Questions for a December trip

[spitfire]

Our family will be spending a week in Disney for the Christmas holidays. My kids are wondering if the pools are heated. We're staying at the All Star Sports resort and don't know if swimming is an option that time of year. What about clothes? We're Northerners and are used to bundling up in December. Is it shorts weather in Florida or jeans/capris? I'm thinking lined "hoodies"(sweat jackets with hoods) will be fine for all of us as far as jackets go. Right? Also, have been reading lots about the $35 per person Dining Plan............any thoughts? Could you tell me the pros and cons of it; most importantly, is it worth it for a family of five? I know it's a lot of questions, but we're trying to be as informed as we can possibly be. I appreciate any input.

 

[disnut8]

When we stayed at the All Stars last Christmas, there was steam rising from the pools and the water was quite warm. So yes, you can swim but I'm not sure how wonderful you'll feel after getting out of the pool. But the pools are heated.

Weather is so hit and miss. The only thing you can do is watch the forecasts before you leave. We were there a few years ago during your same time and we went between jeans and heavy jackets to shorts and T shirts. The only advice would be to pack layers. You can take off or put on as the day suggests. Honestly, I've had back to back days of 80 degrees and then 30 degrees.

Can't help you with the dining thing.

 

[spitfire]

disnut8,
Thanks for the input. My kids are all teens/tweens and they're all girls...........I'm trying to stress that when we go, we're packing "smart". My definition of packing smart and my daughters' is very different!!! I'll keep checking for Dining viewpoints.

 

[MickeyMomma]

ALL of the pools on Disney property are heated, thankfully, so your girls will enjoy swimming in December.

I just booked our trip for early December over the weekend and we chose the dining plan. There are five in our party, but one is under two, so we've only got four on the plan. I like that it is flexible in that we can choose our sit down meal at breakfast and then eat dinner off property if we choose. In all of my research I have found that people in general have saved quite a bit of money by buying the dining plan. I have yet to see where people have "lost" on the deal.

 

[LoveWDW]

We are going early December (with dining plan) and I have read at DIS to bring gloves and hats. I think I'll pack my mittens and scarf along with my hoodie. Jeans take up a lot of room in the luggage, so I think I'll bring chinos and maybe some "long johns" pants if it seems that it will be cold. I decided on dining plan because it does appear that it will be a savings, although my husband doesn't like the idea of being locked in to dining places each day.

 

[Disney Dee]

We went in the pool at the swan in early dec, it was 85 most days.

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, spitfire!

The weather in early December varies greatly. I've gone the past three Decembers, and each year the weather has been different. Two years ago, it was so cold that I needed to wear a barn coat that is warmer than a light jacket, but not as heavy as a winter jacket. Last year, it was warm, and I spent most of the week in shorts in t-shirts. Basically, I bring everything I own when I go in December

You may want to head over to the restaurant board to get information on the dining plan. I'm sure the folks over there can help you out.

Karen

 

[cobbler]

Be prepared for anything. We have gone down when its very warm and other times when its downright cold - even for us northerners.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I remember last year after our Dec Disney cruise, we stayed one night at WL... and it was cold! I see many folks wearing their sweatshirts and sweaters! I ended up buying a sweatshirt.. it's a nice WL souvinier! Though the pool is heated... it's not warm enough for us to swim... so we did the hot tub!

Then... the year before that... I remember staying at RPR in Dec and it was nice and hot around 85! It was nice considering we're coming from the north. We did swim at the swimming pool. And I remember us wearing shorts and t-shirts.

Warm weather in Florida during Winter is like hit or miss. I suggest you bring a sweater/sweatshirt and at least one jeans.

 

[mom_rules]

How was the weather during your cruise? We're doing this one this year.

 

[DisneyFreq]

Although I agree that weather in Florida is hit or miss and cold vs. hot is all relative, I found an excellent website that may help you make preparations for you winter trip. wunderground.com It's sort of an almanac of weather. Just click on trip planner and type in Orlando/dates and it will give you a five year history for those dates and even a percentage chance of differnet weather occurances (ex: freezing, rain, warm, hot weather). Hope this helps some!

 

[*Fantasia*]

How was the weather during your cruise? We're doing this one this year.

It was COLD at Castaway Cay! I only saw very few folks in the water! The children and I didn't even get in the water, except to wet their feet. It was cloudy and it even lightly rained for about an hour. But when we were at Nassau, it wasn't too bad. I mean we were wearing our shorts and t-shirt and it was very sunny that day. Would I do the Disney cruise again in December, I think so. The ship is nicely decorated with Xmas ornaments. The characters are in their Holiday dresses. It was nice!!

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

The weather definitely varies! The first day of our trip was beautiful, but it was all downhill from there! We FROZE!!! The news channels were going crazy and all the CM's were sooo cold! They didn't know what to do in that kind of weather, it was funny. We packed very light only one sweatshirt per kid. Well, we ended up buying this blanket (for $30.00), and it's in every picture. The kids fought over it each day, too funny. We even tried to buy hats and gloves, but the gift shops were all sold out! I guess everyone else came unprepared as well! But a good time was still had by all, at least there was no rain!

 

[spitfire]

Thanks again to everyone for all the great tips and information. I guess our suitcases will be a little heavier than i planned, but oh well!!! Can't wait to go. We're all so excited about being in Disney for the holidays. We'll miss home, but sometimes all the "holidaying" leaves you more exhausted than anything else. We've already set dates with all of our extended and immediate family to celebrate Christmas beforehand.................then it's off to Mickey and Gang!!!!!!!!

 

[mom_rules]

Between WDW and the cruise, packing should be an interesting experience!