IWorkWTeeth
New Member
I've never been to Disney in January (we usually always go in the summer) so I'm curious as to how to pack. What were some of your past January experiences?? SHould I even take the time to pack a bathingsuit?
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Cold in January???
- Thread starter IWorkWTeeth
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CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
Take it - its gonna be warmer than where you are 
Its not going to be sunbathing weather but you should be able to go for a swim - it'll feel cold when you come out though
Its not going to be sunbathing weather but you should be able to go for a swim - it'll feel cold when you come out though
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dwayneswife
New Member
The best advice I can give you is to pack to dress in layers. Mornings and evenings are always chilly. Some days will warm up quite nicely, some days won't. We were there the first week of February this year. It was cloudy, rainy, and very, very cold the first four days of our trip. It was actually warmer and sunnier back home in North Carolina that in Orlando those days. By the middle of the week, I was taking pictures of the DH and DD swimming in the afternoon.
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disneydudette
Well-Known Member
We were there in January this past year... I didn't think the "coldness" was that bad.. but I hated how sudden the weather could change!
We arrived Saturday afternoon and the weather was ideal... sunny and breezy... very comfortable to walk around in. Boardshorts, a tee, and flips worked perfect! That night I froze watching the Spectromagic parade... especially when the sun went down! The breeze turned into a pretty strong wind which made everything feel twice as cold. I think I would have felt a lot more comfortable had I worn/brought a sweatshirt.
The next two days followed the same trend: cooler in the morning, warm during the day, cold at night. I would wear a t-shirt (with shorts) and just wear a long sleeve shirt over it... if I got hot, I took off the long sleeve shirt. It was a lot easier that way instead of having to carrying jackets and sweat shirts.
Within hours, weather would go from balmy and sunny, to rainy and windy. We woke up one morning to 55 degrees, then the next to 42, then back to 55, etc. One day I left the parks early morning to go back to the room to put some pants over my shorts... it ended up getting colder, not warmer throughout the day.
I went swimming one night with no problem and tried again another night of the trip only to learn that the water isn't as "heated" as I would have liked. On the morning of check-out I noticed a family swimming and it was pretty chilly but sunny. Definately bring a bathing suit but it's not a bad idea to bring a bathrobe/extra fluffy towel for when you get out of the water. The walk back to the room can be pretty cold!
What we learned in Jan was that its one of the few months where you truly can't predict the weather. In Sept we had a better idea (extreme heat, sudden rain, and a possible storm or two)... but we were totally out of our league in Jan! I was comfortable in shorts throughout the week, but glad I had brought a pair of sweat pants to throw if need be. A light jacket/sweater/sweat shirt isn't a bad idea to pack either. If your carrying a backpack or bringing a stroller... we always like bringing a small blanket. I know.. it sound corny has heck... but when your waiting for parades, shows, etc and sitting for a long period of time... you do get cold!
We arrived Saturday afternoon and the weather was ideal... sunny and breezy... very comfortable to walk around in. Boardshorts, a tee, and flips worked perfect! That night I froze watching the Spectromagic parade... especially when the sun went down! The breeze turned into a pretty strong wind which made everything feel twice as cold. I think I would have felt a lot more comfortable had I worn/brought a sweatshirt.
The next two days followed the same trend: cooler in the morning, warm during the day, cold at night. I would wear a t-shirt (with shorts) and just wear a long sleeve shirt over it... if I got hot, I took off the long sleeve shirt. It was a lot easier that way instead of having to carrying jackets and sweat shirts.
Within hours, weather would go from balmy and sunny, to rainy and windy. We woke up one morning to 55 degrees, then the next to 42, then back to 55, etc. One day I left the parks early morning to go back to the room to put some pants over my shorts... it ended up getting colder, not warmer throughout the day.
I went swimming one night with no problem and tried again another night of the trip only to learn that the water isn't as "heated" as I would have liked. On the morning of check-out I noticed a family swimming and it was pretty chilly but sunny. Definately bring a bathing suit but it's not a bad idea to bring a bathrobe/extra fluffy towel for when you get out of the water. The walk back to the room can be pretty cold!
What we learned in Jan was that its one of the few months where you truly can't predict the weather. In Sept we had a better idea (extreme heat, sudden rain, and a possible storm or two)... but we were totally out of our league in Jan! I was comfortable in shorts throughout the week, but glad I had brought a pair of sweat pants to throw if need be. A light jacket/sweater/sweat shirt isn't a bad idea to pack either. If your carrying a backpack or bringing a stroller... we always like bringing a small blanket. I know.. it sound corny has heck... but when your waiting for parades, shows, etc and sitting for a long period of time... you do get cold!
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I was there last year in Jan for a soccer tournament at the wide world of sports. We were mostly in shorts and tee shirts throughout the day, and some of my teammates did go swimming. But at night, we were back to sweatshirts and jeans. I would say it averaged in the high 60's/low 70's throughout the say, and then about low 60's at night. Ultimately for us coming from Jersey it was a beautiful week without the snow that hit us at home.
Weather wise it was a very comfortable week!
