Outdoors in January

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Okay, this may sound like a weird question, but how cold is cold?

We're thinking of doing our WD on the French Arm, but everyone keeps warning me that it's cold in FL in January.

So my question is how cold is cold? Our group is mostly from Wisconsin, so 40 is actually balmy (in fact today it's 35, and my neighbors are outside in shorts!!)

I don't want to plan something that will make my guests miserable, but I also don't want to not plan something that I want, because someone thinks that 60 is cold.... You know?

So for those of you who did somehting longer than a DP outside in January. What are your thoughts? Regrets? Experiences?

Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

From reading weather predictions on the DIS over the years, I gathered that it's dang near impossible to predict what the winter months' weather will be like in Orlando! In our expereince, our late January/early February wedding and honeymoon had gorgeous weather - barely any rain, temps in the 70s. But when we went back this year, only the first few days of our stay (the January ones) were like that - most of the first week in Feb. it was in the upper 40s during the day and got down to 29 degrees the night of our outdoor IllumiNations party. But then, days after we left, it was back to balmy and beautiful.

Perhaps MegKate will be along shortly to weigh in - her DF is a meteorologist! His website has some historical data for weather at WDW, but maybe he can provide a more personalized forecast for you.

http://www.crownweather.com/?page_id=41

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

My wedding was Feb. 2nd so its kind of close to January but I will tell you that aside from the rain on our wedding day, the temperature was about 60. It felt really nice. The next day down to the 30's and freezing! It stayed that way for about 4 days then it went up to the 70's! So its all over the place around that time.

 

[CharacterFan]

It's impossible to know. I've been in Dec/Jan and one year it was 80 and sunny and the next year it was 32 and cloudy. I now always back for both because you never know and the systems move in and out pretty quick, except for one year when it was around 50-60 all week.

 

[Bride-to-be]

I wish I had the answer. We are planning for Jan 31 and Feb 4. At the moment I have the one thing we have def planned scheduled for inside. I am sooo scared its going to be freezing - but at the same time I will kick myself if its really nice and missed a chance to be outside.

I would just budget for heaters for a dessert party and then be happy and spend the money on something fun if you don't need them.

 

[MegKate]

Honestly my two cents (and this is from me - the one crusin through Northern Maine with the sunroof open at 36 degrees) it's not bad! I went around in shorts and t shirts and it stayed around 50-60 during the day. But I did throw on a sweatshirt at night to stay warm.

But definitely feel free to email my DF through his website through the link that Carrie kindly supplied and he'll let you know what he thinks about it.

 

[crownweather]

It can be quite cold in January, especially by Florida standards and the weather tends to be quite variable from day-to-day. How cold is cold...readings at night can drop well into the low 20s during some of the cold snaps with highs during the day only in the 40s. Normally though.... that type of cold doesn't last more than a couple of days and temps will return into the upper 60s-low 70s during the day and the 40s at night.

If you have any other questions....don't hesitate to contact me.

 

[Kashmir104]

I had my wedding on January 3rd and it was PERFECT! The day of the wedding it was in the 70's, but most of the time that week it ranged from 60-78 degrees. During the day I was comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, but at night I needed a light sweater or sweatshirt. The weather was perfect the 2 weeks we were there--we definitely lucked out!

I should mention I'm originally from Connecticut, so cold to me is like 30 degrees and below. 50 is like Spring and 70 and above is getting to summer.

Hope that helps!

 

[jenna77]

How much do the heaters cost?

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

My Welcome Dinner was Jan 18th at Italy Isola, and it was in the 40s. It was COLD to me (and I live in Germany), but we were all dressed for a nice dinner (and I was getting fireworks pictures!). I probably should have had them move it inside, but I was so set on seeing it set up as I planned. We did go ahead and have 4 heaters moved in (my planner offered. She was really on the fence whether to have them or not). We thought it was better safe than sorry. We had 65 guests and 4 heaters and they were $500 a piece!! Honestly, they weren't much help. They were nice IF you could stand right next to them, but usually in FL, if it's cold...it's windy, too...so you had to be right next to them to feel the heat. I guess it helped some folks, so

You can see them well in this picture...

On the other hand, the 19th (wedding day) it was beautiful, and we had no problem with our DP at Sago Cay. THEN on the 21st (MK/EPCOT photo shoot day) it was FREEZING (literally...without the windchill) and I was in a strapless gown at 6:00am. That was a little rough.

You really NEVER know, but they will have a backup location for you.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

One more thing...Jenna, since your is just your DP, I definitely wouldn't bother with the heaters. The hour-and-a-half goes by SO quickly, it's really fast. Plus you and DH will be taking pictures during the fireworks (and the guests will be watching too). So, there's less time to enjoy the heaters. Ours was a little longer with it being a dinner.

 

[jenna77]

Thanks for the advice Heidi! I can't believe the heaters are so expensive.

 

[Bride-to-be]

Thanks for the advice Heidi! I can't believe the heaters are so expensive.

With it being disney I would always assume the colders it is the more they charge . At least its flat rate. I would just stick a note in with the invite or a newsletter or something telling people there is a chance it could be very cold and to plan to dress warmly.

 

[AmbPyp]

Be careful with January. We were married at the end of January and the whole week before the big day was FREEZING cold. We lucked out on our wedding day with sunny 70 degree weather.

 

[Stephie77]

We have gone to Disney the last 2 years for New Years and stayed through the first week in january. the weather at that time of year really varies. the first year it was unseasonably cold(even for us and we are from NY) it was 30 degrees (they even covered all the plants and flowers at the GF where we stayed b/c of frost) but everyone told us that is not the norm. last year the weather was awesome. it was in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. at night i wore a light jacket and was fine. my advice, bring with you some sweaters and a heavier jacket just in case. we were not prepared since the weather reports did not say it would be that cold and had to buy sweat shirts. luckily being we are from NY we had our winter coats, scarfs and gloves with us but most people didn't and the stores were selling out of sweat shirts etc like crazy! i will tell you this, disney made a s**t load of money that week! i am getting married on Jan 3, 2010 and will be packing a variety of different outfits as i will be telling my guests just in case-although me and my girls usually pack our entire closets for vacations! hope this helps.

 

[Stephie77]

I had my wedding on January 3rd and it was PERFECT! The day of the wedding it was in the 70's, but most of the time that week it ranged from 60-78 degrees. During the day I was comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, but at night I needed a light sweater or sweatshirt. The weather was perfect the 2 weeks we were there--we definitely lucked out!

I should mention I'm originally from Connecticut, so cold to me is like 30 degrees and below. 50 is like Spring and 70 and above is getting to summer.

Hope that helps!

hi courtney. i watched your wedding on WE and it was so beautiful! i did not realize you got married on 1/3 that is when i am getting married this year! i am so glad you had great weather and am praying i do to. i was actually in disney on 1/3/08 and remember seeing a bride taking pictures at the Gf in the lobby, i wonder if that was you. anyway congrats to you!

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

We had our engagement shoot at the Poly and Boardwalk on Jan 5 and it was absolutely beautiful. It was warm (70-75) with no humidity! You could walk around and not sweat ur off. We're from NJ and I had left the airport at home in a down coat, scarf, earmuffs and gloves (it was around 20-25 deg from what I remember).

During the day, I wore capris, flip flops and a tee or tank and was great. At night, I had on a light jacket and maybe changed to closed toe shoes. The next day for our planning session was the same way but slightly warmer.

The following day, Jan 7, though, it was chilly and foggy. I wore jeans and sneaks when we left for the airport and eventually put my coat back on.

HTH!