Too cold to watch Wishes outside??

[Robo]

You got that right, 50 degrees in Jan = shorts weather lol.

Honestly I was there last Jan, you'll need a sweatshirt and maybe pants but it's certainly not what I'd call cold.

What happened last January is no guarantee of what will happen this coming January, or any other wintertime months.

HERE are the average (and last year's) temperatures for the Orlando area.

HERE are the relative humidity averages for the Orlando area.

HERE is the Orlando monthly average rainfall.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

What happened last January is no guarantee of what will happen this coming January, or any other wintertime months.

Okay, of course it's not. What's "cold" to some people isn't that cold to others. Minus 20 like here is MI - now that's cold.

 

[Klayfish]

I hear what you're saying. As a Canadian, I just assume the three month period from Dec-Feb at home means snow and temperatures anywhere from zero to the low minus 20's (farenheit), and if it's warmer than that, it's a bonus.

For me: 40 = ok to sleep with the windows open, 50 = shorts/t-shirt/light sweater, 60 = shorts/t-shirt, 65 = "let's go swimming", 70 = "should we turn on the AC?", 75 = "we need to turn on the AC and go for ice cream" and 85 = hottest day of the year.

I have an incredible admiration for you. I could never do that. Growing up where I did, we had all 4 seasons. In summer, average high was 85-90 during peak of summer, with heat waves reaching upper 90's. In dead of winter, average high was 35, average low was around 20, but cold snaps could see temps drop below 0.

Now being in the south, I see similar patterns to what you describe, except with the heater and blankets. 90 = just right for most, 85 = turn off the a/c, 80 = maybe I need a long sleeve t-shirt, 75 = honey, please close the window, it's drafty, 70 = turn on the heater, 65 = man, it's chilly, 55 and below = I'm too cold to stand outside and watch my kids football practice.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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!

Do remember that averages, of anything, are made up of extremes. January Orlando low temperatures have ranged from upper teen's to upper 50's. Rarely is it 'average'.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Ummm...let's see. As I said, born and raised (over 42 years) in PA...Philly area to be more specific. Before we moved to Atlanta two years ago, we lived just south of the Poconos for the last 5 years (near Allentown). Have three active kids, so we spent plenty of time outside...at length...in brutal cold and wind. Our property was in a very rural area, with farmland everywhere, so no wind protection. When you get a blizzard that dumps up to two feet of snow, with a little ice on top...on your 200' long driveway, it takes a few hours to clear it out. And it's usually 10 degrees and windy at those times. Then the kids want to be outside building snowmen or going sledding. We've cut down our Christmas trees ourselves, literally laying in 6+" of snow...more than once. We've done all kinds of things for fun in the cold, because you don't have much choice up north unless you want to live inside 24/7. So yeah, I've been outside in temps southerners will NEVER experience, for hours on end trying to have fun. And so yeah, I will poke fun at southerners who whine when it's 50 degrees outside. Since we've been here in Atlanta, we've seen a total of about 1.5" of snow and the coldest it has gotten is maybe 20 degrees....at 3am...once. Yes, I agree it can get "cold" in Orlando, but it's all relative. Unless it's something that will shatter records, an average cold day in Orlando is downright balmy by the standards of many. Even on a cold day for them, it's nothing you couldn't prepare for and still have fun in.

My post was meant to be tongue in cheek having fun at southern people. Why the cold shoulder? rim shot please...

It is all relative. Even here in WNY, where there are "real" winters, the cold and snow are generally nothing like where I grew up (Alaska). Here, they'll cancel school bc it's "too cold" - I'd never heard of such a thing before.
Growing up in AK, the only time they cancelled school was if there was at least 6" of fresh snow still on main roads at 6 am (the roads are usually also covered with packed snow/ice all winter). We had to go outside for recess, coat or not, if it was above 0° (not including windchill). And at least in NY, the snow melts occasionally. Usually once there's snow cover in AK, it's there til May (although the last couple of winters in Anchorage have been very mild).

A couple winters ago we were visiting my FIL in AK, and over the course of the week the high temp at his house was -19° (also not incl windchill). And as kids, my mom would make us wait til it got to 60° in the sun before she'd let us run through the sprinkler. My brother still sleeps with the window open all winter long in AK. He also almost never wears a coat, doesn't even own snow pants or a hat, and goes winter camping without a sleeping bag. To him, anything over 50° is "hot".

But I find people acclimate to the heat pretty fast. Not long after we moved to S TX, we were turning on seat warmers at 70°. Now I can't stand to go swimming unless it's 95°+.

Even though my ideal temp range is now 85° to about 105°, I still wouldn't ever say that it's too cold to watch the fireworks outside. Like others have said, just wear layers (I like having a shirt, sweatshirt with a hood, and a windbreaker to put overtop of the sweatshirt (since wind is often what'll make you really feel cold.) You can also carry hand warmers if the cold really affects you that much.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

We also prefer to bring a coat! In my past experience it feels a little colder than the temperature says, at least to someone from the midwest, so thats something to think about

 

[ACJMH]

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.

