Packing for January Weather

[plymouthmom]

We are traveling Jan 17th-24th. At SSR so we have the whole laundry option ( YEAHHHH!!). Anywho, the last time I was in Orlando in January was many many years ago. Going to pack light but want to make sure we are covering essentials. Any thoughts on how we will need to dress?

 

[MdmMim]

I've been going in Jan for quite awhile, and the weather can vary greatly from warm to cold. (I'm from up north--and yes, I do mean cold.)

It can be in the 70's and very pleasant, but when that sun sets, I usually need a sweatshirt. I have also experiened windchills of 18, so I always have my winter coat and gloves with me, just in case. Dressing in layers helps when it's cold, because it's a very damp cold.

Check the weather just before you leave to give you some idea of what you'll need.

IMHO, in spite of the weather, it IS the best time to go!

 

[Buckalew11]

I agree. Check the 10 day forecast before you go. They are usually pretty accurate for us.

I've been there in January when it is HOT and been there when it was cold. I think it is just easier to check the forecast and pack then than to try a pack a bit of everything. Last January was absolutely perfect when we were there--low crowds, warm enough to swim, cool enough that you don't sweat and get cranky . Enjoy!!

 

[bgraham34]

I went back in 2002 and I remember it was 78 the first 3 days and the last day it was 68. Perfect no matter how you look at it.

 

[lmb]

We also go in January and it's hard to pack light! The weather is very variable even within a given week. I find myself needing everything from shorts, bathing suits, etc to sweatshirts and pants. We also love this time of year.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went last Jan. over MLK weekend for 4 nights for our first Jan. trip. I had a new 30" duffle bag and was DETERMINED to get all 3 of us in it + 1 carry-on! Watching the 10 day forecast didn't really help me much as it changed every day. I could not rely on it. It ended up being a BITTERLY cold weekend up north and we had some chilly 50's in FL. Since it was REALLY cold up here we all wore ski coats with zip out linings. That way in FL we could wear them w/o the linings - or my DH wore his fleece lining one day. It gave us options as we had some low windy 50's AND some low 70's over the course of the 3 days.

With this new duffle I was able to make (1) 15" high stack for each of us. The key is being able to make layers at that time of year. The mornings and evenings can be cold while mid-day is pleasant. We each wore a pair of jeans that I figured we could wear again if needed. I packed a pair of jean capri pants & 1 pr. of shorts for myself and 2 pair of those zip off convertible cargo pants ea. for DS and DH - THAT worked out great as it was chilly in the mornings and when it warmed up they could just zip off the bottoms and we could just roll 'em up & stash them in the backpack and then they could put them back on for the evenings! I also packed like 2 Tshirts for each of us to wear under our sweatshirts, 1 "normal" weight long sleeve shirt each, 1 sweatshirt each, 1 bathing suit and 1 spare pair of shoes each (good thing 'cuz it POURED one night and our shoes were soaked) + 1 pr. of flip flops for the pool. It was the best packing job I ever did and the bag weighed EXACTLY 50 Lbs!

Just think in terms of layers. Splash Mountain was closed for its annual maintenance but we took light 99 cent rain ponchos to wear on Kali River Rapids since it was pretty cool. We didn't want to be cold AND soaking wet. It got downright cold & windy one afternoon - we were at Epcot waiting in line for a soft re-opening of Spaceship Earth. We were in line for a long time and were huddled up together in line. It had been nice earlier in the day and we didn't have enough layers on and didn't have the linings in our jackets and it got downright cold once it became dusk. We pulled our hoods up as the wind was hurting our ears. We called it a day and went back to the unit after that.

I wish we could make it an annual trip - we had fun...but DS's school calendar didn't cooperate for us this year so we're sticking closer to home and going skiing instead. Hoping NEXT years calendar will cooperate so we can go again! Just don't want to go for less than 4 nights.

