How 'cold' is it really in december?

[thewesterberg]

Add us to the group that traveled to WDW in the winter of 2010 - it was a chilly week! Even being from northern Minnesota, we found hats and gloves to come in handy (my dad wore his flannel lined jeans!) However, it didn't stop my husband and son from swimming. I had stayed in the room with a headache and was watching the local news - they weather gal warned everyone to bundle up because it was going to be a cold one that night... while my 2 guys were down at the pool! We got a good laugh out of that!

I'll just echo what everyone else says - pack for everything and you'll be set! We actually found the cooler weather to be better for touring. We didn't get so hot and sweaty and tired. We've been there in August and we preferred butt freakin' cold over sweaty crack hot! But that may be the Minnesotan in us!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Eeek a little nervous to go out of my families comfort zone of October to December with hearing these stories of some of you being so cold you have the shivers, it sounds almost unbearable (mostly for the little ones) to enjoy the parks. Hmm decisions decisions... December is definitely a toss up just like the weather lol!

Don't let us discourage you! Seriously, the weather is a lot like the crowds - if you let it bother you, it will!

Like I said in a previous post, my family went in 2009 (I think) and it was much colder than expected. The only reason I have bad memories from that trip is because I caught a bad cold. The next trip in 2010 was cooler (warmer than 2009, but colder than we'd like) Well, I had a broken foot and was stuck in an EMV the entire trip. Not moving around made me feel colder. And then, each member of my family caught a bad stomach virus.

Despite it all, we were in Disney! While we experienced cold weather in 2009 and 2010, we had very nice weather in 2012 and impeccable weather this past year. The weather was so nice this past year that we didn't want to leave the park. We even laid by the pool a few times (and we never do that on our Disney vacations.) We had one day in the upper 50s when it rained. Other than that, the weather was really gorgeous.

So all in all, you could get weather like I did in 2009 or you can get weather like this past year that makes you appreciate your trip so much more. You could even get a mixed bag - a mix of 2009 and 2012. It's all about what you make of it. Ask yourself - will you really stay cooped up in your room because it's cold outside? No, you throw on a jacket and get in line for space mountain! Just make sure to grab a hot chocolate first..

 

[mom2rtk]

Add us to the group that traveled to WDW in the winter of 2010 - it was a chilly week! Even being from northern Minnesota, we found hats and gloves to come in handy (my dad wore his flannel lined jeans!) However, it didn't stop my husband and son from swimming. I had stayed in the room with a headache and was watching the local news - they weather gal warned everyone to bundle up because it was going to be a cold one that night... while my 2 guys were down at the pool! We got a good laugh out of that!

I'll just echo what everyone else says - pack for everything and you'll be set! We actually found the cooler weather to be better for touring. We didn't get so hot and sweaty and tired. We've been there in August and we preferred butt freakin' cold over sweaty crack hot! But that may be the Minnesotan in us!

I watched the local news that December too and got a chuckle out of it. One morning it was going to be in the 50's and they told parents to have their kids bundle up for the bus stop. I can guarantee my son would have been wearing shorts.

That said, back home we don't go outdoors and stay there for 12-15 hours at a stretch like we do at Disney. And the others are right. The humidity really makes a difference. Cold and damp are not a good combo.

 

[pmaurer74]

I have only been on time in December but it was great. We could actually be in the parks in afternoon without melting. Now it does feel cooler because of the moisture in the air. The mornings and evenings are cooler and the sun sets earlier. We worse a lot of sweatshirts and jeans and light jackets.

 

[maxiesmom]

We were at wdw this past December from the 4-12 and it was 80s every day and we did not have one drop of rain. We were in shorts and tank tops even in the evenings. We swam every day and did BLizzard Beach which was EMPTY. One of the best trips there we ever had!

I was at WDW a week later, and I had to wear a hoodie over my shirt and jeans in the morning and at night. The first week of 2010 I wore my winter coat all of the time, except for maybe between 1 pm and 2 pm. At night I added gloves. It was cold!

 

[DisMama5]

I was at WDW a week later, and I had to wear a hoodie over my shirt and jeans in the morning and at night. The first week of 2010 I wore my winter coat all of the time, except for maybe between 1 pm and 2 pm. At night I added gloves. It was cold!

