Swimming in December?

[passiflora45]

Is it realistic to assume we'll be able to use the pool in December? I know they're heated and all, but wondering how comfortable it is to swim in FL at that time of year. I don't want to talk it up as a major activity, only to find out that it's ridiculous to try to get in a pool in the middle of winter!

 

[outahere]

It's pretty much a case of - maybe, maybe not. We live in central Florida and get both warm and not so warm days in December, and there's really no way to tell in advance. Last year it was actually in the low 80's towards the end of the month, but earlier in the month it was in the 70's. All that being said, before we moved down here, we stayed at WDW in December several times, and I've seen kids in the pools, pretty much regardless of the weather. Some years more than others. I wouldn't advise talking it up, but maybe more along the lines of "if we get lucky and it's warm enough we can go swimming, but no promises".

 

[100acreHiker]

No way to know so I suggest you pack for all possibilities. We've gone the first week in December three times. First time it was mild and the kids got one quick swim in but it was too chilly for me (low 70s). Second time the week started off 85 degrees and we had two great days of swimming, but by week's end a front moved through and the HIGH was 58 (it was freezing) and that whole week following was hats and gloves weather. The next year we had one day that was warm and sunny and the rest of the week was too chilly for me, but others did swim. They say the pools are heated and I don't doubt it, but honestly they're not so heated that the water feels super warm or anything like that. Pack everything (including hats and gloves and warm hoodies) and hope for the best!

 

[Starwind]

Early December 2015 we quite enjoyed our swims in the Wilderness Lodge main pool.

A week later when we were staying at AoA we found it a bit chilly to be swimming -- a cold front (with rainstorm to accompany it) had moved through and the temps dropped quite a bit.

We pack layers, include scarves, hats and gloves as well as swimwear, and hope for the best

SW

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It just depends, unfortunately. We've been twice in December. One year, yes, it was pretty chilly, but the kids went in anyway. Last year, during the week between Christmas and New Year's, the weather was unseasonably warm and we had a great 1/2 day of swimming at our resort. I would bring your suits and plan on it, but be willing to be flexible and change your plans if it's too cold.

 

[deltadisney]

We have been the week before Christmas last 3 years, and there was always at least one day during our 4 day stay where the weather was warm enough for the kids to swim.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Last December we swam a lot at POFQ. Actually coming from Wisconsin we always have been able to swim quite a bit in December!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've been to WDW in late Dec/early Jan for the marathon. Sometimes it was in the 80's. Other times it was in the 50's.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We always do, but we're leaving snowstorms...so needless to say it's definitely tropical even at 70*! HAHAHA!

 

[ljmclin]

We have gone to Disney many times in early/mid December and have been able to swim every time. Chances are, you will get to enjoy at least a little bit of pool time.

 

[Melwhit16]

Also depends on where you are from. If you are from Michigan or Wisconsin then the 70s seem like perfect summer swimming weather. Southern states are used to 80s and 90s to swim in.
I took my daughter to Lake Michigan once (she grew up in TN) and it was 78 and the water was around 60. She went out to her waist, came back and couldn't believe how many people could swim in such cold conditions
Her MI cousins thought it was perfect.

 

[Texas Mickey]

We were swimming last mid December. I want to saw it was upper 70's, sunny. it felt great during afternoon breaks.

 

[princessap]

I am hoping to swim the first week of december.... I have pool time scheduled so will have to find something else to fill that time if it doesnt work!

 

[mickeynut1]

Is it realistic to assume we'll be able to use the pool in December? I know they're heated and all, but wondering how comfortable it is to swim in FL at that time of year. I don't want to talk it up as a major activity, only to find out that it's ridiculous to try to get in a pool in the middle of winter!

As others have said, it depends as December weather is unpredictable. Our first December trip it was so cold that the resort pool was actually closed due to the low temps. Our second December trip was totally different as temps were in the high 70s/low80s most days. With that said, I would pack a little of everything as you never know what the weather will be like when you get there (it can also change while you're there). Have a great trip!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I live in the UK. It is the tradition on Christmas day to get into the Channel sea if you live near the coast. We see temperatures in the minus on Christmas day..

Get your pool outfits on go for a splash! Then quick into the hot tub

 

[nkereina]

Total crap shoot, IMO. We're from the Northeast and are pretty tolerant of what some might consider cooler temperatures. We've been the week before Thanksgiving and there were days with highs in the low 60s, which was much too cold for us. Even if the high for the day is supposed to be 75, temps don't reach that until mid-late day so its still in the 60s for most of the day. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[bumbershoot]

We always do, but we're leaving snowstorms...so needless to say it's definitely tropical even at 70*! HAHAHA!

But it could be 25. December 2010 people remember it well. Wasn't even winter yet; was early December. Brr.

I live in the UK. It is the tradition on Christmas day to get into the Channel sea if you live near the coast. We see temperatures in the minus on Christmas day..

Get your pool outfits on go for a splash! Then quick into the hot tub

If it gets truly cold they'll close the pools entirely. Jan 2014 or 2015 pools were closed for at least part of marathon weekend because of the cold.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

But it could be 25. December 2010 people remember it well. Wasn't even winter yet; was early December. Brr.



If it gets truly cold they'll close the pools entirely. Jan 2014 or 2015 pools were closed for at least part of marathon weekend because of the cold.

Wow I did not realise they could close the pools!

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

My kids have done plenty of swimming in December. Now, a lot of times they were the only ones in the pool but they had a ball. LOL When you're from Northern Illinois and you know that 2 days from now you're probably going to be shovelling snow that walk from the heated pool to the room doesn't seem like a big deal.

 

[kiford]

Last year in the first week of December we ended up leaving MK early because we were so hot. Spent the whole rest of the afternoon in the pool. A couple of days later it was a little cooler but still nice enough to go from hot tub to pool back to hot tub after dark. Other times in early December it's been nice enough during the day to swim but we're usually at the parks and then it's too cold after dark. Be prepared for both.