For those traveling this December????

[karenbaco]

I love the packing outifts in ziplocs for everyday idea but how in the world do you plan for that in December when the weather is so extreme? What are all of you doing for clothes? I hear it can be 35 degrees one day and 80 the next. Or 50 in the morning and 80 by afternoon. How do you pack for that?? Man my suitcase is gonna be big and stuffed!
Suggestions please? Past December experiences anyone?
THanks
Karen

 

[WAHMto5]

I also like to pack that way for the kids but we normally always go in the summer so it is nice and easy!! Like you said, I am going to pack a little of everything for everyone for them just in case days! My dh complained before on how much I pack, wait till he sees this trip

 

[HenDuck]

Will you have access to laundry facilities? If so, I'd pack for colder weather and bring maybe one pair of shorts and a couple of t-shirts in case of warm weather. Bring one less set of cold weather clothes and plan to do laundry during the trip.

Good luck!

 

[shannon1219]

Last year the weather during our Dec 16th to Dec 20th trip was very cold. We were wearing long sleeves and jackets the whole time. It is being predicted that this year will be another cold year so we may see more cold weather. I am crossing my fingers though. We will be back Dec 16th thru 20th again this year.

 

[staci]

Ok, to start I just want to say that I have only been in november not december. But I love to pack with ziplock baggies it helps me stay organized.

I would probably pick out enough outfits for each day that will be wearable during the majority of the day, and then pack the extra 'layers' separately. For instance, for a week trip I would pack 7 little baggies for my son, each with (probably) a short sleeved shirt, a pair of pants, and a pair of socks. Then I would just take a hooded jacket/hooded sweatshirt or two that can be used multiple days. You can always wash that if it gets spilled on, and its the jackets/sweatshirts etc. that are going to fill up the suitcase fast. I would probably bring one or two pairs of neutral shorts that you can bring with you into the parks if the forcast would require it.

Just my two cents

 

[TDS373X]

we've never been in December but I think my plan on how to pack will be watch the Weather Channel very closely pack according to what they predict and then pray they were right because I am not taking all those clothes!!

 

[KeepSwimming]

My past December trips have always been mostly cold. There have been a few days where you could get away with shorts and t shirts during the day, but we always had to change into jeans and sweaters in the evening.

I recommend packing mostly jeans and sweatshirts/ long sleeve shirts and wearing t shirts under them. Layers is the only way to go.

Also, plan on bringing hats/gloves/ scarfs because some nights can get down in the 30's.....

 

[mc'smommy]

I have been in both Dec and in Jan. and let me tell you it is much easier to deal with being warm than it is being cold... LOL

This is how we packed for our trip in Jan 2005. 6 days

I packed the following
3 prs of shorts and
3 pairs of pants
3 sweatshirts and or Sweater
6 t-shirts
1 turtleneck
mittens ( dollar store kind )
hat ( winter ) for my daughter
Jacket
socks
sandals


Even if it is warm during the day the nights are gonna be cool ! Ok Cold...LOL It won't be cold enough if you have a turtleneck, sweater/sweatshirt and a light jacket on. Especially if your hands are kept warm with mittens.

Laundry facilities are a fantastic thing when you need to pack for multiple weather changes. SO remember to pack some laundry detergent and dryer sheets....Just in case !


One year we packed no pants, no winter clothes at all. And on the last 2 days of our trip I had to buy winter clothes just to survive.. We bought a hat and mittens at magic kingdom and paid something like $ 12.00 for them... LOL

 

[momsgoofy]

I'm trying to plan for our first December trip like the OP and like the others who've replied, I'm packing a variety of clothes and planning to do laundry. Fortunately we are in a 1 BDR villa that will have a washer/dryer in the villa, so I just have to remember to pack the detergent and softener.

I think mc'smommy could be doing my planning because I've been thinking to pack...

3 pants, 3 capris, 3 shorts, a couple sweatshirts, a week of short sleeved shirts, a jacket and gloves. As for shoes...well, DH and DS will be wearing tennis shoes and I'll be wearing my CROCS...will take the extra pairs also.

I just bought myself a new pair of Tink gloves at Walmart for $2.96 (I think). DS detests gloves and his hands are rarely cold...it's a trait he inherited from his dad.

I've read and agree that the key is to dress in layers.

Hope this gives you an idea...

 

[100AcreWood]

I noticed everyone mentioned "jackets." Does that mean a true coat isn't necessary? This is my first December trip and I'm hoping it's not too cold but I'm looking forward to Disney when it's not 96 degrees . I felt like an oven-roasted turkey in September.

