Packing for January - What to Wear?

[nanienamou]

This is our first time going to the World in January, we usually go in October, which is really hot. But how do we dress in January? We come from Canada, so we live in the snow 6 months a year... Looking forward to spend two weeks in mellower weather in the middle of winter.

 

[wdw4rfam]

January is one of those months where it can be freezing one day, and in the 70's the next. We had days that we had heavy coats on, and shorts other days.

 

[SnowWhite112]

I would dress in layers. January can have lows in the 30s and highs in the 70s. Ahh, FL weather... I went for MLK weekend this year and I believe the low was in the high 30s... It was also VERY windy! I didn't go prepared so I froze and got sick! It was the first time in my life I had to scrape ice off my windshield. But then again, I'm from south FL. You guys are probably used to this kind of weather. You'll be fine! It sure beats August or even October.

 

[BandMom1]

We were there in January 2 years ago and it was rainy and cool our first night and then (approx.) 85 degrees & humid for the rest of our trip. Didn't even need a jacket in the evenings!

 

[tony67]

Plan for cool weather - it's been a somewhat cold this year overall...and it does get very cool at night.

I've done shorts in January - but mornings and night can be just too cold - but not as cold as Canada.

 

[bksomody]

We went last two Jan. We had our winter coats on one day and was swimming the next. Bring hats, gloves, scarves and your bathing suit. Its crazy. Last year they covered all the flowers to protect from frost but it was during the polar vortex.

 

[Skullcrusher]

Pack for bi-polar weather. Long pants and shorts.

 

[ZoZo]

Yep, January weather can fluctuate wildly, even within the same week. Bring your swimsuit, shorts and sunblock, and also a warm jacket, warm socks, gloves, and a hat!

Seriously, layers are your friend! I went on a trip in October a few years ag. because it was a longer trip (12 days) I looked at the forecast and saw it was supposed o be in the 90s the first week. So I packed nearly all shorts, sleeveless tops, and sandals. We had a cold snap on Day 8 (temps droped about 30 degrees overnight!), and I really, really wished I had packed more warm clothes.

The moral of my stry is that I now pack a little bit of everything, even at times of the year when it's "always" _________ (filll in the blank). It's a pain, not to mention very expensive, to have to buy things like gloves, a warm sweatshirt, etc. -- especially when I have all of that stuff at home!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

January is one of those months where it can be freezing one day, and in the 70's the next. We had days that we had heavy coats on, and shorts other days.

This!

I have participated with the Disney Marathon 3x. First year was almost as warm as late spring (and humid)--I was fine in shorts and a tank at 4am before any marathoning was taking place. 2nd year was cold as all get out (20s for our 3am wake up call). 3rd time 2008--was not hot or too cold that I recall. All these take place the 2nd weekend of January, so it really can and does vary.

Be mindful of The forecast and be prepared for both extremes. Or you may find yourself with some Disney souvenirs in the form of sweat shirts, hats, and gloves.

 

[chelseabun76]

We're going in January as well. It's 30 degrees right now, actually, where I live (from northern canada)... and I wore a heavy hoodie and my jeans outside today and was more than comfortable. So I plan on taking a few pair of capris, two pair of my lighter 'workout' pants, and one pair of jeans... and one heavy hoodie to put over my tshirts if/when needed. I can throw the hoodie in my backpack or be totally touristy and tie it around my waist when I'm not using it. LOL!! Oh, and yes, one pair of light gloves too

 

[niffer5150]

we pack jeans, t shirts, our warmest hoodies, and lightweight waterproof jackets that pack into their own small bags. it pretty much covers everything. any other needs and we'll just buy it there. it'd have to be really crazy weather for us to even need anything else since we live in jeans and t's and have done everything from snow to tropical in the same outfits.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This is our first time going to the World in January, we usually go in October, which is really hot. But how do we dress in January? We come from Canada, so we live in the snow 6 months a year... Looking forward to spend two weeks in mellower weather in the middle of winter.

We were at WDW last January and there were frost warnings and plants were covered with plastic to keep from freezing. We brought our winter coats with us since it was six degrees below zero when we left Chicago. We were glad we had the warm coats because a couple of the nights were very cold.They don't have the same kind of heated buildings that we have up north, so when it is cold in Florida it can be miserable because you are outside so much.

 

[Luvchefmic]

When I first said I was moving to FL ( from NY ) I was approached by many friends at the local horse barn to purchase my horses blankets. I decided to bring them along. They thought I was crazy. It can get to 30 degrees down here, not usually but be prepared. and FWIW the horse was born in Canada LOL...whoa sorry picture so big.

 

[guppy1013]

Last Jan 28-31: 45-55 highs and rained. The. Entire. Time. Did not see the sun until we landed in Pittsburgh.

From the snow belt of northeast Ohio, so no stranger to winter weather. It was cold.

 

[ToodlesTime]

Layer, layer, layer! The temps can vary wildly from morning to noon to evening. 40 at 8 am, 75 at noon, 55 at 7 pm (as an example). I will say that last January was unbelievably cold, so I hope that last year's temps are not at all indicative of the temps we'll have this year. Just keep an eye on the forecast and trends through this winter and pack to be able to layer!

 

[nanienamou]

I'll be there for 2 weeks - January 19-February 2. Layers is what I'm thinking too. Windbreaker jacket, hoodie, jeans, t-shirts... Even if it freezes at night, it can't be as bad as two feet snow storm or -20 Celsius up here.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Thank you all for the wonderful information. We will be there the end of January (23-30) and I have been wondering myself what to pack. This thread helps me out a lot.

 

[johde]

I'll be there for 2 weeks - January 19-February 2. Layers is what I'm thinking too. Windbreaker jacket, hoodie, jeans, t-shirts... Even if it freezes at night, it can't be as bad as two feet snow storm or -20 Celsius up here.

OK -20 maybe. But, Epcot can get especially cold at night. The wind blows across the lake. The other thing to remember is is Florida can be cold and damp where up north can be cold and dry. The dampness will make you feel colder.

Like everyone else has said, for my December/January trips I pack a little bit of everything from shorts upto and including my winter coat (not my -20 arctic tundra winter coat but a winter coat none the less). The one trip we didn't I about froze watching the candlelight processional at EPCOT. I also figure on doing laundry at least once during vacation so I don't need to pack quite so much.

So yes, I'm packing my winter coat and my swim suit. Being in FL. 10 day from Jan 2nd to the 11 I may use both.

 

[jlovesee]

I've gone every January since 2002, and seen everything from 28 and snow, to 87 degrees and bathing suit at night weather. My best advice would be if you like to prepare ahead of time prepare a little bit of everything, but don't actually pack until 2-3 days a max before you leave. Check the weather report and pack based on that. No matter what I always usually bring one sweater, and one pair of shorts just in case it changes, and definitely come prepared for layers. Also it's not a bad idea to just pack a few things and plan on doing laundry if you are doing any type of longish trip. In the past few years that's what we have ended up doing, but we usually go for 1 1/2 weeks.

I just got tired of carrying all that luggage with all the different clothing options.

Jennifer

 

[raddisneyfan]

Jan in FL is probably like today in MD. Started out 37 deg this morning and will make it to 72 or so this afternoon. Long pants on this morning with sweater and wind breaker--very windy today. Then, change to shorts just in case I get too warm. I'm going first week in Feb next year right after you and will bring what most people recommend--layers. I always take my trusty water proof windbreaker and a front-zippered sweatshirt--can unzip if it gets too warm. I'll probably wear shorts every day--just because I'm on vacation.