In the event you’re visiting Walt Disney World throughout winter months of November by way of February, it’s good to pack garments for chilly climate. This publish gives an replace on the freezing forecast, plus suggestions for coping with chilly temperatures in Central Florida. (Up to date January 21, 2025.)
It’s already been a chilly couple of months within the South, and “winter” climate is as soon as once more returning to Orlando and past! A chilly entrance is about to brush throughout Central Florida, bringing with it daytime highs within the 50s and lows within the 30s for the following few days.
With this, Blizzard Seaside is closed for a minimum of the following few days–and doubtless longer. Over the course of the final month, the water park has been closed as a consequence of climate as a lot because it’s been open. And the times that it has operated have been fairly on-theme for the wintry wonderland water park.
Regardless of these chilly temperatures, Walt Disney World has truly gotten fortunate with its winter climate. That’s as a result of it’s formally snowing elsewhere in Florida! (See our Images of “Snow” at Walt Disney World for a simulation (by way of infrared pictures) of what these situations would possibly seem like.)
Locations like Pensacola, Panama Metropolis, Tallahassee and parts of Jacksonville are below a winter storm warning beginning at 1 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Snow already started falling within the space at present simply earlier than midday, however this isn’t but the worst of the climate.
Meteorologists are forecasting a few of these areas to see file quantities of snowfall, totaling 3 to six inches. The all-time snow file in Tallahassee is 2.8” on February 12-13, 1958 is in severe hazard of falling within the subsequent 24 hours, as is the all-time Florida file of 4” from Milton on March 6, 1954.
As rain and frigid air push by way of Florida, meteorologists are forecasting winter storm situations in a single day Wednesday and into the morning. That is anticipated to unfold heavy snow and disruptive ice round a large area of the South from Texas to Florida that hardly ever sees such climate, and in locations the place infrastructure and houses will not be constructed for such temperatures or climate.
Due to the incoming storm, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency. Whereas most of Central Florida shouldn’t be anticipated to see excessive winter climate, Marion County is below a winter storm advisory for the primary time on file.
Relying on how low temperatures drop all through Wednesday morning, officers say it’s doable for northern Central Florida to see some freezing rain. Nonetheless, that is unlikely–and these areas are nonetheless to the north of Walt Disney World. Even the worst case climate forecast has it “solely” being actually chilly within the parks.
Most vacationers envision sunshine and heat climate when making ready for journeys to Walt Disney World, however the actuality this time of 12 months is that you may expertise a veritable curler coaster of climate in a single day. With temperatures within the 30s and 40s doable at any level by way of February, it’s vital that you simply’re ready for winter climate (minus the snow…hopefully!) at Walt Disney World.
The chilly climate at Walt Disney World might be excellent news should you’re correctly ready, as crowds are usually 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 leads to a drop in crowds.
That is very true within the evenings. A well-known story performs out with regularity this time of 12 months at Walt Disney World: round lunch, the temperature is within the mid-70s, maybe even the 80s, which is t-shirt and shorts climate for most individuals. By sundown, the ‘appears like’ temperature drops significantly, to across the low 50s.
An hour or so after sundown, Magic Kingdom can filter on days which might be abnormally frigid. We’ve had late nights when the park is a ghost city (we’ve seen Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice with a 20 minute wait on nights when the park was beforehand very busy through the day!), because the chilly climate drives a whole lot of visitors away.
Even should you’re from a chilly climate state and are used to chilly climate, you shouldn’t ignore these big variances in temperature, considering it’ll nonetheless really feel effective. Your physique will turn into acclimated to these 70-degree Florida daytime temperatures fairly rapidly, making double-digit temperature drop as soon as the solar goes down really feel much more pronounced.
Extra importantly, Florida chilly is way worse than Northern states as a result of humidity that comes with it.
The “appears 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 are not any strangers to sub-zero temperatures and blizzards. Florida’s humidity makes semi-cold climate far much less snug.
The issue of packing for Walt Disney World or Disneyland this time of 12 months is the big variances within the climate. You can expertise 4 seasons of climate throughout your journey…in a single day. Daytime temperatures may very well be within the 70s, whereas nights and evenings may very well be 20 or 30 levels beneath that. That swing in a single day is a big distinction.
Most individuals aren’t going to wish to carry the bags that will be required to pack for each climate state of affairs, making what to carry a tricky query. This publish will cowl just a few issues it’s best to tackle any winter journey to the Disney Parks, plus some extra objects to think about when the climate is predicted to be unseasonably chilly.
Whereas 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 would possibly anticipate. Being caught off-guard by frigid temperatures within the parks sucks. Don’t assume it may possibly’t occur to you. As a lot as I hate to confess it, this has occurred to me a few instances, 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 so on. (Notice that UNIQLO sizing runs small, so you’ll want to attempt issues on earlier than shopping for. More often than not, you’ll have to size-up by one measurement.)
Alternatively, in case you have 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 Retailers for just a few causes. First, they’ve a various vary of shops (from Outdated Navy to Burberry). Second, there are many choices for cheap winter-wear (Columbia, Levi’s, Hole, Nike, and so on.). Lastly, there’s a Disney outlet that options deep-discounted objects from the parks.
After all, the best choice is making ready with what you want earlier than your journey. That’s the place the remainder of this checklist turns out to be useful. Notice that this checklist solely covers objects particular to winter journey. For our full all-seasons packing suggestions, try our Distinctive Disney Packing Record publish, which comprises a whole lot of modern and funky issues in your journey that you simply in any other case won’t have thought of.
