What do you do with all of your "layers" on a day that requires layers?

[iujen94]

We are heading to WDW on Wednesday and looks like we are in for some chilly temperatures, especially in the morning and at night. I'm guessing we will need lots of layers, including relatively warm jackets that we won't need during the day. What do you do with all of your extra "layers" during the parts of the day when you don't need them? I know my boys (DS8 and DS11) are going to hate carrying around their jackets all day, but I fear that either I will become a pack animal/sherpa or jackets will get left behind on rides. Any suggestions?? Does Disney have lockers where we could store them? This makes me miss our stroller days!

ETA: Well, I discovered that the parks do have lockers (duh, should have searched for that first) - is that my best option? They don't seem incredibly conveniently located (or cheap!), and we are pretty hardcore park commandos - not sure if my crew will tolerate pitstops to the lockers, but they may prefer that to lugging their jackets around if that's our best option. Thanks!!

 

[100acreHiker]

I usually wear a short sleeved shirt with a zip-up hoodie or cardigan over that, and as the day warms up, I tie the cardigan around my waist. We used to have a stroller with us, so that was an awesome place to store layers and extra stuff, but now we have to be really thoughtful about what we bring into the park, because I am not going to carry my kids' stuff on top of my stuff around for 8 hours!

 

[tnolan]

For us it would be a choice between large backpacks and the lockers. Personally I'd use the lockers. Anyone else?

 

[Disneylover99]

I just dress in layers and tie sweatshirts/coats around my waist as I go.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

I bring and empty tote to put layers in or stop a gift shop and get and empty bag to carry by layers around.

 

[rajak73]

We just rented a locker in December, $12 deposit, $5 returned when key returned, so only $7 for all day rental, worked great for us.

 

[si-am]

Backpack. The lockers aren't really in convenient locations because they are at entrances. Don't feel like doubling back to stow stuff!

The key is to bring easily packable items and not huge puffy coats.

 

[rosieposy]

I tie my sweatshirt around my waist and anything else goes in a backpack.

 

[sharona]

I use my bag. It's a messenger type and is expandable. Easily fits my jacket, camera, personal items, sunblock etc. They key was mentioned above - jackets/pullovers must be easily packable and not a bulky hoodie or a puffy type coat. There are some nice light materials out there that really keep you warm and dry, pricey but worth it. And as for my DD12 she has her own small backpack that she uses for her layers and water bottle.

I agree the current locker locations are awful. Something midway in would be ideal but I guess they do not want to use up prime park space for something like that.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Little tip - it really hasn't been that cold. I wore a very light sweater today, and ended up sweating. Would have rather worn a long sleeved t-shirt or a shirt and very light jacket/sweater that was easily put in purse. But I did wear jeans and close-toed shoes, although could have worn nice open-toed shoes/sandals. It has been slightly nippy at night, but that's only when it's around 8/9pm.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We still use a stroller, so what fits there is placed there and other items are tied around the waist.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We use the lockers at each park. It's supposed to hit the low 30's this week which isn't cold to a lot of people but in some of th parks it can be brutal.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We switch parks around lunchtime and leave anything extra in the car - obviously that only works if you drive and park hop.

 

[GatorMama]

I'm cold natured so I would need my stuff on all day. Probably a parka. And hand warmers.

 

[SeilerBird]

If you delay your entrance into the park until around 10am and leave by 5pm you won't need layers.

 

[maxiesmom]

If it stays a bit on the chilly side I tie my sweatshirt around my waist. If it gets really warm I rent a locker and stuff it into that.

 

[mrsksmithvt]

Invest in windbreakers. Years ago we bought WDW light blue ones that fold into the front pocket and fit in our backpack, or easily clip on to the strap. Coleman Ponchos work as well for water rides and blocking the wind at Illuminations, or something to sit on waiting for a parade. I am from Vermont and I am the one in January with flip flops and Capris when it is 45 degrees and sunny.

 

[mountdew1]

As a few people mentioned, good layers are thin and light, and don't take up that much space if you have to pack them up as it gets warmer. Lots of people think that they need thick hoodies or bulky puffer jackets to stay warm, when the same can be accomplished through several long sleeve base and mid layers. A good windproof/waterproof shell (one of the reasons I advocate getting a good rain jacket instead of cheap ponchos) does wonders to keep you warm, along with a good long sleeve shirt, light weight mid layer, and a vest should be more than sufficient for most people. Don't forget a hat and gloves, you lose an obscene amount of heat through your head and a baseball hat doesn't cut it. But I can pack all those layers in a space that is smaller than my DSLR.

 

[pjhootch]

If the weather is really uncomfortably cold in the morning, we use the lockers sometimes if we wind up too overdressed later in the day. I guess we abuse my husband, because normally we send him on a trip to rent a locker instead of all of us trooping back towards the entrance. If it is just chilly in the morning instead of downright cold, we are likely to tolerate it and just dress for afternoon temperatures and tough it out. We don't shop at Disney for souvenirs in general, but if we get cold at night we just buy a sweatshirt in the park.

 

[CAS239]

We either bring them to the car then go back in the park. Or park hop and leave them in the car then.