Packing for Jan with kids

[PaulaSue]

I am a planner and now that I have booked our rooms I'm on to my next item on my list.........

Does anyone have a recommded list for packing for kids and not to pack the kitchen sink, clothes wise. With the weather warm and cold that week I am clueless as to where to start. What kid of coats did you take? Did you take a coat and a sweatshirt and a poncho?

What worked for you and what did you take needlessly?

We are going for 6 nights and not sure of where to begin. I found another list on Dis but it didn't look like ideas for kids packing.

 

[JustineMarie]

We went last year in at the end of January so I have some tips for you. We live in New Jersey so I had my 2 girls wear their winter coats to the airport and then just stowed them on the plane. We only needed them 1 night and that was for the fireworks at Epcot. Boy were we glad we had them. I also packed a lot of layers. The kids had capri's on most of the time with a t-shirt on and a sweatshirt in the morning. By the end of the day the sweatshirts came off and we just hung them on the back of the stroller. We brought those waterproof ponchos that they sell at the Children's Place that fold into themselves, so they were small, but we ended up never using them. It didn't rain at all when we were there. It was warm enough during the day to go swimming, and the water was warm at night but getting out was freezing! Hope this helped a little

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

We were there in Jan 2004, 10-16 and I agree 100% with JustineMarie, took our coats, needed them, layers very helpful. Pool temp was good, air was a bit cold, had a GREAT time, crowds were low, ended every night at Epcot since MK closed at 7PM

Have fun

 

[gary4jenn]

I also agree with the above posts.

It can be cool in the am and after the sun goes down. I usually have the girls wear capri's or long pants and then switch into shorts if necessary. I also recommend bringing leggings (target or Gymboree) as a second layer if needed. I also have a lined windbreaker to wear over a sweatshirt at night for fireworks watching.

BRING mittens and a knit cap. If you need it you'll be happy you won't be investing $8 in the cheap gloves they sell there. I have also brought handwarmers but have never needed them. It's typicaly 70 during the day and 50's at night. It has been cold enough in the AM to see our breath so the kids usually wore a sweater or jacket in the am.

When are you going in Jan?

Bring clothes to layer and don't be afraid to rent a locker for the day.

 

[the kabuki]

Florida in January is a gamble-been going the past couple years in that time, my advice: you'll have to bring a little of everything!!!!

 

[dougsmom98]

When we went over Christmas, we packed wind pants. The kids wore their shorts under the wind pants and were able to take them off by mid-day. The wind pants are really easy to pack because they don't take up much room. We are going in Feb. and I plan to do the same thing. We are lucky enough to be renting a villa and will have a washer and dryer so we won't have to pack as much as we would otherwise.
-AMy

 

[dpuck1998]

Like someone else said, it's a gamble. We've been going down to Florida in Jan for the past 8 years. I've seen everything from snow to 90+. Our last trip was perfect weather, we had sweatshirts on in the morning but were able to lose them by 10ish. There is no magic packing list, since you might need any type of clothing. Some heave shirts, light jackets, tshirts, etc etc etc.....good luck. I love it in Jan, the crowds are low and you'll have a great time.

 

[Kuffam]

Being from Chicago, we wore our fall jackets. Glad we did However, we didn't bring hats and gloves. Wish we did, it was cold and rainy two days. After the 2nd day, we broke down and bought some there. $$$ for what you could buy at wal-wart for $0.99

Funny part. The day we left it was 70+, we're all swimming in the pool, the CM are wearing the winter coats.

 

[magicmouse2]

I will be packing extra. I bought fleeces for the girls hats and mittens, sweat jackets, trousers and shorts. I will be taking jeans for myself, crop pants and sweat tops. I normally survive other months with tankini and shorts.

 

[PaulaSue]

we are going 15th -21, when are you going?

 

[simzac]

We got lucky this past January. We went the 1st thru the 5th, weather was in the low 70's every day. We wore shorts and t-shirts every day, did not ever need a jacket or sweatshirt, even after dark. Probably will never get this good of weather ever again. But we can hope

 

[gary4jenn]

WE are going Jan 4- 11th. We will just miss you- I also love going in January. There are far less people and the weather is fine. I'm not there to lay in the sun so I don't need it sunny and 80 degrees each day.

Packed: 4 outfits with shorts and short sleeved shirts

4 outfits with jeans or capris and longsleeved shirts
1 pr leggings for layering, 1 sweatshirt, 1 windbreaker w/ sweatshirt lining, 1 cardigan sweater, stretchy mittens (.99 kind) 1 for each kid and an extra pr. just in case.

I pack one complete outfit for each day and 1 extra pr of long pants, one pr of shorts , one long sleeved shirt and one short sleeve shirt.

I pack each complete outfit (top, bottom, undies, socks and hair accessory) in a ziploc bag with each kid's name. It makes unpacking a breeze and and picking out an outfit easy and keeps the drawers nice and neat.

 

[blanq]

As others have indicated, layering is the best strategy. We have been to WDW in January several times, and we have one son. Even if Orlando isn't in the middle of a cold snap, it can be very cool (low 40's) in the mornings, and then can warm up into the high 60's/low 70's in January. I would highly recommend zip-off pants. In the a.m., I have our DS dress in zip-off pants, a t-shirt and a light fleece jacket. When it warms up in the day, he will zip off his pants legs to shorts, and tie his fleece around his waist. This works great, and minimizes the number of "bottoms" I need to pack for him. We have never found the need to pack gloves and hats...but then again, we live in the frozen tundra called Minnesota and 40 degrees is nothin!

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

We were there Jan 22-29 last year. The second day we were there we were told it was the coldest day they had had in two years. Fortunately for us, we dressed in layers---tee's, long sleeve shirts, fleeces and jackets. We didn't bring mittens and hats, though, and I will never make that mistake again. For what little space they take up, it is well worth knowing you have them. I think we would have been much happier with a little extra warmth. Then, two days later, we were in shorts and a windbreaker at night. You just never know!!


Shell

 

[lovesdumbo]

We went in Jan 04 and it was in the 30's one night. (It was subzero at home). We didn't take heavy winter jackets-rather more "fall" weight jackets with fleece underneath.

I also find doing laundry helps a lot and I find it a relaxing break.