Need serious help re: packing for December

[kelscross]

I'm still at a loss on how to pack for our surprise Christmas trip. I know the weather can be unpredictable so I'm getting stressed about this when I'm sure I don't need to be.

We are going for 5 nights/6 days. My children are 3 and 4. I've got the toiletries, underwear, swim suits etc. It's just the daily outfits I'm having problems with.

Should I just pack mostly long pants and throw in a couple pairs of shorts just in case? Or the other way around? I'm putting in a sweatshirt for each of us, should I bring our winter coats?

Understand that we are from Ohio, and as cold as it might get in Orlando will still probably be warm for us.

This is my husband's first trip to WDW and I'm trying to stress to him about how we need to plan things like PS's and such but he won't hear of it. He doesn't think we will need them.

So should I take a nice outfit just in case or a couple of them?

I can't wait to go but summer was much easier to pack for.

Thanks

 

[Magic2000]

This is our fourth time going in Dec - and the weather is so hard to predict!!! About a week before you're scheduled to leave, go to the weather channel and watch the temps predicted for your week.

The first time we went in Dec, it was rather cold. Jeans & Tshirts in the day, but sweatshirts at night for sure (I had a coat for my little one!) The second time, it was a little warm in the day, but cool at night. Last time, the first day or two was cool, then it got cold the last few days!!!

Also, you may want to bring a baby blanket or something to drape on the kids if they'll be riding in the stroller. I brought my DD(7) little blanket just to drape over her - with her riding in the stroller (not moving around as much), she got kind of cold, especially in the evening. At one point, I even draped our poncho over the stroller to block the wind!

We'll be back Dec 8 - and that's the only thing I have to watch for - what to pack!!!

I've made PSs for the restaurants I know we want to eat at - that way, I know we won't have a long wait for a meal! If there are any restaurants you know you want to try, get a PS - you can always cancel later.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

All of our family trips have been in December or january. We find we need mostly jeans and t-****s with a day or two of shorts here and there. I bring a lot of stuff to layer including turtle necks. Sweat shirts are great at night. Last year we had medium weigh coats with us because we left from work and school and it was really cold where we left from. There was only one night we needed them. A little of every thing. I would forget the room and trouble of a nice outfit. Park clothes are pretty much the rule for everywhere.
I would for sure make PS's . We were there the first full week in DEc. last year and the waits for non PS's were very long to no walk ins being taken. Any character meals for sure you will want to make a PS. Make sure your DH understands that you can change a PS if you find that it does not fit your plans.

Good luck.


Jordans' mom

 

[denapoli]

You really need to watch the forecast very closely a few days before you leave. I watched it very closely one time for a January 2003 trip and didn't really believe it would be that cold even though they were predicting in the 40's for night and 60's during the day. I'm from the the northeast in NY and I really underestimated it because in January 2002 it was in the 80's. We had to go out and buy warmer clothes and hats. They even had record lows on some of the days we were there and some flowers were hit by frost. Crews were out at night putting heat lamps and blowers and things like that on the gardens. The pools are heated so you could see the steam coming off of them just as if they were hottubs! So when we went last December 2003 I was ready for everything and unfortunately needed everthing. We had winter coats, earmuffs, scarves, and hats on. We even wore long johns under our pants because its really cold when you are outdoors in the parks for hours especially when the sun goes down. We only able to swim at blizzard beach on one day that was in the 70's and that was pretty chilly when you are in your bathing suit. We're going this December the week after thanksgiving and hoping we don't have the cold snaps again, but it really is a crap shoot as far as the weather. Watch the weather report before you leave and believe it (unlike I did one time). Good Luck!

 

[lovethattink]

We live in Central Florida. My advice is to dress in layers. You can always rent a locker in the parks to hold the jackets or sweaters. Keep your locker receipt and it's good for the next park you hop to, (as long as it is the same day.) Some winters have been cool, and we needed winter jackets at night. Although, what's cold for me, may not be cold for you.

 

[Gillian]

This is going to sound silly, but consider packing gloves for everyone. I used to spend a lot of time out & about at night (concerts & such) and it was always nice to have a pair of warm gloves in my backpack when it got chilly! I have a bunch of the stretchy kind. This was mostly in NYC or philadelphia.

Hats help too & don't take up a lot of space in your suitcases.

 

[emo6565]

I am also from Ohio and both times we went it was in Dec. The first trip was right around 70 each day. DW and I wore shorts and people looked at us like we were nuts. Every time we got on a bus people would ask "You're from up north right?" I did see people with hats and gloves and I was looking at them like they were nuts. We had just left typical 0 degree weather so 70 felt great, though my wife claimed to be chilly in the mornings. I still swear she was just tricking me into buying her a new sweatshirt each day since she never got cold until we got to the park. The last time we were there in Dec. was this past year. It hit almost 80 everyday. It was perfect. Take a light jacket and some pants just to be on the safe side, especially for the kids.

 

[CindyAnn]

We've been several times in December and January. One year we left Toronto and the temperature was 0 C (32 F). We landed in Orlando and the temperature was ...... 0 C (32 F). I find that you most need to adjust for the weather from the waist up. So, for that time of year I'd be planning on long pants with a T-shirt + sweatshirt. I think you'll quite possibly need more than 1 sweatshirt each, unless you plan to buy some in the parks or unless your children are the tidiest eaters on the planet! . I would also throw in a couple of pairs of shorts just in case.

Then you wear the sweatshirts in the morning/evening and possibly remove them during the day. We also each take a polar fleece (aka Arctic fleece) jacket with us (zippers or buttons are easier than a pullover style). On our coldest WDW days (and remember, like you, we're pretty cold-weather tolerant) we've worn T-shirts + sweatshirts + polar fleece + windbreaker. In addition, we wrapped the kids in a blanket over all those layers to watch Illuminations one evening.

As far as PSes go, I'd go ahead and make them at places you think your family would enjoy. If the actual trip is over the Christmas/New Year timeframe, it will be very busy, and you may not be able to enjoy any sit-down meals unless you have a PS. It's true that you can cancel a PS, but PSes made on certain days (like Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day) will require a credit card to hold them, and there will be a charge if you fail to show up for your PS). Disney dining will advise you if that's the case. If your trip is for earlier in December or January, then the PSes are less crucial, perhaps, but still a good idea, especially for character meals.

Have a great time!

 

[goofy4tink]

When we were there last Dec it was pretty chilly at night. In fact, my dd, then 10, lived in one pair of jeans the whole trip. Those pants could have walked back to Mass all by themselves. In order to keep the amount of heavier clothing in our luggage to a minimum we wore it down. I wore heavy socks, sneakers, jeans, turtleneck shirt, sweatshirt and a flannel lined windbreaker on top. I could peel stuff off on the plane if I got too hot. But, I never did. THen, I put that stuff in the drawers in the resort until I needed it at night. Most nights I was able to wear shorts and a tee-shirt with the sweatshirt. When the sun was shining it was quite comfortable. But, as soon as that sun went down, man it got chilly. And if there was any wind whatsoever.....well, you needed a windbreaker then. But I have heard that last Dec was chillier than most..Watch the weather reports on-line as you get closer to your departure. That's what we do.