December weather?

[CINDISMOM]

im going to disney Dec 6th can someone tell me how to pack. shorts? jeans? flip flop or sneakers, i have no idea what the weather is that time of year. I have a 4 and 5 year. any tips will help, thanks

 

[trayclan]

Hi,

I'm sure there are others who can answer your question much better than I can. I'll be glad to tell you how we dressed 3 years ago for the 3rd week in Dec. We wore pants (blue jeans) everyday because at night it became cool. We always started out with a sweater or zip up jacket layered over our clothing. As it warmed up we took the jackets off and tied them around our waist or stuck them in a bag. At night we just put them back on.

I would check the weather in Orlando at Weather.com before I started packing just incase it's snowing there or something. I have to say my kids went swimming while we were there too. The water was heated and it was fine. We loved the weather because it wasn't too hot for walking around all day. At night it became chilly and I think I remember my 2 yr. old wearing gloves. I want to add the zip up jackets we wore were thoes sweatshirt material jackets (not sure what to call them) that I have seen at Wal-Mart type stores. Sure enough my son lost his and it was no big deal.

Hope this helps. We will be there again this year Dec. 1st-8th.

 

[trayclan]

Hi again,

I just spoke with my husband and he says your children my need a coat. See,
I think someone else should answer you. Ask again if no one answers your question. It's been awhile for us and maybe we have forgotten how cold it really was at night. I do remember during the day it wasn't bad.

Celia

 

[marynpaul]

I would pack in layers. I usually pack capris for warmer weather, and long back and long sleeved t-shirts, zip up hoodies and water proof jacket.

 

[tassma]

Yes - you could need it all. The weather is slightly unpredictable. We pack a little of everything. Of course, there are some pretty good websites that predict the weather a bit closer to the trip. Have fun! BTW - you can always buy tshirts or sweatshirts!

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

I have been in December 6 times. Everytime it's been different. It's one of the hardest months to pack for. Last time I packed a little of everything and it turned out to be warm and beautiful. I recommend keeping up with the weather channel before you leave. I'll be there this year on the 11th and will be following the weather closely.

 

[jack hannah bananah]

We went the same week last year.
We wore sweatshirst/light jackets in the morning and evening and swam in the pool in the afternoons. However, our last day was cold. Sweatshirts all day.

 

[all4fun]

I second packing clothing that can be layered. We have been in Dec/Jan and I agree the weather can be unpredictable. Once, we started out with weather in the upper 80's and then after the 1st three days we had temps near freezing! Yes, you can buy sweat shirts and jackets there, but they may not have something you actually like, and the prices are typically much higher than you would pay at regular retail. We have been there, done that! We had to buy ds a jacket when the temps dipped into the 30's and it cost us about $50 - more than we'd usually pay for something like that for a 2yr old. Luckily it was big enough that it fit but still lasted him a couple of years, and it was cute. I don't know, maybe we're just cheap, lol.

We will be packing the same as marynpaul: layers, capris, long and short sleeve shirts, hoodies, and water proof jackets. Due to the longer duration of our trip, we also are planning on doing laundry. All the resorts on Disney property have laundry facilities. I have found that I can pack about 5 outfits for a 10-day trip, and wear them more than once. No one is going to remember (or care, for that matter) what I had on 2-3 days ago!

 

[suzimar57]

i agree with both marynpaul and all4fun - packing layers of clothing (everything from shorts/t-shirts to jeans/sweatjackets) since we'll be there the 2nd week of december - planning to do laundry if necessary, too

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

Looks like I am going to have to bring a few suitcases and plan on doing laundry then, we are there 1 - 22nd Dec, with 3 night cruise in the middle!! Just pack a bit of everything for everyone! But who cares its Disney

 

[Clotho]

I am going in December and have been doing research. Looks like it rarely gets lower than the 50's at night. Looking at historical data for the last 10 years, it dipped to 28 degrees in 2000 (that year had three really low temp days), but before that the lowest historical low was in 96 at 37 degrees.

