What's the weather REALLY like in late January?

[gap2368]

I've been stalking every weather statistic out there but still can't wrap my mind around what it would be like to visit in late January.

1 Are we talking long-sleeved shirts and jeans during the day? Do you ever get to wear shorts?

2 Is swimming out of the question?

3 Is it really uncomfortable to do something like Splash mountain and then walk around a little wet?

4 Would we be bundling up for the fireworks?

I keep telling myself it will be warmer than at home if the average high (71 for January) but if we're there and it's in the 50s during the day will that suck some of the fun out of it?

1 you might be wearing long sleeves my friend did I wear short sleeves

2 the pools are heated

3 if you do not mind getting wet.

4 I froze waiting for illumination I was sitting in world show case and was very cold but just walking around I was a little cold in a sweat shirt

in all honesty it can be very hot or cold if you really want to do splash then do it for the heat of the day

will the cold ruin you vacation only if you let it bring some layers long sleeves a sweet shirt and have fun and remember if you do get cold disney has cloths that you can buy

 

[ariane37]

I have to agree with everyone here who says you just can't predict. We went this past Jan. for a few days over MLK weekend. The week before it was warm, in the high 70's-80's. While we were there we had one day in the low 70's and the rest were in the 50's. Nights were high to low 40's. That was a tad warmer than our Jan. temps back in NY those days but since we normally don't spend 8+ hours outside at a time in Jan. in NY, we were freezing. Plus it was windy, so a couple days we had on our NorthFace jackets and I had on gloves. Even days we didn't wear our coats we had sweatshirts on almost all day, maybe taking them off for an hour or so. And it wasn't as much fun strolling through WS all bundled up yet still icy cold from the wind blowing! But as some have said it can be nice and warm. No help, sorry! Just wanted to give our experience. Also Splash was open and I LOVE it, but couldn't bring myself to ride even during the warmest part of those chilly days.

 

[rpb718]

I still remember the one time we went to WDW in January 2010 and the weather was cool with some nights in the low 30s. I can still feel the breeze cutting right through me one night over at HS. An earlier late February trip was much better - warm enough for a water park. But another trip in early March a few years back was much cooler than expected given that the prior week temps had flirted with 80 - I needed to wear pants in the evenings. Bring the type of clothes that can be combined and worn in layers and adjust as needed.

 

[DOOM1001]

I still remember the one time we went to WDW in January 2010 and the weather was cool with some nights in the low 30s. I can still feel the breeze cutting right through me one night over at HS. An earlier late February trip was much better - warm enough for a water park. But another trip in early March a few years back was much cooler than expected given that the prior week temps had flirted with 80 - I needed to wear pants in the evenings. Bring the type of clothes that can be combined and worn in layers and adjust as needed.

January 2010 was before I started running the RunDisney races but that year is known as the Disney on Ice marathon weekend as it snowed on Saturday for the half marathon and was even colder for the full without snow.I visited around that week and remember it being 28 degrees in the morning and some 14 year old was in the Saratoga Springs pool,I'm sure it was heated but that's right up there in the top 10 craziest things I've seen.

 

[Davey Jones II]

We live in Montreal, so cold is relative. We were in Orlando in December once, and wore shorts and t-shirts for 8/10 days.

What about the first couple weeks of February? Basically the same as January?

 

[Jules76126]

January and February in Orlando can be really hard to predict. I have done two Spring college programs and have had different experiences. Most days, I would wear jeans and a hoodie to the park. Some days I did need to wear a coat depending on the weather. It barely rained at all for those two months which was very nice. However, the nights can be cold, like really really cold. We were issued pea coats to wear and many nights I did wear those coats. We even had to wear hats and gloves some nights. However, some times it is absolutely beautiful and people are walking around in shorts. Layering will be your best friend. All the pools are heated, but most of the people swimming in those months are the kids. Also some resorts shut their pools down for a few weeks during this time for refub so keep that in mind.

 

[kimmyg26]

For the last three years, we have gone in January. It is very hit or miss. This year was very interesting. We were having a blizzard at home in Maryland and were certainly feeling the effects while at Disney. It was COLD! I had packed one very heavy sweatshirt and wore it twice. I have pictures of us watching Illuminations bundled in jackets, sweatshirts, gloves and scarves. Needless to say, the folks back home had no sympathy since they were under 24" of snow.

We certainly do pack for all weather types in January: hats, gloves, jackets, shorts, t-shirts. You just never know. I tend to have way more than I never. While I don't want to be freezing while on vacation, sometimes a little cooler weather makes for a more pleasant experience IMHO.

We tend to suck it up and swim even if its cold because we are on vacation. Last year, we avoided pools the first part of the week. The second part of the week, it was warm enough to swim. This year we swam once.

We rode Splash Mountain numerous times on the warmers days.

 

[EpcotNerd]

Thanks for the feedback... I'm a little worried about talking my husband into this January idea, getting there, and having an un-magical time because we're bundled up and freezing. Playing the weather lottery seems a bit nerve wracking but potential low crowds and the chance it could be in the 70s/80s could be worth it... sigh... Disney problems

 

[wallskm]

We went this past January and had all different weather. We were there for a week and the first few days we started our days in the 30's and needed hats and gloves, then a couple days that trip we wore shorts and t shirts. I would say though my fleece jacket got a lot more use than I thought it would that week. Even the days that were warmer were still cool at night. To be honest I didn't really care for being cold at Disney! I will stick to spring and fall.

And to be honest crowds didn't seem any different than when we go early May. We went on what was supposedly one of the lowest crowd weeks of the year but if there was a difference we didn't notice. We usually go after spring break time but before schools are out for summer.

 

[DavidNYC]

Anywhere from the 30s to the 80s. There's nothing you can do but wait until a few days before and look at the forecast. We've been the the same week in different years in winter coats one year and waterparks the next. A few years ago we had over a 60 degree swing from the coldest to warmest temp in a single week trip.

 

[IndyPirate]

We went in January 2007, and jeans and T-shirts with a light jacket in the morning and at night were just right. And we live in Louisiana, so we're used to a milder winter. Splash Mountain was no problem, but we didn't consider swimming. Layers are a good way to prepare, because the temperature can really vary.

 

[Monkida]

It can vary as others have said. My experience traveling to Florida from Alaska or Minnesota in January is amazing comparatively! I went this year in mid-January and we started our trip with an awesome time at the pool, but ended the trip waking up for rope drop below freezing. Were we prepared? Heck yes! We are (currently) Minnesotans and that is warmer than -30 at home on the same day! Layers are key. We brought gloves and ear warmers and they were well used with our sweatshirts. We also wore shorts this trip, so YMMV.