Kiddo and weather help!

[Biggie Smalls]

We will be traveling the first week in January. I know that the weather fluctuates every year and everyone says to wear layers. We are from DC so typically when it is mid 60s-70s I would wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt or capris and 3/4 shirt type situation since we don't get easily cold. My DS3 would wear shorts and long sleeves or jeans and polo shirts. Do you think I should follow the same thought process when on vacation? I feel like an idiot trying to gauge my packing list, bc in my mind I want to put him in shorts/shirts/jackets but don't know how bad the mornings can be.

I really do not want to overpack with enough pants AND shorts for the whole week "just in case". Anyone gone this time of year and can give me a run down on a few of your outfits for the day? Just some other sugg might help me with this!

 

[Lilliputian]

At that time of year, you really have to dress for the lows at least as much for the highs. If you're getting to the parks early for rope drop or staying after dark, it can be chilly, and being cold is miserable.

How you pack depends on the size of the people in your family and how much room you have available. If you're checking suitcases, pack what you think you might need. If you need to conserve space, check the forecast before you leave. Pack a little of everything, but concentrate on the stuff that you're predicted to need. Pack layers that scrunch up really small in your suitcase. For adults, you need clean inner layers every day, but you can wear the same sweatshirt a few days. Remember that you can always use the washing machines if you need to.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My youngest is 4 and we crammed an awful lot of clothes in her suitcase last week. She has the Disney store Minnie Mouse suitcase. We had a blanket and her winter coat just in case. (We just moved and so other than a light sweater type jacket, that was all we had handy.)

I would go ahead and pack for any contingency for the 3yo since their stuff takes up so little room compared to an adult.

January can be downright wintery (overnight lows in 20s) all the way to downright summery (daytime highs 80s and humid). I would not neglect to pack for either extreme. Now, it doesn't mean that you need 7 complete outfits x 2 for the whole week. Some pieces can be reworn and hotels have washers and dryers if space is at a premium.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We were there that same week a few years ago and it was COLD. Not cool, but COLD all week. A few mornings it was below freezing when we hit the parks in the morning. We rode EE at 27 degrees one morning and just let me say....don't. We had taken coats before and never REALLY needed them. This trip we did not. We took lots of layers and wore everything we could get on. Two hoodies and a polar fleece jacket, hat and gloves kept us going. It did warn up some during the day, but the winds that trip never really calmed down. There were lots of people that had brought shorts and tees and they were trying to find the warmest stuff they could buy to keep warm. We saw people wearing bed robes in the parks as it was the warmest thing they had! SOOOOO.....as much as a pain as it is....park warm or at least lots of layers.

 

[cyneswith]

First time I went was December. Bring a light raincoat/poncho. I wore shorts and t-shirts and alternated between slightly too cold (mostly if it was rainy) and perfectly comfortable. I would bring pants instead of shorts.

 

[Spunky946]

We went in January a couple of years ago and we had a bit of everything the week we were there. The mornings are chilly and you need to wear a sweatshirt and long pants and same with the evenings. During the day it hit the 70's and even 80 one day, so you need shorts/t-shirts. We even swam a couple of days.

You really do need a bit of everything.

 

[Biggie Smalls]

Thanks everyone- I'm just going to really watch the weather the week before and then extra pack I layers. I guess I have an excuse for cuddle duds now just in case

 

[jenthern]

We go in jan/feb pretty much every time we go. In one trip I've had frost on my balcony door one day and been cooked alive in shorts and a tank top on another.

 

[crewsn]

I would pack options of both. We were there in November with a day just barely hitting 40 then another day that was 85. The weather can fluctuate big time. Honestly I would bring more pants then shorts. A 60 degree day would be comfortable in pants and a tshirts. You could start the morning with a long sleep short underneath to take off later.