December - wardrobe & shoes???

[KigerKat]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread about what kind of shoes to wear in the park to keep their feet from hurting. My question is more about what kind of clothes to wear in December, as well as what kind of shoes.

I've seen the typical weather for December, with highs in the mid 70's and lows in the 40's-50's. What time does it actually begin to get cool in the day? Do most people wear jeans all day, or are a lot of people wearing shorts?

Now on to shoes...I also get blisters fairly easily at WDW, and I really want to do everything I can to avoid that at DL. I have some great Merrell sandals, but I doubt I'll be able to break them back in from summer before we leave. And I don't know if it will really make a whole lot of sense to wear sandals if it's going to be in the 60's in the afternoon/evening.

In the fall/winter, I normally wear Sketcher's like these:

http://www.skechers.com/style/21140/bikers-dream-come-true/ccgy

But I honestly don't know if those would support me enough at the parks.

Do people bring jackets along with them and store them in a locker all day? I guess I'm just confused with how people adjust to the highs/lows throughout the day.

Thanks!

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

We went last December Christmas to New Years and it was mostly cold (for me i am a weather wimp) We got rain a couple of days, but I expected it and packed rain coats...those were great days as the parks were empty!!! The rest of the week a heavy sweatshirt was fine at night. We would get a locker or go back to the Hotel to put warmer clothes on.

 

[FlameGirl]

We layer as well as stash vests and sweatshirts in a locker. Our days usually go like this: cold in the am. Sun comes out, we get warm, take off outer layer and stash in locker. Once the sun goes down we immediately get cold again and grab the warmer clothes out of the locker.

 

[KigerKat]

How much are the locker rentals at DL?

 

[FlameGirl]

How much are the locker rentals at DL?

The smallest lockers were $7 per day when we were there in December.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

They are about $7 to $20 depending on the size we usually get by with a small as they are quite roomy.

 

[spacemermaid]

When I'm at Disneyland in December, I usually wear a sweatshirt (a Mickey sweatshirt, of course ) because I can just tie it around my waist if it gets warm out + not have to store it in a locker (or back at the hotel). I do bring along a coat for if it gets cold/damp/wet out, but it usually stays on a hanger at the hotel.

I have found that a poncho is a must-bring for December trips...even if it's just the kind that are like $1 at Wal Mart or the 99 Cent Store...for the past several years, it has rained at least a couple of days out of the week that I'm there. Having one on-hand and ready to go is alot easier than getting soaked and THEN buying one in the Park.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I go a lot in December and the weather can vary from mild to chilly. Normally, the mornings start out cool and I need a jacket, but by mid-day I'm comfortable in a long sleeve t-shirt (I'm always in jeans in Dec). At night, the temperature can dip and I wear a light coat. There was one trip that I needed a ski jacket, knit cap and scarf at night! I use the lockers so I can switch out of jackets or stash a sweatshirt for later.

Locker rentals range from $7 - 15 per day, depending on size.

Your blisters are from moisture and friction. Tip: your feet will swell from all-day standing/walking. It's normal for feet to swell an additional 1/2-1 shoe size by the day's end, so what fit in the morning will be too snug in places by afternoon (increasing the risk of blistering). Make sure your shoes accommodate swelling by trying on shoes after a long day of standing. They should feel supportive in the heel without slipping and align with the widest part of your feet. Also, you should be able to move your toes freely in the toebox and allow a thumbs-width between your big toe and the shoe. I wear a size 8 or 8.5 in daily shoes, but I wear a 9.5 in running shoes.

Foot powder and moisture-wicking socks are heaven-sent!

 

[KigerKat]

Your blisters are from moisture and friction. Tip: your feet will swell from all-day standing/walking. It's normal for feet to swell an additional 1/2-1 shoe size by the day's end, so what fit in the morning will be too snug in places by afternoon (increasing the risk of blistering). Make sure your shoes accommodate swelling by trying on shoes after a long day of standing. They should feel supportive in the heel without slipping and align with the widest part of your feet. Also, you should be able to move your toes freely in the toebox and allow a thumbs-width between your big toe and the shoe. I wear a size 8 or 8.5 in daily shoes, but I wear a 9.5 in running shoes.

Foot powder and moisture-wicking socks are heaven-sent!

My feet were truly pitiful after our trip in May. I had about 4-5 blisters on the sides of my feet and under my big and pinkie toes. They truly weren't back to "normal" until about 6 weeks after we got home. I had seen a great thread about blister prevention while we were there, but I forgot to bookmark it. I'll definitely look into the moisture wicking socks!!

