Pack for warm or cold in Nov/Dec?

[mamma mia]

Hi everyone! Staying at POR 11/27 - 12/5. We've been to WDW in late Oct before but have heard the weather can change drastically and am confused as to what to pack. I'm trying not to overpack. Winter coats or windbreakers? Will we be going swimming. Should I be bringing only pants? Anyone who has visited during this time of year I would appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I stayed in WDW Thanksgiving week and it was fine during the day high 70s. the evenings were chilly enough to wear jeans.

I also was there the week of Christmas through New Year's Day and it was freezing the entire week. I remember wishing I had my winter coat and gloves. I layered 2 sweatshirts over long sleeved T to try to keep warm.

So, to answer your question - you just never know what you might get for weather. I'd cover all bases.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

you are from Jersey, so a safe bet is that you will be very comfortable...It can be in the 50's at night but very warm during the day..I go in Feb and ALWAYS pack shorts.
I am from South Florida so I am cold when it is 60...but with the sun, you will be fine...I like to wear a sweatshirt in the cool of the AM then take it off once it gets warm...
The WL Phoenix thread has someone that lives next to DW and gives the weather every morning...check that out...it is better than the weather channel!

 

[WhispyPixie]

I would pack for both types of temps. Layering is always a good option! Short sleeves with sweats things like that. My girls have been known to put on a bathing suit with overalls then a sweatshirt and use ALL of the options that they dressed for! You just never know in Orlando!

Pixie

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

Hey, Mamma!

I'll be in Disney right about the same time (Nov. 29-Dec. 6) and even at the same resort, coming from Fort Lee, NJ!

I've gone down a few times this time of year and the other posters are right... it's generally very comfortable. I take a sweatshirt or two, but the days are very warm and wonderful!

Richard

 

[MiaSRN62]

you are from Jersey, so a safe bet is that you will be very comfortable

We're from Philly and generally we're more comfortable in FL in Nov/Dec than we would be here except for a few exceptions. We quite frequently visit this time of year. In '98 we got VERY lucky and it never dipped below 60's at night and was usually 78-84 during the day. But in '99 we weren't so lucky. We were there the first week of November and it was downright chilly at times. I recall one day going to IOA/UNIVERSAL and it was 45 as we were walking into the park at 9:30 am. It didn't warm up until about noon when it hit 82. It only stayed in the 80's for about 3 hours then started to fall again. It was in the 60's when we left around 8 pm. Then, during this same visit, we froze our butts off in Epcot watching the Tapestry of Nations parade and Illuminations. It was in the mid 40's and windy. We were so cold that evening that we felt like we were back in Philly ! So, my suggestion is jeans and jackets as well as summer attire. Maybe you'll get lucky and not need the jackets, but it's about a 50/50 chance I feel. Have a nice trip.

 

[Grumpy92]

I doubt you will need the heavy coats. Windbreakers and sweatshirts would be good things to pack. You might need those in the evening when you are close to a lake. I would also include jeans, short sleave shirts & a bathing suit. Have a robe ready when you get out of the pool.
Cant say think Layers enough when packing.

This weekend will be beautiful highs in the 70s, lows in the lower 50s.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I have to disagree with the majority here. We've been the week after Thanksgiving the past three years. Our experience tells us that you really have to pack for both kinds of weather........warm and cold. Keeping an eye on the extended forecast can help before you leave.

Last year there were days that were nice for swimming (70's) and days that were just too cold (50's), all in the same week. Some days were shorts, others were pants and sweatshirts. Many days need both (long in the am/short during the day/back to long at night). We've been to MVMCP's where the winter jackets were in order and it felt cold enough that the snow on Main St. could have been real.

I know what you mean about packing.................but you don't want to have to buy warm clothes when you get there is they are needed.

Right now the longest range forecast I can find is projecting a high of 80 for Nov 27............................but you know how accurate those forecasts can be. The weather can also change very quickly this time of year. I know all this doesn't help limiting your packing.....................sorry. Of course if you pack the warm clothes you won't need them........................and if you don't pack them you will freeze your a@@es off. Murphy's Law...................you really can't win . It is a difficult time of year to pack for.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Here in Florida we joke that we do have 4 seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter...only we get all four on the same day. If you want to know how the weather is step out-side then wait because it may change in 5 min. Layering is only option....and over packing.

 

[soccer mom]

We have been there that time of year four times (this year too!!) and I think the best way to describe the weather is UNPREDICTABLE!!! We have worn every kind of clothing and had wished for our winter coats two years ago when the temps were in the 30/40's during the luau!!

