Clothes to Pack in Early October

[Tom P.]

Hi folks,

I wasn't 100% sure which forum to post this in. Mods, please feel free to move it if there's a better fit.

Anyway, we're taking a trip to Disney World in early October this year. There will be seven of us -- two adults and five young children, ages 8 and under.

Question: I've never been to central Florida in the Fall. I know it's going to be a lot warmer than what I'm used to further north. But just what should we be expecting and packing for? Are we going to all be fine with shorts, t-shirts, and the like? Or do we need to be counting on cooler weather? Are the days going to differ significantly from the evenings? Etc.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[englanddg]

October will be highs in the low 80s, with days being in the high 70s, low 80s (most likely). At night it will drop to the low 70s / mid 60s.

For me, that's shorts weather...but you'd be comfortable in jeans as well...

 

[sxeensweet]

Pack a variety of clothes and light layers. Sometimes it's hot and sometimes it's cooler in the evenings where you might want pants or a light jacket. You just never know is the south in the fall. I'm from south Louisiana and our weather is very similar to WDW area. When we go in Oct which we are this year we pack mostly for warm but also have light hoodies, light windbreaker etc just in case for the evenings.
Just check the 10-15 day weather forecast right before but also know this can change while yall are there. You are from the north so you will probably find it warm the whole time even if it's a little cooler in the evenings. Usually there is a little less humidity starting in October as well.

 

[sxeensweet]

October will be highs in the low 80s, with days being in the high 70s, low 80s (most likely). At night it will drop to the low 70s / mid 60s.

For me, that's shorts weather...but you'd be comfortable in jeans as well...

I have seen mid 80's -90's in Oct also and in December when we like to go, go figure. Haha! But also have been freezing with lots of cold wind (December) Lol.
But yes your temp estimates are about right for their trip.

 

[englanddg]

I have seen mid 80's -90's in Oct also and in December when we like to go, go figure. Haha! But also have been freezing with lots of cold wind (December) Lol.
But yes your temp estimates are about right for their trip.

There can be fluke days (as you said, it is the south)...this past year was really odd, with a lot more colder days than I expected.

Orlando weather is generally pretty close to what I get here in Atlanta, but their seasons are a bit off ours (about a month earlier for "spring" and a month later for "fall"), and of course they don't get much in the way of what most would consider "winter"...

 

[sxeensweet]

There can be fluke days (as you said, it is the south)...this past year was really odd, with a lot more colder days than I expected.

Orlando weather is generally pretty close to what I get here in Atlanta, but their seasons are a bit off ours (about a month earlier for "spring" and a month later for "fall"), and of course they don't get much in the way of what most would consider "winter"...

Yep same here in south Louisiana. Actually you will usually get colder weather up in Atlanta compared to me or at WDW, but still not what a real winter like you said most people have in the north etc. Our seasons are all screwed up down here as well!!

 

[jaklgreen]

I have been going in Oct for the last 5 years. 1 year was hot, in the 90s; 1 year was colder and rainy every day; last year was perfect with mid 80 and sunny every day. It is just like any place else, you never know what you are going to get. I just check the weather report the week before I leave but usually pack a variety of clothes and keep my fingers crossed that it is nice.

 

[sxeensweet]

I have been going in Oct for the last 5 years. 1 year was hot, in the 90s; 1 year was colder and rainy every day; last year was perfect with mid 80 and sunny every day. It is just like any place else, you never know what you are going to get. I just check the weather report the week before I leave but usually pack a variety of clothes and keep my fingers crossed that it is nice.

Yep that about sums it up! Haha! Same for us every trip in Oct and early-mid December! Never know what you will get even if looking at the weather before the trip! So we pack a little of everything as well. Great advice!

 

[Mickey5150]

I go every year in October and I'm always in shorts. Now I am stubborn and since I am in Florida I mostly refuse to wear long pants. However I do always wear pants when I fly so I have them with me just in case it gets too cold. If I need something besides short sleeves I buy a long sleeve souvenir.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We went 9/30-10/11 in 2013 and the weather was great. What @englanddg said it what we experienced. Some days were warm to hot and a few were HOT but nothing too unbearable (and I'm a baby about heat so that says a lot).
We wore shorts and sleeveless and one night after Flying Fish dinner I wore a sundress with a light weight sweater and was comfortable.

Just begin tracking weather now. And have fun!

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

Watch the weather for Orlando the weeks before you leave to try to get hold of the weather patterns. Do the 10 day forecast on weather.com a few days prior to your trip.

In my experience, October is warm. mid-upper 80's, sunny, warm sun, you can definitely use the pool. That being said, the weather I've had is not necessarily what others have had. I've heard people say it can be in the low 70's during the day, but I've also heard 90's. 10 day forecast is a must. I fly in from the northeast, so I wear a pair of yoga pants and light hoodie on the plane and if it gets cool and night I have those to put on. You can always do a load of laundry too, as you're sitting by the pool in the afternoon or whatever as each resort has machines near each pool area. Doesn't take long.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think it depends on where you live! If you're from a state that is already cold in October, the Florida weather will feel warmer to you than if you're from the south.

We were at WDW Oct 8-13, 2012, visiting from Upstate NY. At home, temperatures were very chilly -- we wore heavy winter coats to the airport and left them in the car, and I remember that we could see our breath in the early morning air as we hurried inside for our flight, with fleece jackets over our T-shirts.

We changed into shorts right after we landed, tucked away the fleece jackets, and never got them out again for the rest of our Disney trip! The weather was in the high 70s to mid-80s (actually, a few days were unseasonably warmer), and we were comfortable -- hot, even -- in our shorts and tees the entire week, including early mornings and late nights. Our bodies were so used to the cooler weather at home that we never felt chilly at WDW.