Tent Camping in Dec
- Thread starter parmtoo
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2008
Dec is tricky. We've been when the low was in the 50's or the 20's and the high was 40's or the 80's. It can be done but you'd have to be prepared for all scenarios.
Nature Mom
I didn't survive Cancer to die of stress.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2010
My DD and I tent camped at the Fort last December, 12/10-12/15. We had some chill and some occasional drizzle, but had no problems at all (if I remember correctly, before and after our trip it was sunshiney and warm...Murphy's Law! lol). Electric blankets, a small ceramic heater and layered clothes and we were just fine. It can be done, just be prepared. 
cddskj
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2012
Hi,
We were doing the SAME research and had the SAME worries as you one year ago! We came across a great deal on tickets and even educational programs through our local homeschool group but couldn't afford 2 weeks in a hotel during the holidays. We also love nature and camp as a family quite a bit but it worried me that it would be for such a long time frame and in Dec. I didn't want my little one to be cold and miserable! After TONS of research and second guessing, we decided to go for it and me, my hubby and our 5 year old daughter ended up camping at Fort Wilderness from 12/2/2012-12/16/2012 and LOVED it.
I have now been to Disney or Orlando every season. I visited as a child one summer in the 1980's and remember it being CRAZY hot...thank goodness for the hotel a/c! I also spent 7 days at Disney during the 2nd week of Oct. 2011 and again..I was surprised at how hot the whole family was and we are from GA and SC so we are not strangers to southern climates..again..thank goodness for the hotel a/c. Also, we had 2-3 full days of rain during our 7 day stay in October. We then visited for a quick birthday weekend in March 2012 and found the weather more tent friendly..still hot for March and still had a full day of rain. Our best and favorite trip of all was our 2 week tent camping trip in Dec. 2012. In fact, if I get the chance to plan another Disney vacation, I am shooting for November/December again! I know the weather can vary quite a bit from year to year and even from day to day but we had the BEST weather! We were there 14 days and only got 1 night of rain...it started after we were already zipped up in the tent and was gone by the time we were up and ready to go the next day. We packed mostly long sleeve t's and pants but found that we needed shorts and short sleeves every day and on all but 2 evenings. The last 2 nights of our stay did get a little chilly after dark but we only needed long sleeves and pants to stay warm. In fact I took in light weight fleece jackets and we never even used them. For the tent, we packed a ground tarp, an air mattress and memory foam topper, which kept us up off of the ground and therefore warmer. We also packed extra blankets, an electric blanket, and a small tent heather but never even used or needed any of them! We did take winter cozy pj's and thick socks to sleep in each night. It was so nice that we spent a full day at one of the water parks and felt fine..never got cold.
Anyway..hope this helps! My advice..go for it! We LOVED the campground and I would not hesitate to do it again! December is a GREAT time to be there! I remember thinking how funny it was to be relaxed by the pool watching my hubby and 5 year old swim while hearing Christmas music..and yes, the little one went swimming almost every day.
I think Disney is EXTRA magical during the Holidays. Take layers, the days were warm but the nights can get chilly. Keep food or snacks in tight bins, coolers, or in the car..the campground squirrels can be tricky and were well fed by the time we were on our way home. Prepare well for rain..nothing worse than a wet bed inside the tent on a cold night! AND ENJOY EVERY SECOND!!
We were doing the SAME research and had the SAME worries as you one year ago! We came across a great deal on tickets and even educational programs through our local homeschool group but couldn't afford 2 weeks in a hotel during the holidays. We also love nature and camp as a family quite a bit but it worried me that it would be for such a long time frame and in Dec. I didn't want my little one to be cold and miserable! After TONS of research and second guessing, we decided to go for it and me, my hubby and our 5 year old daughter ended up camping at Fort Wilderness from 12/2/2012-12/16/2012 and LOVED it.
I have now been to Disney or Orlando every season. I visited as a child one summer in the 1980's and remember it being CRAZY hot...thank goodness for the hotel a/c! I also spent 7 days at Disney during the 2nd week of Oct. 2011 and again..I was surprised at how hot the whole family was and we are from GA and SC so we are not strangers to southern climates..again..thank goodness for the hotel a/c. Also, we had 2-3 full days of rain during our 7 day stay in October. We then visited for a quick birthday weekend in March 2012 and found the weather more tent friendly..still hot for March and still had a full day of rain. Our best and favorite trip of all was our 2 week tent camping trip in Dec. 2012. In fact, if I get the chance to plan another Disney vacation, I am shooting for November/December again! I know the weather can vary quite a bit from year to year and even from day to day but we had the BEST weather! We were there 14 days and only got 1 night of rain...it started after we were already zipped up in the tent and was gone by the time we were up and ready to go the next day. We packed mostly long sleeve t's and pants but found that we needed shorts and short sleeves every day and on all but 2 evenings. The last 2 nights of our stay did get a little chilly after dark but we only needed long sleeves and pants to stay warm. In fact I took in light weight fleece jackets and we never even used them. For the tent, we packed a ground tarp, an air mattress and memory foam topper, which kept us up off of the ground and therefore warmer. We also packed extra blankets, an electric blanket, and a small tent heather but never even used or needed any of them! We did take winter cozy pj's and thick socks to sleep in each night. It was so nice that we spent a full day at one of the water parks and felt fine..never got cold.
Anyway..hope this helps! My advice..go for it! We LOVED the campground and I would not hesitate to do it again! December is a GREAT time to be there! I remember thinking how funny it was to be relaxed by the pool watching my hubby and 5 year old swim while hearing Christmas music..and yes, the little one went swimming almost every day.
I think Disney is EXTRA magical during the Holidays. Take layers, the days were warm but the nights can get chilly. Keep food or snacks in tight bins, coolers, or in the car..the campground squirrels can be tricky and were well fed by the time we were on our way home. Prepare well for rain..nothing worse than a wet bed inside the tent on a cold night! AND ENJOY EVERY SECOND!!
North of Mouse
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2011
We are trying to plan a trip for early Dec. We love FW and miss staying there in our camper, ( no longer own a camper). We've done some tent camping, and really like it! How about the weather in Dec? Any input greatly appreciated
Planning Dec. weather in Orlando is like planning it anywhere. It is usually different every year. Being from the deep south, we have had all kinds (even some snow!!)
We were at FW in Dec. '10, and almost froze!
It was upper 20's at night and mid 40's during the day with wind. Most of their plants were covered so was 'not' pretty! Last year we were there and the weather was beautiful! So, really, you cannot 'plan' and think it will be great! Good luck!
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