Weather and what to pack

[CaryHaven]

When we went in November a few years ago, they said it was uncharacteristically hot. We wore shorts all the time and swam at night without being a problem. I'm reading temps are ranging from upper 50's at night and low 80s in the daytime right now. I've also heard it's quite windy. I honestly haven't checked the humidity. Can we just do shorts and tees again? We'll have jackets at night if we need. Should I forget any night swimming?

***Edited to add "in November" since it wasn't clear.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Everyone is different. I'm from NY. When I go to Disney in December, I typically bring down jeans and long-sleeve shirts. It tends to get colder, so I pack in layers. But what's cold for me may be warm for someone from Canada or Alaska!

This time of year, as well as December and part of January is what I like to call "weather roulette." You never know what you're gonna get!

I like to pack in layers. Normally, a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt and jeans will do the job. I bring one hooded sweatshirt, a sweater or two and I wear my winter coat down. I also bring down one rain jacket (a thin North Face,) and I pack for summer weather with shorts and short-sleeve shirts.

If it's unseasonably warm, I'll wear shorts and my t-shirts.

If it's a little cooler, I'll layer - a short-sleeve shirt with a long-sleeve button-down shirt and jeans.

If it's chilly, I'll throw a hooded sweatshirt on or wear a sweater over my shirt for a nice dinner.

If it's cold, I'll layer all of the above and wear my winter coat.

Bring down some gloves, a hat and a scarf. People look at me funny when I say this, but it does get cold in Florida!

Hand warmers - they sell the 99-cent packs of them - are my secret weapon. You keep them in your pockets or gloves and they keep your warms nice and toasty!

Check the weather a few days before your trip - as close as possible. If the high is in the 70s, you should be content all trip. If it's mid 60s, it WILL be cold at night. Normally, if it's in the 50s or 60s in the daytime, it will dip into the 40s at night. If it's cloudy in the daytime it will definitely be cooler at night.

We've only been there one year when it was COLD. It was in 2010 (I believe) when the blizzard took out the Northeast. I guess it sent some cold down our way. Otherwise, Disney gets this chill at night if it's cold. It's not quite "blistering cold" but it's a chill you can't seem to shake. Must be the humidity or being by the water.. Who knows.. But I always pack a bunch of layers and/or a nice thermal to put under my shirts.

 

[ZoZo]

OP, you don't say when you're going. I'm assuming you're going soon? If so, this time of year it's best to pack a little bit of everything. Florida weather can be very unpredictible. You might have "shorts" weather for part of your trip, but find you need long pants, a warm jacket, and gloves just a day or two later. Even weather forecasts aren't much of a help, because things can change so quickly.

I once went on a mid-October trip. The first week, it was mid-90s and very humid. I had checked the forecast before leaving and packed mostly shorts, sleeveless tops and sandals. Well, about Day 8 or 9, we had a cold snap. The weather dropped about 30 degrees overnight, and it was very windy. I hadn't packed the right things for layering - I did my best, but was still quite cold. I was hesitant to buy expensive WDW clothing ($60 for a sweatshirt!) two days before the end of my trip, so I just made do. But man, I was cold!

So now, every trip, I always pack at least one pair of long pants, warm socks, a warm jacket, sweatshirt, raingear and gloves. Plus a swimsuit and shorts! Pack a little of everything, plan to layer, and you'll be fine.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I like to pack a little bit of everything. Usually a good sweatshirt or a jacket will suffice but maybe pack at least one pair of pants just in case it's a bit chilly one night. I always take at least one pair of gloves too but that's because a chilly night outdoors riding outdoor rides can get cold.

 

[JennyDrake]

OP, you don't say when you're going. I'm assuming you're going soon? If so, this time of year it's best to pack a little bit of everything. Florida weather can be very unpredictible. You might have "shorts" weather for part of your trip, but find you need long pants, a warm jacket, and gloves just a day or two later. Even weather forecasts aren't much of a help, because things can change so quickly.

So now, every trip, I always pack at least one pair of long pants, warm socks, a warm jacket, sweatshirt, raingear and gloves. Plus a swimsuit and shorts! Pack a little of everything, plan to layer, and you'll be fine.

DITTO!!!

I may have missed where you are from? I am from TN and I think anything below 72 is Arctic! With that said, I've had several trips with friends from central to northern Indiana and Illinois and all were unpleasantly surprised at at the *damp* Florida cold. Layers are indeed the answer and don't forget the gloves!

 

[nkereina]

We leave next week and went the same time last year. Being from the north, we found it comfortable enough to wear t-shirts and capris (or shorts) during the day. We'd typically return to the resort for a mid-day break and when we'd go back out at night, we'd throw on a hoodie with our capris. Didn't find pants necessary. We did find it hard to fit in swimming time - weather was borderline too cold for us, or it was overcast which made it feel cooler.

 

[CaryHaven]

DITTO!!!

I may have missed where you are from? I am from TN and I think anything below 72 is Arctic! With that said, I've had several trips with friends from central to northern Indiana and Illinois and all were unpleasantly surprised at at the *damp* Florida cold. Layers are indeed the answer and don't forget the gloves!

