Your must have gear for cold days in WDW

[emma'smom]

We went over new year's a few years ago and it was freezing! We wore every layer we had with us, bought blankets, sweatshirts, hats, scarves, gloves----but we had capri pants and were very unprepared.

We are heading back for new years again this year and WE ARE DRIVING! Yup...not risking it (and flights were too expensive)...but I'm taking both warmer and colder weather clothing for all. I'm a capris and sweatshirt with t-shirt underneath until 50 degrees or so (it's snowing outside as I type here).... but when it's cold, it's cold!

 

[famy27]

We have the world's worst weather luck. We checked into WDW on January 6, 2010, desperate to get away from the Chicago winter. On January 7th, it got down to 28 degrees while we were at EP, which was the record low for that day. Luckily, since it was well below zero in Chicago, we'd left wearing all of our bulkiest cold weather gear. We wore the full ensemble: hats, mittens, winter coats, warm socks. I think boots were the only things we were missing. By the end of the week, it did warm up, and we thought it was hilarious that the stands at EP that had sweatshirts, scarves, blankets and gloves had sunscreen and beach towels three days later. They can sure swap out their merchandise quickly.

So, our motto now is to be prepared for anything (and to stop traveling in January )

 

[bumbershoot]

Many of us recall early Dec in 2010.

Oh gosh yes. Also, this last January was pretty rotten as well.

We have the world's worst weather luck. We checked into WDW on January 6, 2010, desperate to get away from the Chicago winter

I hear that was the year it sleeted on the marathoners.

 

[ALostBoy]

Hi,
Feb 2004 Cold Weather
This was at nite in Feb. of 2004 we were watching the fireworks.
In this pic the oldest is 7 and the youngest is 3. The 7 yo walked
the whole time until late when it was cold. They kept each other
warm with the blanket. I agree with some other posters, we always
brought extra jackets and such. If our kids were cold it almost
ruined our time. Good luck.

 

[robinb]

My DH and I will be traveling with our 5 year olds and don't plan on bringing strollers (for the first time). Is that a mistake during the colder months?

Yes, that's a mistake. Especially when it's cold and you can throw a light blanket in the stroller for your child. Keep the stroller.

We go every Christmas and New Years and it can get chilly! They key to keeping warm at WDW is layering: T-shirt, sweatshirt/sweater, fleece & waterproof jacket. Strechy gloves are a must and they don't take up a lot of room in your pocket. We usually wear baseball caps, but I also bring ear warmer headbands for myself and my DD. A light stocking cap is good for the males.

 

[ibcnu]

We were in Disney for Christmas week one year during early morning opening hours and it was literally 30 degrees and frost! We didn't have any heavy winter coats with us so we layered. It was FREEZING in the parks that day although it did warm up later that day (not Florida warm), but warm enough where we weren't shivering any longer.

So, unless you are my DH and bring a heavy winter coat (he did, I laughed at him initially, then that day of frigid cold I envied him) - bring lots of long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts!

 

[tzolkin]

From the Great White North we wear the same as July, T-Shirt and Shorts.

As another from a place where 20 below is considered "normal" winter temp, I would strongly disagree with this advice. When it's under 30 degrees, damp, and windy, almost everyone is uncomfortable in shorts and a tshirt. You're not running out to the store or something; at WDW you will be outside at night for hours at a time waiting for parades/fireworks/etc.

Yes, you may luck out with warm weather throughout your trip. But it's also possible to experience sub-freezing temps. I wouldn't risk my family being miserable on vacation just because I'm stubborn and want to prove that "we can handle it"

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

What type of shoes are best for the cold and rainy days in Disney?

 

[kirstenb1]

We used to always go down at that time of year til our kids got too old to be able to pull them out of school. My advice, if you don't already have the 3 in 1 jackets (LL Bean, Lands End, North Face, Columbia etc) get them. That way, you have a rain/wind jacket, plus a fleece layer. Easy to just wear one jacket or the other. Sometimes at WDW, especially in morning or late night, we've needed both layers zipped in.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Flying from Canada, we always have our winter coats anyway. Bring a puffy one that can squish down if needed. You won't need winter boots, but you will need socks, long pants and gloves. And get the stroller. We found that if we did early mornings we needed our coats but by about 10 am we didn't, and the stroller held all that stuff the rest of the day. I have my runners for footwear on those days too - swap out to flipflops if it gets hot.

 

[Grumpy92]

The wind coming off the WS lake can make it very chilly. Layers is the key. I always bring a hoodie/windbreaker. Never fail to come in handy.

As for the stroller I would give it a try without one, then if you need to rent it.

 

[Kay1]

It's pretty chilly right now and the temp should fall to 39 tonight. Guess that's not too bad but gusts of wind are predicted that can make things uncomfortable. Something that keeps you warm and blocks the wind would be perfect.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Sweatshirt and fleece lined windbreaker jacket (it's also a rain jacket in case that comes up).