So I'm seeing a lot of responses regarding 2010 so I'm assuming that year was a major year recently that had big cold fronts! All in all though it still sounds like all of you enjoyed the trip even with how cold it was... Because from what I've read everyone has gone back during that time frame multiple times.. Looks like the best advice is definitely to make the best of it and hope the best

 

[DisMama5]

Don't let us discourage you! Seriously, the weather is a lot like the crowds - if you let it bother you, it will! Like I said in a previous post, my family went in 2009 (I think) and it was much colder than expected. The only reason I have bad memories from that trip is because I caught a bad cold. The next trip in 2010 was cooler (warmer than 2009, but colder than we'd like) Well, I had a broken foot and was stuck in an EMV the entire trip. Not moving around made me feel colder. And then, each member of my family caught a bad stomach virus. Despite it all, we were in Disney! While we experienced cold weather in 2009 and 2010, we had very nice weather in 2012 and impeccable weather this past year. The weather was so nice this past year that we didn't want to leave the park. We even laid by the pool a few times (and we never do that on our Disney vacations.) We had one day in the upper 50s when it rained. Other than that, the weather was really gorgeous. So all in all, you could get weather like I did in 2009 or you can get weather like this past year that makes you appreciate your trip so much more. You could even get a mixed bag - a mix of 2009 and 2012. It's all about what you make of it. Ask yourself - will you really stay cooped up in your room because it's cold outside? No, you throw on a jacket and get in line for space mountain! Just make sure to grab a hot chocolate first..

Very well put Thankyou, your post truly made me feel better about our choice to try it out.. Everyone has been a wonderful help, it sounds like even with chilly temps everyone still says to go so that must count for something!

 

[Mkrop]

You are quite welcome.

We actually packed our coats on the way out the door for our trip in 2010. If ever there was a time we needed them, that was it. But I never could bring myself to put it on, even on that coldest morning when we arrived at the MK at 7:30 for early entry. Instead we went for layers. LOTS of layers. Thermal underwear, long sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, I think I had 4 layers plus a fleece jacket. In the end, I just couldn't bear the thought of entering a Disney park and taking photos in front of the castle in the same coat I wear around home schlepping kids around town in the snow.

Our secret weapon though was chemical handwarmers. I don't leave home without them now on a December trip. I could have totally cleaned up selling those around the parks. I'm amazed the head mouse hasn't thought of it already.

You'll also want a blanket if it's cold out, if you intend to sit waiting for a parade or fireworks. The concrete gets really cold sometimes.

Or if you are sitting on the metal benches like at the Candlelight Processional. We were in WS all day and I kept seeing carts with fleece blankets on them, but when it came time for the show, they were no where to be found. They would have made a killing that night selling them, it was freezing. I would have bought one to sit on and one to put over our legs. And we had on winter coats, hats and gloves!

the weather is all over I always go the first 2 weeks of December and it has been 40-80........but the two things you can count on is the weather will be better than at home and your at Disney so it really dosent matter.......have fun

in 2010, it was warmer in PA then it was in FL!


OP we still had fun that trip, and it is now something we can laugh about. We did make the best of it.

 

[ZoZo]

We have done quite a few trips the first few weeks of December and have seen low 20's to 90. We pretty much take 2 of everything (2 shorts, 2 capri, 2 jeans, 2 tanks, 2 long sleeve, etc) regardless of the weather forecast and layer and do laundry if needed. We almost always need to use most of our clothes at some point during the week. We fly so we try and wear our heaviest clothes on the plane along with our coats and stuff to save luggage space.

This was my strategy for my first-ever February trip this year. I brought a little of everything (shorts, capris, long pants) and planned to do laundry mid-trip. It worked very well! I did end up needing everything that I brought! The first day of our trip, it was warm enough for a water park day -- but cooled off a little for the rest of the week. By Day 5, we needed long pants and a sweatshirt!

Remember, layers are your friend! And items like gloves and hats take up very little space in luggage, but cost a lot to buy once you arrive, if you end up needing them!

 

[Carriemel]

"December's like a box o' chocolates...ya never know whut you're gonna get"