Keep watching accuweather (they give 15 day forecasts) and then pack accordingly. They are predicting 80 degrees for November 27. If that keeps up all you will need is a jacket or sweatshirt for the evening, athough I would pack a pair of jeans just in case.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Well, buy a bigger suitcase or buy when you get there. We live in FL and you just never know. We went the first week of December once and I really needed shorts during the day. But if a STRONG cold front comes through, it could get chilly. Pack for both, if you want to be safe. Its just not like the North, here in the south you just never know.

 

[colleen costello]

I am from NJ, but have lived in Indiana for years now, and the weather changes here a LOT. Florida can be funny too -- hot, cold, etc. Only if we go in June or July do I ONLY pack for "warm." We leave next Friday for OKW and I am packing 4 pairs of shorts for each kid and 4 pairs of pants. All the shirts I am packing have short sleeves. Also packing windbreakers and LandsEnd fleece jackets for all of us. "Layering" is the idea. The parks are open late because of Thanksgiving and it will be cool at night.

I am hoping it's hot. It's Florida -- who wants it cold?

 

[Ellester]

I always check www.accuweather.com before I pack. They give you a forecast for 10 days out and they seem to be more accurate than www.weather.com. As many have said, the weather can be very unpredictable at this time of year. I grew up in Florida (Ft. Lauderdale) and we had Christmases at 80 degrees (like last year) and Christmases at 40 degrees. I know that central Florida has gotten a frost or two in December, so you never know. But, I would doubt you would need a winter coat (especially since you are from up north). We used to break out our ski clothes at 50 degrees! I was a wimpy Floridian back then! Have a wonderful time!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

In 2001 we hit what all the locals called an unusually warm spell for December. We never broke out the jeans. Days were down right hot, evenings were warm enough to swim in the volcano pool while watching the EWP at the Poly! Unfortunately, I found out that right after we left (literally the next morning), the temps. dropped something like 40 degrees! Bottomline, you gotta pack it all. For my kids I pack as follows: 2 pairs of jeans, 4-5 pairs of shorts, 6-8 t-shirts, 2 tank tops, 2 pullover sweatshirts, 2 hooded zip sweatshirts, lined windbreaker, swimwear and the sweat suit/fleece set they wear on the plane. I had planned on wearing shorts by day, jeans at night. WRONG. We were so hot, on some days we'd go back and change into a fresh pair of shorts. I ended up having to do laundry, which I had never done during a vacation. It wasn't that bad and ended up making things work out pretty well. Plan for anything!

 

[MiaSRN62]

In 2001 we hit what all the locals called an unusually warm spell for December. We never broke out the jeans. Days were down right hot, evenings were warm enough to swim in the volcano pool while watching the EWP at the Poly! Unfortunately, I found out that right after we left (literally the next morning), the temps. dropped something like 40 degrees!

This sounds exactly like our experience in '98. We were at Dixie Landings from Nov 27--Dec 9. We wore shorts every day and swam in the evenings. We had 5 minutes of rain the entire 13 days we were there. A day or two later I heard people were pulling out the hats and gloves as a cold front moved in and the temps dipped into the low 40's at night.

 

[tebright]

I am also going the first week of December staying at POR...lots of us from up North. We will be there 12/1 through 12/7. Because we live just south of Philly, we are used to the cold so I know we won't have any problems swimming in the 70's. I'm just going to keep checking the weather before we go. I'm taking lots of capri pants....something in the middle I guess.

 

[froglady]

I'm a Floridian now, but grew up in New England. Our winters are most like Fall and Spring up north; lots of sudden changes.

I'll be at WDW the first weekend in Dec, and plan to go the layering route. As a local, I'll probably be comfortable in pants, but will wear sweater sets during the day, and add a jacket or windbreaker after sunset. Since I live so close, I can always throw the "extras" in the car.

 

[Hallo from Sweden]

please, please can somebody translate Fahrenheit into Celcius degrees ?
I visited the states a long time ago and I remember something like take away 25 and then divide it with two. Is that correct ?
Annika

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Hi Annika,

I think the formula is:

Degree in Celcius = (Degree in Fahrenheit - 32)/1.8

 

[Martha7]

Hello, Annika~
Take the fahrenheit number andc subtract 32 from it. Then multiply the answer by 5/9.
For example, take 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and subtract 32, which gives you 66.6, then multiply it by 5/9 to get 37 degrees Celsius.
Hope this helps!