First Week of December Weather?

[DantePD]

Right, so we're a couple of weeks out, so I'm planning packing lists now.

How's the weather in Orlando during the first week of December? (Under normal circumstances anyway). I know it's not going to be cold like it is here in DC around that time, but is it still "You're gonna die in anything more than t-shirts and shorts" or will it have cooled off a little?

 

[DebbieB]

Right, so we're a couple of weeks out, so I'm planning packing lists now.

How's the weather in Orlando during the first week of December? (Under normal circumstances anyway). I know it's not going to be cold like it is here in DC around that time, but is it still "You're gonna die in anything more than t-shirts and shorts" or will it have cooled off a little?

I've gone many times around that time. Highs ranged from 48 to 84. Average is 70's. I don't make final packing plans until a couple days before after looking at the forecast. In general, I don't wear shorts under a high of 70 and it will get cold after dark. There have been trips where it was 60's all week and I had my winter coat and gloves for night, it gets cold when you are outside for long periods after dark. Other trips it was 80's all week, wore shorts and sometimes needed a light jacket or sweater for night. I know that doesn't help, but I would have everything ready and make final decisions last minute.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've gone to WDW the first or second week in December for many years. Generally speaking, and this is very general, the weather is pleasant and warm, rarely hot, and rarely cold. Evenings can still get quite cool even if the day is warm, so some basic layers (sweatshirts and such) are always a good idea. Less commonly, it be downright chilly, with day time highs working to break 60 and evenings in the 40's or lower. It's impossible to predict at this point which you will encounter. We've experienced both, with warm and pleasant being much more common than chilly. Your best bet is to check the local forecast a few days before your trip. It will give you a pretty accurate idea of the general temperature trends for the next week or so, as those can be fairly accurately predicted and aren't apt to change abruptly. Then you can pack accordingly - more shorts and tee shirts for the warm forecast, and more fleeces and long pants for the chilly forecast.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's "kitchen sink" weather. That means you should pack everything, including the kitchen sink. The long range forecast is not accurate enough that time of year. Unless you want to outfit your group with jackets, gloves and scarves at Disney prices, bring it along.

We have had one trip that was ugly bitter cold and windy. Thankfully the rest that time of year were perfect. Short and sweatshirts. Just heavenly.

 

[Mome Rath]

It does stink, but you have to just look at the weather a few days before you go, and base it off of that as others have said. I've been when it's 70's and I've been when you need gloves, hats, winter coats, etc... I will say my experiences overall point to 70's in the day, 60's or high 50's in mornings and evenings. I don't like packing heavily, so I plan on buying a sweatshirt if needed when I'm there unless it is obviously going to dip in to the low 50's most of the time in early evening. I will say, coming from a state with lots of snow and cold winters, the cold down in Florida is freezing cold to me and I get much colder down there than I do here. I do think it is because of the moisture in the air down there.

 

[mom2rtk]

It does stink, but you have to just look at the weather a few days before you go, and base it off of that as others have said. I've been when it's 70's and I've been when you need gloves, hats, winter coats, etc... I will say my experiences overall point to 70's in the day, 60's or high 50's in mornings and evenings. I don't like packing heavily, so I plan on buying a sweatshirt if needed when I'm there unless it is obviously going to dip in to the low 50's most of the time in early evening. I will say, coming from a state with lots of snow and cold winters, the cold down in Florida is freezing cold to me and I get much colder down there than I do here. I do think it is because of the moisture in the air down there.

The year we were there it dipped into the low 30's at rope drop.

I don't like packing heavily either. But I hate buying cold weather gear at Disney prices for our entire group even more.

 

[Accident]

@mom2rtk gave great advice. It's probably going to be shorts and hot in the sun and you'll probably want at least a sweatshirt an maybe something on your legs in the early morning and when there is no more sun at night. But there is also years like 2010 when there was 6 snow storms over december and jan so it can be really cold and not just a little chilly. Despite rumors, florida is not always hot. I think where you are coming from also plays into this because at first you'll think it's overkill with warmer weather but by the end of the week you'll be more adjusted and want more layers.

It comes down to are you ready to buy colder weather clothes at disney if you find you need it (and keep in mind there is a minimal selection of cold weather jackets) or is it better to bring 1 more bag and the fees for it.

I find the lockers at the parks are your friends if you don't mind going all the way back to the entrance (epcot I never do unless its international gateway, ak I'm usually on the edge) but HS and MK I don't usually mind and those parks attract you to the front for dark entertainment.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Layers. I wore capris most years and either wore a lightweight jacket that I didn't mind carrying around when it was warmer mid-day. Or I would just wear short sleeves all day and would plan to buy one sweatshirt at night - which used to be my go-to souvenir per trip. I hate carrying around stuff in the parks.

