December weather - packing for evening

[lisakramer]

Hey again!
Haven't been to wdw in the winter months in a few years. Just wondering what the reality is for packing purposes.
I'm looking at the weather for our dates 12/13-12/21, but I'm wondering about how windy it will be. I seem to remember that it was really windy when we were there last in January and that made it seem much colder.
I'm thinking jeans, layered t-shirts and taking fleece hoodies and hats for the evenings.
Yes? No?
Thanks!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We'll be there at essentially the same time as you (December 12-20th) and I've packed what you mentioned, as well as light gloves for each of us. We'll also have our "warmer weather" winter coats on (we live in MN, so we have two levels of winter coats--one for when it's cold, and one for when it's really, really cold!) so we'll have those as backup in case it gets really chilly at night.

 

[DebbieB]

It really depends. I've been there this time of year when it was a high of 80, so a light jacket was enough for night. Other times it was 60s during the day and you needed a winter coat and gloves for night.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Gloves ... I always bring those cheapo stretchy knit gloves.

We usually go in late January, wear layers and bring a lightweight winter coat and fleece scarf for those exceptionally chilly nights.

I'm always surprised at how quickly the temps drop when the sun goes down.

 

[robinb]

Hey again!
Haven't been to wdw in the winter months in a few years. Just wondering what the reality is for packing purposes.
I'm looking at the weather for our dates 12/13-12/21, but I'm wondering about how windy it will be. I seem to remember that it was really windy when we were there last in January and that made it seem much colder.
I'm thinking jeans, layered t-shirts and taking fleece hoodies and hats for the evenings.
Yes? No?
Thanks!

We go to WDW over Christmas/NYE every year. We bring everything from swim suits, tank tops and shorts to sweatshirts, fleeces, jackets and lightweight stretchy gloves. The key is to layer. My outer jacket is a waterproof/windproof jacket with a hood.

 

[IamGroot]

I was there last year at those times and will be back again next week. I always found that I was good touring the parks in shorts/shirt/hoodie, occasionally removing the hoodie when the sun really came out.

If you're from up north like I am, it will feel glorious. I do remember a couple days last year when the locals were acting like it was a blizzard outside when I was perfectly comfortable.

 

[HogwartsExpressDrivr]

As of others have already posted, layering is always going to be your best bet with Florida weather near the holidays. Just this week here in Orlando we have seen 80+ degree days, followed by 40 degree raining day, then upper 60's followed by more wet stuff all within the span of four days.

The days usually begin in the 50's or so and can warm to the upper 60's right now and maybe into the lower 70's depending on the sun and clouds, etc. Then the nights can dip down into the low 50's upper 40's.

Just as an example ... It's nearly 11:00 right now here in Lake Buena Vista and it's 55 degrees, bright and sunny. Awesome day yet out of the sun it is a little chilly. It will warm up as long as the winds stay down. Yesterday it was a little windy so the temps seemed lower, but they were not.

Long post (I know) just to say layer up as the weather can change drastically from day-to-day even throughout a single day.

 

[GrandmaNeen]

Hi, also will be there for Xmas and New Years and was wondering is there any chance we can leave park and come back or should we plan on a 16 hr day?? I've heard the park closes as sooo busy. Were staying off the WDW grounds. Can we take a couple of sandwiches in our backpacks thru security? What do we do with the backpacks when we all go on the rides or should we use a locker and carry nothing? Thanks for any input.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Layering is key. I would probably bring gloves and hat too. People are always amazed how cold it feels down here. It feels different to me than up north.

 

[HogwartsExpressDrivr]

Hi, also will be there for Xmas and New Years and was wondering is there any chance we can leave park and come back or should we plan on a 16 hr day?? I've heard the park closes as sooo busy. Were staying off the WDW grounds. Can we take a couple of sandwiches in our backpacks thru security? What do we do with the backpacks when we all go on the rides or should we use a locker and carry nothing? Thanks for any input.

You can of course leave the parks at your leisure should you have the proper ticketing to return (hop) from park-to-park. Depending on how far "off site" you are staying you may want to consider travel times into that planning if you wish to leave, return to your hotel and come back to the parks. That can really eat away at your vacation time.

I have never tried to bring prepared food into the parks, though I know items like power bars, granola bars, etc. are no big deals at all. Others may be able to speak to that "rule".

Most attractions have storage areas on the attraction itself for your personal items (ie. backpacks, purses, etc.) And you always have the option of renting a locker for the day.

 

[hakepb]

Hi, also will be there for Xmas and New Years and was wondering is there any chance we can leave park and come back or should we plan on a 16 hr day?? I've heard the park closes as sooo busy. Were staying off the WDW grounds. Can we take a couple of sandwiches in our backpacks thru security? What do we do with the backpacks when we all go on the rides or should we use a locker and carry nothing? Thanks for any input.

