Too Cold in Orlando

[atkins@kconline.com]

We are leaving tomorrow for Orlando. I have been watching the weather and it is not very promising. The high on Monday is only going to be 47. I am hoping it will start warming up by Wednesday. I need some ideas for things to do in Orlando when it is too cold to go to the parks. We are staying outside the park and we are driving down, so anything within a hour or two driving distance would be ok. Its one thing having to pack jeans and sweatshirts for a trip to Florida, but mittens are a different thing. I am thinking swimsuits can just stay home.

 

[Geoff_M]

I'ts all our fault! Everytime my family heads to Orlando in the Winter they have a cold snap! Go figure!

 

[chris1gill]

Why would the cold keep you out of the parks? We are bringing our parka's, mittens & gloves, scarves & hats & perhaps a blanket for nighttime... but we plan on being in those parks, cold weather or not!! It's not the ideal situation, but it is what it is & we're going to make the best of it!!!

We can buy hot chocolate & really get into the christmas spirit!!!

 

[Regina]

I don't see why you wouldn't visit the parks when it's cold. We've done it, and had a great time. Granted, I'd bypass Kali River Rapids and I'd think twice about Splash Mountain, but the other attractions are fine. They'll have the heat on instead of the A/C.

Dress in layers and rent a locker. If it warms up a bit, you can stow your sweatshirts. I don't recommend wearing a heavy coat as you can get overheated.

And yes, do bring gloves. They don't take up much room but they are oh so handy on those frigid mornings/evenings. Again, stick them in the locker when you no longer need them.

Disney World in the cold is still a lot of fun.

 

[atkins@kconline.com]

We will be there a week and have a 4 day park hopper. I just mean that I will try to pick the 4 best days weather wise to go to the parks.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I was down there last week when the weather was in the 80's...my poor coworker is down there this week with the cold 50-60 degree days...I guess I just got very lucky.

I would just make the most of it and bundle up...don't avoid the parks! Have fun - you'll be on vacation!

 

[safetymom]

Since you are from up North the weather won't seem as cold to you as it does to Floridians. You will still have a great time in the parks.

 

[lovethattink]

There is always, Disney Quest, the Orlando Science Center, Most of Epcot's attractions are indoors. If you use fast passes at the other parks, you can walk in heated shops until your it's your time to ride the attraction. Really, the only attractions you would need to avoid are ones where you get wet. There is so much to do at Disney, reguardless of the weather! Escaping the cold now, would be the same as escaping the heat in August.

 

[Mortlives]

One of the best things to do, about an hour away, is the Kennedy Space Center and Astronauts Hall of Fame. Those are fairly indoor activities, and very edutaining. Together, those will take up 1-2 days.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[Kapp]

the water park and maybe Splash Mtn., don't let the cold weather dampen your fun! Just bundle up, dress in layers, rent a locker and have a blast!
WDW is great all of the time, the cool weather will just put a different spin on it!

Have a great time!

Kapp

 

[Cailin'sMom]

We were there last week, and we would have loved cooler temps. We are from the South, so we get limited cold spells. So we welcome them when they come. I would not let the cold keep me out of the parks though.

 

[ruttie]

wonder works in Orlando is also a great palce to go with kids visit the world largest mcdonalds afterwards or before... it is all off I drive... enjoy the parks !

 

[buckler]

We were in the Magic Kingdom yesterday. It was quite cold yesterday morning and it looks like it kept people away. It was WONDERFUL for us!! We got there at rope drop and were the first ones to hit the Indy Speedway. The cast members practically begged us to stay on for a 2nd go round. Then we went on the Astro Orbiter. That was empty too and we got to stay on. We walked right into Ariel's Grotto, no wait. Dumbo was practically a walk on still at 9:45 AM. Absolutely wonderful! No waiting anywhere throughout the morning. By afternoon when it started to warm up the crowds picked up and there was waiting everywhere. We just shook our heads at the poor people standing in line for things we had breezed onto in the morning.

Here's one tip I picked up on the boards. Go to Walmart and in the camping section look for a product called Hot Hands hand warmers. It is a small packet that when activated generates warmth. You can slip them inside of your gloves (next to your palms). It is just the right temperature to keep your hands toasty. The ones we had stayed warm for at least 8 hours. My kids loved them.

 

[DJR]

Only 47?? Heck I was playing golf last week in weather colder than that. Can't imagine how that would keep you out of the parks!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Why should the 47 degrees keep you out of the parks??? Just wear a sweatshirt or jacket and you can still enjoy the parks, just don't do the water rides if you don't want to get wet. And if you're chilly, and can't warm up, get a hot chocolate or a latte and wander around the shops on Main Street in the MK; or see one of the many shows that WDW has in every park, go on rides that are 'inside' and then shop more at Downtown Disney....just have fun!

 

[Bill3]

It warms up down there faster, the sun takes care of those chilly mornings fairly quickly. I used to live in Culver so I know your weather. Gloves, heavy sweatshirts, and long pants and your pretty well set. Don't let the weather affect your plans.

 

[ALostBoy]

Hi,
I took my 2 older daughters (16 and 13)to WDW last year
at this time. We had a cold snap also and we got by just fine.
We left the Thursday they got out of school for x-mas
(which is today this year). It got really cold 30's and 40's for
highs. We also stayed off site and had no problems with that.
We would get up in the morning and go to the parks and stay
all day. Tip- When riding the tram from the parking lot try to sit
on the row that allows you to sit backwards, the wind would
really be tough. We just dressed in layers and removed jackets
as we needed. We carried a back pack that we kept the extra
jackets in as we took them off. As it got colder in the evening
we would just put our jackets back on. I remember us having to
have gloves it was so cold. My daughters and I had a great time
anyway and I would not let the cold keep you from the parks.
They were just as fun in the cold as they were at other times,
for us. Look at it as an adventure and have a blast.
( I am envious, I wish I was taking them again this year)
Good luck.

 

[atkins@kconline.com]

Bill, I am 15 miles from Culver. Just had dinner down there the other night.

 

[KatHuss]

I will be arriving in Orlando Saturday and was not thrilled with the cold weather but am hoping that it will continue to keep people away in the mornings! We are from up north so it should be fine. Just need to make sure we have gloves for everyone. Besides, the cool temps are more Christmas-y than 80's anyway!

WooHoo! Two days from now we will be on the airplane!!!

Kat

 

[CinderellaIam]

I'll be there next week as well, and the weather is not so bad, especially when you are from the northeast. I am actually glad it will be on the cool side, 80 degrees at Christmas would be just too weird for us northerners!

Yes, I'm a little diapointed that we won't get to do a water park as I know that is what my DD would love, but heck, this past weekend was only in the low 40's and we were at the zoo! We're bringing sweatshirts, lightweight jackets, gloves, hats, and those handy hand warmers. We'll rent a locker and add and subtract layers as necessary. I think I'll enjoy watching a parade without the sweat running down my back!