What to Pack for early January?

[have2getaway]

I'm curious as to what we should pack for a January 7th to Jan 14th trip? Will we want to bring any shorts? Will we need sunglasses? Also, I seldom wear sneakers unless working out, but I know I will want something comfortable for the parks. I typically wear shoe boots with pants, but know I can't last in those all day at the parks. I've thought about buying dansko's or similar. It's a total fashion struggle. What has worked for everyone else? Will a tee shirt and north face fleece be warm enough most days? Help!!

 

[JustMeFran]

We will be there the same time!
This year in January there I wore Jeans, t-shirt and a zip hoodie and took the hoodie off during the day. Maybe 1 day I woe shorts and 1 day I wish I had a pair of gloves and we did go swimming 2 times! For footwear, I switch between New Balance sneakers and my Keen hiker.
I am from New Hampshire, so I Like it cooler =)

 

[rteetz]

Bring everything lol. I have been there twice in early January now and will be there again during that time. Temps can range from 40-85 degrees. I always pack shorts but bring a pair or two of pants as well, and maybe a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

I would check the weather report before you leave. The temperature can vary a lot in January. One time we were there it was so cold we all wore our pajamas under our clothes to the parks for a few days. And hats and gloves! I hope you have a great trip with mild weather!

 

[HopperFan]

LAYERS!

The temperatures can be a wide range each day and from morning until night.

DS has done the marathon in long legs/sleeves, shorts and short sleeves, and shorts and topless.

We find we are very happy to have shorts & jeans, tshirts and sweatshirts .....
.... and thankful the one year we had heavy coats as the temps dropped to freezing.

 

[Vijoge]

Swim suits and long underwear. Flip flops and mittens.

 

[minnieandtink]

We will there also. Yes, plan for all of it. We have been before after Christmas through New Years and have needed it all so that's my plan. Check it before we leave but bring a variety!

 

[have2getaway]

Thanks so much! We are from Northern NY and don't mind cool weather. I just want to be prepared! I've been at Thanksgiving before and it was still pretty hot.

 

[happiest place]

Sneakers are a must with all the walking you will be doing! Also check the weather right before you go to kind of guide you. Have a great trip!!

 

[melanielll]

We were there last January. Looking at the pictures - we were in shorts for a few days, jeans with light jackets for a few days and coats for a few days. As the weather people say - it's a mixed bag. Layers is the way to go. Also - don't believe the weather forecasts before you leave. They were consistently off by about 15 degrees for half of the days that we were there.

 

[Anniefrances]

At this time of year we usually feel comfortable in jeans and tee shirts by day and bring a light jacket or sweatshirt if we don't plan going back to the room for a break. Although it can be warm and sunny during the day it doesn't feel as hot as during the summer. Then in the evenings it cools down quickly, to the point of being cold if you don't have a long sleeve layer. I think your plan of tees and a fleece sounds spot on.

 

[mountdew1]

Layers. Even if it's a high of 70-80 it will still very likely drop down into the upper 40s-low 50s overnight. So you may start the day with long sleeves a jacket and pants, want shorts and a tshirt in the afternoon, and then your jacket and pants again for fireworks. Many of our trips have been in early January, and we have seen everything from freezing temps to high 80s over the years. A good set of layers can cover you for all of those temp swings in a single day and take up less room than a big bulky jacket that you want to stuff in a locker cause it's s huge.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Remember Jan. is Florida's coldest month

 

[Pink Pajamas]

We've gone several times in January. We've been hot. We've been cold. (really cold). We've gone swimming, yet some years we wouldn't dare. We've gotten sunburn in January! For shoes, regardless of the time of year I always take a few pairs of sneakers even though at home I reserve them for the gym or running. I also take sandals, flip flops, and in winter ankle boots. I make sure I have appropriate footwear if we have adult evenings planned. I take a lot of shoes because when I'm on my feet all day walking for miles, many days in a row, I do best if I can change things up. As for sunglasses- absolutely, always.

 

[kamerino]

As a Floridian, I can tell you that everyone here is absolutely correct... the temps vary wildly, and can even vary between days in your trip. The best thing to do is to check the weather a few days before your trip, and plan accordingly. And if it's cold in the mornings, layer, don't wear heavy clothing, because it will get much warmer by mid-day, then cold again as the sun sets.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Pack for the average with one outfit for each extreme. Especially for cold. Record lows that week can be in the low 20's. With a nice breeze that can be quite chilly! But the cold doesn't usually last for more than a day or two.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Definitely plan to layer your clothes. We have been several times when it was 75 and very nice but once it was 40! I always pack a scarf and gloves because just adding that makes a light weight jacket much warmer. I really dont like wearing a heavy coat around the parks....they just are not comfortable. I usually wear a medium weight top under a light to medium weight jacket and add the scarf and gloves if needed....and the scarf and gloves dont take up a lot of space

 

[Kiersten]

Thanks for posting this! I was just about to ask because I go the first week of January. I have family in Tampa and they said to pack layers. Florida sounds a lot like the area of Virginia I live in. Some days it can be warm (Christmas two years ago, I was wearing shorts!) or cold (like today it's in the 30s). I guess it's good to pack a bit of every type of clothing just in case. I'd rather bring too much than too little and be miserable.

 

[NicoleA]

Newbie here! Is there a local weather station y'all recommend to check the weather for temps before we go? Meaning, a forecaster who is usually right?

 

[KangaFan]

Don't forget to throw some laundry stuff in your checked bag--that way if you end up wearing cold weather clothes in the morning and shorts in the afternoon, you can wash and re-use.