Dec. rain vs summer rain.

[LisaMaz]

Ok this may seem like a odd ? But I'm wondering whats the difference between rain in Dec. other than it being colder. Is it like a summer rain where it lasts only a short time or is it usually a whole day type? Thanks.

 

[nursemelis374]

When we were there the early part of December 2005, the rain was cold and lasted all day. Not like the typical warmer-month rain. This type of rain had a much larger impact on our trip.

 

[grimley1968]

The summer rains tend to be little convective thunderstorms that dissipate about as quickly as they appear.

I agree with the above poster in that winter rains can stick around all day, or even days, at times. Usually this seems to happen as a result of a cold front that brings bitterly cold temps to the north, but then stalls out in the deep south.

 

[All Aboard]

Grimley's got it. Florida summer thunderstorms are shorter, far more powerful and come up suddenly - seemingly everyday. They stretch on into hurricane season.

But, the Dec-Feb rains are generally longer in duration and often lighter in intensity. This time of year they are kind of a hybrid between the two.

 

[poohraedopey]

We had a very cold rainy day in Feb when we did AK! It was pretty miserable we only stayed liek 4 hours. Then went back to our hotal for a while before doing an e-night at MK which it rained for most of that as well. We didn't let it spoil our time though.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I have to agree with all above posters... in December 2005 our first day was gorgeous, but the next 6 days were all the same... cloudy, cool, and rainy. Not many real downpours to speak of but a constant drizzle for 6 days straight. Not enough to dampen our spirits though!!!

 

[makinorlando]

You should all be here now... no rain to speak of for almost 1 month, and none in the next 7 day forecast!

Of the three Decembers I have lived her Dec 2005 (the beginning two weeks) seemed to be rainier than the others. I had family visiting, and I remember changing plans for lunch at MGM with them due to a whole day rain. This kind of rain just makes it miserable.

I do find that slightly drizzly days usually make for good park days - they don't tend to be as crowded! DD and I will often head out if it's a "dreary" weekend day!

The summer storms are usually fast and furious, but some times can last for a couple hours - late afternoon into early evening.

 

[Leota]

I'll take summer thunderbursts over the winter dreary, all day rainy mists of Dec anyday.

 

[LisaMaz]

Ok so I'm getting nervous again, I have to say it sounds like it rains alot in Dec. and dreary! That really does not appeal to me at all!!! I thought I was safe when I picked this month because it says average rain fall is small in all the books. But it really doesn't sound like that at all. Thank you all for posting I'd reallly love to hear from more people who live there and have gone there around nov.25-dec2. so I can possibly reschedule thank you!

 

[hercamore]

I ws in Orlando the first week in Dec, 2005. 80's and sunny every day! Don't change your trip! No rain at all.


herc.

 

[Leota]

It's not dreary most of the time in Dec in my experience. It's just that when it rains, it seems to last most of the day & be cold, misty, rainy drear vs. the sudden fast & furious thundershowers of summer. I still think early Dec. is a marvelous time to go. It's going to be a total luck of the draw on the weather situation no matter what. Dec. really is quite beautiful with all the Holiday Decorations. I've been 3 times in early Dec.

I'm sorry if my post was too pessimistic. I didn't mean it to sound that bad. I thought the question was of the types of rain, which is worse. I do prefer other times of the year in WDW, weather wise. But I think everyone should see WDW at the Holidays at least once. It's really spectacular, even if you do get one of those rainy days.

 

[makinorlando]

It's not dreary most of the time in Dec in my experience. It's just that when it rains, it seems to last most of the day & be cold, misty, rainy drear vs. the sudden fast & furious thundershowers of summer. I still think early Dec. is a marvelous time to go. It's going to be a total luck of the draw on the weather situation no matter what. Dec. really is quite beautiful with all the Holiday Decorations. I've been 3 times in early Dec.

I'm sorry if my post was too pessimistic. I didn't mean it to sound that bad. I thought the question was of the types of rain, which is worse. I do prefer other times of the year in WDW, weather wise. But I think everyone should see WDW at the Holidays at least once. It's really spectacular, even if you do get one of those rainy days.

What she said - December is a great month. It is really rare - at any time to have a string of rainy dreary days together. The decorations, and "Holiday Magic" is something to experience at least once!

 

[ms.ojo]

Ok so I'm getting nervous again, I have to say it sounds like it rains alot in Dec. and dreary! That really does not appeal to me at all!!! I thought I was safe when I picked this month because it says average rain fall is small in all the books. But it really doesn't sound like that at all. Thank you all for posting I'd reallly love to hear from more people who live there and have gone there around nov.25-dec2. so I can possibly reschedule thank you!

Don't change your trip....it's a wonderful time of year!!

We were there 11/28-/05-12/11/05. We had terrific weather the 1st week, lots of sun, some cloudy days...no rain. Temps in the 70s during the day and 60s or 50s at night. Then came week #2, when we were at a conference. We had 3 days of more clouds than sun...and a bit cooler. I think it might have been 50s/low 60s as the daily highs. The rain was drizzly. But I've been to the parks under those conditions and it's great for touring. You don't get so hot and many people stay away.

I've been in August....oppressive is the word. you're dripping even w/out the downpours which are sometimes welcome relief!

I'd take lower crowds and slightly cooler any day. (of course we're from New England) Really, Dec is a great time. Everything is decorated and the weathe is nice. You take your chance any time of year. Heck, I've been in April and had it been as hot as August...then another year it was much cooler and we weren't as prepared. (that was early in my Disney travels..now I always pack for some layering no matter what time of year)

 

[DOOM1001]

I'll take December weather any day over the nasty hot and rainy Florida summers.In December it might be cloudy and dreary for a day or two, but then the cold front passes and brings glorious weather, as opposed to summers when everyone glistens from either sweat and/or rain and by 1pm or so you see the thunderstorm clouds stroll in EVERY DAY, and after the rain does go away the weather still stays ugly, it will bring the temperature down which is very needed but it still usually stays cloudy!!