 

[bondgirl007]

We use moleskin to prevent blisters. I cut out the sizes we will need before we leave on vacation and then use before we need it. I usually have the same problem spots time after time. My son will tell me if he has a warm spot and then put it on. It does also work after you get a blister to reduce friction on the area. We use the thin kind.

 

[Eeee-va]

When we went in December 2009, I found lockers to be indispensable. The weather was cool enough and the crowds were light enough, we didn't need to go back to the room for breaks. Even if we would have, though, we found the parks quite chilly at opening (requiring a jacket) and only heated up as the day went on. Once the sun went down, I was happy to have a very thick jacket or a trenchcoat (!). I'm from Arizona, though, so your mileage may vary if you're not so sensitive to cold.

If it looks like rain during your trip, then depending on the size of your party and your budget, I'd consider investing in rain boots. My old shoes were not waterproof and I hate walking around with wet feet! With rain boots and a good umbrella or jacket, I would've been perfectly happy. (As it was, even though it rained quite a bit, I still had fun. But if I had to do it again, I would've shelled out the $20 or less, I think it was, to buy myself a pair of rain boots at Target.)

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Depends on what the weather is like where you are coming from. The last time I went in December I wore shorts and tank tops the entire time. When I left home our highs were in the 20s so Anaheim's 70 degree weather was a huge heat wave to me.

 

[KigerKat]

Depends on what the weather is like where you are coming from. The last time I went in December I wore shorts and tank tops the entire time. When I left home our highs were in the 20s so Anaheim's 70 degree weather was a huge heat wave to me.

I am originally from Chicago, but I've lived in Atlanta for about 9 years now. I hate to admit it, but the sun down here has thinned my blood quite a bit. I used to be able to get away without wearing an actual winter coat until about January, but now I put it on in October.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

As a local, we're in jeans and a short-sleeved or occasionally long-sleeved t-shirt. I usually tie a hoodie or sweatshirt around my waist. As others have said, it's nice when the sun is up and chillier when it's not (morning and evening). A cheap poncho is a good idea.

Your Skechers look fine to me, as long as they're broken in. Bring an extra pair in case it rains, and also bring extra socks in case you need to change them mid-day. One way to avoid blisters is to put antiperspirant on your feet. IMO the best is Certain-Dri which you actually put on the night before, but a spray antiperspirant works too. Keeping your feet dry is a big factor.

Also, lots of people wear sandals with socks for warmth (like Tevas with socks or Birkenstocks with socks). Slightly dorky looking, so make sure all your pictures are from the knees up .

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We use moleskin to prevent blisters. I cut out the sizes we will need before we leave on vacation and then use before we need it. I usually have the same problem spots time after time. My son will tell me if he has a warm spot and then put it on. It does also work after you get a blister to reduce friction on the area. We use the thin kind.

I would agree. Moleskin is fabulous. I've hiked all over the United States and even in Kenya. Moleskin is my best friend. I keep some in my camera bag at all times. It is very inexpensive and worth every penny.

I have some great Merrell sandals

I have two pairs of Merrell sandals. I live in them all summer and believe it or not I use them for hiking as long as it isn't super rocky or treacherous terrain. I've worn them in both WDW and DL without getting a single blister. I am partial to Merrell and bought myself a pair of casual hikers too. They are more like a sneaker. If you are comfortable in Merrell sandals you may want to consider getting a pair of more seasonal shoes.

 

[rentayenta]

I wear flip flops year round in So Cal during the day. At night during December put on my UGG Boots. During the day I am in shorts or capris and change into jeans at night.

 

[JeriLee]

A great tip I received when heading to WDW for 7 days was Body Glide. This stuff works! You can Google it – but you just rub it on your feet before you have any problems – like putting deodorant on to prevent problems. It feels the same too! Just rub it all over your feet – especially where you may have hot spots.

Another TIP about the lockers. You pay one time for the entire day, but you can access the locker as many times as you want. You select the 4 character numeric code. In my family, we always use the same code so that all of us never forget it. I then take a picture of the locker (to show the number) and send the pic to everyone’s cell phones. My girls like to store their pin folders and go back periodically to change out their traders.

Depending on Construction, there are lockers outside DL, on Main Street in DL, outside DCA and just inside DCA. So pick the location that best meets your requirements.