Warm enough to swim at Christmas?

[Jenny-momof3]

I know the temps may vary greatly. But just wondered if it's warm enough to swim the week between Christmas and New Years?

 

[Bob P]

Hi again,

Winter weather in Orlando is completely unpredictable. You could have warm days (80s) with cool mornings, or you could have mornings near freezing with afternoons in the 40s or 50s. Or you could have a little of both, or something in between.

My advice is to pack a little of everything (including swimsuits) and if you get a warm day or days, take advantage of them and go swimming!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I would say no to swimming in December. Not because the water isn't warm - the disney pools are heated to a nice balmy 80+ degrees - more because the air is on the chilly side.

That said, I live in FL (2 hours from Disney, very similar weather) so cold for me is anything below 65 degrees!!

I've seen LOTS of people swimming in December (especially children) just bring a robe to cover up as soon as you exit the pool.

 

[ilovecupcakes]

I have never been to Disney at that time, but a colleague of mine and I were talking today about her December trip in WDW. She had to buy sweaters down there because she didn't think it'd be as chilly and cold as it was. I am assuming it's rather unpredictable whether around that time.

 

[edwardscpfd]

We were down this past December/January and although there were some nice mild days, but others were down right chilly. Like another poster stated, the water was really warm so I figure it had to be heated (this was SSR by the way, not sure of the others).

Good Luck.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

That's kinda what I thought. It will be warmer than it is here in Ohio and that's all I really care about.

My kids would love to be able to dip in the pool once or twice while we're there... but no big deal if they don't get to.

 

[vcgirl925]

I would say no, unless it's unseasonable warm. We've gone in November for the past two years and it was NOT hot enough to swim. We went mid Nov. and it got to the 30's at night.....COLD. We also go in Jan/Feb and definatley no swimming then either.

 

[mommy2g]

We were there the week before Christmas this year and we swam 2 or 3 times. It was plenty warm (but then again we live in South Dakota )

 

[Rora]

Since you live up North, you might be fine getting in the pool in December.

Having lived in FL all my life, the temperatures are crazy. It could be 30 degrees or 80 degrees. Like someone else mentioned, definitely pack a swimsuit!!

Now, could I get in the pool in December? No way.

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

We arrived in Orlando on this past Christmas and were in the AKL pool on the 26th...and we've been to Orlando a few Januarys ago where we had to buy sweatshirts...definitely have to pack for both situations!

 

[vicki_c]

We used Stormalong Bay the week between Christmas and New Year's. It was very nice most days, only a few days were too cold for swimming.

We often travel in January/February and we manage to get in swimming a few times. Sometimes it's cold once you get out of the pool, but the water is fine!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We keep the water in all the slides and pools around 80F (27C) except for Shark Reef which does not have heaters. What you want is a day that will be bright and sunny and preferably not windy.

If you go on a day that is heavily overcast you will not be able to take advantage of any radiant heating (from the sun) or on a windy day (especially with a dry wind from the North) you will get hit by wind chill.

But a day with the highs in the mid-50s or above which is sunny and calm most people (at least from Northern climates) should be comfortable.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We were there November 28 to December 26 2007 and swam for most of the month including Christmas day. We were really lucky. There were two really cold days with rain and a few cooler days but many of the days were low 80's and high 70's.

 

[bytheblood]

Should you find the weather chilly, the pools are heated. It is the getting out part that is so cold.

 

[Abharmagic]

I would agree with NO

We were there during a rather cool spell during the 1st week of Nov and swimming (well the air) was chilly. My daughter was the only crazy trooper who stayed in on the cool days.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

The pools are heated and you can see heat lifting off of the water night, but the pre and post swim can be very chilly.

 

[aggie98]

We were there for Christmas last year and we did swim one afternoon. I would pack the swimsuits just in case.... during our trip we were swimming one day and then a few days later were bundled up in our coats!

 

[tlenzendorf]

We went in January 2003 and stayed at the AKL. There was a day that there was ocean effect snow overnight for the first time in 10 years. Freezing cold!! We came from Wisconsin so it wasn't that cold for us. They closed most of the shows at then-MGM as they weren't sure how things would work in the cold. Schools were closed, parts of Disney weren't on, plants were covered at our resort. But yet there we were at 9pm out in the heated pool and the hot tub. We were the only ones out there all by ourselves for almost 2 hours(one other couple came out for a bit and went back in). As long as you do pool, then hot tub before you go in, the only time you'll be chilly is during the walk from wherever you take your clothes off to the pool. Once you get out of the hot tub you have about 2 or 3 minutes to get back in before your body temp drops. Go for it!

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

Oh, for cryin' out loud, everyone should be able to "tough it out" and go for that December swim. If they can use hot tubs in the Rockies at ski resorts, then I'm rather confident that visitors to WDW would survive the chill before and after that 80 degree swim...

 

[Sam's_Mom]

We were there for Christmas and my boys swam. It was kinda cold coming and going but the water felt warm. We also went swimming at Daytona , in the ocean, several days during that trip.