December weather in the parks at night

[Liz]

If you have been to the parks at night in December what do you pack as far as outerwear and keeping warm? Are hoodies enough or something more (realizing the weather can probably vary)? A few years ago we were there in December and although the temps were in the 50's, which isn't bad at all where we live, I think the humidity made it feel so much colder. Really debating what we need to pack this time.

 

[bszoo]

My DH and I went last year and there was a tremendous drop in temperature. We felt so sorry for the kids that went to the park in shorts and tees because they were freezing that night! I had on jeans, two t-shirts and a sweatshirt and I was still chilly. Thank goodness for the hot chocolate! Go prepared - anything can happen.

 

[WedgieSock]

I live GA and our weather is similar. I re-located from England so you'd think I'd know all about cold. But, I find the winter evenings here very cold and that is because of the huge temperature drop. It can be lovely during the day - low 70's, t-shirt & jeans weather - but then the evenings in a mild winter are around 45, if its a colder winter then down to 32. So you're looking at a 20-30 drop, and its a sudden drop.

Layers are key

 

[mom2rtk]

Last year we needed light jackets the night it rained, but the other nights we were fine in shorts and t's. 2010..... different story. Coats, blankets, hats, scarves, gloves...... and chemical handwarmers.

Be ready for anything..........and hope you don't need it.

 

[PryncessLace]

Unfortunately, December in Florida can be quite unpredictable. We go the second or third week of December every year (and I'm a NWFL resident) and one year we had to wear heavy jackets all day and night. Most years though, bringing a sweatshirt, hoodie, or wind breaker jacket is sufficient.

We usually pack for it to feel like fall and if it gets colder we will all buy new WDW sweatshirts or hoodies. It's a great excuse for another souvenier

 

[Golf4food]

It can range from shorts are ok for Yankees to "I've lost all feeling in my fingers and toes".

 

[DebbieB]

There have been trips when I brought my winter coat and gloves for evening. Other trips a light jacket was fine. My general rule is if it is below 70 for a high, you can expect it to get cold after dark. I remember the first time I saw Wishes was in December and I was standing in the middle of Main Street with my teeth chattering! Another time I had a sweater & light jacket at MVMCP and was hot and was carrying the jacket around.

 

[GeorgeG]

It can be anywhere from cool to downright cold with changes almost every evening. Sometimes a light jacket or sweatshirt will be enough, but I've been pretty bundled up, gloves and all, and had to wonder if the snow from the Osbourne lights might actually be real (they sold a lot of hot chocolate that evening).

 

[MouseyMin]

If the sky is clear and sunny during the day in December, it will drop about 20 degrees when the sun goes down. And, there is a big difference between how you feel at 55 degrees with the sun on you (pretty warm) or at night (very cold!!). (When it's cloudy, the temperature drop isn't as much.)

I always bring a ski jacket, windbreaker, hat, and gloves in December. Some years, I only need the windbreaker or a sweatshirt at night. Other years (and, yes, 2010 was a doozie!!) you need many layers. Usually, there are a few nights each trip when I am happy that I have my ski jacket with me.

 

[JessM]

December is one of those months I wouldn't worry about over packing. You will most likely be glad you did. When I was there in 2010 we got quite the cold snap for a couple of nights. I was wearing literally everything I had, a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and two sweatshirts and I was freezing! I am from Maine too by the way and no stranger to cold! My Mom and I had to buy hats and mittens from the Emporium, talk about expensive. BUT on the other hand we also had most of the Magic Kingdom to ourselves that night, come prepared and you could have some quiet nights to yourself. Just remember at night you won't be running from ride to ride, at least we don't, but talking in the fireworks, MSEP, Osborne lights, CP, etc, dress accordingly so it doesn't put a damper on your fun!

I will also say that our first December visit in 2001 we got quite spoiled and did a waterpark 2 afternoons of that trip. It was in the low 80's and beautiful. We were some shocked when we went back the next year and it was freezing

 

[gcarney]

If you have been to the parks at night in December what do you pack as far as outerwear and keeping warm? Are hoodies enough or something more (realizing the weather can probably vary)? A few years ago we were there in December and although the temps were in the 50's, which isn't bad at all where we live, I think the humidity made it feel so much colder. Really debating what we need to pack this time.

We were there for 12 days in December 2009. I am from Boston and we didn't even bring warm enough clothes. It was 45 one night and 29 ( both Fahrenheit) while we were three. Average night temps were between 45-50 Fahrenheit

 

[LoveToDisney]

If going in the fall/winter, I like to visit Accuweather.com and Weather.com about 2 weeks before the trip and see what they each have for the extended forecast...less surprises that way.