 

[jonestavern]

We like the layering thing. we also will have a washer & dryer. when we are at the mods we do a load of laundry while swimming or very early am.
We take carryon only.
So the guys will have:
hooded sweatshirts, a sweater & long pants which we wear to the airport.
they've never worn shorts, even when in Dallas & it was, literally, 110 degrees! My guys only ever wear gloves when shoveling snow in the very cold--so no gloves for them if it's at all above 20 degrees!
I will wear:
a hooded sweatshirt, light colored turtleneck, a bright yellow cotton sweater & a silky-type raincoat w/zip out lining . I like the $1.00 stretchy gloves-
--we live in New Hampshire & have to wait in an unheated shuttle stop for the bus.
For us, we do not need parkas, I have seen snow parkas worn in 50 degree weather in Florida, it's just what you're accustomed to.
as a general rule, all the clothing I bring matches, one outfit to the other, as we are major carry on only flyers. when DSnow16, was a tot, same thing for him.

enjoy!
Jean

 

[estherhead]

I'm a ziplic person, and even with cold weather it stays the same. In each bag I put a pair of shorts/pants & t-shirt & a pair of socks & undies. Then in my WDW bag that I take in I put gloves, jacket, etc. For me it has worked, course the parks close at 6 pm in early Dec so we're only worried about being warm in the am, we come home at night.

 

[K&KsMom]

This will be our families 4th trip to WDW in December our advice is pack warm clothes. Last year we used hats, mittens, and warm coats for 5 of the 8 days we were in the World.....however the year before we were comfortable with windbreakers and/or long sleeves....you never know.
K.

 

[Kuffam]

I have two pairs of pants that unzip into shorts, it's so nice to kill two birds with one stone. Same goes for jackets, we have windbreakes with removable linings, works good for rain coats or coats.

 

[aubriee]

I'm trying to plan for our first December trip like the OP and like the others who've replied, I'm packing a variety of clothes and planning to do laundry.
I think mc'smommy could be doing my planning because I've been thinking to pack...
3 pants, 3 capris, 3 shorts, a couple sweatshirts, a week of short sleeved shirts, a jacket and gloves. As for shoes...well, DH and DS will be wearing tennis shoes and I'll be wearing my CROCS...will take the extra pairs also.
I've read and agree that the key is to dress in layers.
Hope this gives you an idea...

Great minds think alike. This is my exact packing list, plus a tobaggan, two pairs of Crocs, a pair of tennis shoes, and a pair of Teva flip flops for a ten day trip.

 

[aubriee]

[COLOR=Black
So the guys will have:
they've never worn shorts, even when in Dallas & it was, literally, 110 degrees! My guys only ever wear gloves when shoveling snow in the very cold--so no gloves for them if it's at all above 20 degrees!
For us, we do not need parkas, I have seen snow parkas worn in 50 degree weather in Florida, it's just what you're accustomed to.
[I]Jean[/I]

Just wondering what's wrong with wearing parkas in 50 degree weather . Hey, that's cold to me and you better believe I'd be in a jacket of some kind. I guess it's true it's just what you're accustomed to. Of course, I live about 20 miles from Dallas and wear a lab jacket to work in July when it's 110 degrees outside.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i looked up weather in dec and it can be all over the place
i dont even know where to start packing wise for our dec trip
pants ,sweatshirts, shorts t's its gonna be a pain
i dont want my kids to too cold or too hot a light jacket is probably a good idea

 

[missymagic]

I have gone the same time in Dec for a couple years and every year is different. T-shirts dont take up much space and can go under almost anything. Most of the time the mornings are cool requiring a jacket or sweatshirt. I have experienced shorts maybe 2 days out of a week. Capris work for the questionable days. At night you will always need pants and long sleeve shirt or a jacket over a t-shirt. I have only been their once that we needed 3 layers on. I usually go the first or second week in December so I cant share my experience of any other weeks.

I pack the girls stuff in one suitcase. Their stuff is still pretty easy to fold small! Mine well I only allow myself one large suitcase whatever I can fit in it.

 

[karenbaco]

Can someone tell me what CROCS are???
Thanks

 

[itsagloomyday]

Last December the 3-11 was warm! Most days it reached the mid 80's. If you watched the Christmas parade, it was filmed the weekend we were there. Everyone was in t-shirts and shorts. We spent several days at the waterparks. We did need a sweatshirt the first evening and the last day we were there due to a cold front. I heard it got much colder the next week. but we were able to get by with shorts and t-shirts (and bathing suits).

We tried to pack light and spent one evening doing laundry. The weather can be very unpredictable at that time of year.