Dressing for December

[LAS321]

We will be heading down to WDW the first week in December and have never visited in the winter before. What should we be packing for the trip? We are going to the MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional, so we'll be outdoors a lot. Being from the north it's hard to figure out what we need to bring....shorts? capris? jeans? Any advice on what most women wear to the parks during December would be really helpful!
Thanks!!

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

Ummmm.... Bring it all? Seriously.... Winter weather is so hit or miss. You may have super cold freezing days where you layer everything you have on and warmer days where you want to wear shorts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good current running thread here.....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3351872

Good information.

 

[Grumpy92]

Weather in Florida is unpredictable. It could be warm with temps in the 70s or 80s or it could be down in the 30s. The best advice is to keep and eye on the weather channel or orlando sentinel 10 day forecast.
accuweather.com is another good website. Type in Lake Buena Vista. They are pretty accurate.

Think layers!

 

[BeerMe]

We go a lot in December - 2010 was the worst though. It was not much different than being home.

 

[Alexis772]

I'm going that same week- also a northerner and first time in Florida this time of year. I'm packing for weather 25-90, rain or shine. We are going for a week and have a morning/early afternoon of downtime midweek. I ordered some laundry detergent from garden grocer and plan on doing laundry that morning. I'm figuring layers for the most part...

 

[Art 1]

What I do when traveling is look at the forecast the day or so before going and see what the weather is going to be. Then I pack accordingly.

 

[MsThumper]

We live an hour and a half from WDW. We will be there the first week of December also. I can't even tell you what I will be packing yet. Probably layers.

Today is a perfect example of our temperature fluctuations. Today is suppose to be in the low 80's, tomorrow in the upper 50's.

 

[DebbieB]

What I do when traveling is look at the forecast the day or so before going and see what the weather is going to be. Then I pack accordingly.

I agree with this. There have been trips where I wore shorts the whole time, others not at all, some a mix. Better to wait and see. If it's below 70 during the day, plan for it to be cold after dark. Low 60s during the day, I bring a light winter coat and gloves for evening outside.

 

[MrInfinity]

Do you find you use the pools when you go in December?

When we go in the spring or fall, we spend a lot of time at the pool and beach. I'd say, almost every day we end up there for a couple hours. We're thinking of a December trip for the first time (next Dec) and I'm really nervous about this part. I can't decide if we should do this, or go with our regular May or Sep.

Any advice definitely welcome. Hopefully from those who love going in the winter. Do you hit the pool / beach much, or is that part of the trip sort of crossed off?

Thank you,
-mike

 

[jerseygal]

We are SO USED to packing in summer, so this will be a different experience for us too!

I have been told to "think" layers...We are BIG Accuweather watchers...Seem to truthfully have really good weather predictions!

CAN'T WAIT! HOPING for nice sunny weather, but who knows??
ANYTHING is better than the NY area in December!

ENJOY!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Be prepared, bring layers. You might want shorts or you might need long pants so have both available. Definitely sweatshirts and you might want to throw in some rain gear.

There's no way of knowing now whether you will be wanting to use the pools or not. I've been there in December for many years. There was the perfect weather in 2013 and the very very cold in 2010 where nobody really wanted to be outside, much less in the pool, and they were covering the plants at Epcot and lots of folks were in the stores buying hats and gloves (I will throw those into my suitcase from now on)

 

[North of Mouse]

Bring it all - or be be prepared to either 'buy' or 'freeze' if it turns really cold.

We were there Dec. '10 - had our coats, scarves, gloves, hats - and still was too cold for me in the wind. Was in upper 20's at night - some days 40's with wind during the day - not my kind of 'stayin out all day/night weather'!!

I cannot enjoy myself under those conditions - would rather be inside!

Also, most of the plants (had lots of poinsettia 'trees' that year) were covered, or had signs saying 'Jack Frost visited us' this year - not the greatest photo ops!!!

So, just be prepared - never know!!