Earlier than we dig into the sensible (learn: boring) stuff, let’s begin with some extremely really helpful enjoyable choices to get into the festive spirit. That is downright important should you’re attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion. Even should you aren’t, we extremely advocate doing a full-day or a minimum of a night donning your vacation finery…or a minimum of a rad shark sweater!
Novelty Christmas Sweaters – Yearly, we put on new “ugly” (or some would possibly say tremendous trendy) Christmas sweaters through the vacation season. Disney itself sells some nice (albeit dear) designs. For cheaper non-Disney choices, we extremely advocate 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. Right here’s the Manatee Christmas Sweater that Sarah is carrying above; I’m additionally keen on this Gator Christmas Sweater, each of that are becoming for Florida. The Blizzard Bay model gives high quality sweaters–not simply sweatshirts that seem like sweaters–that maintain up over time. They’re not heirloom caliber, however they’re higher than you’d anticipate for novelty Christmas sweaters!
One other model that we’ve had success with up to now is Alex Stevens Ugly Christmas Sweaters. Nevertheless, in looking once more for brand spanking new designs, lots of their designs are disappointingly crude and juvenile (IMO). I’m hardly puritanical, however I believe approach too lots of their new kinds depend on shock worth imagery as an alternative of enjoyable, tacky, and good-natured humor. To every their very own, although!
Christmas Mickey Mouse Santa Purple Graphic T-Shirt — That is my go-tos for carrying beneath Christmas sweaters, for the reason that climate isn’t normally proper for these till the solar goes down. It’s low-cost and appears far nicer than you’d anticipate for a shirt that prices for $13. (I’d advocate sizing up if you’d like a looser match.)
Different Christmas Apparel Traits – We’ve got not gotten “into” both of those developments but, however Ugly Christmas Fits and Matching Household Christmas Onesie Pajamas are each extremely fashionable with visitors at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion. You gained’t be misplaced with both, and each make nice materials for household pictures.
Christmas Equipment – In the event you’re not down with the sweaters, or wish to take it a step additional, seize an Illuminated Christmas Gentle Necklace. It’s similar to the one they promote within the Magic Kingdom, however it’s quite a bit cheaper!
This cool Reindeer Christmas Scarf is nice. Sweet Cane Elf Stockings for girls are each sensible and festive. These matching His & Her Reindeer Antlers are additionally fairly…uhh…trendy? 😉
Now, let’s try 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)…
HotHands Hand Heaters – Excellent whenever you’re standing round exterior 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 may appear excessive for a usually warm-weather vacation spot, however when the solar goes down, it may possibly get chilly.
Contact Display Gloves – Publish pictures of Cinderella Fortress lit up for Christmas to Fb or Instagram with out eradicating your gloves. Priceless. These gloves will maintain your arms heat whereas permitting you to make use of your touch-screen smartphones.
Microfleece Journey Blanket – It is a actually versatile possibility, and it’s price grabbing just a few. Due 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 night time, and so on. The tremendous low-cost value makes this one thing you don’t have to fret about getting soiled!
Thermal Shirt – Packing a whole lot of cold-weather garments can take up a whole lot of room in your suitcase, so as an alternative of heavy coats and thick sweatshirts, we advocate cheap and light-weight technique of maintaining heat. Skinny thermal shirts that maintain your physique warmth near you and might be worn below one other layer of clothes are a terrific possibility. We advocate 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 dear, 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. In the event 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 beneath freezing regularly (each parks get snow a few instances per 12 months), and a down coat alone will likely be inadequate for these chilly nights.
Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Winter Hat – You will discover low-cost knit winter beanies nearly anyplace, however I’m severe 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 saved me heat–it may possibly deal with Walt Disney World simply effective.
Waterproof Footwear – 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 usually put on these to the parks through the winter months (they’re removed from trendy), however they’re a terrific possibility if you wish to play it protected.
Lengthy Pants – For a few of you, this can be 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 will not be one thing you usually pack when visiting Florida or California. Probably the most sensible possibility is convertible pants like these ones for males or these ones for girls, that are nice for decent or chilly climate (and are good for storage)…however will not be precisely essentially the most trendy possibility.
In the event you’re visiting through the winter months, whatever the forecast, it would be best to pack a minimum of one pair of lengthy pants as a security internet: you’re more likely to encounter a minimum of one sub-50s day on a weeklong journey within the winter. Until you’re eager on the concept of dropping ~$50 on a pair of Disney sweatpants (and are okay with then carrying sweatpants to the parks), simply carry a pair of lengthy pants.
Lastly, and as soon as once more, different packing “guidelines” for Walt Disney World stay in impact for the winter. For example, not packing disposable ponchos is a cardinal sin should you’re visiting Walt Disney World any time of 12 months (and down jackets don’t take effectively to rain). Relying upon your sensitivity to chilly climate and/or fashion choice, there are additionally different equipment you would possibly wish 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, contemplate packing some lights or different decorations to place in your resort room window in case you have the area in your baggage. Lots of people do that, and it may be enjoyable! For Walt Disney World journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation, ensure to learn our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information and associated articles.
Your Ideas…
What you advocate packing for a winter Disney journey? Do you might have any experiences with unseasonably chilly climate at Walt Disney World? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