I'm actually originally from Missouri! But I'm not thinking of me. Thinking of the kids & how they may handle it. We've been in Georgia for a year now so I'm not sure how they'll handle cooler temps, especially at night.

 

[ACJMH]

Ummm...let's see. As I said, born and raised (over 42 years) in PA...Philly area to be more specific. Before we moved to Atlanta two years ago, we lived just south of the Poconos for the last 5 years (near Allentown). Have three active kids, so we spent plenty of time outside...at length...in brutal cold and wind. Our property was in a very rural area, with farmland everywhere, so no wind protection. When you get a blizzard that dumps up to two feet of snow, with a little ice on top...on your 200' long driveway, it takes a few hours to clear it out. And it's usually 10 degrees and windy at those times. Then the kids want to be outside building snowmen or going sledding. We've cut down our Christmas trees ourselves, literally laying in 6+" of snow...more than once. We've done all kinds of things for fun in the cold, because you don't have much choice up north unless you want to live inside 24/7. So yeah, I've been outside in temps southerners will NEVER experience, for hours on end trying to have fun. And so yeah, I will poke fun at southerners who whine when it's 50 degrees outside. Since we've been here in Atlanta, we've seen a total of about 1.5" of snow and the coldest it has gotten is maybe 20 degrees....at 3am...once. Yes, I agree it can get "cold" in Orlando, but it's all relative. Unless it's something that will shatter records, an average cold day in Orlando is downright balmy by the standards of many. Even on a cold day for them, it's nothing you couldn't prepare for and still have fun in.

My post was meant to be tongue in cheek having fun at southern people. Why the cold shoulder? rim shot please...

If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't offended at all. We've only lived in the south a year but I'm a huge baby with the cold (even growing up in MO) I appreciate your honesty & feedback!

 

[hollyrose1313]

We are from northern Minnesota so regularly are well below 0 most of the winter. We go to Disney World every January and must say that we acclimate to the temps very quickly. Our first night there we giggle at all the people bundled up as we comment on how it is 60 or 70 degrees warmer than back home. However by the third night myself and DS are in hoodies, pants, thin gloves or mittens, and hats or headbands. I also recommend packing a blanket for the littles as it helps them to be able to snuggle in while waiting for the parade or fireworks. Have fun and stay warm!

 

[fla4fun]

January temps can be all over the place. I have taken trips where I was bundled up with hat, gloves, and layered clothes, to trips where I never took the jacket out of the closet. Pack for every contingency and then dress according to the daily weather forecast. If dressed appropriately, it won't be too cold to watch fireworks.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

You need to take the Florida dampness into consideration. Cold and damp is different than just cold. I live in CT. 40 degrees here feels a lot warmer than 40 degrees in Florida.

I have been to WDW in December and February. Pack for a variety of weather conditions and you will be fine. Don't forget light gloves. It's surprising how much they help. I found that out one cold February morning in HS where they were selling light gloves for $7. They were the same gloves I can buy anywhere else for $1, except they did have a Mickey head on them. Whenever I go to WDW during the winter months I stock up on light gloves from Walmart to bring with me.

 

[Nancyg56]

You need to take the Florida dampness into consideration. Cold and damp is different than just cold. I live in CT. 40 degrees here feels a lot warmer than 40 degrees in Florida.

I have been to WDW in December and February. Pack for a variety of weather conditions and you will be fine. Don't forget light gloves. It's surprising how much they help. I found that out one cold February morning in HS where they were selling light gloves for $7. They were the same gloves I can buy anywhere else for $1, except they did have a Mickey head on them. Whenever I go to WDW during the winter months I stock up on light gloves from Walmart to bring with me.

I agree, and when you factor the breeze that rolls in off the lake! WE will often run around in sweatshirts here, but I froze in Epcot!

 

[Leelo]

My DH and I went in early January and I remember wearing a sweatshirt and my DH was in short sleeves and we were comfortable BUT when we ate at Cali Grill and watched the fireworks on the observation deck on top of the contemporary, I remember it being FREEEEEZING up there even with my sweatshirt. It was super windy. SO like others said, prepare for a variety of weather conditions and take layers then check the weather on the nights you will be there and wing it as best you can. I know little ones can have a hard time bearing through it when they are uncomfortably chilly. If you have something to carry layers in, you can at least prepare for the worst and store the extra layers in your bag if they aren't needed.

 

[stinkpickle]

Kids won't complain about the cold near as much as adults will...especially at a Disney park.

 

[Leelo]

duplicate

 

[ShannonMB]

We've been in the winter and been quite cold for fireworks. Had to buy a blanket to make it through Fantasmic! this past Feb, but the other nights that week were warmer and we were okay with just our hoodies. We are from Columbus, OH, so we definitely get our share of cold in the winter, and in the day time we are quite happy in the Florida sunshine. But as the sun goes down, it can get downright chilly in the parks!

We usually just wear our light jackets/hoodies, but I like to bring gloves/mittens and scarves. They fit nicely in our park bags and generally do the job. If you have a stroller, won't be as much of an issue. But also we have rented a locker at the front of the park in the past to store our warmies for the day.

I agree the best place for Wishes is outside on Main Street. And the castle projection show just before the fireworks is truly spectacular!