Ever Been To A Theme Park On A Cold Day? What Was It Like?

[disneydreamer781]

We've visited WDW in December 3 x and I have to say I've never experienced a cold day. The coolest was maybe in the 70s. The nights though, that's another story. We had some very some "cold" nights for FL in the 50s in 2013. One night it was raw and windy. Never wore a parka though just a zipper sweatshirt or sweater with layers. Last December though didn't experience anything under mid 60s and that was in the evening. I actually prefer the parks in the colder weather particularly during the holiday season. Feels right!

 

[BarbieGal457]

I've been in December when it was blazing hot (2015) and then in January when it has been what I consider cold. I am pretty anemic and get cold very easily so I'm sure I differ from most people, but I think my advice is pretty sound - pack layers. As PPs have said, pack things that are light but you can layer to create warmth. Also I totally agree with the humid cold advice. I am from Philly and we get more of a dry cold. My unprepared self had to spend a pretty penny on a hoodie on NYE 2013 because while it was I think like 65ish, it was drizzly/misty and overcast...I was chilled to the bone (apparently so were others - the Emporium looked like the final scenes of Titanic, the hoodie search was THAT desperate). If you are nervous about sudden changes, my game plan is always to rent a locker and stash a jacket in there and some leggings that I can bring to the bathroom to change into if needed. It's a lot easier to do this - and cheaper! - than to shiver all day and have to run back to your room or purchase more goods.

Generally I think you'll be fine weather-wise but packing neutral-colored layers can never hurt! I even just went to LA for 10 days where the predicted temps were high 80s every day...it barely got out of the mid-60s for most of the trip and was also overcast and damp. I hand washed those leggings a lot!

 

[BeerMe]

We go in december often and the only time it was cold when we were there was 2010. Set all kinds of records. Just remembr that you will be outside a lot, unlike when you are home and co from home to car to inside again and again.

 

[KittyKitty]

I went one Dec. many years ago when it was cold. I took sweater, coat w/ hood (or windbreaker), long pants, long johns, gloves, ear cover, and sunglasses. Weather was sunny. Had a great time.

 

[ktlm]

The last 3 or 4 years we have gone in October, but before that, we went the week after Thanksgiving for several years. The best thing to do is to be prepared for anything-- weather can change extremely fast that time of year at WDW and in our experience the forecasters have not been that good at predicting it. That week after Thanksgiving, we have been in the park when it was record highs and getting close to 90 degrees, and we have been in the park at MVMCP when it was 33 degrees. We have had at least one trip where we started out wearing shorts day and night with highs in the 80s, and ended the week wearing sweaters, coats and gloves day and night with highs in the low 50s. You just never know what you are going to get that time of year. I recall one year where we arrived and the people at the end day or two of their trip as we were arriving were talking about how it had been freezing all week and they had been in coats and gloves and then our trip we wore shorts day and night most of the week. The weather bounces around. Our first December trip, the day before our trip, I checked every local weather station and the national weather and they all said that the highs were going to be in the low 70s all week. We packed jeans and thin long sleeved shirts. The forecast was right the first day of our trip and then there was an unexpected heat wave and it was in the mid-80s the rest of the week and setting records-- we were sweltering to the point we were buying cooler clothes. I learned my lesson that year. That year every day was swimming weather-- we have had trips with zero days of what we would call swimming weather. Basically, my tip is do not trust the weather forecasters and pack to be prepared for highs in the 80s or highs in the 40s.

That said-- I have always thought the variations in temperature made for really fun trips (just a real pain for packing). We have never let a cold day bother us at WDW. We just put on sweaters and coats and keep going. It can be pretty nice to be a bit chilly instead of sweltering hot. Plus, since it is the Christmas season, it gives it that holiday feel.

As far as Splash- if it is cold wear ponchos. One of those December trips, we wanted to ride Splash one evening, but it was in the 50s. We threw on our ponchos and went. The line was pretty much non-existent (might have even been during MVMCP-I'd have to look back at pictures to remember) There was another family and I heard their son who was probably around 11, laughing about us wearing ponchos. When we got off the ride, he was soaked, and I heard him telling his Mom that he was freezing and that we were the smart ones and why didn't they wear ponchos. The only time we have let the cool weather in December get us out of a park was when it was basically cool weather with a monsoon. Even then, we threw ponchos on and stayed at MK until we couldn't take it anymore because of wet feet and jeans that were soaked up to the knees. If we had a way to keep our feet dry, we would have kept going. The park was empty, everything was walk on, and DD who was probably 4 or 5 at the time declared it the "best day ever" because I never let her play outside in the rain at home. Other than that one trip, we haven't had much rain on our December trips, so hopefully you will not have to deal with that! WDW is great during the holiday season! Have a great trip!

 

[fla4fun]

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We go in december often and the only time it was cold when we were there was 2010. Set all kinds of records. Just remembr that you will be outside a lot, unlike when you are home and co from home to car to inside again and again.

I was also there for the cold snap of 2010. Florida cold is a damp cold. It's a good idea to bring items you can layer. I take mostly short sleeve shirts, but one long sleeve tee, a hoodie, a fleece jacket I can layer over the hoodie, a scarf and gloves. Most of the time I don't need anything more than the long sleeve tee and/or hoodie, but that December I wore two shirts, the hoodie and fleece, and especially the gloves. Winter can be all over the place as far as temps, with the coldest weather typically falling in late January through February. I go to WDW in December and January, and rarely need the hard core cold weather clothes, but if you do need them, it's nice not to have to buy them.

