Planning for December weather

[Megara5115]

What should I expect for weather in the parks for December? I've looked at temps which seem to be average around low 70s but I'm trying to get an idea of what clothes to pack and wear. Anyone who has experience at this time- input much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[CarolynFH]

At this point, plan to pack layers! December weather is variable and can range from warm enough for shorts and t-shirts through cool evenings needing jackets all the way to sweaters, coats, gloves and hats. When time gets closer, check the weather forecasts but still expect to pack layers because the forecasts often change.

 

[1lilspark]

I second pp December can range from the mic 50s to mud 80s depending on the year

 

[plutosgirl]

Layers, layers, layers

The one December we went (beginning of the month no less) it was under 30 degrees and windy for almost the whole week! We were in shock because we've done that time of year before and it was pleasant.

It was so cold we actually had to roll up our bath towels and put them at the door cracks to try to keep the room warm. We bought some BIG Disney scarfs and every picture for the whole trip we are all in the same layered sweatshirts with scarfs and gloves on. There wasn't an inkling of anyone in all of Disney using the pools that week! LOL

So definitely check the weather right before you go and bring a few extra sweatshirts just in case. I know it was freak weather that trip but I always go prepared for anything now!

 

[JACKNAG]

We went Dec 6th to the 13th last year. It hit 85 almost every day of the trip. We couldn't believe how hot is was . We were expecting mid 70s from historical weather data It was our first December trip

 

[gmboy95]

december is the ultimate crap shoot....if your smart, you will pack at least a thin fleece jacket, and a couple of sweatshirts....we have done many decembers, and the weather has been all over the place, but what is always true, is that it is generally cool at night, and i am usually in my jacket or sweatshirt in about every picture i have over 5 different trips (at night)

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Ditto all of the above.
And don't worry about that you might look too bundled or too summery. We've seen ski parkas with fur lined hoods to shorts within the same hour in December - different folks are comfortable at different temperatures.

 

[matheke]

I second pp December can range from the mic 50s to mud 80s depending on the year

If you are lucky. I along with many others have experienced the upper 20's (28 one fine morning) and highs in the lower 40's. Check the weather before you leave and prepare for it to be wrong.

 

[Lorettainny]

I asked the same question when I went in 2014. We experienced very cold temps all the way up to 80's. We are from NY and are use to cold weather and I was cold. We did buy ahead of time a few pairs of those 1.00 gloves and those were lifesavers. We wore jackets most of the time. We all had a jacket we could tie around our waists during the day and then put on when it got chilly. I wore shorts once. We did laundry mid trip because we didn't pack that many pairs of pants with us. We did swim a few times just because we could. I'm going again in December of this year and I plan on bringing gloves, pants, shorts and a jacket. You really do have to pack layers. It is refreshing going through the parks not dripping with sweat like in the summer. Have fun.

 

[DWillowBay]

Unfortunately, you just have to be ready for lots of options in December. There have been times that it was freezing and people ran to Walmart for down jackets. Other times, it's warm and comfy. No way of knowing until about a week in advance...or less...it IS Florida and the weather is ????

 

[mds88]

We wore shorts almost everyday during our trip last december. Our epcot day reached 90. But then 2 days later we were comfortable in pants and a t shirt during the day and then freezing at night.

 

[BusyP76]

We went in early December 2010 and it was COLD!! I packed jackets and coats and gloves and hats and scarves because the forecast looked so crazy....my DH thought I was insane for packing a separate bag with all this cold weather gear. Then he thought I was awesome that we were prepared when the unseasonably cold weather hit. Check the forecast closer to your departure and be prepared to layer. There were many days where we started out bundled up and shed layers throughout the day only to put them all back on in the evening. For my girls, I put them in long sleeve tees under short sleeve tees under jackets. If it got warm, they could easily change out of the long sleeves and tie the jacket around their waists. Regardless, it's such a great time to visit!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Wow, my son was asking can we go swimming when we go next dec. I told him more than likely no but if we get mid 80-90 days we may so I will make sure we pack swim stuff too.

 

[Lothlórien]

We go in December every year. A few years ago, we were in EPCOT and sweating with 80-something degree weather and the next day we had a Keys to the Kingdom Tour and wore shorts and we FROZE because the high for the day was 40-something.

 

[Megara5115]

Wow I can't believe the range of weather! Thanks everyone- we will definitely be packing our layers!

 

[disprincess2213]

Yep, def agree. We went just this past December. One day, I had a sweatshirt, pants, UGGS, and a nothface and was still cold! 4 days later, it was so hot that we took an afternoon pool break and got a sunburn! It was a sample of temps lol!!

 

[NH-to-FL]

I think the previous posters have given you a good idea of the range of temperatures. If you want official confirmation you can go to weather.com and look up the monthly weather for Walt Disney World. For instance, on Dec 14th the record hi/lo is 87/25!

My standard recommendation is to pack one outfit for each extreme. Worst case you will end up wearing the same outfit for a few days. As they say, been there, done that. Thankfully the hotels have a laundry.

Have a magical trip!

 

[nkereina]

Even if the high for the day is 75 degrees which is t-shirt weather for us, it doesn't actually reach that temperature until the afternoon. If you plan to do rope drop, temperatures may be in the 50s in the morning and it will get cool again at night after the sun goes down. So layers are definitely key!