Weather is a funny thing. It not only changes from season to season, but it can also change from year to year. So how are you supposed to pack for a trip if the average may be so far off from what is expected? My advice, be prepared. This is especially true at the Disney parks since you are going to be outside so much and the weather can really affect your happiness.
Not expecting rain? It doesn’t hurt to pack a small raincoat. You could always buy ponchos in the parks, but they are not cheap and what are you going to use them for when you get home?
Florida and California mean sun, right? It does, but it does not always mean warmth. I ran the Princess Half Marathon at the end of February in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 I wandered around the parks in shorts and flip flops. In 2010 I wanted to wear shorts and flip flops, but it was so cold, even with the sun shining, that I ended up wearing jeans and tennis shoes. I luckily had packed a pair of jeans; I would have been chilly if I hadn’t.
When I visited Walt Disney World in July it rained everyday at 3 p.m. It seemed like you could set your clock by it. It wasn’t a cold rain, but it did scatter people indoors. My family thought this was great. We always rode the popular rides when it rained because the lines cleared out. This was before fastpass, but getting to ride Pirates of the Caribbean with no line three times in a row was like having a fastpass. We had coats with us so the rain could not get us down. It only improved the visit and provided great memories.
So the lesson is this – pay attention to the weather, but plan for any possibility. Like Russell, the Wilderness Explorer from Up, be prepared for anything.
Goofy Tip: If you have a weather app on your smart phone (mine came with one) add Orlando to your list of cities. That way you can get weekly weather forecasts whenever you are thinking about your trip, which for me is every second of every day. Happiness squared.