Too cold to watch Wishes outside??

[Klayfish]

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.

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...

 

[cel_disney]

In December 2010 we spent a week in Disney with our 4 month old and our 4 year old. The only thing that I won't do again is ride Dumbo when it's in the 30s!

We are from MA so we were good with layers and our bodies were okay with the cold.

Yes - it can be chilly! But with some hot chocolate and a blanket AND the right attitude - it can be magical!

December 2010 was unusually cold - in the 30s several days. While we are not repeating it - it was great because the crowds stayed low until the sun came out!!

 

[Robo]

1. If you choose 'Ohana, and again, make that ADR soon, you will probably not see Wishes from inside the restaurant.

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

1. We dine at 'Ohana twice each WDW trip (dozens of meals there) and never have NOT seen the MK fireworks from the restaurant
if we were there during the shows. You might not get to see them FROM your table, but most of the dining room has MK (south) facing picture windows, and (if you need to/want to) you can stand and find a spot to view the fireworks (about 12 min.) then return to your table after to finish your meal. But, really, there are a lot of 'Ohaha tables with a view of MK.

2. And generally, more expensive.

 

[ktlm]

Having been to WDW multiple times in December, including when DD was 2 and 4 (age 6 I can't remember if we were there in October or December- that might have been December too), I can tell you that the high that day might be 80 degrees or it might be 50 degrees. You might still be in shorts and short sleeved shirts in the evening and be fine, or you might be in coats and gloves. We have been in both in the same week. Either way, I would not consider it too cold to have the kids outside for fireworks. DD happily stayed in MK until close in coat and gloves even though it was in the 40s and we were all cold. We were having a wonderful time.

 

[han22735]

Its so hard to plan until a few days before...We went last january and swam one day and in winter hats, gloves and multiple layers the next. It was never too cold to watch the night time events.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just thinking is the dessert party outside of inside? Not sure on your budget but if that is sheltered and you have budget I have heard it is nice.

 

[glassslippergirl]

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.

Before you laugh too hard at the schools in Florida that cancel recess in cold weather, remember that most kids in Florida don't have clothing appropriate for -2 degree temperatures with snow. I am a life-long Floridian. As a child, I never had more than a jacket and sweatshirt that I could wear together on the coldest days. I maintain the same for my DS4. It would be wasteful to buy and then store heavy coats for the few days of cold we have each year. It is a better choice to just change our behavior on those few days.

OP, like others have said, the cold is a matter of perspective. If you think you'll be uncomfortable waiting outside, then you can't go wrong with dinner at CG. The view of the fireworks over the castle is a little skewed but still amazing. Have a great trip.

 

[Anal Annie]

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!

Depends on where you're from & your own personal tolerance for cold (and of course what you consider "cold"). We have been to WDW 3 or 4 times in January (1st week and over MLK weekend) and have had a variety of weather - but nothing that we couldn't just dress appropriately for. We're from Maryland and no matter how cold it's been in FL it's always been a LOT warmer there than it was at home. We bring our "packable down" jackets & lightweight gloves (we need jackets for before & after at home anyway). With the packable jackets they squish down into small drawstring bags that we can stuff into a backpack during the day and we can pull them out for early mornings & evenings when the sun goes down as needed. Our DS is now in college in Western NY (Rochester) and last January his tolerance for the cold was much higher than mine and he pretty much just wore a long sleeved shirt & a hoodie all week.

We have never been when it was "too cold" for anything other than swimming as long as we dressed for the weather.

 

[Accident]

If you're prepared you might need to bundle up or somewhere inbetween but I find it rough to want to leave MK just because it's colder out.

A good plan B if you really decide you can't stay out is walk over to contemporary and watch from the 4th floor (free).

 

[Nancyg56]

1. We dine at 'Ohana twice each WDW trip (dozens of meals there) and never have NOT seen the MK fireworks from the restaurant
if we were there during the shows. You might not get to see them FROM your table, but most of the dining room has MK (south) facing picture windows, and (if you need to/want to) you can stand and find a spot to view the fireworks (about 12 min.) then return to your table after to finish your meal. But, really, there are a lot of 'Ohaha tables with a view of MK.

2. And generally, more expensive.

You think so? I did not find that there were many with a view, and probably would not get up if I was towards the back of the restaurant. Truth is that I never thought bout his restaurant as a Wishes viewing one, so maybe that why I never send folks there if the want to dine and watch Wishes.

You are on the mark that it is pricy!

 

[jaysmom4285]

Check the weather forecast a day or so before you leave. It won't be all that accurate for rain and sun for any extended period, but it will give you a good idea of the general temperature trend for your vacation week. If it looks unseasonably chilly, pack more layers and fleece . If it appears to be more toward the mild side, you can adjust accordingly.

 

[DebbieB]

I remember the first time I saw Wishes it was early December and I was standing in the middle of Main Street with my teeth chattering. I'm from PA.

 

[Robo]

A good plan B if you really decide you can't stay out is walk over to contemporary and watch from the 4th floor (free).

4th Floor viewing at CR is also outdoors on an open deck.


Photo found on-line.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I remember the first time I saw Wishes it was early December and I was standing in the middle of Main Street with my teeth chattering. I'm from PA.

Anyone who was there in early December 2010 will always remember those days. I sure do and from Chicago here. Had my winter coat, gloves, hat.

Other years quite warm/hot, especially during the day. Evenings, most years, are at least chilly.

 

[iowacedar]

It depends on your definition of "cold". Your time frame is nearly identical when my family visits. Being from Iowa, we find the low 60's at the start of "Wishes" t-shirt and shorts weather for the adults, with fleeces for the kids more that adequate.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Up north, we all hang out in rail yards in the dark to see the CP Christmas Train perform. Now, yes, we do have the clothing for it, but if you're from the south you can fake it pretty well if the temp is ~40ish.

Here's what you do:

- long sleeve shirt
- hoody/sweatshirt
- wind jacket or rain jacket like object with hood
- knit hat
- mittens if absolutely need be

The key to temperature adaptation, regardless of what you're normally used to, is layering. Even from somewhere not-cold, most people will have some long-sleeve shirts, a hoody, and some form of wind layer.

 

[angierae]

We were in Orlando in January this year (around the 12th) and it was chilly, but it was "hoodie and jeans" chilly, not "can't bear to be outside" chilly. (And I'm cold if it gets below 70, so.)

 

[Maddysdaddy]

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.

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...

 

[Dan Murphy]

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.

So very true. Low 20's at Disney World feels like zero and below here in Chicago. Lived here for 72 years, know well what cold is. I have been at WDW in early December about 15 years, weather is quite variable. Bring a bit of everything, hope for warmth. If not, you are prepared and don't have to buy the costly blankets, sweat shirts, etc that they roll out into the parks.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

rom what I understand, the average low for January is about 50 degrees. Since we are from Michigan, that is like balmy to us,

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.

ETA - Cali Grill viewing is nice but can be windy, the view is great but nothing like being in front of the castle.