Presidents Week weather? Need layering help.

[eandesmom]

Starting our pack lists for our upcoming trip and trying to figure out just how warm/cold we need to prepare for. Average temp seems to be around 72 but in nosing around posts it sounds like you could get a 40 degree or 50 degree day in there too (ugh! I hope not!).

For the kids I am thinking we will pack shorts, at least one pair long pants, short sleeve t's and one sweatshirt and one rain jacket each.

DH can take care of himself lol. It's me I can't figure out. A rain jacket is just that, it'll keep me dry and as much as DH won't want to lug them around in the backpack I do know how handy they can be having been rained on before in the MK. Doesn't mean they won't still get left at the resort but we will see.

I'm just not sure if, for me, at that time of year bring much in the way of shorts, or sleeveless tops makes sense at all. It really sounds like a cropped pant and jean kind of month. I plan to bring T's and a couple of light cardigan's but...will that be warm enough? I can't really think of a light jacket that isn't either too dressy, too warm or too bulky! I like to bring things that if they get wet on any of the water rides, will actually dry in a reasonable time.

Given where we are staying there will be some resort walking (for 6 the golf carts are just not feasible cost wise and frankly, they are all old enough to walk!). We may rent bikes for inter-resort commuting though lol.

I really really hope it is warm enough for the kids to swim, we'll have some humidity change coming from the PNW so that should help. Any other packing suggestions welcome!

TIA

CJ 42, DH 44, DSS 16, DSD 12, DS9, DS8
First Time in a Fort Wilderness Cabin starts soon!

 

[Uno Mas]

I've found that capris and tshirts have been fine during the day and a light jacket/sweater for the evening during that time period. I personally think jeans are too warm, particularly if it's humid. I've also gotten away with casual, light weight skirts that are easy to move around in. I always bring sandals/flip flops too - even though it's February, I live in the south, and we wear them year-round.

Not sure about swimming, because our blood is thin, but if you are from the north, the heated pools may be fine for your kids. Once they are in they will be fine, but when they get out, they will likely be freezing. Have a great trip!

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

I would suggest that before you start packing completely that you wait until it is closer and make sure you are following the 10 day forecast on a weather website.

We have been there the last 4 years and it seems to get warmer each year, last year we were in shorts and t-shirts pretty much the whole time, even in the evenings, with maybe a sweatshirt. I may have worn my jeans once. The couple of years before, it was not uncommon to wear a sweatshirt to the park with capris or shorts in the morning and have it off by noon, then change into jeans and a sweater or sweatshirt for the evening.

We have gone swimming each year and not had any issues, being from Michigan, high 60s and sunny in February, swimming in a heated pool is no problem.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We have done a number of President's holiday day trips and it can get cold. We have experience freezing temps to the point that sprinkler systems we not turned off and the bushes and grass were covered in ice.

You will wear jean more than shorts. I would highly recommend turtlenecks sweatshirt hats gloves and a coat. You don't want to have to buy these at Disney and spend big $$. Oh expect to find hot chocolate at WDW so take your own. I tried one year to get hot chocolate and could not find anyone who sold it.

 

[BethA]

We have gone this week-end quite a few times and weather varies.

The suggestion of a hat and gloves and scarf is smart. Two years ago we froze and I had to buy them there. We are also going that week-end this year and I bring shorts, and capris with tees and sweaters for layering, and I wear jeans down on the plane since we are arriving late at night. I usually wear a hoodie and a light jacket down, but the one year I was freezing at night and bought an extra hoody! Watch the weather until it is time to go. we had great weather the last few days of 2008-warm enough to swim -so I am hoping the cold spell down there is over. I haven't checked the weather yet in case it isn't, don't want to depress myself.

 

[PoohBearFriends]

We leave for POR a few days before you so we are on acuweather for the 15 day and just about to start weather.com. We are looking like 60 degrees the end of the 1st week of Feb. What I have noticed when I did this in the past was they really can vary from site to site and the 2 websites meet in the middle on the actual day, usually. We have gone mostly in March to DLR and it was freezing one year and in the 90's the next.

