Packing tips early January?

[curiouserandcuriouser1989]

My family is going to WDW NYD through Jan 5th to see the last of the Christmas lights (esp. Osborne!!). We haven't been in January in a while (like 15 years), and that was later Jan. I've looked at estimated weather, but wanted some packing tips from anyone who has been there around that time of year. We won't be there long, so we'll be spending pretty much all our time in the parks, and we're all adults. Any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sytrace]

I would definitely pack long sleeves, jeans/slacks and hoodies. Early in January should still be somewhat warmer than it tends to be in mid January and February.
Last January in the early weeks, we were still wearing capris and sandals (okay I wear those pretty much year round) but I always keep a hoodie on hand for everyone.

Maybe even pack some leather gloves and a scarf for those evenings when the wind is kicking up. Disney Springs and any hotels that are on water are going to be cooler than not.
And of course, there are always coffee and cocoa stops to consider. January is an awesome time to visit. Hope you have a great time!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Remember Jan is Florida's coldest month. So pack for both season. Night and mornings will be chilly.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I live here. I am about 75 miles due west of WDW. We go a lot. Early Jan is fairly mild BUT we are predicted to have a colder & wetter winter this year due to el nino. Plan for rain just in case. You didn't say where you were from but I'd liken early Jan to early March up north. Days can be pleasant (60's) but nights cool (40's & 30's).

 

[curiouserandcuriouser1989]

I would definitely pack long sleeves, jeans/slacks and hoodies. Early in January should still be somewhat warmer than it tends to be in mid January and February.
Maybe even pack some leather gloves and a scarf for those evenings when the wind is kicking up. Disney Springs and any hotels that are on water are going to be cooler than not.
And of course, there are always coffee and cocoa stops to consider. January is an awesome time to visit. Hope you have a great time!

Thanks! I was in elementary school last time we went in January, so I have no memory of our clothes for the trips beyond old pictures we're definitely looking forward to the last of the lights and decorations!

Remember Jan is Florida's coldest month. So pack for both season. Night and mornings will be chilly.

Thanks!

I live here. I am about 75 miles due west of WDW. We go a lot. Early Jan is fairly mild BUT we are predicted to have a colder & wetter winter this year due to el nino. Plan for rain just in case. You didn't say where you were from but I'd liken early Jan to early March up north. Days can be pleasant (60's) but nights cool (40's & 30's).

Thanks! We're in the south (Arkansas and Louisiana) so not a lot of cold weather, especially right now! With our really late fall here I thought it might be a harder winter.

 

[LovesTimone]

I live in Orlando, and have lived in Florida most of my life. January is one of those months that the weather is really all willy nilly. Not that its not most of the year, hot, hotter, hottest and humid hottester ( is that a word? but it does describe the weather). But I digress..

Day time shorts/ Capris and t- shirts would be fine you might want a light hoodie or sweater - Evening jeans and t-shirts, but I would bring a hoodie as if the wind picks up it can get quite cool. I would wait on gloves and scarves and buy while here...Sorta ... Oops I forgot my gloves, oh no... I have to buy some Mickey or Minnie gloves and maybe a scarf.. or hat . or course this is just a suggestion..

I would wait and keep checking the weather here, so that you have a real idea of the weather conditions.

 

[VictoriaBetz]

I went on a trip with my sister and stepsister last year and there were some days we had to be in jeans and a sweater and other's where it was 85 and we had shorts and tank tops on! It was never bitter cold, then again I'm from NY so January anywhere else seems warmer to me haha. Enjoy your trip and maybe I'll see you there, I'm going the 4th-11th!

 

[fabfemmeboy]

My family is going to WDW NYD through Jan 5th to see the last of the Christmas lights (esp. Osborne!!). We haven't been in January in a while (like 15 years), and that was later Jan. I've looked at estimated weather, but wanted some packing tips from anyone who has been there around that time of year. We won't be there long, so we'll be spending pretty much all our time in the parks, and we're all adults. Any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated!

From experience (since January is our favourite time to go), pack long pants/jeans every day, and I'd plan on layering a short-sleeved shirt under a sweater/sweatshirt. It gets warm enough in the afternoon to ditch the outer layer most of the time, but the mornings can get chilly. One year we were there as polar vortex hit, and though we laughed as we watched the local weatherman explain frost warnings and windchill, we did buy a couple extra sweatshirts that trip.

 

[curiouserandcuriouser1989]

I live in Orlando, and have lived in Florida most of my life. January is one of those months that the weather is really all willy nilly. Not that its not most of the year, hot, hotter, hottest and humid hottester ( is that a word? but it does describe the weather). But I digress..

Day time shorts/ Capris and t- shirts would be fine you might want a light hoodie or sweater - Evening jeans and t-shirts, but I would bring a hoodie as if the wind picks up it can get quite cool. I would wait on gloves and scarves and buy while here...Sorta ... Oops I forgot my gloves, oh no... I have to buy some Mickey or Minnie gloves and maybe a scarf.. or hat . or course this is just a suggestion..

