Help me figure out what we'll be wearing in Dec!

[wrldpossibility]

I have read that the weather can be anything from 80s to freezing in Dec. We've never been to Florida before, let alone WDW. We're coming from snowy Oregon. I plan to bring both short and long sleeved shirts, and both shorts and pants. I have a light jacket for everyone, as well as ponchos. Will we need heavy winter coats? What about footwear? My kids lived in their crocs all summer, but I wasn't planning to bring them to Disney. It will be too cold, right? Or should we bring them for the pools and to wear with socks? Everyone has good athletic shoes, and that was what I was planning to put them in for walking. Do we need hats? Gloves? Or will we look crazy with all that?

My kids are planning to swim...they'll swim in any weather! What should we know about the weather? I'm so clueless!

 

[SunKat]

We've been to WDW in early December a few times. We've never needed winter coats. It's not worth bringing them, they're too bulky to carry and you won't need them. The weather we've had in December was usually a little cool in the morning and evenings and beautiful during the day. I always brought shorts, pants and capris, short sleeve and long sleeve tops, fleece type jackets and a sweater or two. Your best bet is to bring layers that you can add or take off as needed. For footwear, I usually had sneakers and flip flops. It was never cold enough that we couldn't swim. You can always throw some gloves and baseball caps or knit caps in your suitcase. They don't take up much room and they come in handy for the chilly mornings. Hope this helps.

 

[mecllap]

Yep -- no need for heavy coats (leave them in your car at the airport -- or with whoever is dropping you off and picking you up -- if you're doing that -- wear your long pants home [advice from a former Oregonian here])-- maybe take a light windbreaker to go over a sweatshirt for some of the nights. I don't think we ever needed hats or gloves for warmth last year -- a cap or visor might be handy for the sun during the day. Ponchos are always good to have along at WDW -- you never know when one might be needed -- the cheap, dollar-store kind that don't take up much room. I think we mostly wore capris or long pants, but some people were still in shorts. We were using a stroller most days last Dec. so it was easy to carry layers when not needed (or put in backpacks, or leave in lockers near front of Park).

 

[Nicolepa]

I've been when it's been 80 and I've been when it's been in the 40's. My suggestion is to layer, layer, layer. Being from Seattle I usually do jeans and a short sleeve shirt for the daytime, and then throw on a sweatshirt in the evening. I would pack maybe a fleece jacket in case it get's cooler. In 2000 when we went it was in the 40's. I was a bit chilly (just packed a sweatshirt), but I did have to get a light jacket for my infant daughter. I way underpacked warmth wise for her. I might throw in some stretchy gloves for evening, but you won't need the heavy gloves.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Agree. We always go winter and have only had one really COLD day ever. We do the layer thing. T-shirts, sweat shirts , jeans. Always take the hats and gloves but only wore them twice. Have stoped taking shorts for DH and me but throw in a few pair for DS. TAke swim suits but most of the time DS is the only one that wants to swim. Pools are heated but it is COLD getting out. I take good walking shoes but think I am going to take our crocs this year and just see. We drive so sometimes we have big coats but they just stay in the car.

 

[Nanu57v]

We went in December in 2004 and 2005. Both times it seemed warm enough for jeans and a T-shirt during the daytime (not early morning or after dusk). I brought shorts in case of unseasonably warm weather. I also brought a sweatshirt jacket which I wore every morning and evening. The night we went to MVMCP I also donned a hat and gloves in 2004, but not necessary in 2005. It may seem "warmer" to you since you are so used to the cold. When we we're there in December the Floridians were wearing jackets at 75 degrees.

 

[dianemb]

We've been twice in December and one time it was cold enough to need winter coats and the other time was warm and t-shirts were fine during the day and sweat shirts at night. If your coming from cold weather bring your coat with you and have it just in case. I don't even bother with shorts, just capris and don't bring shorts for my son who is 11. There are plenty of sweat shirts to buy at disney if you need one.

ENJOY

 

[fromscratchmom]

I lived in the Tampa area from '88 to '93 and as I recall there was not enough need for heavy coats for the stores to even carry them much. in Dec of '89, (I think it was) there was an ice storm and everyone that lived there was totally freaked out, because it was just that rare. Such freak events can happen, but they are so rare as to not be worth planning for. I think the majority advising you to plan for light layers in the mornings and evenings in case you need them is right on the money. You may not even need them, but on the other hand there is a decent chance that you might need them after all.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I am going on my 4th Dec trip this year and while I would love to start packing today, I will wait to see a long range forecast before I pack. I've been with 90's during the day-never a need for more than a T and I've been with 30's at night. I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking it can't get cold. I did that once and froze.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

We usually go in December and you just never know about the weather. One time I wore shorts, another time I wore my coat and had to buy gloves and a scarf. All the other times were somewhere in-between.

I would at least bring a light jacket. On our last December trip the weather report said it would be in the 70's during the day. I think the 70's are hot so I packed mostly shorts. I didn't wear any of them. The weather never got much higher than the low 60's, and it was FREEZING at night. My daughter wore her snowsuit most days and everynight.

Plan for anything.

YOu know what's funny though. The year I wore my winter coat I was amazed to see so many people dressed differently. Here I was freezing and I was watching woman in tank tops and shorts walking around like it was 90 degrees.

 

[Disney4Drew]

We're going in Nov and I'm planning on taking a mixture of things. I am hoping for cooler weather rather than in the 80's.

 

[mercydisney]

I live 45 minutes from Disney. Last week it was in the 90's, this week we're going to be in the 50's (nighttime low). I've been living in Florida for 6 yrs, They are times when we go and you do need a jacket, coat amd gloves. In '93 our family came to vist from Jersey, we went to MGM, they were freazing. MGM had sold out of their jackets($89. a pop).

My opinion bring a jacket and gloves. The weather here is unpredictable, "Better safe then sorry".

Enjoy your trip. I love Disney during the holidays!!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Hmmm. We've been to WDW about 8 times and it's always different. I think it's too cold for swimming, but you may get a warm weekend.

We've had 60, high 70's and 80 degree weather. However, at nighttime, it is usually 45-55 degrees.

I would bring capris and pants with long sleeve shirts and a t-shirt. A lightweight jacket is much better than a bulkie one.

Shoes and maybe some sandals for daywear. Even in the high 60's it's still okay to wear sandals.