What to pack?

[howedaniel]

First time in California this Christmas, what is the weather like. We are coming from the UK so we are used to cold winter temperatures, the weather looks quite mild.

Any packing tips?

 

[JC1984]

CA winter is mostly sweatshirts and jeans IMO with a short sleeve shirt if the temps get up later in the day

 

[Kit Jackson]

Some of this depends on what you find comfortable. It's the same temperature, but sometimes one person wants a light jacket and the other person is fine in a t-shirt. My first trip to Disneyland was in early January, so I think the weather would be pretty similar to December. I was comfortable in t-shirt and shorts, execept for one day when it was slightly colder and drizzling. I would reccomend packing a light sweater/sweatshirt/(I think they are called jumpers in the UK) or a light jacket in case there is a slightly colder day.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I'm a California resident transplanted from a colder climate, and I find that during the day I'm usually comfortable in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, and I need a jacket once the sun goes down. My California native husband, on the other hand, wears jeans, tshirt, sweatshirt, jacket, scarf and hat during the day and adds a heavy coat and gloves at night while complaining about how cold it is and what kind of crazy person would drag him outside in these temps anyway.

 

[Lm3js]

I was just there and it seemed to take forever for the fog to burn off. I had layers but wished I had a heavier jacket as between the fog, shade and breeze, I got cold quite easily especially on the outside rides that go fast or standing around outside for a parade or long ride line.. I wore pants, a short sleeved shirt, a heavier long sleeved shirt and then light jacket and was cold especially when it got dark. However, a few inside rides, I found that I got stuffy and had to take jacket and LS shirt off.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

First time in California this Christmas, what is the weather like. We are coming from the UK so we are used to cold winter temperatures, the weather looks quite mild.

Any packing tips?

Keep checking the December Check In thread for posts on the weather and ask your question again about a week or so before your trip. That will give you a much more accurate idea of the weather in Anaheim for your trip dates.

 

[lalasmama]

I was at Disneyland this last week. Mid-50s in the daylight, a bit lower in the morning/after dark.

I wore a t-shirt and jeans during the day. Afternoon/after dark I threw on a regular spirit jersey (not one of the cozy warm ones). Totally mad at myself that I didn't pack something warmer, ha! I spent the later evenings just shopping to stay warm.

All that being said, a few years ago, I was there during a cold snap, and needed my heavy coat, beanie hat, scarf and gloves. It was freezing (literally) in the mornings! You just have to watch the weather forecast, and guess a little.

And that's why my husband tells me I overpack, ha!

 

[howedaniel]

Some of this depends on what you find comfortable. It's the same temperature, but sometimes one person wants a light jacket and the other person is fine in a t-shirt. My first trip to Disneyland was in early January, so I think the weather would be pretty similar to December. I was comfortable in t-shirt and shorts, execept for one day when it was slightly colder and drizzling. I would reccomend packing a light sweater/sweatshirt/(I think they are called jumpers in the UK) or a light jacket in case there is a slightly colder day.

That's what I was thinking. We have quite cold temperatures here in the UK at the moment so I think I'm going to feel like it is summer in the California sun haha! I think I will be just pack a combination of layers and a rain jacket. Thanks for your help

 

[howedaniel]

I'm a California resident transplanted from a colder climate, and I find that during the day I'm usually comfortable in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, and I need a jacket once the sun goes down. My California native husband, on the other hand, wears jeans, tshirt, sweatshirt, jacket, scarf and hat during the day and adds a heavy coat and gloves at night while complaining about how cold it is and what kind of crazy person would drag him outside in these temps anyway.

haha this made me laugh! I think we will be like you be happy in a shirt!

 

[howedaniel]

I was just there and it seemed to take forever for the fog to burn off. I had layers but wished I had a heavier jacket as between the fog, shade and breeze, I got cold quite easily especially on the outside rides that go fast or standing around outside for a parade or long ride line.. I wore pants, a short sleeved shirt, a heavier long sleeved shirt and then light jacket and was cold especially when it got dark. However, a few inside rides, I found that I got stuffy and had to take jacket and LS shirt off.

I think we will bring some things we can layer on if it gets cold at night. I can always justify a Spirit Jersey purchase if its a necessity, there are enough of them I have on my list to buy that's for sure haha!

 

[howedaniel]

I was at Disneyland this last week. Mid-50s in the daylight, a bit lower in the morning/after dark.

I wore a t-shirt and jeans during the day. Afternoon/after dark I threw on a regular spirit jersey (not one of the cozy warm ones). Totally mad at myself that I didn't pack something warmer, ha! I spent the later evenings just shopping to stay warm.

All that being said, a few years ago, I was there during a cold snap, and needed my heavy coat, beanie hat, scarf and gloves. It was freezing (literally) in the mornings! You just have to watch the weather forecast, and guess a little.

And that's why my husband tells me I overpack, ha!

\
We are definitely overpackers...better to be safe than sorry!

 

[DLRExpert]

If you are coming from a cold climate or used to the snow, it will feel like spring/summer to you.
You can always tell the locals vs the visitors during the winter because the locals will be bundled up and the visitors will be wearing shorts.
Normally you can wear pants, shirts, and a hoodie in the morning and be fine.
Take the hoodie off during the day once the sun comes out.
At night but the hoodie back on, maybe a warm hat and a light jacket.

 

[l4dyj8]

Layers

(I live in SoCal. Weather changes constantly) week of Thanksgiving was mid 80’s… sleeveless/short sleeves. Was just at DL over the weekend where it was rather chilly. At least in the evenings. There’s been a lot of fog/haze recently. And today there was some sprinkles.

Who knows what Christmas week will be like.
But one thing for sure is thick coats aren’t really necessary. Rather cumbersome. And this fall/winter has been rather warm. I only break out the coat on rainy days.

a funny observations this past weekend was a man in shorts and flip flops but also wearing gloves, scarf and coat

 

[chezcurrie]

I'm a California resident transplanted from a colder climate, and I find that during the day I'm usually comfortable in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt, and I need a jacket once the sun goes down. My California native husband, on the other hand, wears jeans, tshirt, sweatshirt, jacket, scarf and hat during the day and adds a heavy coat and gloves at night while complaining about how cold it is and what kind of crazy person would drag him outside in these temps anyway.

This. Oh this. I am the California transplant now living in Canada - when the hubs and I were there in Oct 2019 (during a heat wave) I made him put the heater on at night when we were driving on the I-5 with the top down. He looked at me like I had lost my marbles. And he wonders why I am always so cold here …..

EDIT: that said, I’ll be packing our lighter winter coats (because I have several for different stages of freezingnes) hats and mitts for our trip next week. Over packers, unite!