Food is no problem to take into the park. (A nice security guard might warn you about an apple --sleeping beauty) Just avoid bringing in any alcohol. And in the FL sun, you need to worry about perishable items.

People take backpacks / large camera lens bags on rides. Often on the floor looping straps through legs. A locker might make things easier, especially when dealing with layers.

 

[robinb]

Hi, also will be there for Xmas and New Years and was wondering is there any chance we can leave park and come back or should we plan on a 16 hr day?? I've heard the park closes as sooo busy. Were staying off the WDW grounds. Can we take a couple of sandwiches in our backpacks thru security? What do we do with the backpacks when we all go on the rides or should we use a locker and carry nothing? Thanks for any input.

Welcome to the DIS !

Yes, you can bring food into the park with you. You will want to make sure that you are at the park gates about 30 minutes before the park opens and at the Ticket and Transportation Center even earlier.

Here is a link to the levels of park closings:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/park-closing-phases.htm

Since you are staying off-site, you need to worry about Phase 2 closures when you arrive and then Phase 3 & 4 Closures when you attempt to re-enter or park hop. You can enter a park at Phase 1, re-enter or hop at Phase 2 but cannot enter or park hop at Phase 3 or Phase 4.

The only park you will need to worry about is the Magic Kingdom. I *will* close in a Phase 2 closure in the morning just about every day between Christmas and New Years and the Parking Lot will close even before that. The MK will ALSO re-open some time during the day, but maybe not until later that night. Last Christmas the MK went to Phase 2 on 12/25 (and reopened at 3:30) and Phase 3 on 12/31 (and reopened at 8:00).

You can go here: and search for your dates last year and the year before to get an idea of which park closes and when it reopens: http://www.wdwmagic.com/news.htm

So, you *can* re-enter the MK that week but it may not be exactly when you want to re-enter the park.

One secret for the NYE fireworks: Disney runs the same Magic Kingdom NYE fireworks on 12/30. We almost always see the fireworks at the MK on 12/30 and then the ones at Epcot on 12/31.

 

[GrandmaNeen]

Thank you for the advise everyone, looking forward to the trip...even with the huge crowds.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I always layer. I will say this - it's never been too warm for a hoodie at night. Think about it - you're either going to have a low in the 40's or a high in the 60s at night. That ranges from cold to comfortable (depending on where you're from.)

So, I always have a hoodie handy. We fly down from NY, so I'll always have a winter coat. I pack sweaters incase it's a little chilly and we have a nice Table Service ADR.

So, if the weather is in the 60's, I'll typically go with a hoodie, jeans and a shirt underneath.

As it gets chilly, I'll layer. In the upper 50's I'll go with a thermal and above ^^

If it gets into lower 50's or 40's, I Would go with the winter coat. I also bring gloves and a hat.

Even in the 40's, it gets cold - especially at EPCOT. The wind definitely comes off the water pretty hard. Remember- Disney is in Florida - it's humid. It's also built on a giant swampland. When it's cold, it's gonna be damp. THat makes it feel worse.

 

[js]

We'll be there at essentially the same time as you (December 12-20th) and I've packed what you mentioned, as well as light gloves for each of us. We'll also have our "warmer weather" winter coats on (we live in MN, so we have two levels of winter coats--one for when it's cold, and one for when it's really, really cold!) so we'll have those as backup in case it gets really chilly at night.

I live in New York and I plan on wearing my really rally winter coat on the plane. We are there beginning December 26 and I absolutely HATE to be cold.
I have hats, gloves, etc. If I have to wear a winter coat, wearing my heavy one at night will be a blessing. I am not sure if I even packed short sleeves. I can wear long sleeves at night in the summer so 50s-60s I certainly won't be wearing long sleeves.

Have fun everyone whether we are in cold weather or not, it is much better than being home in this miserable weather

 

[PJ]

We've been 20 min from WDW since 11/1, and to me it often feels breezy.

I think you said you're coming shortly? Next 7 days lows are going to be mid-40's and highs only 60's. We were at MK last night and once the sun went down I was glad to have my coat. DH was in a T-shirt with just a long-sleeved shirt over it and he was a little cool.

That said, there were also people there in shorts.....

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I'm going this Saturday until Sunday the 21st. I only take the first few days (and even at that I don't bank on it) seriously, but they say high 60's this Saturday and Sunday (with morning lows in the 40's), warming to low 70's Monday-Thursday and then cooling down to the high 60's the rest of my trip. I am bringing jeans, shorts and a spring jacket.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Great advice! Thanks!