The TRUTH About Packing for JANUARY (and FEB)

[psiprez]

Ok - so we just got back from our trip, and I feel I need to pass this info on, since it would have definitely helped us!

For our week, the weather went from nice, to cold, to nice again. For ALL days, it is cool at 8am, starts to warm up by noon, hits the high around 3pm, then cools off quick once the sun starts to go down.

Nice Days = High of 70-80, Low of 40-50 (think April in New Jersey)
Cold Days = High of 50-60, Low of 30-40 (think November in New Jersey)

Nice Days = Long pants, short sleeves. Carry a sweater or sweatshirt for later.
Cold Days = Long pants, short sleeves, long sleeve shirt and sweater over that. Carry a sweatshirt and outer coat and gloves and hat for later. Really.

It's only warm for a short time during the day, then cools off. And we were soooo cold at night!! Layering really helped, and allowed us to adapt to the rapid temperature changes through the day. We all ended up buying sweatshirts in the Parks.

We saw families in shorts and tank tops, but I know some of those kids were freezing. I saw the goosebumps! Unless you are from way up north, I would only pack one pair of shorts.

As for swimming, we did see a few people in the pools everyday, even in the cold, but in reality I would only recommend early afternoon on the warm days, especially for kids. We went on the last day, before our shuttle meeting time. The water was a bit cool for me, but the kids loved it!

From what I could tell from CMs and the news down there, there are a few cold days each and every week. Anyway, hope this helps someone out there!

 

[Max]

I'd say that's perfect advice for Feb. also. We were there last Feb., the weather was the same as your description of Jan. We are going again this Feb.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks, that is about what I packed but nice to have a been there done it OP.

 

[Margie]

Thanks soooooo much!!! We are leaving next Friday for 7 days. From Wisconsin, but hadn't thought of my thin leather gloves! My fingertips get cold really easy. Thanks again, you kept me from being miserable in the evenings!
Margie

 

[DISNEY1STTIMER]

thanks so much for the info. we will be there 2/8-2/12. i'm sure the weather will be much of the same. we too are coming from wisconsin, so we will be wearing shorts in the 60 & 70 degree weather!!

 

[psiprez]

we too are coming from wisconsin, so we will be wearing shorts in the 60 & 70 degree weather!!

Just remember, it only stays warm during the afternoon. You will want long pants at night!

 

[daisyduck123]

Thanks...we're heading down next Saturday for 8 days.

I've packed lots of jeans but I guess we won't need the 4 pairs of shorts I've packed for each of us.

 

[Dina]

I recommend bringing the shorts and bathing suits just in case though. We went for Marathon Weekend last year and it was in the 80s. Thank god we brought shorts-- we wore them all weekend (even at night), we just had light long sleeve shirts the we would put on at night-- not a sweat shirt though. I only wish I brought the bathing suit, I thought it would be too cold, but it wasn't at all. Lots of people swimming. It was very warm all day too-- I was comfortable in shorts from the early morning to late at night-- its just the long sleeve T-shirt that I wore very early and very late. You really never know.

 

[daisyduck123]

Ok thank you Dina.

I guess I'll just need to bring more clothes...got to pack enough for 8 cold days and 8 warm days...since there is no way to know!

 

[hickchick]

Thanks for confirming what I was planning on doing - pack for all types of weather and just bring a larger suitcase!

16 days to go...

 

[Dina]

I hear ya. We're leaving in less than two weeks, and its so much harder than packing for May. I have clothes for 30 degree weather, and clothes for 85 degree weather. I cannot believe how much I am bringing for 4 days.

 

[dparksfan]

We actually had cool weather in early April, 2002. We couldn't go to the water park on the day planned, or swimming either. You just never know...

 

[1of6]

Thanks for the tip. We are there 2/1-2/7. I have zip-off pants for the boys. I wish I had some for me and my DDs.

 

[Max]

Wow, zip-off pants, I never thought about those. Were could I find them. We'll be there Feb. 3-8

 

[Max]

Just found some zip-off pants at baby gap. Thanks again for the tip

 

[daisyduck123]

Wow, zip-off pants, I never thought about those. Were could I find them. We'll be there Feb. 3-8

I was shopping at Target, Kohl's, & Hecht's last nite.
I saw zip-off pants in the boys' department...I just cannot remember which store I was in! (I don't think it was Kohl's)

 

[1of6]

I got mine at Walmart. I saw them on the clearance rack for $7. They also had some for $10.

My nephews live in them. I'm not sure where my sil gets them.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We just got back and while we did have rather warm coats and mittens, I really missed my winter hat some days (and nights.) Bring it. Heck bring the scarfs too. Bring your swim suit too. We swam 4 days I think (out of 8,) and were very comfortable (mid afternoon.)

One thing I did with DD (4 years old) was dress her in pants or jeans and let her wear her skirt over it. She so wanted to wear her summer cothes. I thought it looked a tad funny, but that is the stlye I see the kids wearing on the Disney Cannel all the time. DD loved it. When she got warm (and she did some days.) She just took the pants off. (she also wore a sweat shirt over her t shirt.) Some days we had a few layers on.

Keep an eye on your young kids. There is still some places they can get wet, even when it is cold. I saw many a kids having a blast getting wet on cold days, but I don't think they were having as much fun later!

 

[lawnspecialties]

Thanks for the tips, also. We're heading for FW Sat. the 21st.

 

[OregonFamily]

Just bought some adult zip pff pants from REI.Wash easy, dry fast and have UV protection. Will dry in 24 hrs if you wash them by hand in your room.They are very light and pack well without creasing. Cost:different styles-$55-65 each