If you’re visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland in the course of the winter months of November by February, it’s good to pack garments for chilly climate. This submit presents ideas for coping with chilly temperatures in Florida and California–and enjoyable issues to put on for Christmas within the parks. (Updated December 9, 2022.)
“Winter” climate is as soon as once more returning to Orlando–simply in time for the center of the vacation season! A chilly entrance is about to comb throughout Central Florida, bringing with it cooler temperatures and lows within the higher 40s and low 50s within the subsequent week. (It’s a really comparable story in Southern California, however the distinction is that this time of yr is fairly constantly chilly within the morning and evenings at Disneyland.)
The excellent news is that the climate nonetheless shouldn’t be too unhealthy at Walt Disney World, with temperatures starting from lows within the higher 50s to highs within the low 80s on Christmas Eve. Obviously that’s not “cold weather” by most requirements, nevertheless it’s comparatively cool for Floria, and will make you need to pack one thing different than simply shorts and t-shirts.
Most vacationers envision sunshine and heat climate when getting ready for journeys to Walt Disney World, however the actuality this time of yr is that you would expertise a veritable curler coaster of climate in a single day. With temperatures within the 30s and 40s attainable at any level by February, it’s essential that you simply’re ready for winter climate (minus the snow…hopefully!) at Walt Disney World.
The chilly climate at Walt Disney World may be excellent news should you’re correctly ready, as crowds are typically considerably lighter when the temperatures drop. Between locals who don’t personal the clothes for colder days and vacationers who don’t pack appropriately, a drop in temperatures ends in a drop in crowds.
This is very true within the evenings. A well-known story performs out with regularity this time of yr at Walt Disney World: round lunch, the temperature is within the mid-70s, even perhaps the 80s, which is t-shirt and shorts climate for most individuals. By sundown, the ‘feels like’ temperature drops significantly, to across the low 50s.
An hour or so after sundown, Magic Kingdom can filter on days which are abnormally frigid. We’ve had late nights when the park is a ghost city (we’ve seen Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a 20 minute wait on nights when the park was beforehand very busy in the course of the day!), because the chilly climate drives lots of visitors away.
Even should you’re from a chilly climate state and are used to chilly climate, you shouldn’t ignore these enormous variances in temperature, considering it’ll nonetheless really feel wonderful. Your physique will grow to be acclimated to these 70-degree Florida daytime temperatures fairly shortly, making double-digit temperature drop as soon as the solar goes down really feel much more pronounced.
More importantly, Florida chilly is much worse than Northern states as a result of humidity that comes with it. We can not reiterate this sufficient. The “feels like” of even 50º climate in Walt Disney World is considerably colder than what it’d be in a Northern state. We aren’t merely Floridians who aren’t used to the chilly climate–we spent years dwelling within the Midwest and aren’t any strangers to sub-zero temperatures and blizzards. Florida’s humidity makes semi-cold climate far much less comfy.
The problem of packing for Walt Disney World or Disneyland this time of yr is the massive variances within the climate. You might expertise 4 seasons of climate throughout your journey…in a single day. Daytime temperatures might be within the 70s, whereas nights and evenings might be 20 or 30 levels under that. That swing in a single day is a enormous distinction.
Most individuals aren’t going to need to carry the bags that may be required to pack for each climate state of affairs, making what to deliver a tricky query. This submit will cowl just a few issues it’s best to tackle any winter journey to the Disney Parks, plus some further gadgets to contemplate when the climate is predicted to be unseasonably chilly.
While it’s extremely unlikely to snow whilst you’re at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, temperatures within the 40s or 50s in Florida and Southern California occur more likely than you may count on. Being caught off-guard by frigid temperatures within the parks sucks. Don’t assume it might probably’t occur to you. As a lot as I hate to confess it, this has occurred to me a few occasions, and I’m very diligent about checking the climate forecast.
For these of you studying this on the final minute (should you’ve already arrived at Walt Disney World and are stunned by the chilly climate), you do have one possibility: heading to UNIQLO at Disney Springs and buying a coat and a few hotter garments.