I would wait and keep checking the weather here, so that you have a real idea of the weather conditions.

Thanks! I like the way you think! I can never have too much Disney stuff

I went on a trip with my sister and stepsister last year and there were some days we had to be in jeans and a sweater and other's where it was 85 and we had shorts and tank tops on! It was never bitter cold, then again I'm from NY so January anywhere else seems warmer to me haha. Enjoy your trip and maybe I'll see you there, I'm going the 4th-11th!

Thanks! It might affect us a little more than it did you, I had trouble with windy Chicago in May! Maybe you will! I might be the one dragging around a grown man and tired 22 year old, or effectively embarrassing them in my Disney attire!

From experience (since January is our favourite time to go), pack long pants/jeans every day, and I'd plan on layering a short-sleeved shirt under a sweater/sweatshirt. It gets warm enough in the afternoon to ditch the outer layer most of the time, but the mornings can get chilly. One year we were there as polar vortex hit, and though we laughed as we watched the local weatherman explain frost warnings and windchill, we did buy a couple extra sweatshirts that trip.

Thanks! I'm glad we're flying an airline with free checked bags, I'm a chronic over-packer and this varied weather makes it even harder! I think it will definitely be more enjoyable than the time we went in July, and you can't beat the happiest place on earth decorated for Christmas!

 

[Mmw37]

That's when we're going too. 2 years ago it was 40s and drizzly, may have hit 60 once. Kept crowds extremely low, which is why we're going at the same time this year. I'm planning on layers, and we have to be strategic since 4 of us will share 2 checked bags! Jeans/tank or T/hoodie most days should do it, and I plan to order some of those cheap ponchos in case it's rainy again. Have a great trip!

 

[toni nicole]

We will be there the same dates! I packed a few jeans and long pants as well as one hoodie to go over any of my shirts/tanks. I also packed all of my usual Disney FL weather outfits, because we went the same dates last year and although my memory is terrible all of our photos I am in tank tops and shorts

 

[curiouserandcuriouser1989]

Thanks all of you for your help!! Accuweather has it cloudy or partly sunny with higher 60s to mid 70s during the day. There are slight chances of rain a day or two, but I figured that was a possibility With the amount of clothes I packed yesterday to go home for Christmas (about the same number of days) I'm glad I have 3 days off before the trip to completely plan my attire and options! (and to make some Figment and Alice themed hair bows to accompany my Disney jewelry!)

 

[ZoZo]

I would wait on gloves and scarves and buy while here...Sorta ... Oops I forgot my gloves, oh no... I have to buy some Mickey or Minnie gloves and maybe a scarf.. or hat . or course this is just a suggestion..

Actually, I'm just the opposite. I'd bring gloves, hats and scarves (plus some warm socks!) for everyone. Depending on the size of your group, it could get pretty expensive to buy that stuff for everyone at WDW - their prices are much higher than regular stores! For me, I'd rather bring that stuff in my suitcase, and save that money for other things!

Plus the gloves/hats/scarves take up very little room in your suitcase.

PS - I recommend bringing warm (think crew length or knee high) too. Once in October, we had an unusual cold snap at the end of our trip. The beginning of our trip it was mid-90s, and then dropped about 30 degrees overnight! I had brought almost all shorts/tank tops/sandals. Because it was a longer trip, there was no ten-day forecast predicting the cold weather. I had brought one pair of long yoga pants with fairly wide legs, and my legs were freezing because of the wind! I walked around Epcot for about an hour looking for warm socks, and finally ended up at the Japan pavilion, buying the type of traditional Japanese socks that are worn with flip-flop type shoes. I ended up paying almost $10 for socks I only wore once, but was so glad to find them!

 

[msb578]

For January trips we plan for 30-85.

Early December one year we had lows around 30 and some highs didn't get to 50.

We've also been too hot sometimes in January. We're from Syracuse, NY. I don't care for hot weather

 

[pampam]

Since you asked for packing tips, I thought I'd tell you what I wear on the plane. I wear 2 pairs of panties, 2 bras, a pair of Tilly socks, running shoes, jeans, tee shirt, short sleeve shirt, sweater, and a windproof, waterproof jacket with a hood and gloves in the pockets. I hate the thought that my luggage could be lost.


When I first typed out this message, I forgot to mention the jeans. Ooops.

 

[SBSID]

Wow good to know! We leave on January 9th and I will pack some extra warm clothes just in case.

 

[barb969]

Another thing we have added to our list is an ice scraper. A few years ago there was a frost and the only way to get rid of it was the car defroster, which delayed our getting to the park.

 

[pampam]

A charge card, debit, room key, almost any plastic card will work as an emergency scraper