December weather at WDW?

[javaj]

I know, it is too early to be thinking about this, but we've always gone to FL in the spring/summer. But we're going to WDW this December for my birthday and for Christmas, yeay!

So what's the weather like? We'll be coming from Colorado so it will be an improvement LOL. Just didn't know if it would be warm enough to swim, should we bring swimsuits, will we need coats or just sweatshirts, should we bring both shorts and pants, sandals or shoes, etc, etc.

Thanks for any tips!
Josette

 

[merrywether]

This probably isn't the answer you want to hear, but....bring everything you listed! Our December 2002 honeymoon in WDW saw torrential rain on some days, which lasted all day long, unlike the brief summer showers that Orlando is famous for (so bad in fact on the night we were at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, we ended up leaving early with complimentary one day park passes to make up for all the cancelled events), 80 degree perfection on others, and 50 degree sweatshirt weather on yet other days!

Sidenote: We were able to book tickets for the Very Merry Christmas Party for another night before we went home (our first Christmastime trip to Disney as well as yours!) and it was well worth it - so if you are able, definitely check that out!

 

[all4fun]

I agree with the pp. Be prepared for both cool weather and warm. We went in December '03 and I froze my hiney off because I didn't bring any warm clothes. We're from the NW so we're used to fairly cold weather (but not as much snow as you get in CO). Anyway, we were told by a local that the weather was "unseasonably" cold, however I've learned that December can be nice (warm enough for swimming) or cold and damp.

Sorry I can't disagree with the prev. poster on this!

Hope you have a great trip and the weather is more cooperative for you than it was for us.

 

[sn00zn]

I also was at WDW in December 2002 and had a similar weather experience. The one really nice sunny day we had was the one we spent at Universal! Most days were gray, rainy, and cold. I am from Colorado too, so I'd really been expecting some nice Florida warmth and sunshine. Our worst day was our very first, at Epcot when we had tickets for the special Christmas show (can't remember the name, maybe the Candlelight Procession or something). Over half our party ended up going back to the condo and not using our tickets because the weather was so awful and cold. So I would definitely bring a jacket and rain poncho to store in the lockers (as I did each day after that one!) Anyway, things got much better once we were prepared for the weather and brought appropriate clothing. Hope this helps!

snoozn

 

[akrake]

we went the 2nd week of december this year....some days it was cool...at night it was cold and other afternoons, we could swim....mostly it was cold at night and very cool in the morning...but not enough to dampen spirits.
have fun.
amie
www.fairuzasball.com

 

[merrywether]

sn00zn,

I wonder if we were at the Candlelight Processional the same night! All the covered seats were taken by the time we got there after our dinner reservations, so we sat in the rain - what misery! At least the show was good and lifted our spirits!

Kim

 

[cranbiz]

We were there in December 2003 and I can't agree more with previous posters, Be ready for anything.

We has 70-80 deg. days with 50's at night, cool mornings with rain.

If you are from the northern climates, then you will be allright with sweatshirts on those 50 deg. nights. For our MVMCP last year, we were in pants and sweatshirts, CM's in winter coats (and freezing).

You will have a great time during December, smaller crowds, the weather will still be better than you are used to (unless you live in a southern climate), Great decorations, MVMCP is a must do. We liked it so much, we are returning this year in early December again.

 

[BevS97]

we were there last December, and while it was cool in the evenings, we didn't find it unpleasant. A number of the Florida locals did tell us it was unseasonably cold and they seemed to be finding it too cold for comfort, but we were fine.

We wore shorts and t-shirts nearly every day, but we carried sweatshirts, hats and gloves with us everyday, nearly every day they remained in the backpack but one day in Epcot it did turn quite chilly and we were glad to have them= in fact, i would have preferred long trousers on that day, but we were ok.

On the night that we went to MVMCP, we dressed warmly - jeans, turtlenecks, sweatshirts, fleeces, hats and gloves. We had a lovely evening and while it was certainly brisk, it didn't affect our enjoyment of the evening (we stayed till midnight) - this was the night that we found a lot of the staff seemed to be suffering with the cold, and I think that maybe they needed more layers on? Although they did have Disney coats on.

On other days, the kids were swimming in the hotel pool - for me, it wasn't warm enough to swim, but they seemed happy enough.

I honestly can't remember much rain - we had much worse rain in June 2002 when it rained nearly every day.

