Tent camping in December?

[anneofgreengables]

What's the weather like in Florida that time? Tent camping a good idea in December?

 

[becky1960]

We went to WDW first week of Dec. 04 and weather was in the 80's all week and kids used pool everyday. We went first week of Dec. 05 and it was cool and rainy all week. They say it hit or miss and varies from year to year. I say bring a heavy blanket or sleeping bag and two sets of clothes. Looking back over pictures last year my cold natured wife was wearing a jacket one day and a tank top another.

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thanks, becky. What about the week before Christmas, Dec. 16 to 23?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

That time of year can be pretty warm during the day, but cool down at night so I would think a variety of clothes and layering may be the rule of thumb.

 

[F4disneyfan]

We only seem to go to WDW in teh first couple weeks of Dec and in teh day we have had highs in the high 80's but usually mid 70's is the rule and at night it drops to the mid-high 50's usually.

 

[mash]

We camp at Disney almost every December and the weather can vary. I would suggest a mix of long pants with a couple of pairs of shorts thrown in and mostly short-sleeved shirts that can be layered with either another top or jacket thrown over it. You definitely want to bring items you can layer for warm or cool days. Keep an eye on the forecast as well as you are packing your bags.

 

[westjones]

I think it would get pretty cold in the tent at night. Do you have a heater you can use?

I have never camped in December, but we have gone to Disney and have always had on jackets in the evening and worn long sleeves and pants. It is nice during the day (when we went, but I know the weather can go lower or higher from year to year), but evenings were always cool. We usually had the heat on in our room.

DJ

 

[anneofgreengables]

I wonder if it would be any colder than a summer evening camping in the redwoods here in California. It's warm during the day, but cold enough at night and early morning to wear pants and jackets and warm your hands over the campfire. If that's how a December in Florida is, then I think we can handle camping at WDW in December. However, if it is much colder than that (being that it is winter in Florida), I would not.

On second thought, maybe hauling all that camping equipment in the plane is not a good idea, so we should probably just stick to a hotel, even though it costs more.

 

[campingcorgi]

I would think December would be a great time to tent camp at Disney! Yeah, the nights might be cooler, but probably not cold and you would probably be warm enough snuggling down in your sleeping bags. Plus you would be able to enjoy all the Christmas decorations that the campers put out--trust me, quite a show!

Flying and tenting seems to be done quite often so it must not be that hard. Enjoy Disney whatever you decide!!

 

[druidia]

We've camped in Nov and Jan and both were very nice. We have a small space heater (I use it under my desk at work), and we will bring it to run at night when we sleep. It can get pretty chilly in the evenings beginning in December through February. We needed the space heater in Jan even with a heavy sleeping bag, a quilt, and sweats for PJs.

But I'm a native, so "chilly" is 60 and below!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Here's a good tip-on the first day of your vacation, find a *reall* nice RV and make friends with the people staying in it.

We were in FW once when I was a kid and there was a freezing drenching downpour-my dad went out and found two people in a tiny little tent and made them come in the RV until it stopped raining.

I remember the wife was sooooooo mad at the husband for making them camp that the next day they packed up and went over to one of the hotels.

This was around Christmas. Soooo, might not be a bad idea to have a backup plan if the weather doesnt' cooperate.

 

[clkelley]

I tent camp every December, and the weather varies. I bring an electric blanket with me. Keeps me pretty warm.

Some years it has gotten quite cold and some years it's nice.

Even in the dead of winter, fighting moisture is key. Open up your screens and run a fan during the day to dry things out, and try to keep your windows at least cracked at night. (You just breathing in a closed up tent will keep you damp, cold, and miserable).

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I wasn't camping, but was in WDW this year from 12/25-31, and it fell to 30 degrees one night, but up into the 70's during the day. Frost on the windows and everything. And, yes, the moisture level was very high, so the cold in the evening felt truly bone-chilling, and I'm from New England (thus accustomed to such temps). Prepare to layer.