December versus Summer Tips

[DisneyKeith]

Hello,
We just made last minute (3 months out) reservations for our first trip outside of the May, June or September time periods (6 trips in 4 years).
We have our MVMCP tickets. We're going the week after Thanksgiving.
What do we need to pack differently this trip. Would we carry different items into the park than usual. Ponchos? SweatShirts instead? Tennis Shoes instead of Crocs?
I can't believe we'll be in Disney World when it's not 100 degrees!
Please help with some TIPS that I couldn't possibly know.

THANKS for your help,
DisneyKeith

 

[2giddy4wdw]

well let me just tell you how it's been for us...we usually go right after Thanksgiving through the following week. It gets cool at night, but being from upstate New York, it's not cold. We usually wear shorts during the day and bring a sweatshirt for at night. Only once was it really cold and we had to wear jeans and sweatshirts. We have even been to the water parks during this time too!!! So I would pack at least one sweatshirt, jeans or sweatpants, and would even throw in a poncho...we've had to use those too!! Hope this helps and hope you have a great time!!!

 

[2giddy4wdw]

We also go to the MVMCP it's a blast!!! Looks like we will be there at the same time. We leave Saturday Nov 29 and come back Saturday Dec 6!

 

[imthatgirl]

first of all im over here laughing at the fact that 3 months out is "last minute" but i suppose with disney it is. used to be that last minute meant leaving in less than a month, boy how things have changed.

i ahve not been in december, but i have been many times in january. we have worn shorts, but usually we wear jeans and t shirts. sweatshirts are good for the evening. as for ponchos, so years we've needed them, others we havent. i like to bring them, but id rather we didnt use them.
i never wear sneakers to disney. incase it rains, i hate wet sneakers. so its always flip flops for me. my husband wears only sneakers.

 

[DisneyKeith]

Thanks for the replys.
How about this... Do you ride Splash Mt. or Kali. It's not wonderful to be soaked to the skin in the summer. But if it's chilly, it could ruin the day. I seem to remember that at times they turn off the extra water cannons at SM. Have you ever gotten drenched in cool weather?

Thanks again,
DisneyKeith

 

[imthatgirl]

Thanks for the replys.
How about this... Do you ride Splash Mt. or Kali. It's not wonderful to be soaked to the skin in the summer. But if it's chilly, it could ruin the day. I seem to remember that at times they turn off the extra water cannons at SM. Have you ever gotten drenched in cool weather?

Thanks again,
DisneyKeith

we ride kali if its warm out. if we're cold before we enter it, it would just be unpleasant. usually we,ve been able to ride it.
i must be one of the unlucky ones. i have never gotten more then a few drops on me on splash.

 

[carlbarry]

Thanks for the replys.
How about this... Do you ride Splash Mt. or Kali. It's not wonderful to be soaked to the skin in the summer. But if it's chilly, it could ruin the day. I seem to remember that at times they turn off the extra water cannons at SM. Have you ever gotten drenched in cool weather?

Thanks again,
DisneyKeith

I was at Disney last February, and it was 57 degrees! I rode Kali three times in a row, covered in plastic, but still got a little wet. I was wearing a Winter jacket! Even though it was cold, I found that in the sun it was pleasant, and I dried off fast. Don't forget--official temperature is always taken in the shade; in the sun, it can be much warmer.

 

[newholidayx2]

first of all im over here laughing at the fact that 3 months out is "last minute" but i suppose with disney it is. used to be that last minute meant leaving in less than a month, boy how things have changed.

I did just book a last minute trip - booked 16days ago - Leave TOMORROW morning!
for me - thats last minute

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we were there last Nov and loved having the mittens I packed for DD5~~brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr at night

 

[zoie101]

please say no mittens!

 

[poohbeargirl]

My husband and I were there last year at the end of November. We arrived Thanksgiving day and stayed almost a week. We're told the temps were hotter than usual that year though - it was in the high 80s during the day and quite humid. It was definately much hotter than we had aniticpated There was only one night that we were there (day after Thanksgiving) that it got pretty chilly in the evening - we stopped at a country in the World Showcase and bought sweatshirts to keep warm! But other than that, we were fine in shorts and tshirts for the whole trip. I do agree with some other posts though - take at least one or two pairs of cooler weather clothing - no matter what the weather predicitons are before you leave home, Florida is nothing if not unpredictable! Have a great trip!!!

 

[DisGal520]

yes take a pair of gloves and scarf muffler for the evenings. They came in handy last year as did a fleece pullover hoodie for evenings.

 

[elsabear]

we love going in December and January - During non-Christmas/New Years peak time it is MUCH less crowded - Best thing I can say is be prepared for both warm and cold days - We have literally worn shorts and mittens during the same vacation - Not necessarily heavy winter coats, but layers!

 

[puddykittyuk]

our first ever trip was in november and december. was really great we were even in the pools at midnight ,just wore shorts as usual but took a cardigan out at night was still really great, even went to the water parks

 

[ChristineAndMatt29]

I love Disney during December!! It is beautiful! My one tip is it can still be very hot during the day, but very chilly at night. I wouldn't recommend wearing jeans or pants to the parks during the day since the sun will still be shining. But definitely bring a sweatshirt for the evening. Oh - and make some time to visit the resorts to see them decorated for the holidays!

 

[ctot216]

Oh yes, it can get cold!
From up north where I am used to brutally cold winters, and
I have been chilled in late November/December.
To the point of needing gloves, a hat, and more than a sweatshirt.

Can still get pretty warm too
Enough to swim.

 

[korg]

I've been at Disney between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The weather was beautiful for touring the parks but not hot. We were comfortable in summer clothes during the day but needed sweat shirts at night. We didn't think it was warm enough to swim and because the temps were so pleasant didn't have the NEED to cool off.

I've been to Disney in Janurary where it rained for 7 days and was in the 50s during the day ... we were drenched and froze the whole vacation.

So my opinion is after October bring clothes for all occasions. Shorts and swim suits in case it's hot and long pants and light jackets or sweat shirts if it isn't. I'm from New Hampshire so during winter we really have winter weather. Snow, ice, YUCK!! For US ... Florida never gets cold enough for gloves, scarves and winter coats

 

[ctot216]

It dipped into the 40s for me one year
Just be prepared!

 

[BellAbbeys Mom]

40's WOW...

My family and I will also be going 11/30-12/6!!

Hoping the weather is gorgeous for all!!!!

 

[BradyBz12]

We've gone between Thanksgiving and Christmas several times now (and are this year also.) We've run the gamut from shorts at 80 degrees to the heat coming on in the camper at night!

Pretty safe to plan for cool, if not cold evenings, but can definitely still hit the 80s during the day. Light layers work well if the temp is variable.

Gotta say in the 6 weeks total we've been there that time of year, we've had very little rain (shouldn't say that out loud), but never hurts to have a poncho just in case.

Have a wonderful trip - it is a great time of year to go!