 

[DebbieB]

If going in the fall/winter, I like to visit Accuweather.com and Weather.com about 2 weeks before the trip and see what they each have for the extended forecast...less surprises that way.

2 weeks before isn't always accurate. There tends to be daily ups and downs that far out. I final check more like 2 or 3 days before.

 

[robinb]

If you have been to the parks at night in December what do you pack as far as outerwear and keeping warm? Are hoodies enough or something more (realizing the weather can probably vary)? A few years ago we were there in December and although the temps were in the 50's, which isn't bad at all where we live, I think the humidity made it feel so much colder. Really debating what we need to pack this time.

We go every year in late December and the key is to layer. We bring both hoodies and windbreakers along with a light sweater and long pants. We also bring lightweight stretchy gloves and sometimes even light headbands to cover our ears. We also bring swimsuits to go swimming so we are prepared for everything!

 

[reginaastralis]

I live in Central Fl and I agree, the winter is very iffy. For example, last year we planned a trip to Vegas and I was super stoked when I looked up the weather there for the year before to see that it was cold (Florida cold is in the 50's, and Vegas was showing 30's) and that it'd even snowed the year before (I've never seen snow) I went out and bought my first ever winter coat and a pair of boots ... and got to Vegas where they were in a heat wave. Don't worry, the temps never got out of the 40's back home. I was so disappointed.

We usually have one or two weeks per winter (on average) that the temps at night get down into the 20's. It's impossible to predict, and my advice would be that you don't want to get in the 20's without a decent coat.

 

[jm0925]

If you have been to the parks at night in December what do you pack as far as outerwear and keeping warm? Are hoodies enough or something more (realizing the weather can probably vary)? A few years ago we were there in December and although the temps were in the 50's, which isn't bad at all where we live, I think the humidity made it feel so much colder. Really debating what we need to pack this time.

Coming from a FL resident , I can tell you that December can be an unpredictable month as far as the weather. I live down in Miami so winter weather down here is little different than Orlando. From my experience, I can tell you in Orlando I've noticed that it gets windy up there in the winter time. That definitely makes 50's feel like its freezing! At least to a FL native who deals with the heat almost all year. I would definitely recommend wind breakers, fleece sweatshirts and pants of course just in case the weather takes a dip down. I would also recommend you take hats and gloves to the park. Believe me, if the wind is blowing, you will want them at nighttime!

I was there in December 2010 as well, and I do remember walking around Epcot freezing my behind off! I had to buy my son a flannel blanket in the Canada area to give him some more warmth in his stroller. If I do remember correctly, it rained as well while we were there and that didn't help matters either. LOL

 

[North of Mouse]

If going in the fall/winter, I like to visit Accuweather.com and Weather.com about 2 weeks before the trip and see what they each have for the extended forecast...less surprises that way.

Being born and raised southern, a two week forecast is totally useless. The weather changes from the forecast from day to day.

December weather can be mild or downright freezing. Being at Disney in 2010, even dressed very heavily, (sweatshirts, coats, gloves, hats, scarves) we still nearly froze because of the added windchill also. Plants were freezing, the poinsettias were covered even during the day. The landscaping was not very *photogenic* to say the least

So that being said, bring clothing to fit any temp. weather because you won't actually know until you are there in it.

 

[WedgieSock]

Being born and raised southern, a two week forecast is totally useless. The weather changes from the forecast from day to day.

December weather can be mild or downright freezing. Being at Disney in 2010, even dressed very heavily, (sweatshirts, coats, gloves, hats, scarves) we still nearly froze because of the added windchill also. Plants were freezing, the poinsettias were covered even during the day. The landscaping was not very *photogenic* to say the least

So that being said, bring clothing to fit any temp. weather because you won't actually know until you are there in it.

Take today for instance (I'm in GA) .... yesterday it was lovely and warm, capri pants and t-shirt. Today I was freezing! Long pants, long sleeved shirt, fleece - I had to dig deep to find those

 

[reiella]

For us, in Dec 2010 [we left as it was getting to the 'Cold Time'], hoodies were sufficient.

Layers are important with December because the weather can be fairly volatile.

 

[DOOM1001]

It could be anywhere from the upper 20's to the 70's,most likely somewhere between 50 and 70.What you say is true about the humidity making it feel colder than in other areas,I've heard people say 45-50 in Orlando can feel like 35-40 in a drier climate.