UNIQLO is your least-expensive possibility on Walt Disney World property, and so they usually carry sweaters, coats, denims, and many others. (Note that UNIQLO sizing runs small, so remember to strive issues on earlier than shopping for. Most of the time, you’ll have to size-up by one measurement.)
Alternatively, when you’ve got a rental automobile and don’t thoughts venturing off-property, there are a number of outlet malls inside a brief drive. We favor Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets for just a few causes. First, they’ve a various vary of shops (from Old Navy to Burberry). Second, there are many choices for cheap winter-wear (Columbia, Levi’s, Gap, Nike, and many others.). Finally, there’s a Disney outlet that options deep-discounted gadgets from the parks.
Of course, the most suitable choice is getting ready with what you want earlier than your journey. That’s the place the remainder of this checklist is useful. Note that this checklist solely covers gadgets particular to winter journey. For our full all-seasons packing suggestions, take a look at our Unique Disney Packing List submit, which incorporates lots of progressive and funky issues on your journey that you simply in any other case won’t have thought-about.
Before we dig into the sensible (learn: boring) stuff, let’s begin with some extremely really helpful enjoyable choices to get into the festive spirit. This is downright important should you’re attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Even should you aren’t, we extremely suggest doing a full-day or at the very least a night donning your vacation finery…or at the very least a rad shark sweater!
Novelty Christmas Sweaters – Every yr, we put on new “ugly” (or some may say tremendous trendy) Christmas sweaters in the course of the vacation season. Disney itself sells some nice (albeit expensive) designs. For cheaper non-Disney choices, we extremely suggest Blizzard Bay Ugly Christmas Sweaters. This model is our favourite for budget-friendly ugly Christmas sweaters.
We’ve bought a number of of those for $25-$35 every, and have had them for years. Here’s the Manatee Christmas Sweater that Sarah is sporting above; I’m additionally keen on this Gator Christmas Sweater, each of that are becoming for Florida. The Blizzard Bay model presents high quality sweaters–not simply sweatshirts that appear to be sweaters–that maintain up over time. They’re not heirloom caliber, however they’re higher than you’d count on for novelty Christmas sweaters!
Another model that we’ve had success with previously is Alex Stevens Ugly Christmas Sweaters. However, in looking once more for brand spanking new designs in December 2022, lots of their designs are disappointingly crude and juvenile (IMO). I’m hardly puritanical, however I feel method too lots of their new types depend on shock worth imagery as a substitute of enjoyable, tacky, and good-natured humor. To every their very own, although!
Christmas Mickey Mouse Santa Red Graphic T-Shirt — This is my go-tos for sporting beneath Christmas sweaters, for the reason that climate isn’t often proper for these till the solar goes down. It’s low-cost and appears far nicer than you’d count on for a shirt that prices for $13. (I’d suggest sizing up if you would like a looser match.)
Other Christmas Attire Trends – We haven’t gotten “into” both of those developments but, however Ugly Christmas Suits and Matching Family Christmas Onesie Pajamas are each extremely in style with visitors at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You received’t be misplaced with both, and each make nice materials for household images.
Christmas Accessories – If you’re not down with the sweaters, or need to take it a step additional, seize an Illuminated Christmas Light Necklace. It’s similar to the one they promote within the Magic Kingdom, nevertheless it’s so much inexpensive!
This cool Reindeer Christmas Scarf is nice. Candy Cane Elf Stockings for women are each sensible and festive. These matching His & Her Reindeer Antlers are additionally fairly…uhh…trendy? ????
Now, let’s take a look at what it’s best to pack for Disney throughout these winter months. First, some sensible stuff, after which enjoyable choices to get within the festive spirit (within the occasion you’re visiting at Christmas-time)…
SizzlingHands Hand Warmers – Perfect once you’re standing round outdoors ready for a parade or fireworks on actually chilly evenings. These hand heaters are low-cost and efficient, and last more than a cup of espresso or scorching chocolate. These might sound excessive for a usually warm-weather vacation spot, however when the solar goes down, it might probably get chilly.
