Tell me about December....

[jesusluvsu2005]

We're thinking of going in December if free dining comes out. What is the weather like in December, can you still use the pools? Or is it too chilly? Any tips or hints about that time of year? Thanks!
Amanda

 

[scoobydooby]

We went for two weeks either side of Christmas one year. For five days we had to buy hats and gloves and scraped ice off the car windows. It was unusually cold. For another 5 days it was pleasant in jeans and hoodies. For about four days the kids swam in the hotel pool and I wore capris. I only swam at Discovery Cove which luckily was the warmest day with a high of 70 degrees. And I wore a wet suit. So prepare for everything would be my advice!!!!

 

[lustergirl]

I have been during the first part of December a couple of times. The weather was very pleasant, in the 70's during the day and around 60 at night. I still wore my capris and light weight shirts. 60 degrees is incredibly warm for me because weather in December here in Buffalo is 10 degrees. The Christmas decorations everywhere were a pretty sight. The crowds were low. If you can, go to the MVMCP. The parade is awesome.

 

[sharonabe]

Weather is always going to be a hit or miss for December. The year we went (my picture) we started out in shorts and T-shirts and ended in jeans and jackets, and we were only there for five days. The resort pools are heated, so swimming would be okay until it's time to get out!

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Honestly, it's a crap shoot. I've been the first week in December and worn shorts the whole time. But it can turn on a dime. My advice: pack for both warm and cold weather.

 

[Dani4girls]

Go in December!! We went December 4-12, 2013 and it was a great trip! The weather was wonderful - it didn't rain at all. The kids used the pools, but it wasn't oppressively hot or humid. The Christmas decorations are just lovely and the Christmas-y atmosphere makes for a very special time.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

We are in talks to go for Christmas. I've been reading trip reports trying to determine what people wore and how they handled the crowds. I think it's helping, but we are preparing for all kinds of weather.

 

[magicalcouple]

Yes, pack for both. In the past 10 years, I've only been SUPER cold twice in early December. Most of the time, you can swim by day and wear jeans and a t-shirt by night. This is our favorite time of year to go!

 

[wareagle57]

I've been in 2012 and 2014 of December. 2014 I worse shorts and t-shirts for a lot of the trip, but I am extremely warm nurtured. At nights I always had a hoodie on though, even if I was wearing shorts. One night I actually had jeans, a hoodie and a tobogan. In 2012 I don't remember it being very cold, but I'm sure the nights were still somewhat chilly. But I do remember I rode Kali that trip, knowing I'd get soaked.

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

Thank you all! We've only been in late May early June and the heat really bothers us. I've been really excited about going during a cooler time. How are the crowds compared to late may/early June? We're looking at arriving somewhere around the 11th-13th and staying for 6-7 nights. One of the things I worry about that time of year though is flu. I worry about one or more of us getting sick during the trip. I know it can actually happen anytime but flu is more likely in the winter months. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have been going in December for 10 years. I've seen everything from high's of 92 to 2010 when it was damp, cold, windy and miserable.
I check the weather right before the trip, then I plan for +/- 5 degrees (or more). I'm very cold natured, so if it isn't in the mid 80's I'm not swimming, but that's just ME.
Crowds will be less than what you are used to seeing and it is such a great time to go. I've been anywhere from Dec. 1-17. I vastly prefer the earlier times, less crowded.
Do you get flu shots? Really honey, anyone can get sick at *any* time for *any* reason. If you worry about this, you are going to make yourself miserable when there is nothing you can do about it. In fact, teh flu is going around central TN right now; they think linked to spring break travel.

 

[Networth]

Wash your hands often. Also the one people forget a lot, don't touch your face. You can have pathogens all over your hands if they don't touch mucous membranes such as your nose you can't get sick. The two best ways to not catch influenza or most vitral and bacterial infections. The Influezna vaccine is at best helpful; most times useless I never recommend it for my patients that ask my opinion. Unless their in their 60s+, or smoke with many comorbidties. Wash hands. Don't touch face is the best prevention. When in doubt take your own physicians advise they know your body better than anyone over Internet.

As for December it's my favorite time of the year to go. We usually pack Jeans with long shirts and a hoodie with Jackets. Mind you we are Flordians so 60 is cold to us.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We love going in December. Our 2014 trip was around the dates you mentioned and the weather was perfect! Shorts/capris & tees during the day- occasionally a light jacket at night. Sometimes not. We went swimming 2 days. I believe it was 72-75 degrees during the day and anywhere from 60-65 at night. Not a drop of rain! We have experienced cold weather in December in past years (45 degrees during MVMCP) but that was not common in our experience.
However last year it was cooler the week before we arrived and was actually approaching 80 the Saturday before Christmas when we were leaving. So it can fluctuate.