Sorry, everyone! I thought I'd originally put in that I was traveling in November, but I didn't. (fixed it.) Jenny, I'm also from TN (near Nashville) and I enjoy 70 degree weather. I would have never thought to bring gloves in my wildest dreams. Because the last November I was there, I kept thinking "This is crazy, sweaty, nasty hot." Until I went in September the next year. That put it in perspective. I don't think I can believe August being any hotter than that September was.

 

[CaryHaven]

Also, for our LO's (2 and 5), I'm wondering if I should bring pants, gloves, and a jacket all the time with us...does the weather ever change out-of-the-blue from hot to really cold when the sun sets?

 

[kaguilbeau]

I'm from the south too. What I have had to do is check the current temperature in my hometown, then decide how I would want to dress for that temperature. If it was 59 degrees, would I want to add a sweatshirt. Silly as it might sound, since I work inside all week, I don't really know if 59 degrees is uncomfortable outside or not!

Now that our trip is in two days, I have checked weatherunderground for the Disney forecast. Even though it is only a forecast, I have an idea of what each day would be like, and how to pack. The key for me was to determine at what temperature I would want to add layers.

 

[Heckah]

We went last week and messed up. Checked out the forecast before we went and saw mid 80's all week. Then suddenly last Saturday and Sunday ended up being low-mid 60s. Saturday was windy too, we fortunately had the clothes we traveled from Massachusetts with, but we ended up spending $120 or so on hoodies in the parks because we will ill-prepared for colder weather.

 

[kerplop]

Where I live has the same weather pattern usually as Orlando, so I'll tell you what I can. November - any time in the month - can see just about any weather imaginable. For example this week it was 80 today and tomorrow is slated to be 68. It's not strange to us at all to have one day be 75 and the next 55 with high winds. When we go to WDW (or any trips really) between November and March, we pack a little of everything! Then again we drive, so I know bringing a jacket is not a big deal for us like it would be for those flying, but if you have to buy one at the parks you'll wish you'd brought it. Layers! That's the key to all of it honestly.

 

[Canuckbiggs]

GLOVES - in FLA in November? Seriously people?



Unless I am making snowballs or scraping the ice off the car I'm not wearing gloves.

We leave on Thursday. I'll bring a pair of pants "just in case" it is cool at night. But I suspect most park days will be sandals, shorts, t-shirt and a long sleeve shirt that gets peeled off by 10 am.

 

[ksueboo]

We are from Indiana. Three years ago we went to Disney in November and it was cold enough that we wore hoodies and those cheap $1 gloves in the evenings. And I would say we are fairly used to cold temps...
You just never know.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

GLOVES - in FLA in November? Seriously people? Unless I am making snowballs or scraping the ice off the car I'm not wearing gloves. We leave on Thursday. I'll bring a pair of pants "just in case" it is cool at night. But I suspect most park days will be sandals, shorts, t-shirt and a long sleeve shirt that gets peeled off by 10 am.

The OP didn't originally state when they were traveling. Have you been to WDW when temps got down to 30's? (I have) I assure you being outside in 30 degree weather for a few hours makes some appreciate bringing a pair of gloves. Of course we aren't all from Canada either.

 

[kmb584]

I just started packing about 30 minutes ago (we arrive on Saturday!) and mostly packed short sleeved tops and denim capris for me, and sundresses for my daughter. We'll be wearing cold weather clothes on the airplane so we'll each have at least one cardigan and long pair of pants, but I'll be adding an extra cardigan for each of us too. If it gets really chilly I'll buy sweaters or something onsite.

 

[DebbieB]

We went last week and messed up. Checked out the forecast before we went and saw mid 80's all week. Then suddenly last Saturday and Sunday ended up being low-mid 60s. Saturday was windy too, we fortunately had the clothes we traveled from Massachusetts with, but we ended up spending $120 or so on hoodies in the parks because we will ill-prepared for colder weather.

That happened to us once in mid November. Brought a bunch of shorts and it ended up being highs of mid 60's most of the time. When it's mid 60's during the day, it gets cold after dark. One time in early December I brought gloves, my mom laughed at me. Guess who bought gloves there?

 

[Seeker615]

We were in Orlando last year around this time.

We had beautiful weather the first three days but the last two days were mid 60's and breezy. Being from New York it was still pretty warm to us so it was funny seeing some of the hotel staff bundled up in sweats and hoodies and we were walking around in t-shirts and sandals.

 

[ellie05]

We have been there in nov before and we will be there in 10 days. Some of the days we were able to wear shorts but the mornings and nights you needed a sweater for sure. This time I am not bringing shorts. I am layering I will be wearing jeans, a shirt, a long sleeve button up and a sweatshirt. Through out the day I'll probably end up taking the layers off and at night I'll be putting them back on. Our February trip had some of the same temperatures forecasted and at 68 with rain and wind was really cold, I actually end up wearing my uggs to the part because I was freezing.