January clothing to bring??

[mollyseven]

I have never been to Florida in January and we are going Jan. 20-27 and wonder what on earth the weather will be like. I have looked up past weather and it can be almost anything.
Do you generally look at the weather reports a week before you go and plan then??? I already have our tickets, P&P tickets, meals and parks planned and now need something to focus on????
I have no idea what we will wear or how I will possibly fit all the clothing into our luggage. Last time we went was in May and all I took was tshirts tank tops and shorts. That was easy.
Help me plan

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Yep, you pretty much need everything at that time.

It could be 80 and sunny during the day (one or two days, then a front rolls through), or it could be 50, overcast, rainy and windy -- feeling more like 30.

Nights generally range from "cool" to downright cold.

I went last February and brought shorts, t-shirts, jeans, long-sleeve shirts, jackets, a coat, plenty of warm hats, gloves and my thermals to wear under my clothes if it was really chilly at night. I wore everything I brought and even needed to buy another heavy/warm sweater.

And don't forget the chapstick! The hot/cold - hot/cold does a number on the lips.

 

[ajcolorado]

My husband and I took a quick weekend trip last January and I checked the weather the day before we left. I was still surprised by one very chilly morning.

 

[mamacatnv]

Do you generally look at the weather reports a week before you go and plan then???
I have no idea what we will wear or how I will possibly fit all the clothing into our luggage. Last time we went was in May and all I took was tshirts tank tops and shorts. That was easy.
Help me plan

I checked the weather right up to the point we left.

The temp is also relative to what you are used to. We come from a cold winter climate so high 60's are downright balmy to us while the natives will be bundled up complete with ear warmers.

I brought jeans for evenings and found capris worked out the best for me and DD. Dh and DS opted for cargo shorts and light sweats to pull on if needed. The jeans & sweatpants were rarely used.

We each bought a Disney sweatshirt so we didn't have to pack jackets.

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

I was at WDW from DEc 31st 2005 to January 7th 2006. The morning we left it was freezing! 0°C And it was the marathon!!!!!

So bring lots of different clothes!

We were able to swim twice about 1 hour.

 

[sweetspicy]

I've been there the first week of January before and it was SO freezing. I wish we'd brought our coats but we didn't. Maybe at the end of January when you go, it won't be as bad, but I would still bring all different types of clothes like a previous poster said. You don't want to be too cold OR too hot then!

 

[MouseyMin]

Although you won't need Arctic survival gear, you probably will need a winter coat, hat, and gloves at least some nights in January. The temperature drops about 20 degrees when the sun goes down. So 60's during the day will be 40's at night. And, without sun, that 45 degree temperature feels pretty cold when you're standing around waiting for the fireworks to start (and, by the way, I'm a Northerner!)

 

[Goofyluver]

We went last January. The entire time we were there it was never cooler than 75 degrees. The weather was perfect. We were in short sleeves the entire time. But, it probably isn't always that beautiful!

 

[MinMouse]

As you can see, weather can be all over the place in January. We were there several years ago when it was almost 90 during the day and around 70 at night. The three weeks prior to our trip it was in the 40's there. Never know. Watch the weather forecast closer to the trip. Here's info on the averages in January www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/.../graph/USFL0372?from=month_bottomnav_outdoors
Have fun!

 

[kaybird]

Layers. Lots of Layers.

 

[Honeymooners1021]

I think it still depends on where you are coming from. 75 is perfect weather if you are coming from 20-25 degrees!

 

[aubriee]

As everyone has said the weather in January can do anything. We were there Jan '05 and wore shorts all week. We went back exactly a week earlier in Jan '06 and froze all week. I mean gloves, tobogan, scarves, thermal underwear, coats cold. I'll be there in Dec this year and plan on packing a little of everything, then washing clothes if needed.