Rain ponchos work great as a windbreaker over your other cold weather gear for things like waiting by the lake for Illuminations. Sometimes the wind off the lake is brutal after dark.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have been there in early December 15 different trips/years. Most of the time, it has been pleasant during the day, cool in the early morning, cool to cold at night. December 2010 was brutal. Most plants there at WDW covered up so they would not be damaged. I have always brought summer and winter clothing....shorts, short/long sleeve shirts, long pants, winter coats, stocking hat, gloves. Generally have used all. And I am from Chicago where it generally is below zero at least several times a year.

Remember, if it is cold or even cool where you live, you are generally not out in the weather very long. Going from home, to car, to work or shopping, etc. At WDW, you do a lot of walking, standing, waiting outside. And with all the bodies of water everywhere, there is a cold dampness in the air always.

Check the weather trend just before your trip to get the expected weather trend.

 

[TheBigErn]

We froze our butts off one night during the first week of December about 5 years ago. We were at the Candlelight Processional and it was in the 30's. Only time it was cold and we were not prepared. Walking around wasn't bad, but sitting was rough.

 

[Dan Murphy]

They do sell a lot of large beach towels there when it is cold. People wrap up in them, buying anything that will keep them warm when they have not packed prepared.

 

[BoatDriver]

I live in New England and I have never experienced a day that I would classify as "cold". Cool enough perhaps to have no interest in pools or water parks. And cool enough to wear warm gear over shorts and a golf shirt when teeing off at 7:00 am. But never "blow on your hands and cover your ears" cold. Long pants and a sweatshirt are all you'd need. And you might very well want a sweatshirt to wear after Kali or Splash. One time I forgot one and had to buy one.

Also from New England and wish I could say the same. We were there in January a few years ago and it was colder in the parks than it was at home. We packed for cool, but not for that kind of cold. It warmed up to tolerable by the late morning, but it was frigid at RD.

went in January a few years back and it was extremely cold. It was 28 degrees the morning we were at Animal Kingdom. They had heaters out keeping the trees warm. Rode Everest that morning and it was painfully cold.

Sounds like the same trip.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I had a light jacket you'd wear in high 60s

People really do have different tolerances to weather. High 60's = t's, shorts and pool weather, and 70 = turning the air conditioning on. And that, folks, is yet another difference between Florida and Canada.

 

[notrub98]

It was cold even by my New England standards when I went in January this year - but we had a blast. Don't worry about it! That is a great week to go!

 

[FastPasser.]

The average minimum temp this past Jan was 54 degrees and the recorded min temp was 37.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I'll be there first week of December and, maybe, for the first time in my life, might experience a "cold" day at a WDW theme park. Now, my definition of "cold" is probably different from yours (I don't generally break out my jacket until it gets below about 30), but, using whatever definition of "cold" you prefer, what's it like being at a theme park on a cold day? Was it brutal? Or were you still able to have a good time?

I've been to WDW for many "first weeks of Decembers" and it has been 30F and it has been 80F and everything in between. It's a total crapshoot but like every weather condition, if you are dressed for it, it's fine.

 

[Klayfish]

People really do have different tolerances to weather. High 60's = t's, shorts and pool weather, and 70 = turning the air conditioning on. And that, folks, is yet another difference between Florida and Canada.

Note to self...do not visit Canada...unless it's in the World Showcase.

 

[Jules76126]

Yes, I have been to Disney in the cold. I did the CP program Spring of 07 and that was a cold January and February. During the day was normally fine with the sun, but at night it was freezing. I worked at Spaceship Earth and near the front is a wind tunnel. It was so cold one night we were begging the managers to speed up the rotation so we could get inside. And I am from MA so I know cold. However, as others noted the crowds tend to be lighter and you are at Disney so no complaints there. However, I prefer to the heat and like to vacation in May.

I also went to Santa Village in NH one November and that was such a cold day. We ended up leaving after lunch as we couldn't take it anymore.

 

[cindyfan]

My DD and I went at the beginning of January one year.... first day had a high of 42! We had on layers and had to purchase gloves and ear-muffs. But we enjoyed not having to go back to the resort for a mid-day "cool-down" at the pool and change of clothes (like we always have to do in summer!)!!! By the 3rd day it was up back to 60 degrees!! Sunny and great weather!! LOVED IT!
What will make a HUGE difference is the WIND, RAIN OR SUN!!! 40 degrees with sun will be great!! 40 degrees with rain or wind...... I would not want to be on BTMRR or any other outdoor ride.... that would be miserable!!!!

 

[WillowRain]

60 degrees and rainy in So Cal in December. What a magical morning that was!

 

[pmaurer74]

It would be a very rare day at WDW where you would have to wear your jacket between 7:00 am and midnight.

No that rare. Most of my December trips it gets into the 40s at night and early morning. One time we watched wishes in winter jackets, hats and gloves. It was in the 30s. The cold lingers there. I am from the north so used to the cold.

 

[ucfknight]

No that rare. Most of my December trips it gets into the 40s at night and early morning. One time we watched wishes in winter jackets, hats and gloves. It was in the 30s. The cold lingers there. I am from the north so used to the cold.

I was specifically responding to OP who said "I don't generally break out my jacket until it gets below about 30"