 

[lauradis]

Thank you all! We've only been in late May early June and the heat really bothers us. I've been really excited about going during a cooler time. How are the crowds compared to late may/early June? We're looking at arriving somewhere around the 11th-13th and staying for 6-7 nights. One of the things I worry about that time of year though is flu. I worry about one or more of us getting sick during the trip. I know it can actually happen anytime but flu is more likely in the winter months. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I would start the anti flu campaign a month before visiting. Flu shots couple of months before, hand washing, up take s product like cold z etc.

You cant control the flu or the weather. I know, darn.

 

[ttintagel]

I have been during the first part of December a couple of times. The weather was very pleasant, in the 70's during the day and around 60 at night. I still wore my capris and light weight shirts. 60 degrees is incredibly warm for me because weather in December here in Buffalo is 10 degrees. The Christmas decorations everywhere were a pretty sight. The crowds were low. If you can, go to the MVMCP. The parade is awesome.

Another person from NYS here who found the weather in early December lovely. I wore shorts most of the time because I was too warm in jeans. I did put on a sweatshirt at night, because it's colder when the sun goes down. I didn't swim myself on that trip, just because I didn't feel like it, but I saw lots of people having a ball in the resort pools. If I go again at that time,I probably won't even pack jeans or long-sleeved shirts.

 

[ttintagel]

Wash your hands often. Also the one people forget a lot, don't touch your face. You can have pathogens all over your hands if they don't touch mucous membranes such as your nose you can't get sick. The two best ways to not catch influenza or most vitral and bacterial infections. The Influezna vaccine is at best helpful; most times useless I never recommend it for my patients that ask my opinion. Unless their in their 60s+, or smoke with many comorbidties. Wash hands. Don't touch face is the best prevention. When in doubt take your own physicians advise they know your body better than anyone over Internet.

Ditto to all of this.While I didn't ever feel cold, it is cold and flu season and I got horribly sick. I suspect it was the cougher next to me on the plane that did it.

 

[CookiesNcream]

December is our most favorite time of the year to go! I don't do too well in heat and humidity so I really enjoy the cooler weather. And the colder it gets the more it feels like Christmas. The ornaments and decorations are simply precious, I always miss them when we go during other times of the year.

 

[Claireywalsh]

I have just booked for Christmas 2016, arriving 22nd for 2 weeks. Like you we have only been in April, May and June. The weather here is regularly below freezing so I will take anything above that. I have been watching hundreds of vids to look at crowds etc and I think if we know in our head it's going to be busier, we won't be too stressed about it. We know what we like now and what we would avoid so we can soak up the atmosphere and appreciate all the beautiful decorations.
It looks in the vids most people in shorts and t shirts with a sweater on in the evening.
Also only saw 1 when the crowds were massive and that was just prior to wishes kicking off!
I just approached it like this, if we were home we would have a beautiful tree that I could enjoy after work, after cooking, after cleaning and while the heating wason full blast daydreaming about when we could be back at Disney,or the most magical time of the year could be enjoyed in the most magical place on earth. I'm on team DO IT!!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I have been twice the first week of December. Weather is pleasant to cool occasionally unseasonably warm or cold. Some rain. Crowds very busy 2014, not so bad 2012. Twice at Christmas. Same type of weather. Would definitely carry coat/sweatshirt/hoodie. Busy. 2006 way busier than 2004. Last year free dining was from the 2nd week of December until right before Christmas week. 2012 we had free dining the first week of December, last year we did not. It's a beautiful time of year to be there.

 

[scoobydooby]

I have just booked for Christmas 2016, arriving 22nd for 2 weeks. Like you we have only been in April, May and June. The weather here is regularly below freezing so I will take anything above that. I have been watching hundreds of vids to look at crowds etc and I think if we know in our head it's going to be busier, we won't be too stressed about it. We know what we like now and what we would avoid so we can soak up the atmosphere and appreciate all the beautiful decorations.
It looks in the vids most people in shorts and t shirts with a sweater on in the evening.
Also only saw 1 when the crowds were massive and that was just prior to wishes kicking off!
I just approached it like this, if we were home we would have a beautiful tree that I could enjoy after work, after cooking, after cleaning and while the heating wason full blast daydreaming about when we could be back at Disney,or the most magical time of the year could be enjoyed in the most magical place on earth. I'm on team DO IT!!

Trust me. Between Christmas Eve and NY Day you are going to see more than one massive crowd......