Too cold to watch Wishes outside??

[ACJMH]

We'll be at Disney World Jan 21-26 & I'm thinking it may be too cold for us to be outside for firework viewing with a 2, 4 & 6 year old. Anybody have any experience with this? Thinking about dinner at California Grill or O'hana instead but I've also been told we can't miss Wishes right in front of the castle. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[BigAlsGal]

That would of course be up to you. We prefer to bundle up and get a hot beverage. You could always make the reservation and then if the weather looks pleasant for that week you can cancel the reservation.

 

[Jhondy210]

We've been there about that time and one year I needed a sweatshirt an was a bit chilly but my husband was fine. The next year we went it was super nice and I was good in short sleeves. I think it all depends. Also, I live in WI so what is cold for me may not be the same for you. The best thing to do is watch the weather as it gets closer to Jan.

 

[PennyInPink]

From what I understand, the average low for January is about 50 degrees. Since we are from Michigan, that is like balmy to us, no matter the age! So I guess it depends some on where you are from and what you think cold is!

 

[Robo]

It really depends on the WIND and humidity level in combo with the temperature.

Sometimes it's very nice, sometimes it's blustery and damp.

Clothing in Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.



There is no simple answer that takes all situations into account.



"Layers" will be the most versatile clothing to bring.



Consider the difference in what you will be doing at

WDW compared to the way you spend your time outside

while at home.



At home, you might be used to walking from a car, up a

sidewalk a certain distance, and then, walking inside a heated building.



So, you don't usually simply stand still outside,

waiting in the same spot for 45-60 minutes at a time.



You will be doing that kind of thing at WDW, if you

want to hold a spot a bit early and then watch

IllumiNations or MSEP and/or Wishes.



My wife and I are naturally "warm-blooded" and hardly

ever wear a coat at home in the winter until the

temperature gets to be constantly below 30 degress...

but STANDING outside at night at WDW for the evening

events, if the temp is in the 40's or lower (plus it

can be damp and windy,) can chill you to the bone

after about 15 minutes.



We're from the midwest and have learned to EXPECT ANYTHING as the weather goes in off-season Orlando.

We always pack winter and summer-wear.

In Dec/Jan/Feb we have even worn LONG THERMAL UNDERWEAR (after sundown)... we now pack it for any off-season trip.



Typical day:



Cool outside at 7am.

Wear shorts and Tee's.

Over that add a thin nylon wind-breaker

We put our "chilly-wear" and RAIN ponchos in a back-pack.

(Rain ponchos are REALLY cheap in hunting section of discount retailers.

You can buy BIG THICK ones to allow covering large jackets... more later.)



"Chilly-wear" is a nylon cotton-lined warm-up suit with zipper legs and a cotton-lined windbreaker.

We buy OVER-sized in these so they can easily be put on OVER other clothing.

After standing in the sometimes chilly "early-entry" lines we can usually take off the wind-breakers.

We always rent a locker at the park(s) and leave our "chilly-wear" in the locker 'til sun-down.

If it looks like rain (in Florida? Who'da thunk?) we take the Ponchos.



Much later, if its a warm night, we're just fine in the shorts.

If it turns windy/cool... we can visit the locker and choose which level of "chilly" OVER-WEAR to add to our clothing.



If it turns really COLD (windy 30's-40's not unheard-of at certain times of the year) we can make a restroom trip and slide-on the long underwear... OR... we can even add the final outer-layer of the RAIN ponchos (with their HOODS)... OVER everything else.

That trick (along with ear-muffs and gloves) has allowed us to "comfortably" stay and enjoy Fantasmic! or IllumiNations when others (less-prepared) have been "frozen-out."

 

[MouseyMin]

I concur with Robo's comments above. However, although it might be very cold in January on occasion, it very rarely lasts more than a couple of days. So take a look at the five day forecast and plan your fireworks evening for the warmest night. And bring blankets to wrap around the children.

 

[lovethattink]

I wore my winter coat more last year than any other year I can remember. But winters in central FL are so different year to year, even day to day.

I was fine for fireworks wearing a coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. I was probably the most bundled up person at Disney. But I was nice and toasty watching them.

 

[Klayfish]

You've got to be from the south where people freeze when it drops below 70. We live in the south now, but lived over 40 years in PA. I laugh at the schools here when they won't let our kids have recess outside because it's below 40. I remember (not fondly) taking our kids outside when they were really little, the snow was 18"+ deep, it was -2 air temp with wind chills even worse.

If you're only used to hot weather, sure, you'll want to bring some warm clothes, as it can get chilly at night. Cold to the point of being too cold for kids to be outside? No, definitely not.

 

[squeezle]

The only thing I have to add is that you might want take something to sit on if you plan on sitting. A few years ago (in January) we were lucky enough to score some seats on the cement benches near the hub for Wishes. It was chilly but we dressed for that, however, the concrete was so cold on my bum that it chilled my whole body. I would have appreciated a sweatshirt or a blanket to sit on for a little insulation.

