Swimming in December?

[CharmedLife]

This is my 100th post! I LOVE the DISboards. Thought I was a Disney pro 'til I started reading here!

Anyway - I am planning my next trip for December '06. I've never been in December before, so I'm not too sure about the weather. We're trying to decide between Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge, but my mom really only wants to go to the Beach Club because of the pool. If it's too cold to swim, she'd rather stay at the Wilderness Lodge (she loves the theme).

What should we do? Will the second week of December still be warm enough for my kids to swim (DD5 and DS2)?

 

[LadyLt]

There is NO way to know, especially a year in advance. Our December weather can be ANYTHING from 45 degrees to 85 degrees. I have lived in Central Florida for four years now. The first year here, I never wore anything but shorts in the winter. The next year, we had cold spells in between spells of warm weather. Last winter, I remember more days of cold weather (to me) than warm weather. But still, one week or weekend would be 75-80 and the next would be 45-55. If the northeast part of the US has really bad cold weather, then some of the cooler air seems to head this way.

BTW, all Disney pools are outside. But all Disney pools are also heated. I have seen people I thought were crazy swimming in the pools when I walked by in a jacket. I guess it is relative to where you live.

The thing that makes me laugh out loud here is to see people/tourists in short shorts and flip flops wearing sweatshirts or jackets. To me it is especially sad or crazy when it is little kids. I wonder what their parents are thinking. If it is cool enough to cover your arms and shoulders, I think it is too cool for little legs to be exposed.

 

[Mcmouse]

We went Christmas week 2003. Most days it was too cold for me to swim (high in the mid 50's). We did have 2 days that made it up to about 68-70 and my kids did swim once (it was realy cold when you got out of the water).

November 2004 (Thanksgiving week) was much warmer. High 75-80 all week.

btw, The Wilderness Lodge was decorated beatifully for Christmas and has a nice pool area also (not as nice as SAB, but we liked it)


Mike

 

[lovmy2girls]

The LadyLt is right. One day it could be warm next day cold here in FL.

Bring the swimsuit the pools are heated.

 

[domestic goddess]

My children always seem to swim when we are at WDW in Dec. The water is warm and we just make sure to get back inside quickly when they get out. Last Dec. it was cool to cold for most of our trip and my children swam 3-4 out of the 10 nights that we were there. I never got in the pool, but my DH and children did.

The weather in Dec. can be very unpredictable. This year we won't be there in Dec. so it will probably be warm. Now next year, we haven't decided yet so if we are there it may be cold and if not, it will be warm. HA! HA!

Have a great time!

 

[iluvcountry]

When I went in Jan. it was ok... My advice- Swim when the sun is out and not right after it just rained! Then you should be fine.

 

[keishashadow]

We were told that Dec's weather is very similar to Feb's...we swam most evenings, except for one day that only got into the low 60's. The pools are heated.

Coming from sub-zero weather up north, the weather seemed downright tropical to us...guess it depends on your point of view.

 

[Pokemom]

We were at WDW last Christmas and swam in the pool on several days. Some days the outside temperature was only about 60, but the pools were very warm and pleasant to be in. It was a little chilly when you got out, but just have a big fuzzy towel to wrap up in and make the dash for your room. By the way, I think the pool at Wilderness Lodge is very nice also. We had breakfast at Wilderness Lodge on Christmas morning and walked around the pool area. The only people out there (besides us) were the 2 lifeguards who were playing I Spy.

 

[deejohn]

We are going Dec 3-5 and my kids will swim if the water is 0 degrees!! Here is how the weather was in Orlando from Dec 5th - 14th of last year. We are using this as our packing and swimming guide:
12/5 - PT Cloudy 75/61
12/6 - PT Cloudy 81/64
12/7 - PT Cloudy 84/63
12/8 - PT Cloudy 83/64
12/9 - PT Cloudy 82/64
12/10 - Isolated T-Storms 80/58
12/11 - Isolated T-Stroms 75/52
12/12 - Showers 68/55
12/13 - Sunny 73/53
12/14 - PT Cloudy 72/52
Good luck!!!!

 

[Mcmouse]

We are going Dec 3-5 and my kids will swim if the water is 0 degrees!!

If the water was 0 degrees, wouldn't that be ice skating?

 

[applechips]

We are going Dec 3-5 and my kids will swim if the water is 0 degrees!! Here is how the weather was in Orlando from Dec 5th - 14th of last year. We are using this as our packing and swimming guide:
12/5 - PT Cloudy 75/61
12/6 - PT Cloudy 81/64
12/7 - PT Cloudy 84/63
12/8 - PT Cloudy 83/64
12/9 - PT Cloudy 82/64
12/10 - Isolated T-Storms 80/58
12/11 - Isolated T-Stroms 75/52
12/12 - Showers 68/55
12/13 - Sunny 73/53
12/14 - PT Cloudy 72/52
Good luck!!!!

oh! thank you for posting this! We will be there Dec 11-17 and I was just wondering whether to pack our swimsuits. When I was done reading your post I saw that you are in DelCo!!! I grew up in Delaware County!! I miss it sometimes. We are in the south now.

 

[DisLUV]

I love the temps in december. We always go during the 1st 2 weeks and we always swim .. Hope that helps

 

[tone.def]

oh! thank you for posting this! We will be there Dec 11-17 and I was just wondering whether to pack our swimsuits. When I was done reading your post I saw that you are in DelCo!!! I grew up in Delaware County!! I miss it sometimes. We are in the south now.

I'll be there same dates as you. I'm coming from Toronto , not as cold as further north like Nunavut - I will be swimming. I'm packing all my swimsuits - one for each day and I hope I get a tan... my tan from this summer has faded... so sad ;o(

 

[Fredd's Girl]

I always use the pools and I've been in December, November and February. We will be at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time from Dec 3-11. I am SO swimming in the pool! I have seen too many beautiful pictures to not use it at all! I don't care if it's 40 degrees, my family will find my big ole bottom sitting in the pool at least twice....I even bought a new swimsuit!

 

[keishashadow]

I'll be there same dates as you. I'm coming from Toronto , not as cold as further north like Nunavut - I will be swimming. I'm packing all my swimsuits - one for each day and I hope I get a tan... my tan from this summer has faded... so sad ;o(

I've been visiting the tanning bed once every weeks or so to prolong my tan...my skin is so fair that my Dermatologist said it would be better to keep a light tan than suffer my usual severe burn. Been in the sun all my life, which is why I visit the good Dr. each year; it's too late for me - I already look like a prune. LOL

 

[JodyTG]

A few years ago, my DH and DD went to Blizzard Beach on CHRISTMAS DAY!!! They said that it was fun and the water felt great.

 

[CharmedLife]

Thanks for all of the great responses. Sounds like December in Orlando is like October here in Wisconsin - 80 degrees one day, 50 the next. So, better to pack the suits and then we're ready for anything!

I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge before and know how beautiful it all is. My mom (we're surprising her with this trip) has always dreamed of staying at the Beach Club, but mainly because of the pool. I know my kids would be happy swimming anywhere, but I don't think Mom will swim if it's cold. Maybe I'm leaning a bit towards WL...

By the way - does the Wilderness Lodge pool have a zero-depth entry? It's been so long since I've been there I don't remember. Now that I have little ones it's much more relevant!