How's the weather in mid December?

[disneyfan67]

I was playing around with Expedia today and I'm thinking of doing a possible trip in December right before the Christmas break. I put in the dates of 12/14 to 12/18 and got some real good prices on the Disney Resorts. The stay for four pay for three deal. My question is how is the weather? I'll be comming from Chicago and would love to have some warm weather to swim in for the kids. I heard the Disneyland resort is really pretty around Christmas time and I'm kind of interested. Also which Disney hotel is prettier for the Hoildays? GC or DH? I was thinking that the GC would be kind of like the WL in WDW for the Hoildays. Am I wrong on that one? Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance!

 

[B9erSteve]

CA weather is pretty variable in the winter. Both times that I went in early Dec. and stayed on-site I have used the pool. (Heated)

 

[LucyKate]

We went in the first week of December (straight out of an Australian heatwave when it was over 100) and found it very pleasant.

It was high 60s and low 70s during the day (tee-shirt weather at lunch time) but got cold as soon as the sun went down and we had to wear sweaters and coats after 4:30. We just stored them in a locker until we needed them.
It rained a little one day, but all the did was keep the crowds down (and force the parade to be cancelled) .

We also swam in the heated pool at HoJos at night and found it very nice.

It's a great time to go to Disneyland as weather is mild and crowds are down and you have the sensational christmas decorations and parades. Enjoy.

 

[HaleyB]

Lol, this reminds me of when I moved to California as a child. We came from Buffalo, NY so December in So Cal felt like summer to us. We thought it was plenty warm enough to swim the first few years, then we got used to it and thought 65 was cold. Now I live in Texas and last weekend I was freezing in So Cal, it was 72. From Chicago, yep I bet for you it will be warm enough to swim, if you get normal weather (this year seems like everything but normal).

 

[crazymomof 4]

Last December we went at this time and it was very hot for us . We live in the snow and I packed like it. We ended up being in the mid 80's with no shorts and it was very uncomfortable. Our friends however went 2 weeks before and it was in the 40's. You never know just check the weather report and believe whatever it says. We will be there when you are there as well!

 

[CalGal]

That should be a fabulous time to go! I've gone to DL 4 or 5 times the week before Christmas. Generally, it's been too cold for me to be tempted to go into the pool, but I'm not big on the pool. My DS has gone swimming a few times at this time of year. Highs in the 60s are probably most common, but it can get warmer than that. It can also be rainy, but by in large I've found the weather to be comfortable in December. The crowds should be great up until around the 16th; once schools let out, the park will get more and more crowded as Christmas nears. The parks, resorts, and DTD are beautiful and festive! Both the DLH or GC would be great choices for the holidays.

I'm jealous!

 

[disneyfan67]

You people have restored my faith in the DIS boards. LOL! Sometimes it can get real heated in the WDW side and I want to thank everyone for their help so far. THANK YOU!

 

[LucyKate]

Sometimes it can get real heated in the WDW side

Wow, the most excited anyone ever gets here is over whether it's best to stay on or off-site and whether crowd limits should be imposed on busy days.

Maybe I should check out the WDW board next time I'm bored! ;-)

2 final pieces of advice
- check out www.weather.com before you go, it gives forecasts up to 10 days out. While it may not be totally accurate this far out, it will give you an idea of what to expect and will become more accurate as you get closer. It was a great help to us on what to pack.

- as mentioned above crowds should be light until school gets out, so if you can finish the Disney bit before December 16 you will enjoy things a lot more. Also, week day crowds are much lower than weekends. We arrived on Wednesday December 1 and when we first approached the gates there were so few people I was scared they might be closed!