Touch Screen Gloves – Post images of Cinderella Castle lit up for Christmas to Facebook or Instagram with out eradicating your gloves. Priceless. These gloves will hold your arms heat whereas permitting you to make use of your touch-screen smartphones.
Microfleece Travel Blanket – This is a very versatile possibility, and it’s price grabbing just a few. Thanks to its extremely skinny materials, it packs simply in your backpack, and can be utilized to maintain heat earlier than parades/fireworks (or, if it’s not that chilly, you’ll be able to sit on it) to wrap round you on a cold evening, and many others. The tremendous low-cost worth makes this one thing you don’t have to fret about getting soiled!
Thermal Shirt – Packing lots of cold-weather garments can take up lots of room in your suitcase, so as a substitute of heavy coats and thick sweatshirts, we suggest cheap and light-weight technique of holding heat. Thin thermal shirts that hold your physique warmth near you and may be worn below one other layer of clothes are a fantastic possibility. We suggest this one for males and this one for girls.
800-Fill Down Coats – Our choose right here is particularly an 800-fill goose down coat as a result of it compresses very well and takes up barely any suitcase room. It’s smaller and hotter than fleece, and though a bit expensive, these final a very long time and are good for chilly climate.
In Florida or California, a down coat is greater than sufficient to maintain you heat even on colder nights. If you’re going to Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disneyland within the winter, you also needs to pack a correct winter coat and use the down coat as a base layer. In France and Japan, temperatures drop under freezing frequently (each parks get snow a few occasions per yr), and a down coat alone will likely be inadequate for these chilly nights.
Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Winter Hat – You can discover low-cost knit winter beanies nearly anyplace, however I’m critical about my winter hats. I really like this Mountain Hardwear hat with a wind-stopping layer; I’ve worn it within the mountains in sub-zero temperatures and it has stored me heat–it might probably deal with Walt Disney World simply wonderful.
Waterproof Shoes – These are most likely overkill. I purchased a pair for our first go to to Disneyland Paris a few years in the past as a result of I learn that December in France is chilly and wet, and I used to be vindicated because it was chilly and wet, and my moist stayed heat and dry, however there’s a distinction between Paris winter climate and Florida or California winter climate. I don’t sometimes put on these to the parks in the course of the winter months (they’re removed from trendy), however they’re a fantastic possibility if you wish to play it protected.
Long Pants – For a few of you, it is a no-brainer; even in the summertime you put on denims. For these of you want me who savor the sensation of the wind rustling your leg hair, denims usually are not one thing you sometimes pack when visiting Florida or California. The most sensible possibility is convertible pants like these ones for males or these ones for girls, that are nice for warm or chilly climate (and are good for storage)…however usually are not precisely essentially the most trendy possibility.
If you’re visiting in the course of the winter months, whatever the forecast, you’ll want to pack at the very least one pair of lengthy pants as a security internet: you’re prone to encounter at the very least one sub-50s day on a weeklong journey within the winter. Unless you’re eager on the thought of dropping ~$50 on a pair of Disney sweatpants (and are okay with then sporting sweatpants to the parks), simply deliver a pair of lengthy pants.
Finally, and as soon as once more, different packing “rules” for Walt Disney World stay in impact for the winter. For occasion, not packing disposable ponchos is a cardinal sin should you’re visiting Walt Disney World any time of yr (and down jackets don’t take properly to rain). Depending upon your sensitivity to chilly climate and/or model choice, there are additionally different equipment you may need to pack. Some individuals love scarves, I discover them to be an inefficient problem. Some individuals love thick socks, I view these as ill-advised “moisture sponges.”
Not essentially associated to winter packing, however should you’re visiting for Christmas, think about packing some lights or different decorations to place in your lodge room window when you’ve got the house in your baggage. Lots of people do that, and it may be enjoyable! For Walt Disney World journey planning ideas and complete recommendation, be certain to learn our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and associated articles.
Your Thoughts…
What you suggest packing for a winter Disney journey? Do you might have any experiences with unseasonably chilly climate at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!