Calling all northerners who have gone to WDW in December

[pyrxtc]

I guess I'll just be watching the weather really close to pack what we will need. Our winter jackets will be left in the car and gone to my mothers for the duration of our trip. We all have some nice sweatshirts thatw e can bring and I have one I bought last time I was there so I even get to wear a Anniversary one. So I gess i'll plan on bringing jeans and shorts and we can wear whatever. Sweatshirts can be kept in a locker right? How much does a locker cost? I don't want to carry anything we are not immeadiately using. We are not even bringing a stroller for our 3 yr old, we will rent if we have to!

 

[dcgrumpy]

I'm from NY, we were just there the first week in December. When I checked the forecast and it said low 50's at night, I thought no problem I'll wear shorts and throw on a sweatshirt. Honestly though when the sun went down we were freezing even with pants and a sweatshirt. we ended up going back to the resort early every night because it was too cold.

 

[TomD]

is it really that cold? I'm from Nh, the mountians, and when I see that it gets to 50 degrees, I think still shorts weather. I'm seeing tons of pics of people with sweatshirts and hts, gloves and them saying it was too cold for swimming.?? is that right?? My boys really love the pool and i wouldn't want to miss out! I know 50 degrees up here is still shorts weather unless it has the winter cold winds backing it up but I don't see that happening in Florida. Tell the truth.. how cold was it for you!!???

Been down the last 2 yrs in Dec.

1st yr the 1st couple of nights we did not go swimming due to cold rain. The rest of the time we went without a problem

this past year we swam every night.

The water is warmer there in Dec then my pool in NH in July

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I'm originally from MN, and when my family went in Dec. we found that when we first got down there we thought it was really warm and wonderful - shorts, t-shirts while the CM's were wrapped up in scarves and heavy coats. Over the week we seemed to be getting colder and colder until on our last day we were all dressed in layers with light gloves. My DB was amazed to discover that the temps on the last day were even warmer than they were on the first day! I guess we just got used to the warmer weather and then we felt cold again... Of course, when we got back to MN it was -10 with a -35 windchill...BRRRR!!!

On another trip in Jan, it was freezing in FL (frost warnings and everything) and 45 back in MN! Grrr...was I bummed. Not only was it cold in FL, but I missed the only heat wave that winter in MN. So you never know...

 

[2giddy4wdw]

We come from upstate NY, right on Lake Ontario and always leave the day after Thanksgiving and are there for 1 week. This year when we went that first weekend was really warm - 84 degrees. Most of the time that we are down there it is really nice 60 - 70 degrees. It also rained one day when we were there. We always were shorts and tshirts and bring a sweatshirt with us. We have had to wear pants in the past, but not that much. Even when we go to the Chirstmas party we've worn shorts. There was one time in 2000 that it was soooo cold the night of the christmas party that we all had on 2 sweatshirts. But it has never been that cold again while we are there. We usually go to the water parks and swim at the pool. But being from where were are anything over 45-50 is warm. Definately goes by the person. You just need to pack jeans, sweats and at least one heavy sweatshirt. IMO!!! We are going again this year at that time, it's so beautiful down there at that time. Good luck with packing!!!!

 

[tiggerplus5]

It's true. The humidity does make it chilly when it's been raining and the wind is blowing. All depending on where you are staying, you may have to drive in one of the open air trams back to your vehicle in the parking lot in the evening. The transportation boats can also be absolutely frigid!! The weather can be tolerable during the day but at night you may freeze. The secret is layering. We usually manage with sweatshirts and shorts unless it's a major cold snap.

It is funny to see the CM's all bundled up with hats, scarves and gloves and we walk by with shorts and tshirts. And I'm sure they think we are funny too!

 

[Robo]

Sweatshirts can be kept in a locker right? How much does a locker cost? I don't want to carry anything we are not immeadiately using.

Lockers at all theme-parks:

$5.00 to $6.00 per day + $2.00 refundable key deposit (you get $2 cash back when you hand in the key).

