First Week in December: Jeans or Shorts?

[Missytara]

You have to remember two things; being too cold or too hot is very subjective. And if you are coming from a place that is colder to a warmer climate; it will actually feel somewhat warmer to you. Think about a day when you have Indian Summer; it may feel oppresively hot after being cold for a period of time.

At home, you are pretty hardpressed to find me wearing a jacket - even on a day like today when it is in the low 50's. I work outside a lot, so the cool temps don't bother me at all. Someone else will find it very chilly; one of my co-workers even wore gloves this morning with her jacket; I am in jeans and a short sleeved shirt.

And if it has been cold for a period of time before you come in your area, when you hit the warm weather, it may feel slightly warmer to you. All depends.

In addition, if you have mostly been wearing pants and you come down and start wearing shorts or capris, you may notice a rash commonly referred to in our area as "golf rash." It happened to my friend last year, who wore pants all winter and went down in April and wore capris there. The reflection of the heat off the pavement, with her fair skin and no real exposure to the sun all winter, ended up with a horrible rash. She ended up having to go to a clinic for treatment. So you may want to consider wearing capris in the evening after the sun goes down, and save pants during the day.

Also, checking the weather about two days before you arrive is a huge help. You never really can predict - last year was the first year I missed and they said it was surprisingly cold in the evenings. Most years I go, it has been high 70's to low 80's during the day and mid 60's at night, which is very comfortable for me.

 

[ZoZo]

December weather in Florida can be very variable. It can be hot during the day and then chilly at night. I would check a long range forecast a few days before the trip and finish packing then. You can always dress lighter but if you don't have warm enough clothes packed, you'll be paying crazy Disney prices for something warmer!

This is great advice. Check the forecast right before your trip, but be prepared for some weather "swings." Bring a variety of things (long pants, long sleeved shirts, warm jacket, long socks, gloves, scarf hat, as well as lighter things).

Here's my experience. I just went to WDW last month, during a time when they were having record-breaking high temps. Highs in October are supposed to be 85 degrees, and it was 92 to 97 for the first week. I packed shorts, sleeveless tops, and sandals, with very little warm stuff.

Well, the temperature dropped 30 degrees over a span of three days! It went from 93 on Thursday, to barely 60 on Sunday. Plus it was very windy, and I was quite cold. What I wouldn't have given for a warm jacket and some long socks (I had only packed socks that go up to my ankle)! Even though I wore sweatpants and the only jacket I had packed (which was lightweight), my legs were so cold because it was windy! I finally found some crew-length socks at the Japan pavilion at Epcot, which helped some. I was leaving the next day, so I was reluctant to buy a warm jacket or sweatshirt (since the prices started at $50!) just for one day.

So remember, the weather can change -- bring a variety of things, so you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for warm stuff!

 

[Evi]

We usually go 1st week of December and though the weather can fluctuate I'd say plan for 60-80for days and anywhere from 50-60 at night though temp can go up or down its usually really nice I've only experience one really hot day in 4 trips at this time of year. Pack a few pairs of jeans and maybe a few flexible layers defiantly bring a nice heavy sweater. I've never used a coat but a heavy sweater should do. I also never bring shorts I bring capris or long pants that convert into capri's roll up type. these work best for me. Hubby always wears cargo or khaki pants while at disney says jeans are too heavy but shorts would be to thin.

 

[LMN]

Anal Annie,

Thanks for the packing article...very informative! I am going to search out some of those packing cubes. We will be at WDW in about a month and it is our first time flying there, so we will not be able to take as much as we normally do when we drive the Suburban. Plus, with the beginning of Dec being so hard to predict weather-wise, I'm a little nervous about the ability to pack light!

Oh, by the way....I was born in Silver Spring!

 

[Heidijs]

Don't ya just LOVE Florida!

Now ya'll know my constant Fall- Spring pain!

Better than Minnesota in December! Here your choices are long underwear...no long underwear...then in January you debate...do I risk leaving the house...or just stay home!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Nice to run into so many Marylander's here!

For anybody interested in packing cubes or packing folders I shop online at ebags.com. Sometimes they have clearance prices on some colors & I'll pick up a 3 pc. set. Some people even buy diff. colors for diff. members of the family. I didn't go that far yet tho. We started out with a set of the 3 sizes for each of us + one packing folder - went on 1 trip with them and LOVED them so then I ordered a couple more sets of just the larges and another 3 pc set. I can definitely pack us in shorter trips in carry-ons only. 10 days + tho and I need to check a bag.

Oh, and after you order from eBags they will email you a request to rate the product. As a thank you for rating the products that you purchase they will give you an extra 20% off on your next order! (So I buy in batches.)

There's usually a link in the ads on my eHow article but here it is again just in case:
http://www.ebags.com/travel_accessories/packing_folders_cubes/category_search/index.cfm?seeall=true&N=20014520