 

[tzolkin]

I have started checking out the weather in preparation for our Thanksgiving weekend trip and it really varies. Today's high is 83. Tomorrow it will only get into the upper 50s.

We are just hanging out at the resorts an DTD other than our MVMCP. Since we will be in the park only at night, I'm expecting it to be chilly.

We just bought lightweight waterproof jackets with hoods for all. We will wear long pants/jeans and layer whatever shirts under the jackets that we need when we check the weather that morning (tshirt/long sleeved/ sweater).

I was hoping to have the kids wear some cute coordinating outfits and get some Christmas pictures, but this just seems more practical since I have no way of predicting the weather.

 

[FLchick415]

Definitely pack for all types of weather. Today it could be 84, but in three days it could be in the 60s. And if a cold front is coming through, that could also mean rain. Florida weather is so unbelievably unpredictable, that I never pack for a Disney trip until the night before. lol And I LIVE in Florida.

 

[rlduvall]

I have been at this time of year every year since 2008. As mentioned, 2010 was the absolute worst. I would have just as soon been at home considering how cold it was. Last year was the absolute best - mid 80s every day - it was heavenly. And as you have already been told numerous times . . . bring a little of everything because no-one knows what it will be like. Here's hoping for 80s again!!!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Tell me the winning lottery numbers and I'll tell you how to dress at WDW in December.

As I'm writing this, I'm fighting my first cold of the season. This brings me back to our first Christmas trip. When we first booked it, we thought "Great! A chance to escape the cold weather!"

That was in 2009. When we first arrived, it was sunny and 70 degrees. The rest of our trip saw highs in the 50s and lows in the upper 30s!

In 2010 it was cold again! We started to wonder what was going on! Fortunately, we packed much more appropriately - thick socks, gloves, etc.

We skipped in 2011 and returned in 2012. I'm happy to say that in 2012 and 2013 the weather was really nice. We had some cold days (in the low 60s, which led to cold nights) but for the most part - the weather was perfect.

The weather could change day-to-day. One day it may be sunny and 75. The next day it could plummet into the 50s! Most likely, you will be comfortable with jeans and a t-shirt or long-sleeve shirt. Pack hoodies and sweaters. If it's a little cooler, throw on a hoodie. Also bring a winter coat, gloves, a hat and hand warmers (my secret weapon!) Next, pack for warmer temps - shorts, etc. Layering is your friend!

For more info, check out my free guide at survivedisxmas.com!

 

[mmafan]

Do you find you use the pools when you go in December?

When we go in the spring or fall, we spend a lot of time at the pool and beach. I'd say, almost every day we end up there for a couple hours. We're thinking of a December trip for the first time (next Dec) and I'm really nervous about this part. I can't decide if we should do this, or go with our regular May or Sep.

Any advice definitely welcome. Hopefully from those who love going in the winter. Do you hit the pool / beach much, or is that part of the trip sort of crossed off?

Thank you,
-mike

we usually swim the pools are heated and as long as the sun is out and its about 75 im going in

 

[Grumpy92]

Here is a good example:
Yesterday it was rainy. Today it is in the 50s with temps dropping down into the 30s tonight. By the end of the week it will warm up again.

There is a good wind always coming off the WS lagoon. I have spent many a cold night shivering while waiting in line for the Candlelight Processional.

Think Layers!!!

 

[CarrieR]

And yesterday morning, plus the day before it was hot and sort of humid - 80s. Shorts and tank tops. Today I'm in jeans, cotton sundress, hoodie. (End of vacation, slim pickins ). I'm still in sandals because I prefer them but gym shoes would probably be a better choice. Sunday mid-day was a Splash Mtn kinda day. Saturday morning I wore socks and gloves.

We go often at Christmas week and the usual is capris and tee during the day, jeans, tee and snuggly hoodie at night. Sometimes gloves. We burn the candle at both ends so it can get quite chilly in the wee hours riding stuff at MK.