Re-think, re-plan, re-pack!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So much for my brilliant plan of packing last weekend!

It now looks like we will have rain and falling temps for our trip. That meant today I went: back to the mall to RE-buy the thermal underwear I returned, to the ski store to buy thermals for DS, to Target for rain jackets (they were $300 at the ski store).

Now I will have to unpack two suitcases and re-pack them because we are using larger luggage to make room for the bulkier clothes. Some juggling was already going to have to take place because I realized there wasn't any room in any of the bags, which would have made it very difficult to bring home any purchases!

So my question is:
How bad are AK and Epcot in the rain?

 

[zurgswife]

Thermal underwear for Disney???? Ok I'm thin blooded but jeans and a winter coat have always worked just fine even in the rain...

Good Luck on your trip....I like the rain because it really is a lot emptier....AK might not have very many animals out though...

 

[nativetxn]

Kimballl, you need to remember that Dallas, TX and Pennsylvania have very different weather.

When I lived in Houston, I needed very different clothing than I need now that I am used to Michigan weather

Katholyn

 

[zurgswife]

Kimballl, you need to remember that Dallas, TX and Pennsylvania have very different weather.

When I lived in Houston, I needed very different clothing than I need now that I am used to Michigan weather

Katholyn

Yeah but Kath...she is headed to FL not PA....

The average temperature for the next 10 days in FL is 75 degrees high and 56 degrees low....

The average temperature for the next 10 days in TX is 59 degree high and 42 degree low...

My point was if she didn't need theraml underwear to walk around TX why would she need it to use in FL which is warmer then her home state...and walking around disney will make your body temp a lot higher then just hang out at home .... the family should be fine in there normal cool weather clothes..

 

[luv2nascar]

yeah I don't get that either
take ponchos and save money on rain coat
I always pack for warm and cold anyways so I wouldn't have to repack
nights or days can be cooler than other

 

[paigevz]

and were we ever glad we did! It was in the 40s and raining part of that trip, and the thermals kept us nice and toasty! I think the main difference was how cool the wind was. If we'd been spending time indoors and just going out between the car and buildings, like in Texas, we wouldn't have needed them.........but spending all that time outdoors, it really was needed.........plus we wore hats and gloves, too.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's my point!

It was 26 degrees here the other morning but I didn't go stand outside!! I went from the house to the car, the car into work, etc. No prolonged exposure to the elements. AND I am a wimp.

Jeans just don't seem to do it for me. Since we decided to go to WDW I have been paying extreme attention to what the temperature is every time I go outside. I then assess what parts of me (if any) are cold. If I can't make it to the car without being cold then I can't imagine being warm at Disney in the same conditions. I did just buy the BOTTOMS for the thermals, not the set.

I knew there was a reason we don't ski. (And after the $300 jacket maybe there is more than one reason...)

Actually the rain jacket at Target was half price, and I didn't already own a waterproof jacket. We also have ponchos from the Dollar Store.

Zurgswife-
Your trip reports are priceless! I hope your kids are doing well!

 

[eeyore45]

I 2nd zurgswife's assesment...

but then again to each his own. I love the winter here in IL, and rarely wear a heavy coat, but I do rely on Polar tech clothes... My parents moved to Fl, my brother to Houston, I"m still LOL that my parents went to Houston for Christmas because its "warmer" roflol, this year THEY got snow, not us!! So you may be better off "prepared" for what will give you the most enjoyable time!! I cant imagine long undies... but hey, that's me and I'm hormonal!!

 

[minkydog]

We lived in Florida for several years, both north and south florida, and we never wore thermals, ever. Now, on a cold day I might layer pajama bottoms under jeans or sweatpants. and an extra T-shirt under my sweat shirt, and wear a hat & gloves. but there is no way you will ever need thermals in Orlando, even if it gets down to freezing.

hey, and don't forget your swimsuits

 

[zurgswife]

Just remember standing out side in the cold at home is different then walking around a park all day....hats and gloves and can recommend but ....to each his own...

Enjoy your stay...but it reallydoesn't look like it is going to be that cold...

 

[Codie]

I've always enjoyed Epcot in the rain...most of it is inside anyway. Downfall is that Test Track closes in the rain--so get there on a dry time. Animal Kingdom is very open with not much cover--not my favorite place for rainy days or wicked hot days. Relax and enjoy your trip You'll be back so you don't have to do everything in one trip!

 

[n2mm]

zurgswife, you better go recheck that weather. I and the OP leave around the same time. I leave on Saturday the 15th and the lows are going to be in the low 40s and highs close to 60s, rain and wind. Let me say I live in the mountains of West by-god Virginia and am pretty use to cold, just like my neighbors in PA. But we were in WDW Dec. 10-13 and it got down into the 40s every night and I frooze my nose and other places off. I had sweats and a heavy jacket, and didn't think my nose and ears would ever warm up. I was almost tempted to pour that hot coco over my hands. A few days ago, the weather looked pretty good for my week Jan.15-22, now I'll be lucky to see it above 60. Now I am not packing thermals, but I do have my fleece packed, along with extra sweats, socks, and a hat and gloves, along with rain pounchos to wear over my sweatshirt. I was curious why the drop in temperature next week---well you better take a look at PA starting next weekend, because WV is going to have a high of 30 and nights back into the teens. So the FL weather looks pretty good to me, even at 60 degrees. It will be a mad dash for the hot tub in the evening.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am leaving DS's swim trunks in the suitcase. You just never know!