Given the low crowds and lack of queues, I would travel again in December.

bev

 

[javaj]

Thank you all for sharing. Sounds like we can leave our spray fans though? I can't wait!

 

[funhouse8]

We were there this last Dec, early Jan for NYE and my birthday. We had such nice weather had to go to the outlets to buy shorts. You will have a great time, Don't forget to get your Birthday pin. Gina

 

[sn00zn]

Kim,
We certainly might have been there the same night (I think it was a Monday). Luckily our reservations were for after the show, so we were there early enough to be out of the rain. It was a beautiful show, and those of our party who braved the weather were glad we got to see it!

Javaj,
After all these warnings you should be well-prepared for any weather! I can't imagine you'd need spray fans....but you never know!

 

[daystar]

Hi,
My family went last year for Christmas....The weather is unpredictable....When we were there it was usually cold in the morning but by the time it was 11:00 it started to warm up into the 80's....Around dinner time the warm temperature has dropped back down to cold, couldn't remember how cold it was but cold enough for pants and a sweater....We dressed in layers and brought a backpack with us to store our sweaters.....We were just lucky it didn't rain, that is what the weather forecast called for the last couple of days we were there....

 

[insmom]

We are also going at Christmas time so this is all great information for us as well. To be honest 50 degree weather at Christmas time is not that bad (we are from Maine and it can get to 20 degrees easily at Christmas)

It sounds like if I bring a sweat shirt for all of us and warm pants that we should be good for the nights. Maybe a set of gloves just for those nights that we are at the fireworks.

I would like to be able to wear some shorts and let the kids go swimming if the weather works for us.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

You just never know with Florida in December! We were there last year between Christmas and just after New Years. Before we left I was reading reports from people who had just returned that they were buying hats, gloves and sweatshirts faster than the stores could put them out. We went and had 80 degree weather all week! We were swimming with the kids even at night. We had one night where we broke out the sweatshirts...but wore them with shorts!

Your best bet is to be prepared with a little of everything. Read the forecasts in advance but know that they can change on a dime too!

 

[mickeymousefan]

We were there Dec 3- 8 last year. The first and last day were warm enough for shorts. The days in between were down right cold. All I can say is - go prepared for any type of weather.
We didn't and wound up spending over 60 dollars on sweat shirts for the kids. We also had to leave Epcot one night because it was freezing and the only blankets we saw were over 50 dollars a piece.

 

[daystar]

Originally posted by insmom
We are also going at Christmas time so this is all great information for us as well. To be honest 50 degree weather at Christmas time is not that bad (we are from Maine and it can get to 20 degrees easily at Christmas)

It sounds like if I bring a sweat shirt for all of us and warm pants that we should be good for the nights. Maybe a set of gloves just for those nights that we are at the fireworks.

I would like to be able to wear some shorts and let the kids go swimming if the weather works for us.

Hi,
My family went last year to WDW for Christmas....When i was there i wore alot of capri's if i was unsure about the weather....As for swimming even though the temperature drops at night the pools are heated.....My boys would not get out of the pool, even when it started to get chilly....

 

[lovesdumbo]

I was there early Dec 93 and it was in the 90's! Went back in 96 with only light weight pants and it was in the 40's at night. I went to Candlelight Processional and they brought in heaters. Went again in 2001 and it was warm again-never more than a T-shirt at night. Went in early Jan 04 and it was FREEZING! In the 30's at night but we did go swimming one warm day (high 60's) and it was a lot better than the single digit days at home. I'd go in December again. I just love Candlelight Processional and MVMCP (I missed Osborne lights). But I'll have to wait til the kids are older. Santa just can't go on vacation that close to Christmas with 3 small kids to prepare for and decorate the house and make cookies..... When they are older I'm hoping they'd understand the need to keep things simple at home if we did a WDW trip.

Have a great birthday!

 

[insmom]

I think that the capris for me and my dd would be good. My legs are way to white for shorts!! I just think anything about 20 degrees is going to feel tropical to us.

I know that my kids will be in the pool alot too. We had asked them if they mind going to WDW for Christmas, and that Santa would not be at home. They jumped at the chance to go. My ds is 10-going on 11 when we are at WDW and he is just on the fence about Santa, but my dd 8yo is still right in there about Santa. I think that I will bring a few things for them for gifts or mail them ahead of time to the resort so they will have something from Santa in the room.