Keep your locker fee receipt and if you park-hop that SAME DAY, you get any other locker(s) in other park(s) for no extra charge (except another $2 refundable key deposit.)

 

[Skroops]

I live in WI, and we were in WDW at the end of November-early December. Most days were fine for shorts and a t-shirt, but at night it was too cold for shorts for us. We took a break in the afternoon to return to our hotel and rest a bit and then change into evening wear, which was jeans and a sweatshirt, and some nights added a jacket and light gloves to that! My theory is that although it was nice during the day, the sun is stronger than we are used to. I think the nights feel even chillier if you have a very minor sun burn.

Funny side note: When spring hits here, the college kids wear shorts in 40-50 degree weather because they are so anxious for spring. If you are the type to do this in northern weather, you are fine in shorts at WDW! We are too cold to do this!

 

[8 Ears]

We are from Maine (foothills) and when went in 1989 we had to buy sweatshirts. Then we were still slightly chilly.
We went back in December 2004 (our 15th anniversary) with DS 10 and 13. We were better prepared and knew we would be purchesing sweat shirts for home but ended up wearing them while there. Epcot day we even bought hats.
My cousin who lives in Naples says it is common for them to have a cold snap in December.

When are we going back? DH INSISTS on going in June! He says we go to Florida for the sun and warmth and boy are we going to have warmth

Enjoy your trip but be prepared for a variety of temps

 

[Kristi1357]

We've been to WDW 3 times in December & 5 times in January.

Like everyone else said, sometimes it's shorts weather. Other times we wore 4 layers, scarves, hats & gloves and were still cold! The humidity in the air definately makes the temp. feel colder than here up north. Pack for anything!

I always bring those cheap knit gloves from Wal-Mart along on all winter WDW trips. I used them several times during marathon week this year.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I went from 12/21/05- 12/28/05 and it was cool. Most days we wore long sleeved shirts and were comfy BUT as the sun went down, we had to break out the heavy sweatshirts and jackets. We went swimming while we were there but the air was cold (heated pools make it comfy) There were a couple of days that did get warmer where we were wearing short sleeved shirts but needing a sweatshirt or jacket at night.

 

[alicenwonder99]

We were there from 12/9 - 12/14 2005. It was rainy a couple of days, and cold the other days. The rain was the pits. It's not like rain in the summer where it feels good for a few minutes, then the sun comes out and dries everything up. Nope! It rains all day long, some times in buckets, and it's cloudy so you never dry off. By the end of the day, our jeans were soaked up to our calves. BUT, a cold rainy day is still better than a hot summer day (imho).

If the sun is out, the colder weather is just fine. You can get away with capris and wear a sweatshirt in the mornings, take it off for the afternoon, and put it back on later on. Once the sun goes down, it gets chilly. If you stay later in the evening for MVMCP or a late EMH, then it gets COLD! You will need gloves and pants, and maybe a winter coat. We were at MVMCP on 12/13 and by about 10pm, the kids had their winter coats on. By 11pm, they didn't want to get out of the stroller and used MY winter coat as a blanket. Also, they had on about 3 layers of shirts and sweathshirts UNDER their winter coat.

Now, in contrast, we were there the first week of January 2005 and it was very warm. A wonderful 80's during the day, and a very pleasant mid-70's in the evening. We wore shorts and tanks in the evening. One night we brought along a sweatshirt, but it really wasn't needed.

Just pack everything and you'll be ok...lol.

Mary

 

[ujpest_doza]

I'm from North East England and if the mercury hits 70F in the summer here i'm sweating and complaining about the heat while at work and stripped down to shorts and soaking up the sun if i'm at home.

Having been to Florida in both February and March i can say that 70F on a cloudy, wet and windy day in Florida does surprisingly feel cool.

We had a day last March when it was both wet and windy and the daytime high was 50F and it felt really cold. We weren't terribly well prepared for it, but i was wearing Jeans, a Tee-Shirt and a long sleeved sweat shirt and still felt pretty cold.

