Dressing for the weather on your Disney program
Vincente, a Cultural Representative from Mexico, understands the value of wearing sunglasses to protect his eyes.
There’s a saying that the weather in March “comes in like a lion” but “goes out like a lamb.”
That’s a good generalization of weather in the northern hemisphere. But what does that mean for Disney programs participants in Orlando? and Anaheim?
Both Orlando and Anaheim have relatively warm climates. The weather in Orlando is typically humid – especially in the summer, while the weather in Anaheim is somewhat dry – especially in the summer. Orlando gets a lot of rain, mainly from June through August, whereas it rains much less often in Anaheim.
Overall, the weather in Orlando and Anaheim will be hot and sunny. You are encouraged to bring sunglasses! (Please consult your “Disney Look” book for examples of the styles of sunglasses that you can wear to work.)
In the winter, Abby sometimes wore a company-issued warm coat as part of her Fantasyland costume.
The average high temperature in Orlando in July is 92F with a low of 73F, and in January, the average high temperature is 71F with a low of 47F.
In Anaheim, the average high temperature in July is 87F with a low of 65F, and in January, the average high temperature is 71F with a low of 48F.
So on either coast, you can expect some cool and even cold evenings from time to time in the winter months.
However, there is very little chance that you will see snow or even snow flurries – unless you go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party where Disney magic is used to create “snow.”
In the U.S., most public places (including Disney theme parks and resorts), as well as homes, are air-conditioned, so indoor temperatures may be a bit cooler (and drier) than you may be expecting.
Keep in mind that you may sometimes be scheduled to work indoors, and sometimes you may be scheduled to work outdoors.
Most work locations offer different costuming options for cast members that allow you to feel most comfortable. For example, if you are working outside on a warm day, you may want to wear short sleeves and shorts. But if you are working indoors, you may want to wear long sleeves and pants. A jacket may be part of the costume that you can remove as needed. Outdoor locations typically have heavier coats as an option in the winter. The key is to layer your clothing.
So bring an umbrella, sunscreen, a swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts, a few sweaters or sweatshirts and a jacket. It’s always a good idea to bring a more “dressy” outfit for social events and something professional (in case you have an interview).
Warning: Once you go an entire winter without snow, you may not want to go home. Therefore, we strongly encourage our alumni to come back and visit! 😎