Down time & swiming during December?

[NicholeB630]

We are going December 6-14. I know FL weather can be all over the place in December so I am definitely going to be checking the weather all week before we go. My question is how many of you have actually been able to swim in December and those with little ones did you swim during your breaks? I am planning on taking breaks on numerous days especially a long one on our MVMCP night. My kids will be 2.5 and almost 6. The almost 6 year old rarely naps and I dont expect her to while at Disney, but many suggested to just having pool time during the day for a break but wont that wear kids out more? My kids seem to get worn out from being in the pool and swimming. My son will def need to nap and I am hoping he will be able to while on vaca. I dont know if I should even bother bringing our swim suites?

 

[pad406]

We are going December 6-14. I know FL weather can be all over the place in December so I am definitely going to be checking the weather all week before we go. My question is how many of you have actually been able to swim in December and those with little ones did you swim during your breaks? I am planning on taking breaks on numerous days especially a long one on our MVMCP night. My kids will be 2.5 and almost 6. The almost 6 year old rarely naps and I dont expect her to while at Disney, but many suggested to just having pool time during the day for a break but wont that wear kids out more? My kids seem to get worn out from being in the pool and swimming. My son will def need to nap and I am hoping he will be able to while on vaca. I dont know if I should even bother bringing our swim suites?

A lot depends on where you're from and what weather you're used to. We're from Ireland and swam (and went to Blizzard Beach) over Christmas/NY 2010. Some days were too cold for us, but not many. Not sure if you're staying on site, but the resort pools are heated.

 

[TraderSam]

In 2006, we took a 2 week WDW vacation from Jan. 1st- 15th. At the start of the trip we spent an entire day at Blizzard Beach having the time of our life in the warm FL sun. By the end of our trip it was so cold we had to leave the parks early to just warm up. My advice- pack them just in case! Swim suits are so small and compact, I bet if the weather is warm and you don't have them you will be super bummed. BUT, if you bring them and don't use them, it won't be that big of a deal.

 

[alizas3figs]

We are going the same week (and staying until 12/15) and I was wondering the same thing. Pools are heated so it will probably be ok to swim during mid day breaks when the weather is warmest. I have 3 kids (7, 5, and 2) so I'm sure we will make use of the pools for some of the days. Almost 2 months until our trip!!

 

[NicholeB630]

We are from Northern VA so it will be pretty cold here in December. But I really hope that its in the 60s-70s while were there. I am praying for good weather. I suppose I'll just pack a suite each for us and then see when we get there. We are staying at BLT.

 

[robinb]

We come down from Wisconsin and we always swim. Sometimes we even go to Blizzard Beach. My DD has been known to swim when it was in the mid-50's and they pulled the lifeguards and closed the slides. The water is in the pool is heated and quite comfortable an the hot tubs are toasty. The worst part is climbing up the stairs to the slide and walking back to your room.

December weather can be fickle and you should be prepared to wear everything from shorts and tanks to jackets with stretchy gloves.

 

[kiramay]

We're from northern Illinois, and the kids swam when we went in Dec/Jan. No way I'd get in the water, but they had fun.

 

[happymommy]

Since a swimsuit for kids takes little luggage space, I'd definitely bring one! But you're right; the weather in Orlando can be beautiful and warm if it's sunny during the afternoon, but mornings and evenings can be downright freezing in December. You just never know.

I recall one December at the Boardwalk Inn, my kids were among the only ones in the pool, going down the slide dozens of times (brrr) while I sat by the pool in my cropped jeans and a SWEATER freezing! There was steam coming off the pool! Finally I had to pull them out to go inside. It was probably in the low 70's. That is too cold for me to swim, but I'm a wimp. We're in Maryland FWIW.

I'd bring one, but also if you have some sort of warmish cover up, that is good to bring too (or sweatshirt to cover up while going down and back to the room).