 

[ktlm]

We've gone that week several times and also later in December. Do not trust the weather forecast- not even from the Florida stations- and not even the night before you trip. Take a little bit of everything. The weather can change very fast that time of year and they don't seem to predict it very well. Our first December trip, I checked the weather forecast the night before and it claimed the highs were going to be between 70 and 73 the entire week, so I packed jeans and thin long sleeved shirts for all of us. The forecast was right for arrival day, and then there was a heat wave that they had not forecasted and it was between 80 and 90 degrees every day for the rest of our trip (they were hitting or close to record highs) and we were sweltering. We all had to buy T-shirts and we were still hot in jeans. After that, I learned to pack for any weather. We have been when they claimed it was going to be in the 70s for highs the day before we left, but at the end of the week the highs were in the low 50s, and it was in the 40s during MVMCP. We have been where we were in shorts day and night for the first 2 days, but by the end of the trip we were in sweaters, coats and gloves and freezing. We have been where we were in shorts most of the week, but heard that people there the week before us were in coats and freezing. You just never know. Those December trips are always the worst for packing and keeping the suitcases from being overly heavy so you can leave room for the stuff you buy (but then of course- now there is the shop Disney parks app which lets you just ship it all home while you are standing in the store).

I agree with mom2rtk, that if you don't pack a little of everything, there is a good chance you will find yourself in a WDW store. You might just have to buy a sweatshirt- but some of the weather we have hit in December would also have you buying a jacket (and possibly even a scarf and gloves) to go over the sweatshirt.

I just went back and looked at 5 December photobooks to see what we were wearing. In 3 of the 5 there was at least one day where we had sweatshirts or sweaters on with either a jacket or full coat (and most of those we were in short sleeves or shorts at least another day and night, if not a few days and nights). In the 4th, we had long sleeves or sweatshirts on most days, but no coats or jackets and only one day with short sleeves. In the fifth, it was shorts and short sleeves the entire week. The weather is just inconsistent that time of year!

 

[LilJennaBell]

The year we were there it dipped into the low 30's at rope drop.

2010, perhaps?? I remember wearing thermal pajama pants UNDER my jeans... it was beyond brutal!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

2010, perhaps?? I remember wearing thermal pajama pants UNDER my jeans... it was beyond brutal!!!

Yes, 2010. It really was brutal. But I did love what it did to the crowd level!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We've gone that week several times and also later in December. Do not trust the weather forecast- not even from the Florida stations- and not even the night before you trip. Take a little bit of everything. The weather can change very fast that time of year and they don't seem to predict it very well.

I have to agree with you 100%. I never trust the forecasts for Florida and always bring my winter coat and warm clothes when traveling to Florida in December, January and February. And I always bring a pair of shorts and a few short sleeved shirts when the forecast is for cold weather, just in case. In fact, we have had the weather be cold enough for a winter coat at night and hot enough for shorts in the very same week. You just have to pack for everything.

 

[Xennia]

Right, so we're a couple of weeks out, so I'm planning packing lists now.

How's the weather in Orlando during the first week of December? (Under normal circumstances anyway). I know it's not going to be cold like it is here in DC around that time, but is it still "You're gonna die in anything more than t-shirts and shorts" or will it have cooled off a little?

I've been going the first two weeks in December and it's beautiful sometimes chilly.

 

[Jennasis]

We went last year from 12/5-12/11 and it was warm during the day and cool at night. We are from NC, so warm for us is anywhere in the 70's-mid 80's and cool is below 70. I wore jeans and a T shirt pretty much everyday and was very comfortable. We needed hoodies in the morning and at night and were very comfortable. We swam a few times and it was doable, though we did make a bee line for the indoors once we got out of the pool. No humidity.

I have been there in early December in the past where it was COLD (mid-4o's) at night and we were grateful to have sweatshirts and gloves and many layers.

We're going 12/1-12/4 this year and will bring jeans (and a pair of shorts), T-shirts, hoodies, a coat just in case and gloves/hats.

 

[thingwithwings]

At the very least, plan to bring long pants and some layering items.

I remember going the first week of December years and years ago. The weather during the day was pleasant--not hot, but warm. At night, things got chilly, but not cold. We were okay with long pants and sweatshirts, though I'd 100% recommend just having a winter coat on hand for the just in case scenarios.

Contrast with my dad, who goes to a conference in Orlando every January (sometimes Disney, sometimes Universal, always Orlando). He always, always, always forgets to pack a sweatshirt or anything warm to wear in the morning and evening, and I've thus far acquired four Mickey Mouse hoodies that he had to buy onsite because he forgot to pack something.

Don't be my dad. Pack layers.

 

[WEDWDW]

Anything from "CRANK UP THE AC ALL THE WAY!" to "COVER UP THE PLANTS!".

 

[christianweecare]

We have been visiting this time of the year for years and years will have to agree, pack a little bit of everything. We tend to dress in layers and add or remove as the case may be.

 

[OKW Lover]

How's the weather in Orlando during the first week of December? (Under normal circumstances anyway).

Before moving to Orlando, we used to visit WDW the first week of December annually. With over 20 years of experience going then, the answer is highly variable. Usually its really nice weather with comfortable temps and no rain. However, we do have pictures from one year where we are in shorts/t-shirts on one day and heavy winter coats a couple of days later.

Packing layers is the key.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We went last December and The boys and I never wore more than shorts. DW layered up a little but she's cold natured. It was the best weather week ever at WDW for us

 

[DantePD]

Y'know, it's oddly comforting to hear that the weather in Orlando this time of year is just as random as it is here in DC.