Weather wise it was a very comfortable week!
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MissM
Well-Known Member
Make sure you bring some kind of cover-up like a jacket, sweater, sweatshirt or such. Often, it's nice during the day but once the sun goes down, the temp drops fast and you can feel even colder than the actual temperature simply because there's no sun to help and the wind can get nippy. Often, I'll wear a pair of jeans and a tee in the day during typical winter down here, but something warmer over it at night.
It really depends though. And our weather changes on a dime. It can be 80F one day and then a cold front comes in and it's 55F the next. This just happened here the other day in fact.
You're going to want to keep an eye on the forecast as your trip gets closer and check for any potential cold fronts moving in. But pack a variety of clothing and bring a little more warm wear than you'd think. Because buying a sweater when you're chilled can easily be a $50 adventure in the park. (I should know. I've done it!) :lol:
-m
It really depends though. And our weather changes on a dime. It can be 80F one day and then a cold front comes in and it's 55F the next. This just happened here the other day in fact.
You're going to want to keep an eye on the forecast as your trip gets closer and check for any potential cold fronts moving in. But pack a variety of clothing and bring a little more warm wear than you'd think. Because buying a sweater when you're chilled can easily be a $50 adventure in the park. (I should know. I've done it!) :lol:
-m
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Everyone has given great advice, what MissM says is true, the weather changes rapidly. There is an ocean on both sides of the state creating a cross breeze that brings sudden storms and weather changes.
Since you have only been in the summer, you will actually find it quite a bit more pleasant, there won't be the torrid humid heat in the middle of the day like July and August produce. The crowds will be a bit less also.
Have fun
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Be prepared for warm and cool or even cold weather. Layer, layer, layer. I've visited WDW in Jan for years, and have experienced temps in the 70's one day, then a windchill of 18 the next. I'm from the North and am used to cold, but the cold in Fla is very different from what I have at home. It's very, very damp, and the wind, with the dampness, is wicked.
I take my winter coat and gloves. One year, a friend of mine had many people offer her money for her down jacket.
On the other hand, it may be warm. However, one the sun sets, watch out. The temps drop.
I take my winter coat and gloves. One year, a friend of mine had many people offer her money for her down jacket.
On the other hand, it may be warm. However, one the sun sets, watch out. The temps drop.
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crazydaveh
Active Member
Layers are your best friend here in January. Take this past weekend for example. Saturday, we had sun and the temps were in the mid 80's. Sunday, it was cooler with wind and in the 70's to 60's. Monday, the thermometer didn't climb above 60.
It's pretty much the same in Janruary. We'll have a few days in a row of cooler temps in Jan than we have now, but it won't be snow like cold!
If it's nice during the day, it will cool down once the sun heads down, so layers are great!
It's pretty much the same in Janruary. We'll have a few days in a row of cooler temps in Jan than we have now, but it won't be snow like cold!
If it's nice during the day, it will cool down once the sun heads down, so layers are great!
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bayoutinkbelle
Active Member
Listen to these folks! It's all good advice.
I now own several sweatshirts bought on nights when it got a little too chilly for my long-sleeve T-shirts that were perfect for during the day. But then, I'm a wuss who gets cold if the temp drops below 72 degrees.
It's all good advice. I now own several sweatshirts bought on nights when it got a little too chilly for my long-sleeve T-shirts that were perfect for during the day. But then, I'm a wuss who gets cold if the temp drops below 72 degrees.
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tecowdw
Well-Known Member
Listen to these folks!
I now own several sweatshirts bought on nights when it got a little too chilly for my long-sleeve T-shirts that were perfect for during the day. But then, I'm a wuss who gets cold if the temp drops below 72 degrees.
Agreed. I've been going to Disney in the winter months (Nov-Jan) for the past serveral years and this past week was the first time I've had consistant warm weather for an entire trip in probably 5 years. It was BEAUTIFUL! Most times there are several cold days and we mocked that cold fronts were always following us down there.
My luck really changed this last time though (YOMD winner too).
:sohappy:
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SewIn2Disney
Well-Known Member
Coming from precisly one town south of you in wonderful NJ, I can say it will be nicer then NJ---but still on the colder side. I've gone to WDW every Jan for the past three years, and every year it's jeans and a t-shirt during the day, with a sweatshirt over it in the morning and at night.
Also---I'd find some of those cheap dollar "magic gloves" and throw them in your bag----they've been on a lifesaver on each and every Jan. trip.
Two years ago (jan 06), I ended up wearing my scarf that I had worn on the flight down and buying a hat to go with my gloves----that's how cold it got!
I would pack a swimsuit either way----they don't take up much room, and how often do you get to say you got to go swimming in Jan?
Have fun!
Also---I'd find some of those cheap dollar "magic gloves" and throw them in your bag----they've been on a lifesaver on each and every Jan. trip.
Two years ago (jan 06), I ended up wearing my scarf that I had worn on the flight down and buying a hat to go with my gloves----that's how cold it got!
I would pack a swimsuit either way----they don't take up much room, and how often do you get to say you got to go swimming in Jan?
Have fun!
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