December in WDW: How Cold Are We Talking About?

[CAS239]

My fingers are crossed that it'll be in the 50-60 degree mark. Disneys so much better when it's cold out.

And as far as your trip, you won't know until right before you leave. Even so, plan to bring different options as the weather changes. It could be in the 40's one day, then 70's the next. I wouldn't plan for too much cold weather, but it's better to have those clothing options. This past Dec-Feb most of the time it would be chilly in the morning (mid 50's), then warm up to low 70's in the middle of the day. However I do remember last Christmas, it was in the 80's. Doesn't really feel like Christmas when you're outside wearing shorts and shirt in the heat

 

[DOOM1001]

You could see a high temperature of 88 or you could see a low temperature of 28,basically it could be anywhere in between those.This year's been a little weird in a lot of aspects,I'm down in south Florida and early to mid summer was extremely dry while Orlando was non stop rain,usually the rain ends early October and temperatures cool off but its almost December and its been warmer and rainier than normal for this time of year.A forecast for December through February had Florida colder than normal,especially for January and February.What this means for you and a December trip is to pack like if you were going to the beach as well as a snow skiing trip.But just keep an eye on the forecast,if 2 days out you don't see any major swings up and down in temps then I would believe it.Rain is more riskier,even same day forecasts could be wrong on rain.

 

[vanyel]

I went to wdw December 1996 and it got really cold. We did t really pack many warm clothes - I think I wore the same thermal top everyday . Between the 4 of us, we had 2 pr of gloves which we shared because disney sold out of gloves. We still had a great trip but we were all cold. We did get new sweatshirts out of it though

My dh (not the same one from 96) and I will be there 12/14-12/21 and I plan to bring a variety of clothes, layering if needed is the plan. And we'll each have our own gloves!

 

[DOOM1001]

As another survivor of December 2010 I'm going to say, check the forecast right before you leave. If you may have temps under 40, pack a winter coat and gloves. Even if you are used to the cold (like me, lifelong Michigander) you will feel it. Most of us don't stay outdoors for hours on end.

2010/2011 had cold winters,it snowed during the 2010 January half marathon,people still call it "Disney on Ice".I remember one morning in January when it got down to like 30 degrees and some kid was in the pool,I'm sure it was heated as it had major steam coming out of it but that's gotta be one of the craziest things I've seen at Disney.A lot of people also say 40-50 degrees in Florida feels a lot colder than from where there from due to the humidity,I don't know if that's true or if they're just colder since they're spending more time outside,or a combination of both but it's another thing to consider.

 

[Disneylover99]

My fingers are crossed that it'll be in the 50-60 degree mark. Disneys so much better when it's cold out.

And as far as your trip, you won't know until right before you leave. Even so, plan to bring different options as the weather changes. It could be in the 40's one day, then 70's the next. I wouldn't plan for too much cold weather, but it's better to have those clothing options. This past Dec-Feb most of the time it would be chilly in the morning (mid 50's), then warm up to low 70's in the middle of the day. However I do remember last Christmas, it was in the 80's. Doesn't really feel like Christmas when you're outside wearing shorts and shirt in the heat

We will be there until Christmas Eve, I'm hoping for temp's in the 80's/90's like last year. Give me the heat in December.

 

[DebbieB]

My mom and I went the first full week of December from 2000 to 2004. One trip it was a high of 48 on our arrival day, we froze after dark. We left Pittsburgh in snow that morning but it didn't "feel" warmer at WDW. One trip it was low 80's all week and barely needed a jacket at night. Some trips a mix. You really have to wait until the last minute to pack. I'm going December 5 to 11 and can't resist the temptation to peek at the forecasts. Weather.com says 76 on my arrival day (Saturday), 75 on Sunday, Accuweather says 70 with 63 on Sunday. Too far out.

 

[rpb718]

2010 was the only year we have gone to WDW in January. We've done late February before which was great, but that year in early January it was COLD in the evenings. I had some long pants - but they were mostly lightweight. No long sleeve shirts other than the one I had worn flying down, and the jacket I brought with me wasn't cutting it. I still remember how the wind whipping down the Streets of America over at HS that first evening chilled me to the bone, and how even though our room (BCV) had a nice balcony we never could use it when we were in the room. We still went down every night to the hot tub by the quiet pool, but it was brutal. There were very few other brave souls that would venture down to the hot tub after 10PM.

I purchased a shirt or 2 to wear for layers, and my fondest memories are of the WDW Xmas decorations. But as cold as I was I really felt the sorriest for whoever had the misfortune to play Tinkerbell and slide down that wire for Wishes each evening.

 

[Aurora0427]

The long range forecast is looking warmer than last year, but you never know. We had weather in the 40s-60s last December. It was chilly sitting and waiting for parades and fireworks.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We put aside a small suitcase just for winter gear. I refuse to be caught unawares

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We live in Minnesota. We went to Disney last December and were glad to have our "mid-range cold" clothes with us. We didn't need our absolute warmest coats (down; rated for -40), but at night, we had on hats, gloves, and what we consider to be light winter jackets on, and we were in pretty good shape. The temps drop dramatically when the sun goes down. It was in the 40s at night when we were there and as someone upthread stated, when you're outside for an extended period of time in those temps, you do feel it.