 

[DisDee]

We'll be there for the exact dates that you are. We've done Dec, Jan, and Feb over the years. The way I look at the weather situation is, no matter what, it is warmer than NJ in Jan. We tend not to be wimpy and thoroughy enjoy the cooler weather. Getting around the parks is so much more enjoyable and comfortable! We bring shorts, capris and long pants too. We've even stuck shorts in our carry-on and have used the airport restroom to change. Think layers and a variety of clothing. Remember DO NOT OVERPACK! You won't get all sweaty in Jan. and need to change a couple of times per day. Also, all the WDW resorts have laundry facilities, so you can always throw in a load of wash while you are at the pool. Yes, we always use the pool in the winter...just make a mad dash for your room when you get out on a chilly evening. January in Disney is great...you will love it!

 

[alfredromero1975]

Agree with the others. Could be anywhere between 35 and 85.

 

[afinter1]

Ditto on the winter coat, hat, and gloves. Although it may sound crazy, there were a few nights in early January last year when my fiance and I could have used them!!

A lot of locals were telling us it was the coldest weather FL had seen in four years. It was freezing at night, so bundle up for the firework shows!

 

[sne26]

We are also going the exact same dates as you. I'm going to try to pack as little as possible.... and do couple loads of laundry throughout the trip.

We went to Myrtle Beach a month ago, and thought it was going to be really nice, but it was alot colder than it was supposed to be (even checking the weather everyday up to the time we left!). We spend half of the trip wearing the same pair of jeans and the same sweatshirt! I packed MUCH MUCH more than that, and only used a few items than I packed. We drove, so it didn't matter as much.

Not this time- a pair or two of pants, about 3 t-shirts, a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, a pair of shorts/capris, and a light and heavy coat for each of us. (And I guess hat and gloves too) . And that's it. I figure we can dress in layers and mix and match what we need each day.

I always think that we need to look different for each day of vacation, so we don't look exactly the same in every picture that we take, but does it really matter??? No!

(Now if only I can actually stick to my plan!)

Stacey

 

[mollyseven]

That sounds so funny actually about the pictures because when we went in May even though we had tons of clothes I washed twice cause we seemed to want the same stuff as it was really hot. I might as well have packed us each 2/3 outfits instead of the 9-10 I actually did pack. Overkill for sure. I am going to use your list to pack myself this time. I always say I would like to be the kind of person who can travel light....you know like a backpack and go and yet I know we'll have 4 suitcases before it's done.
Do you think we'll need our winter coats? I can't decide if we should just take fleece lined nylon jackets (fall gear) or if we will actually need our Toronto winter coats....uggg.
Thanks again I am definitely remembering the laundy and how handy it was to do down there.
Denise
Ohhh....where are you staying? I just switched us this morning to Caribbean Beach because of the food court closure at POR.

 

[sne26]

We are staying outside Disney property at a timeshare. We are currently trying to decide whether to stay at our home resort, Marriot Grand Vista, or to try a different one- Liki Tiki Villas.

I would LOVE to stay at a Disney resort, but my dad has the timeshare, and it means we don't have to pay for lodging, so I can't complain! Plus we have a washer/dryer and kitchen right in the unit, so it's really nice.

I guess I'll bring our winter coats, but I live in Maryland, so our winter coats are probably not as thick as yours in Toronto! And I'll bring a jacket for each of us. We can wear the winter coats on the plane, and pack the jackets.

Yeah, I'm going to TRY to stick to my list, but somehow I know I will pack more!
Stacey

 

[tacomaranch]

Thanks for the great input friends. When we came back from WDW early Oct. I did the laundry and put it back into the suitcase for our Jan trip thinking I will still need sun dresses and shorts. I am going to get the suitcase out and rethink my packing. Maybe a pair of jeans, two seat shirts, caprices, and one or two sun dresses.

We live in the west rocky mountain range and my idea of winter dressings is tons of layers with a full length mink coat. I think we will bring the Arterycs middle layer jackets for WDW>


Thanks, april