There have been times even in late August where the evenings were much cooler than we had counted on, and I bought extra hoodies for myself and my daughter at Target (we were off site with a car luckily - and found them on clearance). I've also had to buy a Disney sweatshirt in December, when I hadn't packed enough warm things.

Layers work best too. Mornings and evenings, you'll need extra but during the afternoon you may want to strip off that sweater/jacket for a bit. Also air conditioning even in the summer means I bring a sweater in my day bag!

 

[Kahana-ri]

We went during Christmas a few years back and swam in the evenings. The water was fine and I don't remember being too cold. We are from New England though, so as a PP mentioned, for us from frigid temps to 70's was a treat!

 

[mm1971]

We are going December 6-14. I know FL weather can be all over the place in December so I am definitely going to be checking the weather all week before we go. My question is how many of you have actually been able to swim in December and those with little ones did you swim during your breaks? I am planning on taking breaks on numerous days especially a long one on our MVMCP night. My kids will be 2.5 and almost 6. The almost 6 year old rarely naps and I dont expect her to while at Disney, but many suggested to just having pool time during the day for a break but wont that wear kids out more? My kids seem to get worn out from being in the pool and swimming. My son will def need to nap and I am hoping he will be able to while on vaca. I dont know if I should even bother bringing our swim suites?

I would say definitely bring the swimsuits. The last time we were there in December we had 2 days it was too cold, a day where it was "swim at your own risk" and a few days where everyone was in the pool. You also have the hot tubs that are OK even when it may be too cold for the pool.

If it's too cold, DTD is always an option with Splittsville being a lot of fun for the kids and inside.

 

[lvillotta1]

We have done 2 trips with one coming up in Jan. The other 2 were Dec and Feb. We swam all three trips no problem. It was in the 70-80's. We take a whole day just to swim and hang out at our resort.

 

[mikehn]

We were there last Christmas week and the entire week was in the 80s, except a couple days made it to 90.

 

[lam0037]

Since you're there during the holidays, you can always spend your break looking at the holiday decorations in the hotels if it's too cold to swim!

 

[robinb]

We were there last Christmas week and the entire week was in the 80s, except a couple days made it to 90.

It didn't make it to 90, but it was in the low 80's. FWIW, those were also record breaking temperatures. The average highs are in the high-60's.

 

[ShannyG]

I hope my past experience will help you. We have gone to WDW that same week for the last two years. We were able to swim at least a couple of days each time. The weather was in the mid-upper 70's. Granted we are from Minnesota, so we thought it felt warm. My girls were 3 and 5 last year. Our schedule was: parks in the morning, lunch, back the hotel to swim, an hour of "quiet time," then headed back to the parks for the evening. We rented a double-stroller, and the kids would usually fall asleep in that for the trip back to the hotel.

 

[pigletto]

We were there from the 13th to the 23rd last year, and all but a few days were perfect swimming weather during the day. I would say low to mid 70's? I can't really remember, but I don't remember being too cold to swim so that's saying something. I did wear a coat and light gloves the night of the Christmas party which was the start of our trip.. I think it got warmer after the first few days.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I've always found the pools to be uncomfortably cool on our October trips, so unless they increase the temps, the only water activity I'll be doing this December will be sitting in the hot tub. The kids are insane and will likely swim. More power to them, but I send my husband in the big pool with them. MOTY, this one.

 

[militarymomto5]

We're from southern Georgia and are cold weather wimps. Last year bw dec 15-22 my boys used the pools a few evenings, and while cold they weren't froZen. It was to cold for me tho! Maybe if the sun had been up!

 

[Jenni2]

I will be bringing swimsuits just in case. Once my kids see the pool I can pretty much guarantee they will want to swim, no matter what the temperature.

 

[jezebel73]

I went Dec 1-8 a few years ago and we did swim the one day it was low 70's. We had a rough week and temps never got about 55 or so the rest of the time, dropping into the 30s one night! I think it's a better shot to plan swim time during the day but no doubt, you should bring suits!