Tips for the cooooooold days

[shaynar]

I just looked at the long term forecast for my upcoming trip, and *bubble burst* it's going to be really cold at rainy the whole 10 days we are there.

Anyhow, we had planned a bunch of 'off' days to relax, (maybe) get in some pool time and to take it easy. Now, with the forecast I can only foresee us wanting to stay in our room the whole time.

Tips on the parks and resorts (BC and WL) for when it's really cold? (I know the stand-bys: go to indoor attractions, spend more time at EP, avoid AK etc... but for my whole trip? I need to enjoy it!)

ETA: I knew going in Jan was a risk, we're gone in the past and have been really lucky with the weather. I just never expected this much rain at below average temps the whole time..... here's hoping that the weather is wrong!

 

[At World's End]

We'll be there at the same time and I'm hoping the weather is wrong, too! Even if it's not, we'll still have a great time. We were there during the great freeze of 2010 when it never got warmer than 60. It rained every night, but cleared up by morning. Hopefully the rain will be over night and days will be clear. I'm bringing lots of layers, hats, gloves and umbrellas and just plan to make the best of it. We're from the Pacific Northwest, so we know we don't melt in the rain! "There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing."

 

[shaynar]

I know about the clothing thing... we're from Canada, it's all about dressing for the occasion!
I'm just bummed b/c I had hoped to escape the cold to at least warm weather, wasn't expecting hot!

 

[consumermonkey]

Surely we are not talking ice and snow?

Anything in Orlando hasto be warmer than us in Blighty at the moment (Snow for the next few days).

We are there same time as you too.

 

[rutgers1]

I think we were there during the previously mentioned freeze of 2010. It was February, and the cars were iced up every morning. It was manageable by mid-day, but we swore that we would never go back in February again. The reason why is because we typically enjoy hanging around by the pool mid-day, and that wasn't an option during this trip.

With that said, it would have to be pretty darn cold for a Disney trip to be a complete waste. There is so much to see an do indoors. Dress warm and have fun!

By the way, where did you hear that there is a deep freeze on its way? I just checked weather.com and it seems like there will be a high in the 70's for the foreseeable future. If I recall, my February trip was often in the high 50's mid-day.

 

[2Monkeys]

We are leaving the 23rd, and I am not going to worry about the weather until a couple of days before we go. The forecast for any southern state more than 3 days ahead is completely unreliable. Example - we live in Alabama, and I checked the forecast for this past week last Saturday. It said highs in the 50s and sunny. Most of the week was in the 60s & 70s and rainy. I wouldn't worry too much until it gets closer!

 

[lucifie]

We're going to be there at the same time - arriving 1/21 and even though the forecast doesn't look great, it doesn't look that bad, either. I'm still holding out hope since it's still a week away and the forecast has been changing almost daily.

Our plan is to pretty much stick to our plans and play it by ear. The last time I was in FL it was December and the forecast said 70s right before we left, so I packed for 70s. It was in the 50s and rainy and pretty miserable. This time I'm at least bringing a warmer coat, but that will be easy enough since we're driving from MD.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We go every year in Feb and we pack a turtle neck and sweatshirts. Those little strechy gloves. If its too cold then go resort hopping. It nice to go over to AKL and walk around and look out the windows at the animals on the savahana. Do the dinning and movie concept at DTD. Go to Disney Quest.
If you have a car to for a ride.

 

[a742246]

I checked the 10 day forecast using www.intellicast.com and the weather looks seasonable for that span. Hopefully, you will have good weather.

 

[Ellsbells]

I'll be there around the same time to. I have already packed and have a feeling I might be a bit optimistic but we shall see. I went the same time last year and the weather was lovely bar the day at AK but that was just due to rain all day not cold.

 

[WDW1979]

I just looked at the long term forecast for my upcoming trip, and *bubble burst* it's going to be really cold at rainy the whole 10 days we are there.

I think that once you get beyond 3 or 4 days, the weather forecasters factor more and more historical data into their forecasts, making forecasts beyond 3 or 4 days mostly just historical averages that could be way off what ends up being actual. So I hope for you that the long-term forecast is wrong and that it warms up!

 

[elaine amj]

Keep in mind that Epcot World Showcase gets cold!! The breeze off the lake can get downright chilly. Layers, layers, and more layers.

 

[avalanche1977]

I was at WDW in December 2010, during a time where 6/7 days we were there temperatures didn't break 40 degrees. The only thing I really regret was not having my winter jacket with me. Otherwise, there were plenty of heated areas to warm up.

My Keys to the Kingdom tour was on a 37 degree day, and it was mostly outside. Brrrr!

 

[elaine amj]

Another tip, I carried along lighweight drawstring bags tucked into our park bag. When things warmed up, we would peel off layers and pop them into 1-2 drawstring bags which we the carried. Easier than having jackets and mitts in our hands (what a pain)or carrying an extra large backpack we wouldn't always need.

 

[Ellsbells]

Keep putting in warmer clothing items in the suitcase then taking them back out not wanting to jinx it I think I'll do one last check the night before I leave before I decide. Though being in Chicago I'll take 16 degrees any day!

 

[ZoZo]

Tips on the parks and resorts (BC and WL) for when it's really cold? (I know the stand-bys: go to indoor attractions, spend more time at EP, avoid AK etc... but for my whole trip? I need to enjoy it!)

Not sure why you'd avoid AK if it's cold. Can you explain why?

As for the cooler weather, I'd look at it the same way I would look at rain. Bring the right clothes (including rain gear), bundle up, and have fun! While it might be disappointing to have cool weather, a day at Disney is way better than a day at work!