 

[n2mm]

As others said, this is the hardest time to pack for. I have no problem packing for any of my other trips (late Spring/late Summer and October), but when it comes to packing for my late January/early February trip....yikes. One trip it was so cold, I had to wash my sweats a couple of times to have something to wear. I've never been able to swim during this trip. Last year, not only did I go late January and had to pack for that variety of weather, we also went on the cruise, so had to pack for that trip too! Sweatshirts, long sleeve tee shirts, sweatpants, socks, gloves, hat are all a must for this trip. I don't bring the misterfan on this trip. One year, not only was it cold, but it rained for days and it was a cold miserable rain, so the rain gear is a must to pack. Also laundry detergent. Even if I make it to my shorts during the day, my sweatshirt shows up as soon as the sun starts to set. We will also be there the same time as the OP, Jan. 17-24 @ BWV.

 

[wildernessDad]

We went in January of 2007 and it was cold at times. Definitely bring a sweatshirt.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just plan on layers. Bring one turtle neck, one sweatshirt, and a jacket, and use them if needed. We usually wear the jacket on the plane and pack the sweatshirt and a pair of gloves. WE can layer fro anything worse than that.

Hey, we are from Minnesota too, and even at its coldest, Florida is NO WHERE NEAR what it will be at home!

 

[musical2]

We went during MLK week this year. When we arrived, it was very warm and we went for a swim. The next day we went to the Animal Kingdom and had to dress in layers as the high was only in the upper 50s. That was a big swing in temperatures in one day. The high for the rest of the week hovered around 70 with it getting down into the 50s overnight. So we had to dress in layers so we could peel off during the day and put back on in the evening.

 

[simzac]

No way to predict today what the weather will be in January. Just check weather.com the day before you leave for the best forecast for your trip. You can then pack appropriatly. JMO

 

[plymouthmom]

Think we will do the layers thing. I was in Orlando in January years ago and remember it being all over the place with the weather. Still...as Carol says...it will be AT LEAST 60 degrees warmer than home!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Think we will do the layers thing. I was in Orlando in January years ago and remember it being all over the place with the weather. Still...as Carol says...it will be AT LEAST 60 degrees warmer than home!

LOL, or more! I remember one January when it had been -25 the day we left for Florida. A week later we were standing in line at Epcot and just about COOKING! It was 95 degrees! We were laughing at how it was more than 100 degrees warmer than we had been just a week ago! The problem is that it can be that one day and 50's the next. That's why we always go prepared.

 

[plymouthmom]

We will just be happy to get out of the snow!! So sorry I called you Carol! Isn't Carol from MN from Lakeville too?

 

[5forDiz]

During our last January trip it was quite chilly/cold in the morning; definitely needed jacket & even gloves. By mid day the kids were in shorts & all of us were in short sleeved shirts. The kids swam in the afternoon too & early evening - just needed to wrap up real quick in a towel or sweats once out of the pool. Evenings didn't seem as cold as the mornings, a light jacket or sweat shirt was fine.

 

[manning]

When you are dressing in layers, think wind breaker.

 

[Disney Spaz]

We are going the same time as you and at SSR in a 1 bdrm. I just can't wait. I figure we would pack one of everything since we are driving and awhole lot of laundry deterrgent.

 

[jimmacmn]

LOL, or more! I remember one January when it had been -25 the day we left for Florida. A week later we were standing in line at Epcot and just about COOKING! It was 95 degrees! We were laughing at how it was more than 100 degrees warmer than we had been just a week ago! The problem is that it can be that one day and 50's the next. That's why we always go prepared.

Of course it can go to the other extreme too. One year we went in mid Feb. It was a relatively warm winter in MN and when we were teeing off on the Eagle Pines golf course on our first day at WDW it was cold (around 50 degrees) and raining. At that same time it was 51 in MN. Of course the rest of the week was in the 80's in Orlando and in MN the temp went the other way.

This year we will get to sample Jan as we are going MLK weekend to burn up some points we needed to use before Jan 31 (Feb use year).