Chance of swimming in December?

[we3travellers]

I know, I know...fat chance, right? It is my dream to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, but DH and DS cannot fathom a vacation without warm sunshine and lots of pool time. How can I convince them it "may" happen? I'd like to hear from anyone that experienced great weather in December. TIA

 

[DSNY4ever]

We had great weather the first week of Dec in 2008. We swam multiple times. The weather was mild. We mostly wore t-shirts and tank tops and jeans. A couple days we wore shorts, but at night we usually wanted pants. I never wore a jacket or sweatshirt.

 

[Philleigh]

I could happen. We went in December 2009 and it was very warm - mid to upper 80's and sunny. I had packed jeans, and luckily one pair of crop pants, which I wore to parks every day. Didn't pack a bathing suit, but wish I had. (Not sure why I wasn't better prepared since I'm sure I checked the forecast online before I left.) People were commenting on how unusually warm it was for December. We're going this December and hoping for slightly cooler weather this time - but whatever the temp, you'll (and we'll) have a great time - the Christmas decorations are so beautiful.

 

[Thumper_Man]

DW and I went last year. We stayed both onsite and offsite. We had a mixture of weather. On some days it was raining, but there are were plenty of other days with plenty of sunshine.

We were staying offsite in our timeshare prior to switching over to CBR. We had 2 down days planned and both days we were able to enjoy the sun and go swimming.

When we switched over to CBR towards the end of our vacation, we were able to swim the first day which was a Tuesday (stayed 5 days and 4 nights).

Wednesday was an all day MK day. Think we actually did some park hopping this day. We could've very easily swam this day. Did the Wishes Dessert party. By the time wishes started, fog and clouds moved in as did the rain. Didn't start raining until after wishes though. Rained off and on for the 2nd electric parade. We got great seats to view the parade as the rain scared everyone away it seemed like.

Thursday the clouds were still around and it was raining. We didn't swim this day and it was a little cooler this day. Because of this, we made today a touring the other resorts day. It was nice to go to all the Deluxes and see the Christmas decorations. Plus we were on a pressed penny/quarter hunt. We did get in the hot tub at night though and that was nice.

Friday it was a little warmer, still cloudy but no rain. This was our last night so we did some more park hopping. Evening Magic Hours over at Epcot, so we ended the night there.

Saturday it was time for us to head back home. Flight didn't leave until the late afternoon. Sun was back out so we did a little swimming in the early morning before packing up and heading back to the airport. Didn't want to leave. It was nice and sunny out, and back home it was snowing. It was very hot outside when we left and the pool was getting pretty full.

Never know what kind of weather you're going to get, but I'm sure there will be some pool days in there for sure.

 

[njmom47]

We were there Dec 07 and we went in the pool more than one day. It was hot (or at least warm) every day except the last day we were there.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Who cares if it is 90 degrees outside -- the pools are heated and your are at Disney World -- nothing could be more magical than swimming in a heated pool before or after a day in the parks???

Tom

 

[bumbershoot]

I could happen. We went in December 2009 and it was very warm - mid to upper 80's and sunny.

It wasn't like that for all of that December, though. There was a part of it where it was significantly colder. (and people who ran the Marathon in January of 2010, just a month after that December, said they started with it snowing on them)

The cold in Dec 2009 made me foolish for our first trip in Dec 2010. Thought that cold wouldn't happen again. Oh ha ha ha how wrong I was! It started off decently enough, but there was one morning of 29 when I thought I was going to freeze my head off. (that was the morning at Universal when my son had us ride Flight of the Hippogriff, early early early, 14 times in a row...after the 14th time I went right into the giftshop and bought $100 worth of scarves) The last day, as we were leaving for the airport, it warmed back up.

Who cares if it is 90 degrees outside -- the pools are heated and your are at Disney World -- nothing could be more magical than swimming in a heated pool before or after a day in the parks???

Tom

During the trip I mentioned above, we swam. Swam one night at CBR, swam over at Universal, swam at AKL when we had moved over there. The Universal swim was when it was the absolute coldest.

While you are in the water, the parts under the water are toasty. But if you get your hair wet, your head will freeze if it's supercold outside. And getting out of the water is absolutely rotten.


Remember, we swam. But it's not like it was fabulous. We did it to say we had done it, and to be in nice warm water after freezing our rears off all day. (but at Universal hubby sat on a chair and read his Kindle while we acted crazy LOL...had the towels all over him to stay warm, and he's a guy who wears shorts until it's below freezing)



BUT BUT BUT! That weather isn't normal. Go prepared with longjohns and warm socks (the thin, warm layers underneath would have been so much better than layering things on top like we tried), bring a variety of clothing, and hope for typical weather! Be prepared, though. Especially if anyone is an outlying sort of size where buying warm clothes would be difficult, as it would have been for us.

 

[gilsan]

I know, I know...fat chance, right? It is my dream to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, but DH and DS cannot fathom a vacation without warm sunshine and lots of pool time. How can I convince them it "may" happen? I'd like to hear from anyone that experienced great weather in December. TIA

According to Accuweather the temp in December ranges from 22-24C. We have swam at those temperatures in Orlando.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

When I went mid December 2011 it was unseasonably cold. They actually had covered all flowers to prevent frost and I wore at least 3 layers and still froze! I will reiterate it was unseasonably cold so don't expect it but be prepared. During the day the sun is pretty strong and the pools are heated so you should have some pool time.

