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

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I agree it was premature to pack so far in advance! I had a wide variety of stuff packed, with plenty of options for layering. What I didn't count on was the rain. I also didn't count on the low temps dropping lower than about mid-50's. Oops!

I have been checking AccuWeather and Weather.com, and it has changed again just from what it was 14 hours ago. No telling WHAT it will say by Tuesday night before we leave. The thing I like about Weather is that it gives the % for the precipitation. Right now Friday is at 40% chance of thunderstorms. So maybe we get wet at AK, maybe not!

I thought I was being quite organized and clever - WRONG!

The only silk thermals I could find were through Lands End and it is too late for that now. I bought some Cuddle Duds with Cool Max. DS's are whatever they sell at the ski shop! But same general thing as mine. Our hats, gloves, and scarves were already in the luggage!

Peacefulgirl-
I am so glad you and DD had a nice trip!

I hope all of us going over the next few days have at least SOME good weather during our stays!! We plan far too long and too hard to have gross weather the whole time. That would be tremendously unfair!

 

[cheyita]

I'll admit, I too was disappointed to see that the weather will turn on Friday. Although, this far out, who knows what will really happen by the end of the week.

However, I absolutely refuse to bring thermal underwear and the like to Florida. Heck, I hardly wear them in Illinois! By the time it gets that cold in the night, we will probably be back at the hotel anyway, with the exception of a couple of days (we will be trying a few extended hours nights).

Here's to getting a lot of sunshine. I think that will make the world of difference!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, www.weather.com has changed again and now it looks pretty good! For some reason I am not able to access AccuWeather this morning. I looked at the Orlando station www.wftv.com but I wasn't impressed. We are going to finish up packing today and be done with it. I think we have finally covered all of our bases.

 

[PatriciaH]

It has been high 70's-80's with bright sun for a week now. It is saying the same for the next 7 days. It has been beautiful. I just came in from our deck, and it was beautiful out. I am in shorts and a t-shirt at 7pm

 

[revrob]

Ok, I live in West Texas, so I understand Dallas weather. I just got home from WDW last night, and my capris were beginning to be too much, I was wishing I had taken shorts.
I was there last year at this time when temperatures were very similar to what has been forecast for the next 10 days. I wore capris, long sleeve t-shirts, clog style tennis shoes (no socks), and had a jacket or sweat shirt for the evenings. I did not need thermals at all (not even close). I was glad when the sun went down that I had a jacket to put on. I took a few of those handwarmer things that are sold in the hunting section at wal-mart that I kept in my pocket for the nights. I never used it.
I may be wrong, but I think you can probably do without the thermals and winter coats. Definitely take ponchos.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Patricia-
What local station do you usually watch?

The worst thing I see as of this minute on Weather.com is 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms on Fri. 1/14.

The thing about rain, especially scattered rain, is you just never know!

I volunteer with a big charity 5K every year in October and we have had many, many nail biting moments over the past five years. It has stormed HUGE all Friday night but miraculously by Saturday morning it has stopped. So maybe it will miss us in Florida, too!

We are having some pretty amazing weather right now. We just came back from dinner and I am just in a light cotton cardigan and jeans. BUT I wasn't outside for more than a few minutes. If I stood around outside I would be cold. LOL

 

[kennancat]

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

Easy answer - I'm freezing in the air conditioning too! I think they like to keep it low so that you walk in and the blast of cold air feels refreshing, but it quickly becomes too cold. In my house, the air is generally set at 76 during the summer and I'm still sitting on the couch under a blanket. I discovered capri pants this last summer and loved them - cool enough to wear in the summer, but a little extra material to keep you warm in the air conditioning.

By the way, I love my Lands' End silk thermals. I bought them for skiing in Colorado, but they came in very handy when I was at Disney late December 2000 and the evening temperatures were in the low 30s.

 

[Tbella]

I ordered our thermals from Lands End in December when those couple of weeks the temps were in the 40s. I am leaving on Sunday and am still worried that I will be to cold to enjoy Disney at night. I get horrible hives when I'm even a little cold and they itch like crazy. I'm still hoping for a warm front to swoop in and save my vacation!

 

[DisMN]

You were wondering what AK is like in the rain? The pathways CAN be slightly slippery if you're wearing the wrong shoes BUT the animals seem to be moving and in view a bit more when the weather is poor.

We've taken the safari at iffy weather moments when it started to drizzle while we were on the ride (I THINK they close it in the all-out rain though) and the giraffes, elephants and other bigger critters were out in full force.

Good luck with the weather. We leave in 9 or 10 days and I've been watching the 15 day forcast....and all I'm seeing is the temps going lower and lower.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Now my weather stress has been replaced (or perhaps displaced, because I am still a little stressed about the rain) by "sick child" stress! DS looked a little off yesterday, but he seemed OK later in the day. This morning he has a low grade fever and a sore throat. GRRR!

Of course he comes down with something 48 hours before we leave! The good thing about it is that he can see the pediatrician this afternoon and hopefully be feeling better by Wednesday. I am just worried that he will fatigue easily and not have as much fun if he isn't feeling 100%.

He said yesterday that his stomach felt funny, and now it is his throat, so he may have strep. If not then it is probably everyone's favorite - The Virus. If he still feels bad then there will be MAJOR RE-PLANNING in my future.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Jackskellingtonsgirl - Just wanted to let you know that we have had some great experiences at AK in the rain. We, too, were worried that none of our favorite critters would be out...but, when we went on the Safari we saw lots of great activity. The animals were all running around & having a blast in the rain. I think they welcomed the cooling off from the hot afternoon.

We always just try to go with our plans, even in the rain. It seems like all the parks have some great indoor activities. I'd definitely recommend investing in the ponchos.

Good luck packing - we leave in 10 days & I, too, have been packing some of my shorts & t's over the weekend. I figure I won't be wearing them around here in OH for the next week. Your best bet in January is to pack for all types of weather. We have had 83 degrees & 35 degrees in the same week in Orlando. HTH!

 

[cheyita]

Darn it! I just packed and only packed two pairs of shorts because the forecast for next week was highs in the 60s. Now they are showing the 70s again! I am thrilled - don't get me wrong. But I better throw one more pair of shorts in for each of us. Maybe the girls will get to swim after all...

 

[n2mm]

Yes the weather is changing for the better. We leave on the 15th and I will be doing a little repacking to remove a couple of warmer items. Still taking some, but won't need that much now. Glad it got better. Low 70s is always the best weather you can ask for.