 

[RachaelA]

We watched MSEP (maybe it was Spectromagic) and Wishes once when it was in the low 20s in December. MK sold out of the purchase with purchase blankets that night!

 

[DOOM1001]

Don't worry about it this early,winter temps in Florida comes and go all winter long,its very possible to get days in the low 80s with lows in the 65-70 range at night even in January.Of course you could also get a day with highs around 50 and lows around freezing or less so my advice is to not worry about it now,most likely you'll get a night with lows around 55-60 where a light jacket or sweater will be fine and allow you to watch the fireworks with no issues.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We've always gone in January many years and it's never been too cold to watch fireworks outside. When DD was n a stroller we always had a blanket for her just in case. We always wear sweat shirts to be prepared for the evening chill.

 

[North of Mouse]

You've got to be from the south where people freeze when it drops below 70. We live in the south now, but lived over 40 years in PA. I laugh at the schools here when they won't let our kids have recess outside because it's below 40. I remember (not fondly) taking our kids outside when they were really little, the snow was 18"+ deep, it was -2 air temp with wind chills even worse.

If you're only used to hot weather, sure, you'll want to bring some warm clothes, as it can get chilly at night. Cold to the point of being too cold for kids to be outside? No, definitely not.

If you don't think it can be too cold to be out in the south you have not lived here very long! you no doubt have not been out for hours (or even shorter periods) in freezing temps with wind and humidity trying to have fun at Disney, or anywhere for that matter.

When you experience some times like that, only then can you laugh, exaggerate, and poke fun at southerners getting cold.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We've gone to WDW many times in January including the time of the month that the OP is asking about and had some really cold weather. Several January trips have included frost and freeze warnings with the groundcrew tearing out flower beds because the plants froze over night. One January the wind was so cold in Epcot that we spent the evening in the Land, even though we had our winter coats. I agree with Robo, running from your car to a store or school or place where you work is a whole lot different that sitting or standing outside in 50 or 60 degree weather for hours.

 

[TristiK]

I've never been to Disney in January but here are my thoughts. We're from northern Illinois. I've taken my kids to Christmas parades when it's 10 degrees out and they've been fine standing there for an hour. Bundle up!

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've been to Disney that exact same week a couple of years ago. We had a wide range of weather, but I think the coldest was wind chills in the mid-30s, which was still about 50 degrees warmer than the wind chill at home, lol. Anyway, on our MK day, I think it was still in the 50s during Wishes. It may be warmer or colder during your trip. My advice would be to wait until you know for sure what the weather will be like before you make any concrete decisions. You may be completely fine outside.

 

[Oswin]

Agreeing with everything that's been said here, and adding on that as someone from Texas, there have been plenty of times I've been in Dec-Feb and there were people around me in shorts and tank tops at night who were just fine but I was bundled up and was freezing still! I always bring those little warmer packs you break that will heat your hands or feet and pop them into my backpack. They help a ton, even when I'm bundled up and get a chill! I also bring a small blanket with me in my backpack so I can either sit on it and not have to sit on cold benches/chairs/concrete, or wrap around me when I get super cold. This coming December we're splurging for a theme park view at Contemporary so we can just watch fireworks from the room. I'm a big baby when it comes to being cold and I am chilly more often than not at WDW in the winter months at night.

 

[PSULion]

Like everyone else has said, it can really vary. We go every January or February and we were there almost that same week this year. I just went back and looked at some pictures - For Pirates and Pals (which is during wishes) and the Star Wars Fireworks, we were all in shorts and t-shirts, or long sleeve t-shirts. My kids are fairly wussy about the cold, so I know it was definitely warm those nights. We've also worn fleece jackets some nights, but I would certainly not make my plans assuming it would be too cold to watch Wishes outside.

 

[cassie58]

If it is not too cold and/or you bundle up and watch outside, be sure to catch the projection show on the castle before Wishes which is really amazing!

 

[Nancyg56]

If you don't think it can be too cold to be out in the south you have not lived here very long! you no doubt have not been out for hours (or even shorter periods) in freezing temps with wind and humidity trying to have fun at Disney, or anywhere for that matter.

When you experience some times like that, only then can you laugh, exaggerate, and poke fun at southerners getting cold.

We are in north central CT and used to the cold. However we were COLD one late November/early December. It is a different cold to me, breezy wet cold. SO be prepared, bring layers and for the kids, if it's chilly bundle them up. You should be fine if you prepare.

If you do not already have your ADR at CG, I would suggest making one soon. If you choose 'Ohana, and again, make that ADR soon, you will probably not see Wishes from inside the restaurant. WE have been lucky and have been seated in that lovely corner table by the window, but did nto ask for the view.

An alternative to both of these restaurants is NArcoossees. It is easier to get an ADR and in my opinon, has better food.

Also, at the Grand there is a Mad Hatter Party . So far it is free, but has food and beverages the is Alice in Wonderland themed. I do not know if it is a test or if it will last, but it looks like fun, although it also is outdoors.

Given a choice, I would always choose inside the Magic Kingdom. The Celebrate the Magic Show is pretty darn noce and the view is the best you can have.