 

[TDC Nala]

No way to know. If you were there in the second week of December 2010 you know it can get down to the 30s sometimes. Had to purchase gloves and a hat, wish I'd had boots.

 

[Amanda999]

Hi - I'm from Massachusetts. Went to Disney 2nd week of December 2012. We swam daily at the POR pool - it was heated nicely. Only on 1 or 2 days was it chilly when we got out of the pool, but they have towels right there so no big deal.

It was low 80's a couple of days, but not every day. Light rain about 1/2 the days (but not for long any one day).

We wore shorts the entire week.

 

[mevelandry]

I know, I know...fat chance, right? It is my dream to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, but DH and DS cannot fathom a vacation without warm sunshine and lots of pool time. How can I convince them it "may" happen? I'd like to hear from anyone that experienced great weather in December. TIA

December 7 to 9, 2012 ... It's been over 80 all week-end and we spend a lot of time in the pool!

 

[meredith1]

When I went mid December 2011 it was unseasonably cold. They actually had covered all flowers to prevent frost and I wore at least 3 layers and still froze! I will reiterate it was unseasonably cold so don't expect it but be prepared. During the day the sun is pretty strong and the pools are heated so you should have some pool time.

That's how I remember our December trip back in 2011. I wouldn't call it freezing although, I love cold weather....I'm from the deep south.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

It wasn't like that for all of that December, though. There was a part of it where it was significantly colder. (and people who ran the Marathon in January of 2010, just a month after that December, said they started with it snowing on them)

The cold in Dec 2009 made me foolish for our first trip in Dec 2010. Thought that cold wouldn't happen again. Oh ha ha ha how wrong I was! It started off decently enough, but there was one morning of 29 when I thought I was going to freeze my head off. (that was the morning at Universal when my son had us ride Flight of the Hippogriff, early early early, 14 times in a row...after the 14th time I went right into the giftshop and bought $100 worth of scarves) The last day, as we were leaving for the airport, it warmed back up.




During the trip I mentioned above, we swam. Swam one night at CBR, swam over at Universal, swam at AKL when we had moved over there. The Universal swim was when it was the absolute coldest.

While you are in the water, the parts under the water are toasty. But if you get your hair wet, your head will freeze if it's supercold outside. And getting out of the water is absolutely rotten.


Remember, we swam. But it's not like it was fabulous. We did it to say we had done it, and to be in nice warm water after freezing our rears off all day. (but at Universal hubby sat on a chair and read his Kindle while we acted crazy LOL...had the towels all over him to stay warm, and he's a guy who wears shorts until it's below freezing)



BUT BUT BUT! That weather isn't normal. Go prepared with longjohns and warm socks (the thin, warm layers underneath would have been so much better than layering things on top like we tried), bring a variety of clothing, and hope for typical weather! Be prepared, though. Especially if anyone is an outlying sort of size where buying warm clothes would be difficult, as it would have been for us.

I'm from Connecticut and participate in the Polar Plunge every January -- wrap a towel around yourself and you will be fine!

Tom

 

[laceyinwonderland]

When I went mid December 2011 it was unseasonably cold. They actually had covered all flowers to prevent frost and I wore at least 3 layers and still froze! I will reiterate it was unseasonably cold so don't expect it but be prepared. During the day the sun is pretty strong and the pools are heated so you should have some pool time.

We went the first week of Dec that same year! It was very nice during the day, but super cold at night. AND even in the mid day, Disneys standard of a heated pool, and mine of a heated pool were NOT the same!! It was wayyyyyy too cold for my southern blood!! However, there were lots of other people swimming!

Like others have said, pack for everything! You may get lucky! And depending on what your used to, even what others think is cold, may not be cold for you! Wishing you lots of for your trip!!!

 

[mevelandry]

I know, I know...fat chance, right? It is my dream to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, but DH and DS cannot fathom a vacation without warm sunshine and lots of pool time. How can I convince them it "may" happen? I'd like to hear from anyone that experienced great weather in December. TIA

December 7 to 9, 2012 ... It's been over 80 all week-end and we spend a lot of time in the pool!

 

[GoofyBaby]

It can totally happen! It just really will depend on the weather, which can be very unpredictable in December. Hubby and I went in December 2011 and we went swimming several times, as it was very warm.

 

[GoofyBaby]

When I went mid December 2011 it was unseasonably cold. They actually had covered all flowers to prevent frost and I wore at least 3 layers and still froze! I will reiterate it was unseasonably cold so don't expect it but be prepared. During the day the sun is pretty strong and the pools are heated so you should have some pool time.

Yep, like I said, the weather is very unpredictable in December! We went in early December (almost second week of December) and it was warm.

 

[Thumper_Man]

December 7 to 9, 2012 ... It's been over 80 all week-end and we spend a lot of time in the pool!

You left at the right time. We were there at the same time for 2 weeks (Dec. 1-15). The day after you left, it was raining. Then sun came out for a couple of days, then it rained and got cold for 2 days before the sun came back out again. The weekend you're referring to was a nice weekend though.

 

[OKW Lover]

I know, I know...fat chance, right? It is my dream to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, but DH and DS cannot fathom a vacation without warm sunshine and lots of pool time. How can I convince them it "may" happen? I'd like to hear from anyone that experienced great weather in December. TIA

We've gone in early December annually for 20+ years. Some years its been warm. Some years its been cold. Some years its been both in the same weekend. I've got pictures from one december where we are wearing shorts and a t-shirt of Friday, but 2 days later we're wearing winter jackets.