Packing coats for the weather with kids?

[NicholeB630]

So we leave this coming Saturday for 8 nights. The weather looks amazing. I know it can change though so fast but hoping it sticks to around what its saying. The first part of our week is in the high 70's and lows in the 50's. Then the last few days it shows the lows in the 40's which I assume is early early morning and late at night. We are in VA and its cold here. I really dont want to lug our big winter coats. We will have lots of layering pieces, short sleeves, long sleeves, zip up hoodies. Do we need to pack our big coats? We already have to take so much for 8 nights that I'd hate to shove those in our bags at the airport and us not even need them. If I pack hats and gloves just in case will we be ok? We only plan on having one late night and thats for the MVMCP and its Tuesday night which the weather looks great. Am I crazy to chance not having winter coats? Or do you think we'll be ok looking at the extended forecast?

 

[Lilliputian]

You really should be fine without winter coats. A lot of people who live around WDW don't have what you'd consider to be a winter coat, but they aren't trying to tour the parks when the temps drop, either.

Just be sure that you pack a warm jacket and have lots of layers available to go underneath. You probably have long underwear. Pack that as a possible base layer and you'll be fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

IF you plan on being outside when the sun goes down, I say take them. It would be much better to have them and not need them, then to not have them and wish you did.

I want to add that I was at WDW for December 2010, otherwise known as Cold December. I almost left my winter coat at home. In fact, I meant to leave it in the car at the airport, but I kept it on. Boy was I glad I had it! I had my coat on almost the whole day long. I could take it off and be comfortable for an hour or two in the middle of the day. And being out in the cold all day is vastly different than going in and out and in and out. It seeps into your bones after a while. Plus Florida is damp, even in December. Damp and cold is not a fun mix.

I am Michigan born and raised. We know cold here, but I was still cold in Florida that year.

 

[hcox31]

Coming from a cold climate too, I would say you're ok packing layers. We are coming to WDw in Feb from Ontario and won't be bringing winter coats. A warm hoodie and some layers, maybe a hat and some light gloves should suffice IMO. What is considered Winter here and winter in Florida are (usually) very different.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Don't bring the big coats. Bring layers and a fleece (like Columbia or similar). If you have little people who get cold hands or ears then bring some knit gloves and beanies or ear warmers. I know my oldest gets painful hands if they get cold and it can ruin his day fast. I'm a Florida native but now live in North Dakota (where it was -35 windchill this weekend) so I have to say that I now REALLY understand what cold is. But growing up in FL near disney, I never even owned what is considered a "winter coat" or big coat. I thought Columbia's were as thick as coats got. Lol

 

[NicholeB630]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll leave the winter coats at home. I will bring a fleece like zip up though for everyone and I'll bring hates and knit gloves for the little ones Praying a cold front doesn't unexpectedly show up.

 

[SaraMc]

We were there last year during the Polar Vortex. It went down to the 30's. We had our fall Jackets and hats and gloves and then because it was also raining, had the poncho's which ended up adding a bit of extra insulation.
Our winter coats I think would have been too heavy, but the fall coats ( they are fleece lined) we were good.

 

[Lilliputian]

Everyone should have hats and gloves. You never know, and they take up practically no suitcase space. You might find some hats in the stores, but gloves are hard. Someone tried to buy mine in line for Thunder Mountain once.

 

[WDWLODGE]

We were just there a few weeks ago when the whole country experienced that cold snap. The evening we had watched the Main St. Electrical parade it went down to 41 degrees. We had enough layers of clothes(under armour, hoodies, fleece, etc.) for 41 degree weather but what we were not prepared for was when the wind picked up(and it was a windy night). Even though it was not rainy at all, people were wearing ponchos just to break the wind. So I would suggest also packing wind breaker or something.

 

[Bluegrrl]

It has been simply gorgeous lately. Yesterday I wore jeans and a light sweater and I was sweating. I think packing a knit hat, light gloves (the super stretchy ones that you can get for a $1), a Columbia-type jacket and a few cardigans are fine. You may not even need them, honestly. We haven't turned up the heat in the house yet!

Don't bring long underwear, you won't need it. Jeans are all you will need. If you have a girlie who must wear skirts or her princess dress, pack tights. Bring close-toed shoes, I don't think sandals are necessary, although I have been wearing my flops sometimes.

I have brought out my real wool coat out twice this year. I think you will fine.

 

[RustManFan]

One of our November visits it got so cold that all sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts and hoodies at World of Disney were getting sold out and that part of the store was packed. Being from NJ we were probably more used to a chill than some other guests but layers alone were plenty for us. You do so much walking that a winter coat would soon get to be too much!

And I wouldn't need any hat or gloves unless the temp dropped into the 30s.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We travel a lot with a huge variety in temperatures/weather. I bring short sleeves, long sleeves, hoodie or fleece and a windbreaker. They can all be worn all at once if necessary I even throw in my kids splash pants, they are great if it really gets chilly...

 

[puffkin]

We were down last week and it was very hot to very cold and everything in between during our week there, so yes, layers were our friend.

For kids, I brought the winter coats. My kids HATE layers, they get too bulky and uncomfortable in them, and honestly, it is a pain to dress my 2 year old in 5 layers when I can just throw a coat on him. He has one of those winter coats that has a couple of liners so we just adjusted them accordingly during the week, worked well. My DS8 we did layers and a fleece with. He complained the day he had to wear a ton of layers. Coat would have been easier for him too if we had brought it. DH and I were fine with the multiple layers with a fleece being our top one. I did bring the thin dollar store gloves and hats too

So my opinion would be to bring the coats for the kids but the adults should be fine layering.

 

[NotUrsula]

We go often in winter and our rule is to bring gloves, silk long underwear, a windbreaker with a hood, and a light fleece top. I find that even in near-freezing weather this is enough in the parks because of the density of the crowds.

If you squish them into a ziploc you can put all these into a regular backpack for a family of 4 with very little bulk to carry around, or leave them in a locker until after dark. The windbreakers that we have fold into little 5in squares and can clip onto a belt loop; very handy for the parks.

 

[danjoan14]

We were there for the Thanksgiving weekend. The first couple of days felt like the fall in New England. The weekend was in the upper 70's for shorts and t-shirts. The nights were cool, but a heavy sweatshirt was fine. DW who is always cold was fine as well. She likes to go to Disney in August when it's very hot. She can lay out on a rock in the summer and be very happy....LOL! DS and I wore shorts and t-shirts all weekend with a sweatshirt at night. You should be fine. We left our winter jackets in our car at the parking lot airport. We were prepared when we went back to the cold temps in the 30's when we went home. Hate the cold and snow!!! Love the hot weather!!!