This is a super common question that gets thrown around all the Disney boards every year when the temperatures start to drop. Everyone thinks of Disney and really Florida as this place that is just tropical and warm all the time, and while we are lucky to have warm weather a lot of the year, it does sometimes get cold.
Let’s talk humidity. Humidity is what gives Florida its tropical feelings, and why people thought I was crazy when I moved here. If its 90 degrees out, and the humidity is high, not only is it sticky feeling, but the heat index is even higher. When it gets cooler here, the humidity can make it feel even colder. 60 degrees can suddenly feel like 45 when it gets windy, and the sun goes away.
With all this, how on earth can anyone pack for a Disney Vacation? LAYERS are your best friend. Summer time packing is as minimal as possible, coolest lightest everything, but in the cool months, you want the ability to take things off and put them back on as the weather changes.
- A light weight wind breaker as a top layer!
The most important part is that it can fold up. The last thing you need is too many things, I love this jacket because it is super compact, but keeps the wind out.
Light Weight Jacket - A sweatshirt that can come off and on during the day as much as you need.
One of the hardest parts about cool weather in Disney is that the sun is still powerful, so if you are in line or walking around in the sun, but then you go into the shade, the ability to take on and off a warm layer is super important. I love wearing my Disney Sweatshirts for this exact reason.
Shop Disney Sweatshirt - Warm socks.
Keeping your feet warm will help keep the whole body warm. I love wearing a good thick Bomba sock, paired with my Uggs, but even a lower rise Bomba in a sneaker will keep you good and warm.
Bombas Socks - Sneakers, and Long pants!
We were in Epcot on Jan 29, 2022, where it was 45 degrees and windy. The number of guests we saw in shorts and also in sandals, was crazy. I always say id rather have something and not use it, then not have it and need it! - Hat or ear warmer.
If you can keep your head warm, you will keep your body warmer. I love wearing a warm headband, usually the one I run with, when its cold. I can keep my hair up, and even still wear my ear headband if I want.
Ear Warmer 
Bonus for the kids.
If you have a stroller baby, a Stroller Bunting or at least a good warm blanket is a must. We have a 4 year old and a 9 month old. We lived in Boston with our older boy and had this amazing bunting from LLBean, that kept him warm in sub-zero temps. We brought it here, and have used it a ton for our little one, and even in Disney, we had him in it, and it kept him super warm on the second coldest day of the year!
Stroller Bunting
When do I need to prepare for the cold?
The range of time is hard to predict, as every year is different, but anywhere from November to March is a good time to keep this in mind. January and February are most likely to have cold weeks, even during the day, but November, December and March can have cool evenings, where layering would be super important.
All in all, CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE YOU LEAVE. I can’t stress this enough. In the past week (I’m writing this on February 8th, 2022) We saw 88 degrees and 50 degrees. It was hot and beautiful and cold with rain.
If you are planning to go at this time of year, and are worried about luggage space with the bulky jackets and sweatshirts, you can pack in vacuum space bags. These bags don’t even use a vacuum, but you can get some that do. In either case, you can save a ton of space by squishing them down and keep the bags light for the flights and room for your souvenirs.
Laura
**I am not affiliated with any of the links provided. These are just things that I have or that friends have, and that we recommend. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