Bring capris and sweats they work for all weather. Sweatshirt and rain jacket may work together well for the evening.

 

[WDW FAN8403]

We are going to be there from Feb 7-21 and I have been looking at the weather and it is suppose to be upper 70s as far as Feb 3rd (that is as far as I have been able to see so far) also the end of this week I seen lower to mid 80s. So you just never know.

I had been there at that same time two times before and I don't ever remember needing much more than capris and maybe a light coat or sweatshirt at night. But I come from the North where it is like 2 degrees right now. No offense but people from Florida and other Southern states think 65 is chilly. I would be in shorts and a tank top haha. So you just have to think about where you come from and what you are used to. If the day is low to mid 70s I would be very happy.

 

[Sisdy]

We have been there 5 years during the Pres. Day Weekend. 4 of the 5 years were warm. Year before last, we froze. I am talking wind chills, long johns, blankets, gloves, the whole winter business. It was not fun. I had looked at the 10 day forecast and thought I was prepared. We spent a lot of time at Pizza Planet, while the kids took off to do rides. So the best thing to do is check that forecast and be prepared.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

we bring jeans and t's with a pair of shorts and swim trunks and a hooded sweatshirt just in case.

after the sun goes down can be chilly, like at the fantasmic show or illuminations or wishes. ocassionally you will get a really warm day or really cold day but mostly jeans and t's are in order

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

I think 'cold' all depends on where you're from. Being from the AZ desert, anything below 60 is cold to me. But people from Wisconsin would probably wear shorts in 50 degree weather, where I'd have a scarf on!

I'm packing in layers as well. I pretty much live in cardigan sweaters so I plan to wear them a lot. Weather I layer a tank top or a long sleeve underneath will be dependent on that days weather. So I'm taking a little of both. All my cardigans are light weight as well. I'll be bringing a lightweight coat like this as well as my lightweight down coat. Which I needed in Feb of 2007.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I think 'cold' all depends on where you're from. Being from the AZ desert, anything below 60 is cold to me. But people from Wisconsin would probably wear shorts in 50 degree weather, where I'd have a scarf on!

I'm packing in layers as well. I pretty much live in cardigan sweaters so I plan to wear them a lot. Weather I layer a tank top or a long sleeve underneath will be dependent on that days weather. So I'm taking a little of both. All my cardigans are light weight as well. I'll be bringing a lightweight coat like this as well as my lightweight down coat. Which I needed in Feb of 2007.

That is a good point, being from Maine I notice I get by in a shirt while th elocals are in puffy coats hat and mittens however I can't tell from the OP where they are coming from??? so they need to use some of their own judgement.

 

[monaleigh70]

First, check the accuweather 15 day forcast It's a bummer, I know, because we are in Disney Feb 1 - 8 and it's gonna be cold for quite a few days. That darn Arctic jet stream! I live in Ontario, so I know cold. The best thing to do is layering. Have a sweater preferably with some wool in it that can go over a T and under a sweatshirt (maybe with a hood?) I always find that if my upper body is warm, the rest follows suit, so I could wear that with a pair of Bermudas. But definitely bring long pants, doesn't have to be jeans, but something comfortable when you're sitting for any length of time. In '06 I was there in November with my daughter and grandkids. The first day we were there it was 82 degrees, then 75, then 69, then 58, then 54, by the time we left it had started to snow!! Waaaa! My daughter is an eternal optimist and had brought shorts and halters, I was a little more practical, so had brought long sleeved T's, sweatshirts (2) and a little jacket. We had to share the warmer clothes. I'm 5' 1", my daughter is 5' 8" so ..........

 

[DisneySweetheart]

We are planning on taking pants for our trip Feb. 22-March 1. We just get cold easy. (Don't ask me why we live in ohio). We plan on wearing layers on top....i.e. a t-shirt and a sweatshirt. We'll take off the sweatshirt and tie around our waist if we need to.

