Need Advice on packing for December Trip

[wilea]

My husband and I have planned a surprise trip to WDW for our 3 kids from Dec 3 to Dec 10. We don't plan on telling them until we either get there or they figure it out. Our kids are ages 16, 6 and 2. I know that once we get the 16 yr old up at 4am on a Tuesday morning to catch our 6am flight she will most likely figure it out when we get to the airport. My question is how do I pack for Florida in December? I have been hitting clearance sales for the 2 little ones and I think I have most of their clothes ready to go, but I know I am going to need jeans and maybe sweatshirts. I really don't know how to pack and I know its early but I want to make sure I start getting things together because packing for the 5 of us and not forgetting anything is going to be tough and I want to be ahead of it. So any advice on how to pack would be wonderful.

thanks
Jen

 

[tlbwriter]

I've only gone in December. We wore jeans and t-shirts the entire time. On our first trip, there was one day that was warm enough to spend the entire day in a short-sleeved T without a jacket. The other days (and the other trip) we wore long- or short-sleeved Ts all day, with or without a jacket. I like to take a jersey hoodie for everybody - you can wear it in the morning, and if it gets warm in the afternoon, tie it around your waist. I would have been too warm in the afternoon if I'd been wearing a sweatshirt, but I'm kind of warm by nature.

 

[pntsmom99]

Hi,

I've gone in December before also, t-shirts and jeans is what we wore during the days mainly. Nights were definatly cooler...Little ones and older folks I would say layer up! A sweater wasn't warm enough especially at illuminations because of the breeze coming off the water.

I would suggest a couple pairs of shorts, but mainly "fall" type clothing.

 

[Huskerfamilyof5]

We will be at WDW Dec. 7 - 14 too, I appreciate the information too. I have read on other threads that some people have even used gloves and coats at night in Dec, however, I believe it was in late Dec. What are your thoughts? Due to airline luggage issues, I really don't want to take a heavy coat. Thanks for any suggestions. FYI, we will be coming from a cold climate, so I am hoping it will feel warm to us. Plus since we are staying at BCV, do you think we will be able to use the pool any? I hear its heated.

 

[Emma1]

We are going December 7-14 too. I can't wait!

 

[pntsmom99]

We come down from New Hampshire, and I bring wear my fleece pullover on the plane with capri's. During the day it's not bad weather at all..I've come across maybe one hot day. It's the nights you have to be prepared for..they can be very cool. Since I'm from a cold climate I never take hats/gloves but I always make sure to have a warm jacket..not a winter coat, but something heavier than a light summer jacket.

Hope that helps...

 

[Angielou1079]

and I have to tell ya December is a hard month to pack for....I grew up in Buffalo so I can stand "cold" but I've been down here almost 4 yrs so my blood is beggining to "thin out " as they say....Last Dec it was in like the 80's pretty much hot except one week it got down into like the 40 and 30's at night....sorry not much help but I'd say maybe pack jeans and shirts, a pair of shorts , and definately a jacket....I would say like pack "fall" clothing as pntsmom suggested....

 

[happymommy]

I've gone a few times in December as well.

Yes, a sweatshirt for everyone is good. And jeans (I like jeans!).

I bought stuff on sale ahead of time at the Disney store, so the kids had some matching Mickey sweatshirts. DH won't wear that stuff -

Also, check the weather reports right before time. You could have weather warm enough for the kids to swim some (my kids would go from pool to hot tub to pool to hot tub, you get the idea, DH and I just sat right by them and read a book). It can vary - one year in January my mom and I went to Epcot and the high was 50 - we had coats and pants on! Freezing! Then sometimes it's beautiful, and even if the kids swam (pools are heated) I won't swim unless it's super hot out.

A light jacket is good too. It is a GREAT time of the year. The resorts and parks are all decorated for the holidays, but the crowds are so light! If my kids weren't in school, that would be the only time I would go! Alas, I have to educate them and all that stuff we have to do once we grow up, darn!

 

[blessedby3]

We went in Dec. of 2006 and it was SO WARM!! We wore shorts and short sleeve shirts the whole time. This was the week before Christmas!! On the other hand, in 2005 we went the week after Thanksgiving and it was much colder. We wore pants the majority of the time and even needed sweatshirts at night. My advice is to check with www.accuweather.com the week before you are going to get a better idea of what the weather will be like. I checked it everyday starting at 10 days out up until the day before we left. That way I was able to readjust the clothes I had packed to better suit the weather forcasted.