I read threads where some people had temps in the 20's at WDW in January. That was why we bought the first round of thermals. When we saw temps of 60-80 in the extended forecast we thought it was safe to return them. The forecast is getting worse the closer we get, but there is no way to know if it is accurate. I would rather pack way too much and not need it than get to Orlando and be grouchy because I am freezing. Or being rained on. Or whatever. And deciding to switch to larger luggage means I would have had to repack anyway, so might as well tweak the stuff that was in there.

People have said Epcot is OK in the rain, so we'll keep that in mind.

DH swears we won't need thermals. I lived in Jacksonville for 5 years and Tampa for 4 years and never owned more than a denim jacket, but I also never went to WDW in January. Temps in the 50's don't sound bad until it turns out to be low 50's and raining!

 

[zurgswife]

zurgswife, you better go recheck that weather. I and the OP leave around the same time. I leave on Saturday the 15th and the lows are going to be in the low 40s and highs close to 60s, rain and wind.

Took this from the weather.com site...
ORLANDO 10-Day Forecast Free Trial: Faster Radar Maps & No Ads

Hourly Details Video Text Averages
Printable Forecast Daytime High /
Overnight Low (°F) Precip.

Tonight
Jan 08 Partly Cloudy 61° 0 %

Sun
Jan 09 Mostly Sunny 82°/60° 0 %

Mon
Jan 10 Mostly Sunny 80°/58° 0 %

Tue
Jan 11 Partly Cloudy 78°/59° 20 %

Wed
Jan 12 Partly Cloudy 80°/63° 10 %

Thu
Jan 13 Partly Cloudy 79°/60° 20 %

Fri
Jan 14 Showers 75°/55° 40 %

Sat
Jan 15 Few Showers 72°/49° 30 %

Sun
Jan 16 Showers 64°/48° 40 %

Mon
Jan 17 Partly Cloudy 65°/52° 0

 

[disgal1]

try silk long underwear if you can find them this close to leaving. If there are temps below 60, I wear them. Keeps me warm, but not bulky or hot. I grew up near Orlando, and believe me, when that sun goes down and it is chilly and windy and rainy, you will be glad to have those extra layers and gloves.

We have moved our flight up a day to wednesday jan 12, just to squeeze in one decent warm day! we leave on the 17th. Hopefully , the rain will hold off. the temps by themselves aren't bad. Don't forget good warm socks. if your feet are wet and cold, forget it!

 

[n2mm]

I should sign up for your weather station. I used weather.com and accuweather and both of them are reporting barely 60s as highs for my trip Jan. 15-22 and 40s for the lows the entire week, with rain several days. I hope your station is correct, but have my doubts since both stations I visit are showing the same info. I will monitor weather.com up to the last minute. I think the OP was a little premature in packing. I had to start packing this weekend, since I have to work all week and wouldn't have any other time. I kept waiting for the weather forecast to firm up first. But it's OK, since it will not be making it above freezing each day at home while I'm gone, I'll take 60s.

 

[chyam]

My 2 cents worth..........first off I live in FL and believe me when it does get in the 40's it is cold especially if the sun has set. I have actually worn my ski jacket on a couple of occasions while there. I ski and am never as cold in CO as I am here when the the temps are low, it's because of the dampness and because the houses are built to stay cool. That being said, I don't know if you would need thermals but there are underlayer things for women called "cuddleduds" and they are wonderful! Next off instead of packing so much, why don't you pack a little of warm clothes and some cold clothes and just plan on doing a load of laundry while at the resort. That way you aren't hauling so much. But there is nothing more miserable then being cold........the resort pools are heated so that should not be a problem, just getting in and out, enjoy your vacation!

 

[peacefulgirl]

I just got back myself. I planned and packed for cold weather. The first night a sweatshirt was fine .. it was 58, I went on Sp M and got wet ... a bit cold... but not too bad. Then we had PERFECT weather !!! 10 days, not a drop of rain! high 70's low 80's all the time. The nights were perrfecctttt !!! It was great !!! Except all the stupid unused warm clothes I dragged around in my luggage !! People were swimming every night till past 2am at the POP ! Heated pool either way.

No matter the weather .. you'll have a blast!!!

 

[dizmomof2]

Here's a question for all of you Floridians out there. How can you be so cold as to wear winter jackets, hats and mitts in what you call winter (most would consider spring temps) and yet you freeze all of us northerns out with your air conditioning in the warmer weather?! You keep your air conditioning temps set so low and wear shorts but if it's that cold outside you put on winter clothes. I am quite often uncomfortably cold in restaurants and stores in Flordia when the warmer weather hits.


:thewave:

 

[bjakmom]

Last Jan I wore my silk turtleneck thermals on 2 nights - the temps themselves weren't so low (40), but it was damp and very windy - the wind is what made us feel so cold - after a few hours outside in the damp evening air, the cold made it's way right through our clothes ! We were so glad we had brought our fleece headbands and stretchy gloves, too (thanks to a tip on the DIS) - and the plastic rain protector over the baby's stroller was the only way we could keep her outside, along with several layers of fleece ! I used to live in Fl too and agree that the colder weather isn't so bad if you're doing normal running around, but standing/walking in the cold for hours on end, especially if you get a damp or windy night, can get downright uncomfortable !
I'm packing for every scenario - in Dec we packed expecting at least cool weather and it was 80 degrees most days - I had to buy some more tshirts and never got to wear my Xmas turtle necks at all - not that I'm complaining !!!