:00 or 9:00pm. Bottom line, pack clothes that will make you comfortable (you would be pretty safe estimating a temp. range of 60-80 degrees during the day and 45-65 at night). Of course it could be 40 the whole week and blow my post out of the water! Good luck in your planning!