swimming in December??

[mom2jake]

We are planning to take a WDW family trip in December of 2008. Should we plan on swimming or is it usually too chilly? We want to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside (haven't decided yet)

Are the water parks open at that time of year?

I have 2 boys who will be 8.5 and 5.5 and they will be very interested in your answers.

Kim in NC

 

[safetymom]

We have gone swimming many times in December. If you are from a cold climate I don't think you will have any problems. Sometimes it does get so cold adults might not want to swim. The pools are heated so you might get cold when you get out depending on the weather.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Weather in Florida can be unpredictable, like many other places (like Texas where we are). We went the first week in December 2 years ago, and a couple of days it was warm and close to 80 and then it dropped and we were FREEZING and wearing sweats and jackets. We rented a house with a pool and only got to swim a couple of days, then it dropped too cold to swim and not be miserable.

I would come prepared to swim, all Disney pools are heated to 82 degrees I believe, and play it by ear =)

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I agree with Aimeedyan. We went for a long weekend this past December. The first day was more than warm enough for swimming. It was actually too hot to enjoy the free hot chocolate at MVMCP. The next 3 days were quite chilly, as in... "pass the second sweatshirt, and buy me another hot chocolate, please"! We are New Englanders and found those "cooler days" great for touring, but not for swimming. The pools are heated though so prepare for anything!

 

[cobbler]

We have gone swimming in December before and other times not. It varies. As for water parks open. Every year we go after Thanksgiving and every year Blizzard Beach is down for refurb and only Typhoon Lagoon is open. I hear that BB opens sometime mid December again but we are never there long enough to see it.

 

[kendzee94]

I have to second the other posts. We were there at Christmas 2004 (the week before Christmas to Christmas day). The weather was chilly enough that we bought ourselves sweatshirts, and hats and mittens for the kids. However, one of the water parks was open (and we stopped and got people from there, brrrrr). The resorts have heated pools and I heard that the water parks are heated as well. Now being in December from chilly Central New York, we were willing to go swimming on a 65 degree day (brrrr!) It was fine when you were in there, it was getting out that killed you. However, it was 80's the week before and after we went....just my luck. I wish you better luck!!!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We were not able to go swimming this past December.

 

[sugermouse]

The pools are heated, however, the air maybe fairly chilly

 

[Mermaid02]

Where are you from? We are from Maine so we'll swim when it's in the 60's (the kids will anyway!)

 

[AJKMOM]

I agree, a lot depends on where you are from. Us Pennsylvanians will swim if it's over 75 dregrees out, we even travel to the ocean. We certainly got a lot of strange looks from the native Floridians in January! Plus side, plenty of places to park your beach blanket.

 

[Avalanche]

We've gone twice in Dec. and swam both times, including last year when people said it was colder then usual. We loved swimming at night. It was chilly out but the water was like a bath tub. It felt great. People looked at us like we were nuts. We take heavy terry bath robes with us to put on when we get out because it is freezing when we get out.

 

[snowmouse]

A few years ago we were in Florida in Jan and it was over 90 degrees. The next year we had mornings in the 40's and had to buy sweatshirts for EMH. I think it is common for the weather to vary widely. My kids swim no matter the weather, but as I sat shivering next to the pool watching them last time a passerby very astutely looked at them and said, "must be from Chicago or Minnesota!" To the OP from NC, you may see 'swimmable' very differently!!!

 

[chamonix]

We swim every month of the year at WDW. The water is heated, so as long as you are in/under the water, you will feel warm and comfortable. (just like in outdoor hot tubs in the cold snowy mountains when we go skiing)

It's just hard to get out into the cold air when you are all warm and toasty in the water, and you have to be prepared with robes or whatever and RUN! back to your room! This is one of the times it's really really nice to have a room near the pool! LOL!!