Of course, we'll have our coats hats and gloves if needed. But, I'm hoping for a low in the 50's high in the 70's sort of trip. *fingers crossed*

 

[eandesmom]

I think I will need a big suitcase

I have been tracking the weather and it really seems all over the board. We are coming from Seattle so no matter what it is "likely" to be warmer...at least during the day but potentially the same at night. Right now I'm looking at jeans and capri's and lots of layers. I'd prefer not to bring the puffy coat but may if the weather looks like it could be cold enough at night. I may just pack it at the very very bottom for piece of mind! I may have to add a hat to the list, I definitely have scarves on there and gloves. I was considering skipping shorts entirely but may toss in one token pair and a couple of tanks just in case.

Right now I have a light cardigan, a sweatshirt type material belted jacket, a canvas jacket with a zip fuzzy fuzzy vest for extra layering warmth and a host of cami's, long sleeve and short sleeve T combo's. One long sleeve sweater that is quite warm but not too think for packing space and then a couple of scarves/pashmina's. I will bring the north face if I need it though!

I have a hard time doing skirts with flats lol so that is likely out.

So on that note, do most of you do lockers each day at the parks because it just seems like I will be taking layers off during the day and adding them back as the day goes on. While we "may" go back to the resort during the day, it is equally as likely that we will not (with a teen and a tween we will NOT make rope drop once, of that I am sure).

I don't want to schlepp sweatshirts/jackets/sweaters for 6 people!

Sorry I haven't replied back to everyone, no initial replies and my subscription to the thread dissappeared! I really really appreciate all the input. I will definitely be watching it daily to get an idea.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I never bring anything I won't or can't carry comfortably...which is usually never more than my wallet....never a back pack, I just hate keep track of it. Have never gotten a locker.

 

[eandesmom]

I never bring anything I won't or can't carry comfortably...which is usually never more than my wallet....never a back pack, I just hate keep track of it. Have never gotten a locker.

I can't stand stuff around my waist so if I need to um, strip, during the day I don't want to carry it if I don't have to and even worse for the kids but with that kind of temp range I'm not sure how to avoid the locker. My ultimate preference is capri's with cargo pockets that hold my card case..phone..and camera. That's all I "really" need.

 

[BethA]

I have a back pack that I'll put the layers in as I don't need them. I have never rented a locker.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I agreee with everyone here so far

I have been over presidents week at least 10 times and I'm leaving again n 10 days!!!!!

Most of the time its pretty warm but 2 years ago it was freezing!!!!! But last year it was one of teh hottest Febuary's on record so it really does vary.

Im packing 3 pairs of jeans and 3 pairs of shorts to keep it balanced out. Im also packing only 3 sweathrts, but their colors that will match anything like navy blue,black, white, and brown. So if you don't have to worry about packing sweatshirts that match with every outfit you wear.

 

[Misty89]

We are leaving Thursday.....
we are coming form Wisconsin, so even if it's 38 over night, thats is warmer than our daytime temps in over a month ( The radio just reported that last time we hit 36 was Jan.5 2009)
We are wearing down Pants and bringing sweatshirts for the Airplane. winter coats are being dumped in the car or left at home
( Forecast for Here on Thursday is low 30's - we don't need winter coats )
we have packed one pair of pants, shorts and T-shirts.
I just checked accuweather, adn they are calling for one cool day, and the rest in the 70's. - we WILL be wearing our shorts and sandals

Have a great trip!

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

I am totally there with you. We are coming from Michigan and yesterday it got to a high of 38ish and it felt like a heat wave! I can't wait to get to Florida where 38 is the low. Hopefully that's not the case when we are there, but if it is, we are still wearing shorts and sweatshirts, the winter coats are staying at home!

Have a great trip to everyone who is going in the next couple of weeks, see you there!