The goal of this blog series is to factually prove or disprove rumors, myths and misconceptions in the Disney-verse. Tonight on TMSM Mythbusters we are looking into the following mythconception that addresses a question that we see posed all over Disney Social Media Groups and Pages “Its Always Warm in Florida… or How to Know What To Pack.” And while we have shared this topic before, because so many people seem to be asking “how should I pack for my upcoming trip” I felt sharing it again may help those folks out.
Its Always Warm in Florida… or How to Know What To Pack
On a daily or by-daily basis we see people ask “How should I pack for my upcoming trip.” Sadly many people say “It is Florida its never cold in the winter there.” This busted mythconception leads to many a parent spending a large amount of money on the sweatshirts Walt Disney World rolls out on racks when a cold snap hits Orlando. The first time I saw “the racks of unpreparedness” was January 2009. We had just left a massive snow storm in Northern Virginia that hit during a company meeting for my old job to race home to Hampton Roads and get on a plane to Orlando so we had some sweatshirts and hats and were prepared to be cold. But still imagine our surprise when we saw FROST on the bridge at Saratoga Springs, and imagine the number of people who didn’t look up the weather prior to packing that were dropping money on Disney winter wear hand over first to stay warm. Sadly we regularly see people online blindly answer “what will the weather be like, how should I pack?” with “Oh because it is Florida it will be warm even in the winter!” as well as not taking into account everyone is different when it comes to hot and cold weather. The same applies to those who are adjusted to heat or that don’t do extreme temperatures well. I am that odd ball who can’t stand walking into a freezing building from 90+ degree outside temperatures. I freeze. This is why you usually see me in jeans in the parks even in the summer.
As you can see, on average the monthly low in Orlando in January is 49.8 degrees, and in February 53.4, this doesn’t include the humidity. For those from cold climates this may be great, but for those of us that just don’t DO cold well, that means hoodies, hats and gloves. Just this January the temperatures once again dipped into the 30s in Orlando. In the summer the high on average is about mid 80s to mid 90s. But this summer Orlando saw a long stretch of 100 degree days in a row, that many just weren’t prepared for.
Those $30 plus sweatshirt purchases I mentioned can be avoided though. First, never crowd source how to pack for weather because you need to prepare for YOU and only you can look at a weather forecast and know what you will need to be comfortable. Instead visit Weather.com and enter Walt Disney World resort in the search field this will take you right to the Resort forecast. You should monitor the predicted weather for your trip paying attention not only to the potential High and Low temperatures all the way up to the day you leave, but don’t forget to pay attention to the humidity levels. Also keep an eye out for your My Disney Experience “Upcoming Trip” email. Disney has gotten smart and has started including a seven day forecast in your email with a direct link to Walt Disney World’s extended Accuweather forecast.
Remember that humidity is a beast. If you come from a dry region depending on your body, health etc. once the humidity levels start hitting 50%+ you may feel like you are walking in water on dry land. Coming from a humid area myself, the hot summer weather in Orlando doesn’t come as a surprise to me. Sadly there have been times we have come to town and it was hotter and more humid in Hampton Roads than it was in Orlando. Other times we have left Hampton Roads and it was acceptably “not warm” and arrived in some insanely chilly weather, that humidity level plays a key roll in cold temperatures too. (Personally I loathe humid cold, it just seeps into your joints.) Remember to pack accordingly for hot weather as well. If you aren’t used to the heat and humidity the key to staying safe is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and take regular breaks to cool off.
Hopefully, even though this mythconception is busted, we hope it at least helps you properly prepare for your upcoming Disney vacation.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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