What does this mean for us? NOTHING! Basically, there is no way to know! LOL I plan to pack some capris, maybe a pair of pants or two, tee shirts and hoodies for layering. Maybe I will throw in a scarf just in case. I figure if it dips lower than the 55 degree average low listed in the almanacs, I won't be prepared for it anyway, and I will just buy whatever I need IF that happens, which is a low possibility anyway.

 

[Ilivetogo]

DITTO to what everyone here said. We've been LOTS of times during December. Last year (and this year - woo hoo) for Christmas week! One week (2006) our very first day was sunny and 84 and GORGEOUS! Each subsequent day went down a little bit ... till the last day the wind was blowing and it was in the upper 40s and we had on 2 sweatshirts and jackets. (2007) Christmas week - we were in the pool almost every day (when we weren't in the parks.)

It really varies in the winter. Pack a little of everything. You don't want to be stuck having to buy heavy stuff if you didn't bring it. That gets costly.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Oops! Forgot to tell you that you picked the BEST time to go! It's NOT crowded that week!! Our 2006 visit was during that same week that you're going (because my MIL wanted desperately to watch the taping of the Christmas parade) and sometimes there were only 10-15 people in the ride lines. Same thing at Tower of Terror. Amazing. We walked through Mission Space in EPCOT 3 times in a row without waiting for even 1 minute! The ONLY thing that was a long line, and I do mean ONLY, was Soarin'. So, when heading to EPCOT, go to Soarin' FIRST. The rest should be wonderful!! HAVE FUN!!!

 

[goofydebi]

I was there that year...2000. I live in Florida and it was the most miserable trip ever, we couldn't find gloves or hats anywhere. We had warm clothes and jackets and ended up buying long sleeve shirts to tie around our ears LOL and yet my son has been in the pool here Christmas day so just be prepared for anything.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Just wnated to add, a het and gloves or thin mittens for the little ones may come in handy. My DD wore her mittens and hat a few times in December 2006.

 

[louise1928]

We were in Orlando in 2002 and it was cool but nice, then we we returned in 2004 and I remember New Years Eve night it was about 65-70 degrees!!

You just never know, but as everyone else suggested pack for warm and cool days, and throw a scarf and gloves in there in too!

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

We're in the same situation of not knowing what to pack! We went a few years ago for the first week in December and the weather was beautiful (to me)... 70s, we wore jeans and t-shirts during the day and added sweatshirts at night. The last day warmed up a little bit and we were at AK, which is always a little warmer, and I think I wore capris.

The biggest issue I'm having now is that I'm pregnant, and have only been majorly pregnant through the winter so I only have maternity winter clothes. I'll be fine if it's weather like we had last time, but if it's in the 80s during the day, I'll be hot! Do I go buy capris now and hope that it's hot when we go or not have anything (I'm sure finding summer stuff in December won't be easy) and hope it's cooler weather?! Urgh!

 

[schaery]

December weather can be hard to predict in Orlando. I think the average should be 70's in the day and 50's at night. It's really not that hard to find clothes for warmer weather in FL in Dec. In fact, one year when we went in Dec., it was unusually cold and we had a hard time finding clothes to keep warm in. I bet if you just had some leggings, jeans, and/or long knit-type pants you'd be fine whatever the weather is.

 

[Vita_Girl]

You will probably be fine just packing shorts and t-shirts, maybe a pair or two of jeans and a light jacket as well. Florida weather is usually always hot and humid. I lived in Tampa for 22 years and we only wore warm clothing maybe a few winters. Hope you enjoy your trip!!

 

[Silver Queen]

We were at Disney World this past April (13th -17th) and the weather was unusually cold for that time of year. At night it went down to the upper 40's.
We didn't wear shorts until the 17th when we were leaving for our cruise. During the days in the park we wore jeans and active wear pants and jackets. I think it barely reached 70 on those days. I know this was very unusual for April because I've been there before in April on many trips. I figure that the first week in December (our next scheduled trip) can't be much worse than that.