Can someone share ideas for a packing list for early December?

[metivier]

Starting to think about what to pack for our upcoming trip (6 nights, 12/5 - 11). If it was just DH and I it would be relatively easy to pack -- but planning for layers for my 3 year-old and will-be-almost-1 year-old is just baffling to me! I'm planning on not doing laundry, too, so that makes it more challenging.

Is 1 swim suit per person enough? How about 2 pairs of shorts per person plus 4 s-s shirts? Then 1 pair of jeans per person and maybe a pair of khakis each, and 3 l-s shirts? Then other than 1 sweatshirt each and a coat (which we'll wear on the plane), is that it for clothes? (Of course underwear and PJs as well, but that's easy!) I figure 1 pair of walking shoes per person (wear on plane) and 1 pair of sandals and we're done.

Does that sound right? Should I bring mittens/hats/scarves for the kids?

Karen

 

[simonmunro]

I've read extensively about this (guess I keep hoping I'll read something different) AND they all say pack swimsuits to mittens, nobody can predict if it will be 42 or 80, I guess they get both!

It seems like usual is about 60 ish but will this year be usual??? Do you want to risk having to purchase sweatshirts and jackets. Little ones get cold fingers easy when out at night so be sure to toss some of those lightweight gloves in your backpack for wishes and spectro.

 

[KLAIT]

Well, your question is tricky! We have been there the same time for the last 2 years and we didn't need the same clothes either year.

Last year, we stepped off the plane the day after thanksgiving and I think I wished we had winter jackets and mittens as it was so cold...then as the week progressed it did warm up a bit, but there was only 1 day where we zipped off the bottom of DS pants and he wore shorts for a few hours and then it was back to long pants....all 10 days we wore long pants and ss shirts with a light sweatshirt or denim shirt over them...only 1 day where we would have attempted to swim and only when the sun was directly hitting the pool

The year before, there were a few days were a few more days of wearing shorts, but very cool at night.....I think 2 or 3 days it was pretty warm...and we could maybe have swam.

This was our take on the weather during this time and we are used to cool and cold as we are right on the shore of Lake Superior and it doesn't usually get as warm as most of the US so we are very used to cool weather.

 

[kldmom2000]

We are also going Dec 4-11 this year.... we've been during this time frame a few separate times (always w/o kids) This is our first time with kids to Disney-3 out of the 4 times we went at the beginning of Dec., it was warm-high 70's/low 80's during the day. At night it dropped down to the high 50's/low 60's. The last time we went, it was cool most days-high 60's and at night it was in the 40's. Of course, thinking it would be like previous trips, DH and I only had 1 sweatshirt and 1 pr of pants each that we had to keep washing!LOL! My best advice would be to keep checking weather.com or other weather websites for up to date info the last few days before your trip to see what you should be packing. Not to say they're always right, but it'll give you some sort of idea on what to bring? I'll be keeping my fingers crossed right along with you for sunny, warm weather that whole week!!!!

 

[Magic2000]

We've also been three times in the beginning of December, and its been a mixture of weather. The first time, it was really rather cold! We wore jeans and a long sleeve shirt during the day, and added a sweatshirt at night. (I did have a coat for my youngest DD; and thankfully, I did have some gloves because she was cold!)

The next year, it was a little warmer during the day, but definitely jeans/longsleeves at night, maybe even a light jacket.

The next time, it was warmer the first two days, then it got cold the last three days!

About a week before our trip in December, I'll check the weather sites and see what is predicted. And, we'll pack accordingly. But I always bring at least one pair of long pants, just in case. You can always buy a sweatshirt there!!

Also, I had brought one of my "baby" blankets to drape across the stroller, and we also used to to wrap around us at the Candlelight Processional. Even though my DD was 5, she still got cold when sitting in the stroller, so the blanket helped!

Good luck - enjoy your trip!!

 

[ahutton]

I love that time of year, but you are right, packing for kids at that age is rough, especially if you don't want to do laundry.

One bathing suit each is probably enough, just rinse them and hang them on the clothesline in the tub well spread out to dry. Most trips we've been on in the past 10 years we've had at least one day where we went swimming, and we live in warmer climate so we are picky.

For the kids, (and assuming you don't plan on buying them something to wear) I would pack a t-shirt for each day, plus 2 spares for emergencies. I would get them each a cardigan or zip up sweatshirt (light enough to wear under a jacket if it is really cold). 2-3 pairs of shorts in colors/patterns that hide little spots. 2-3 pairs of long pants in colors/patterns that hide little spots - I like knits better than denim or khaki, smaller to pack and more comfortable. One jacket that is wind/water resistant - does not need to be heavy, because if it is really cool by the time they have on a t-shirt, zip up and that they will be plenty warm. We've used gloves once or twice for our older one, the little one wouldn't keep them on. I had better luck just putting one of their blankets in the stroller basket and using it when needed. Then either a stroller rain cover or umbrella and you are set. I have them wear tennis shoes down and pack sandals that can double as pool shoes.

This list has taken us through trips in November and December since 2000 with our girls at different ages, they are now 4 and 2.

Almost forgot - I buy a large pack of wipes, and use those as between laundry clean ups - that is why I pack colors and/or patterns - doesn't show up well after a wipe has gone over it. Can be a good replacement for a quick wash, although I've also used the sink in an emergency, and then hung it to dry.

 

[SnowWitch]

Pack a cap and mittens. Disney has a poor selection. Our last Dec trip I was buying $7.50 knit caps which are $1 at Wal-mart from YC/BC gift shop. All they had left were gross colors- my boys words, lavendar and assorted odd shades. No cute Disney hats just plain knit for $7.50.

We are packing ours this year!!

 

[metivier]

Thank you all for the great advice! I have saved all of your posts in my "Packing list" note on my PDA. I also found "thumbless mittens" at Lands End so I'm going to get a pair for my little guy.

 

[gary4jenn]

We go every year in December and the weather is very unpredictable.

I pack for each child:

1 t-shirt for each day (you can always layer over these)

1 pr. shorts for 2/3 of the days we are there.

1 pr of long pants for 2/3 of the days we are there (this includes a pair for the plane trip down and back since it will be cold here in MN when we leave). Jeans or capris are great.

2-3 long shirts for thise 60 dgree days.

2 light jackets

2 sweatshirts

stretch "magic" gloves for each child

I also pack an extra pr. of shoes in case one gets wet on a ride or it rains.

a pr. of thin leggings to wear in the early hours when it's still chilly out or for the evening after the sun goes down, The weather does get cool in the AM and in the evening.

Remember that you can rent a locker for $5 to keep the extra clothes in and that is far cheaper then having to buy extra clothes in the park.

I would also recommend a blanket or a couple yards of cheap fleece to watch Fantasmic! as the cement seats get cold and uncomfortable.

I also recommend stripes and busier patterns to hide the stains that will show up. I also bring shout wipes for emergencies and a stain stick to treat any clothes that will need to be "saved".

I also get the wisk laundry tabs at Wal-mart so that if I need to do laundry I can.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!