 

[kohlby]

I'm in the southeast - where we have warmer summers than Disney and colder winters than Disney. The southeast tends to get confused where I am in the winter so I approach Disney with that in mind too. Look up the weather report soon before you go. Pack accordingly. Then - no matter what it said - make sure you have at least two outfits for hot weather and two outfits for cold weather. And you'll be set!

We'll be in Orlando the first week of December this year and it looks like we won't need anything more than a lightweight jacket in the mornings. Keep in mind park closing times play a part too. The parks close at 6 or 7 pm when I'm going. The later the park closes, the greater chance you'll need warm clothing too! We've been the first/second week of December a couple other times too and it was always fine - as in, I don't know if we ever couldn't wear shorts though we needed a jacket at times. We've been the week right after Christmas three times and that week had us switching from pants to shorts day to day. As for really cold - we only experience that once at Disney. It was January of 2010. The temps actually hit freezing and were cold for several weeks in Jan/start of Feb that year.

*Also note that the southeast can have wild temp swings. Disney's aren't nearly as wide as where I am, but they can still have them. A 40 degree morning can be well over 70 later on. So check highs AND lows.

 

[nuzmom]

Add me to the Dec 2010 Frozen Christmas!
With the ever changing Florida forecast, you can't be very certain of the weather more than a couple days in advance.
Layers are essential - I find I can work around having: jeans, long johns, warm socks and regular socks, t-shirts, long sleeves, zip up sweatshirts or sweaters that can double as coat if needed, stretchy gloves, hat or ear muffs, and a heavier coat that I wear to and from our Pittsburgh airport.

So - mornings are usually a little chilly even if days are supposed to be higher than 70. Jeans, t-shirt, and maybe a light sweatshirt/jacket work for me.
But, cold days... long johns, jeans, warm socks, long sleeve shirt, and sweater. Jacket, gloves, and hat as needed.

I have used a bathing suit in December ONE day. EVER.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

We went during Christmas a couple of years ago and the the weather was all over the place. One day it was in the 70's and we wore shorts. The next day it was 50 during the day and close to 40 at night. While we didn't wear Winter coats, we were layered in sweaters, hoodies, and jackets. The day we left for home, it was going to be 80. Just be prepared!

 

[bumbershoot]

I remember one morning in January when it got down to like 30 degrees and some kid was in the pool,I'm sure it was heated as it had major steam coming out of it but that's gotta be one of the craziest things I've seen at Disney.

We swam Dec 2010 at 50 degrees. Water is heated, but the air is not. So once a body part got wet, you wanted to keep that body part under the water. I had long long hair at the time and it wasn't staying up and it made my head sooo cold to get even my hair wet.

And getting out is NO joke.


I'm not sure they allow it anymore, when it's that cold, though. When we were there last January for the marathon weekend again, it was that cold again, and the pools were all closed. It's just not really safe for people, and it's not good for the lifeguards.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

we were there 12/31/13-1/7/14. One day we started at MK (maybe 1/1?) and it was WARM... dd was wearing jeans, jacket, etc. and i told her she would be hot... then cold front came through and she was the smart one. The night we were at DHS for the osborne family lights it was COLD and the family was rushing me through the lights. But it was very warm one minute and extremely cold the next so ya never know. DH and I going for a last-minute super quick (we'll be in orlando less than 48 hours) trip dec 1-3. so far it looks like upper 70's for the highs and upper 50's for lows. I've been in December previously and never needed more than a sweatshirt or hoodie. You really never know but yes it CAN get cold there. The funny thing is that people still swim.. you can see the heat/steam coming off the pools.

 

[DavidNYC]

I've been there years where it's hit the 20's at night. I've been there years where it's been 90's. One year there was an over 60 degree swing between the highest and lowest temps on our trip. Nothing you can do but look at the weather report a few days before and be prepared.

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

I also was "frozen" at MVMCP in Dec 2010, however the coldest trip for me, was January 2009. It was crazy, because as people have already stated , it can be 20 one day and 80 the next! On that trip we had every variation imaginable, but what stands out in my mind was Inauguration Day. Now we were on a 12 day trip and had previously decided that we would stay in that morning and have the kids watch the historic event of President Obamas swearing in. Good timing because it was SO cold that neither AK or Busch Gardens put large numbers of their animals, it was too cold!!! Disney sold out of gloves and scarves. We re from New England and were frigid! Don't you know....2 days later it was 80! So as everyone has stated, pack for all scenarios, and for that reason -yeah Southwest!!!

 

[ZoZo]

But as cold as I was I really felt the sorriest for whoever had the misfortune to play Tinkerbell and slide down that wire for Wishes each evening.

This made me laugh. Apparently, "Tink" is paid for a full eight-hour shift even though she only works for about 15 minutes total, just because of nights like that! (Learned that on th KTTK tour.)

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

We experienced some very cold temps (80 in the daytime and 30 at night)on a Dec trip. We left our coats in the car at the airport, so we bought sweatshirts, gloves, hats. They weren't enough. I remember how unbelievably cold it was watching the Candlelight Processional. We are planning on going next year and you can bet we'll have all kinds of weather gear.

 

[ChattaAlley]

I went at Christmas last year and it was in the 80's. We only brought cold weather clothes so I had to go buy t-shirts.