Very Cold Today (Jan. 8th) - Which Park

[have2getaway]

We are currently at Disney and having a great vacation. It was cold yesterday, but that doesn't bother us as we're from northern NY. Anyway, just wondering what would be the best Park on a cold day? Are all of the parks virtually outside or are there some that offer more coverage. We do have our warm winter coats with us. There is a wind advisory today so just want to make the most of our day. Our kids weren't cold at all yesterday but the park emptied out because others said they were freezing. Should we try to hit a busy park and make the most of low crowds due to weather or hit Disney Springs while it's cold? Just looking for suggestions? We were going to go to Disney Springs Sat, but it will be 80.

 

[jlnten17]

When we were there last January it was freezing, but we are from Northern IL so we weren't phased. We rope dropped Epcot and it was so empty. I'd make the most of the low crowds in your favorite park depending on which rides you like best.

 

[yulilin3]

There's no real better park in the cold...AK tends to be the coldest when it's cold and hottest when it's hot.
Epcot has pavilions that will allow more time inside, The Land, Nemo, Imagination. But then you are just walking around World Showcase, all outside
I say go wherever you feel like it.
Today is the last day for Starbright drone show at Disney Springs, that's at 7pm and 8:30pm so something to consider if you want to go in the evening

 

[snowybelle]

Here now, leaving today but YES it is COLD!

If it were me, I'd hit Hollywood Studios and try for multiple rides on Toy Story early, a few rounds of Tower of Terror, Star Tours, the Frozen Singalong (so funny), and some indoor classics like Muppets and Great Movie Ride.

Epcot also has a lot of indoor stuff BUT it's so huge and you'll be running around out in the cold to get from attraction to attraction...

I've been to MK when it's been this cold and as much as I love that park when it's a bit quieter, I'm just not a fan of being there in this kind of weather.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We are currently at Disney and having a great vacation. It was cold yesterday, but that doesn't bother us as we're from northern NY. Anyway, just wondering what would be the best Park on a cold day? Are all of the parks virtually outside or are there some that offer more coverage. We do have our warm winter coats with us. There is a wind advisory today so just want to make the most of our day. Our kids weren't cold at all yesterday but the park emptied out because others said they were freezing. Should we try to hit a busy park and make the most of low crowds due to weather or hit Disney Springs while it's cold? Just looking for suggestions? We were going to go to Disney Springs Sat, but it will be 80.

I would not go to Animal Kingdom because some of the animals may be kept inside on a very cold day and you wouldn't get to see them. Go to your favorite park and enjoy a less crowded experience.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Today is the Disney Marthon so Epcot will be logistically kinda of a PIA this morning but in terms of warmth would likely rank on par with Magic Kingdom. AK would likely be the "coldest" but will have the lightest crowds.

In my opinion, the best park is always the least crowded park so my answer today would be AK and the worst park would be Epcot since it will be the busiest.

 

[mom2rtk]

MK is always the best park, rain, shine, cold or hot.

 

[Aurora0427]

I would not go to AK.... as previous poster said, you may have some of the animals put up. I'd go to MK and take advantage of the low crowds or Epcot, as those are my faves!

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I'd probably do a short,early day at HS, ride some of the typically busier rides, then head over to the springs. Bowl, shop, see a movie, do warm indoor stuff. But I can't stand the cold, so that definitely effects my planning

 

[Disneylover99]

If you're dressed warm, I'd walk around WS. I hate riding rides when I'm wearing coats or bulky sweaters.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

EP is always our bad weather go-to park. Especially FW - the rides are inside and there is always something interactive to do at the end. Wander the aquarium, play the games at the end of Spaceship Earth, Mission Space and TT, do the Glidden exhibit in Innoventions. You have 2 rides in the Land and, with Sunshine Seasons there, you can grab some coffee, lunch or a snack. WS is a little trickier, but the Mexico pavilion is lovely inside and you have a few movies and exhibits you can do inside in some of the other pavilions.

I, personally, wouldn't want to do any fast, outdoor rides in cold weather!

 

[Spork24]

I agree on avoiding AK. All 3 other parks have advantages in super cold days. MK is soooo much fun on low crowd days, but 3 of 4 headline thrill rides are outdoors. HS nearly every ride is inside. Epcot lots of indoor rides including all headliners with exception of end of TT. Epcot also has the large indoor pavilions.

If it was me, I would pick MK or Epcot depending on how the rest of my trip was laid out!

 

[SaintsManiac]

MK or HS

 

[elizabethswan]

Today is the Disney Marthon so Epcot will be logistically kinda of a PIA this morning but in terms of warmth would likely rank on par with Magic Kingdom. AK would likely be the "coldest" but will have the lightest crowds.

In my opinion, the best park is always the least crowded park so my answer today would be AK and the worst park would be Epcot since it will be the busiest.

i agree, we were at epcot on marathon day once and it was a total pita. no offense to all of you amazing runners out there because i admire what you are doing, but they would hold the rest of us in small areas for fairly prolonged periods while the runners went by. people who were trying to get to adr's in world showcase were very upset because they were missing their reservation times. we got held by great britain in a little roped off triangle and almost missed our lunch adr. they also hold people up over by mousegears but it isn't as much of a bottleneck as in the great britain side of world showcase. in the future we plan on avoiding epcot on race days. jmho

 

[OchreHand]

Welp I'm at AK and yeah it is cold! And there is a wind that isn't helping.

A lot of the animals are not out so that's a disappointment, but I just finished an early delicious lunch at Yak and Yeti so things aren't too bad

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We always pick Epcot for our bad weather park, especially if some of your group is sitting and waiting while other ride. You can be inside most of the day in Future world.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

MK and bundle up. Best compromise of more to do with less walking between shelter opportunities vs. the other parks.

 

[have2getaway]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We did end up going to Animal Kingdom and it was a BIG mistake. It was freezing! We managed, but had to make a return trip to see many of the animals due to the cold.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

We went to MK that day and stayed through Wishes. I don't think I took my winter hat off once, but still, any day at DW is a good day. I'd gladly take 55 degrees at MK than what I've got now.

 

[have2getaway]

We went to MK that day and stayed through Wishes. I don't think I took my winter hat off once, but still, any day at DW is a good day. I'd gladly take 55 degrees at MK than what I've got now.

Oh, I completely agree. We left single digit weather to go to Disney so we were prepared with winter coats. We had a good day, but I just think we should have changed our plan and gone to either Magic Kingdom or Epcot.