A couple of evenings were quite cold as well, with us similarly dressed as above, but lots of other visitors (this was at DTD) wearing winter ski jackets, hats and gloves etc (i thought it was a bit cool, but not THAT cold).

It is strange, but 60F for instance in Florida feels a lot colder than 60F at home but i think that is because 60F at home is usually associated with warmer westerley winds whereas to drop to 60F in Florida the wind has to be a cold north wind bringing its chilly northern air.

 

[skiingwife]

We're from Michigan and were there 12/16 - 12/25/05. One or two days (I think the 17th and 18th) were cloudy or rainy, and on these days we wore sweatshirts, light jackets, and jeans. The rest of the week was beautiful to us - low to mid 70's, sunny, and perfect for touring without sweating. In the evenings we took sweatshirts and light jackets, but never a winter coat or hat or mittens. I brought mittens just in case.

My 3 sons swam in the pool every day, no matter the weather. On our first 3 days at the Polynesian, the pool was turned up to 90 degrees, and it was much nicer being in the water than sitting around at a table. It was chilly but they swam for a long time anyway. Our last 6 nights were at the Yacht Club. Stormalong Bay had one hottub that was very hot. It was nice because we could warm up in there if we needed to, but even I had my bathing suit on most of the days and it wasn't too bad.

I think we would have swam every day no matter what the temperature was because we're so used to the cold.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We were there in mid-December and the nights were around 50 and the days went up to 76-78. It was great. I don't pool that cold, but my DH and DS did and they loved it. Remember: the pools are heated, but watch out when you get out.

 

[CAD3655]

We've traveled a couple times in December...it can be 70 or 40, while better than what we are usually offered in Boston at that time of year, it can stil be tricky to pack. We were there from the 7th to the 12th Dec '05 and the weather was not cooperating at all. It rained everyday but the 12th and was 40 degrees the whole week (first time that has happened to us in our 20 plus years of going to WDW). It was a bit raw due to the rain, but a sweatshirt and our rain jackets kept us plenty warm. Of course my husband was bound and determined to wear his shorts since he was in Florida no matter the temp or rain.

 

[CharmedLife]

Funny side note: When spring hits here, the college kids wear shorts in 40-50 degree weather because they are so anxious for spring. If you are the type to do this in northern weather, you are fine in shorts at WDW! We are too cold to do this!

Too funny! As one of those former Wisconsin college kids, I can say that you are dead-on! Amazing how much warmer 50 degrees feels in April versus October.

Last year my in-laws from Texas visited us in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. It was around 50-60 degrees and they were wearing heavy winter coats while we were running around in jeans and short sleeves. All a matter of what you're used to, I guess!

I haven't been to Disney in December, but this past October was WAY too hot for me. I'm really looking forward to our trip the 2nd week of December '06, and will be hoping for those nice, sunny, 60-70 degree days!

Still, a cold rainy day at Disney is better than a warm day at home!

 

[PoohD]

We're from NH too and were in WDW at the end of Dec.this past year. We felt that since we were in Fl we would wear shorts. It wasn't cold for us. We're used to it! We had polar fleece jackets and long pants for night. Now my sisters who are Floridians were cold and would never think of swimming because it was winter and you don't swim in the winter. Landing in Boston was a problem with light weight jackets though!

 

[budbeerlady]

We are from West Michigan. We left 10 inches of snow and Dec 10 it was in the high 70's. But Sunday it rained and was in 50's and stayed cool untill Wed night. Our MVMCP it was below 40 (big thing frost/ freeze warnings all over) and we were bundled up because of a breeze and not wanting to leave if we got cold. Then the rest of the week was nice and warm. DD went swimming twice, since the mornings were cool (ok pasty white legs also) I wore capri pants most of the trip.

Note to self: When packing to return home in Dec dont wear your sandals home, toes and snow dont mix! What was I thinking!

 

[Kimberly815]

I was there in December 2004. . .and we wore shorts and tshirts all day and were very comfortable. At night however, we wore pants and sweatshirts and it was perfect.