Packing for December. What should I take?

[GilyAnn]

Hi!

We are going Dec. 4-11 I just started making my packing list. But I do have a problem. I live in a VERY tropical island, so I have sun all thru the year.

I've heard from people in here that have gone there during that time and they say it's COLD but what I've heard from people there is that it's a good climate some days sun some days cold.

What should I pack? Should I take the Swimsuits? Should I pack for cold wheather complete with gloves and everything? Or it isn't that cold? I was thinking of doind a mix of both little cold, little warm. But it would be a lot of help if you guys can give me an idea.

Thanks
Gily Ann

 

[pomcoach]

We went in January 2002. It was really nice on our first day, but that was it! We took fleece jackets that zipped up the front and had zip pockets. In the zip pockets, I stuck a pair of matching gloves that were those tiny stretch $.99 type. Each family member had a different color of the fleece jacket and the stretch gloves. Hey, even the Dad and the big college boy didn't balk at wearing the black stretch gloves. We also took ear muffs and the ski bands that were life savers!
The fleece jackets aren't heavy, and feel very light weight and can tie around the waist if it warms up. The fleece also repelled water. The rain didn't soak in, but ran right off! Very strange, but sure was great!
I also stuck one of those $.99 rain garments in the zip pocket of the fleece jacket for each person, each day. I packed a lip balm in each zip pocket too. Love those zip pockets!
Pomcoach

 

[Deb & Bill]

We take bathing suits and sweatpants. We take shorts and sweaters. You gotta be prepared. Besides the pools are heated.

 

[Skylarr29]

Even if you have nice weather during the day the nightime might be freezing. When I was there last december it was so cold that we had to go buy gloves (very expensive at WDW) I say pack for cold. If you have a chance go back to the hotel for a break before heading back out at night and bundle up. It starts getting dark by about 6 and jackets and hats and gloves are probably a must if you want to make it thru any showd, parades and fireworks. And it did rain on us a little last year. I am from florida and i was COLD.

 

[helenm29]

We'll be there the same time! I am puting half winter and half summer along with a bathing suit into the suitcase. I have hear so many different things about that time of year and I am so excited! only 4 weeks to go!!!! I am looking forward to this trip more then for Christmas! Hope to maybe see you there! HAVE FUN! Helen

 

[Pinnie]

I am going to echo everything eveyone said here. Briing warm AND cold weather clothing. We were there last yr Dec 11- 15 and it POURED and was quite chilly, especially in the evening at MVMCP. I brought a fleece lined jacket and gloves and wore them every night.

I also took shorts but never wore them.

I am going down again this year from Dec. 10 - 14 and will pack jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts and being the optimist, even a pair of shorts!

pin

 

[mickeysaver]

We will be at WDW 12/14 through 12/21. I have plans to pack shorts, pants, short sleeve shirts, my Grumpy hoodie, and the essential undergarments. I look at it this way, you can always get warmer, but it's not so easy to get cooler sometimes. Even though I live in GA, I think I am part polar bear. I am always HOT!

I am hoping for days in the 70's and evenings/nites down to the 50's. I also am praying for NO RAIN! Mickey

 

[pjlla]

Be prepared for anything.... we went in 01/2002 and had mostly shorts and t-shirt weather (one day of warm rain), but during 01/2003 the same week (when we were going to go but decided not to for various reasons), the weather was FREEZING most of the week (glad we weren't there!). Going again in 01/2004 and praying for nice weather (this is supposed to be our break from our New England winter!). Be prepared to dress in LAYERS!!! As anyone who lives in a cold climate will tell you, that is the way to go. Add on and peel off as necessary. Three lighter layers will serve you better than one thick one. And be sure the bottom layer (undies, sox, t-shirt) can all breath (cotton is good, wool is better). If you have young kids they can wear those zip-off pants that are popular now (seen them at Old Navy this year). That way they are ready for anything! My final suggestion... start with a short-sleeved t-shirt for everyone, layer on a long sleeved light weight cotton shirt, and then a fleece jacket or sweatshirt over that and possibly a windbreaker or raincoat over that if it is really cold/wet. Also have hats and gloves available, maybe in a backpack. Remember you lose most of your body heat through your head! Even a baseball cap will help, it doesn't have to be a wool ski cap!.... Try reading the Old Farmer's Almanac for 2004 and see if that will give you any long range predictions for the weather.......Most of all HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

We've gone twice now in Decmeber and we're going again this year. my advice is to check those weather websites that show 15 or 10 days ahead weather. That helps in packing quite a bit.

Our first time, the weather was freezing...mostly 40's and 50's. Our second time it was mostly 80's and humid even. So you never know. We needed our coats and gloves that first trip in Dec and then we didn't ever need them the second time.

Definitely pack for both seasons. You never know.

 

[QJ411]

Hi everyone!

We were there last Dec. and the weather was bonkers...first we froze to (we were so unprepared, we packed shorts only!) death, we ended up having to buy new sweatshirts from the stores, then it poured (PINNIE~We were there during your stay last yr and we remembered the DOWNPOUR at MVMCP!!!), THEN, by the 19th -21st, it was BOILING hot!

Like everyone else said, pack both hot and cold clothes! AND the ponchos!!!

Hope this helped, ENJOY!!!

 

[mikemelita]

We were there during the RECORD COLD week last Jan. Being from WI, we of course brought shorts, but also packed layers.
The days were beautiful, 60-70, but the 2nd night was 29 degrees(!) While we watched Illuminations !!!
Light nylon jackets (OVERSIZED), Tshirts, sweatshirts, and GLOVES really helped. The black stretch gloves were sold out by day 2, lucky we brought some. Guys, those cool NASCAR-style mechanic's gloves are GREAT for handling cameras etc in the cool weather, and they scrunch to a nice small size.
My fave traveling gear are Cargo pants, good ones like Arizona Jeans etc. with 4-5 extra pockets in the front. Zip pockets are a
prerequisite for me now almost all the time.
Packing smart in the morning allowed us to park-hop without worries, taking the extra time helps. We had no rain, but I know parkas will go with us this year.
Just as an aside, moleskin saved my life last trip! WHat a fab invention, I am going to investigate Bodyglide.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
We've gone twice now in Decmeber and we're going again this year. my advice is to check those weather websites that show 15 or 10 days ahead weather. That helps in packing quite a bit.

I always check the weather sites, before any vacation, to see how to pack. www.accuweather.com has the 15 day forecast. We're going down in December, this time...I hope we have the great weather we always had in early November! Have a great time!

 

[Sarahsmom85]

Hi
I went Dec 5th 2000. We had to run to Walmart for sweatshirts and try to fine a pair of gloves impossible.
My DD did not bring a light jacket like I told her.
Besides the weather it was the best time to go. NO CROWDS at all. We did not wait in any lines. It was unbelievable.
No line waiting times. We where done with the Animal Kingdom by noon and headed to Epcot.
At Universal, I took a picture of the board that shows the wait for the lines and it all read no wait.
You'll enjoy that.