Wdw weather in early December?

[niknakk]

Hey everyone! I'm going for my first trip ever to WDW ( first time to Florida in fact!) from Nov.29 thru Dec. 8th and I need some honest answers about the weather at this time of year. I'm currently doing some online window shopping to get an idea of what to buy when the time comes, but I'm completely stumped on weather to dress in pants or sun dresses! Please help me out! Thank you

 

[Sammie]

You will have to wait and check closer to your trip. During that time period we have experienced weather in the 80s and weather in the 30s.

 

[Missytara]

Hey everyone! I'm going for my first trip ever to WDW ( first time to Florida in fact!) from Nov.29 thru Dec. 8th and I need some honest answers about the weather at this time of year. I'm currently doing some online window shopping to get an idea of what to buy when the time comes, but I'm completely stumped on weather to dress in pants or sun dresses! Please help me out! Thank you

So you are basically asking to predict the weather in Florida almost five months from now.

Florida is in the Atlantic; it is not part of the Caribbean.

I have been the same week almost every year since 2000 and the weather has never been the same. It has been from being in the low 90's to the low 50's. Thank goodness, the one year I missed, people reported, at the MVMCP, they were wearing coats, hats and gloves; it got down in the 40's at night.

You can watch the weather report up to two days bwfore you go and it will change six times.

You also did not provide enough information about your location you are coming from or your tolerance to heat or cold.

I live in DE and work outside, so I can tolerate cold better than others.

The best answer to your question is watch the weather up to two days before you leave, look at the temps, and then dress according to what you would wear in that temp at home.

Expect to take layers; some tees, some long sleeves, shorts or capris, jeans, and at least a hoodie, cap, and a pair of light gloves.

 

[niknakk]

I was just asking what people would take from personal experience. I am from los angeles, but I get cold fairly easly so I will be layered. Thank you for your replies I will try and get a wide variety of clothings.

 

[taylor3297]

We went Dec 4- Dec 12 2010, the first 2 days we were short sleeves during the day (high was in the 70's) and a light jacket at night. The rest of the days, we were coats, hats, and gloves. We had highs in the 40's during the day and down into the 30's at night.

 

[JLJTheRaven]

When we were there in Dec of 2009, we had temps in the 60's and then in the 40's. One particular day we started the morning pretty muggy and warm. We went into the Prince Caspian exhibit (now gone) and by the time we came out the wind was whipping and the temperature dropped very quickly. We were freezing by the end of the day. You should prepare for cool and cold weather. It can change very quickly. I hope you have a blast! Disney at Christmas is truly magical.

 

[ktlm]

II will try and get a wide variety of clothings.

Absolutely! And don't trust that forecast even the day before you leave. We found that out the hard way. Things can change quickly down there. We have gone during December for the past 4 years. One year we were in shorts all week. Other years, we were in shorts the first couple of days, and then sweaters, coats and gloves the end of the week. It is a pain to pack for a December trip, but it is absolutely best to be prepared for anything.

 

[Missytara]

When we were there in Dec of 2009, we had temps in the 60's and then in the 40's. One particular day we started the morning pretty muggy and warm. We went into the Prince Caspian exhibit (now gone) and by the time we came out the wind was whipping and the temperature dropped very quickly. We were freezing by the end of the day. You should prepare for cool and cold weather. It can change very quickly. I hope you have a blast! Disney at Christmas is truly magical.

That was the exact year I missed. As much as I wished I was there, when I saw how cold it was (I would log onto the computer all day) I was so glad I was snuggled in my bed at home with the heater running.

You were such a brave soul. There is nothing better than being at MVMCP, sipping hot chocolate and watching it "snow" in shorts. It is my "go-to-memory" when I am shoveling my car out after a snowstorm in February.

But if it is already cold, it is tough to bear.....or brrrrrrr.

 

[kerplop]

Last year it was really nice, mid 70s-low 80s for the most part during the day. Gets a bit colder at night I think we were in the 60s. But this is the South and our winters can be anything from 30-90F and sometimes one day it's one and the next it's the other! Hard to tell this far out. Honestly wait until the week before you go before you start planning because the weather in WDW in the winter is very very changeable.

 

[fla4fun]

Definitely pack clothes you can layer. Also, I find winter is a good time to utilize the lockers in the park, so you can put heavier jackets you might need in the evening in the lockers and don't have to carry them around all day.

Winter in Florida is always a wild card. Our weather depends a lot on what is going on up north. If they are having really cold, snowy, winter weather, then the cold fronts may come down here and it will be chilly. If they are having milder winter weather, then it will be warm here. We really have no way of knowing. TYPICALLY we will have a cold front go through, then it gradually warms up over the next 4-5 days, and then another front will go through and bring the temps down again. So it's entirely possible that you could be swimming one day and bundled up the next.

 

[alice99]

I agree with everyone that says it can vary from one extreme to the other.

In these situations I find that a light long sleeve shirt and some type of vest (fleece or quilted) will work in all types of weather. It's my go-to in NYC weather also.
During my December trips I carry a backpack, medium size, to carry a few things.
Plan for layering.

 

[bear_mom]

So you are basically asking to predict the weather in Florida almost five months from now.

I have been the same week almost every year since 2000 and the weather has never been the same. It has been from being in the low 90's to the low 50's. Thank goodness, the one year I missed, people reported, at the MVMCP, they were wearing coats, hats and gloves; it got down in the 40's at night.

I live in DE and work outside, so I can tolerate cold better than others.

Expect to take layers; some tees, some long sleeves, shorts or capris, jeans, and at least a hoodie, cap, and a pair of light gloves.

We went Dec 4- Dec 12 2010, the first 2 days we were short sleeves during the day (high was in the 70's) and a light jacket at night. The rest of the days, we were coats, hats, and gloves. We had highs in the 40's during the day and down into the 30's at night.

We were there that week also - it was C-O-L-D. We live in Michigan and ski all winter long so we are used to being outside. We were in AK on the coldest day and riding EE, my eyes were watering and it did make the whole experience feel like you were really in the cold, icy Himalayas.

Layers, lots of layers. Plus I had brought gloves, hats, and our fleeces - dh was questioning this "What? We are going to Florida. Why are you getting those??" Didn't take long for him to change his tune.

What worked for us was a short sleeve t, long sleeve t, hoddie, fleece, gloves and hat. If/When it warmed up we could take off layers and still be comfortable. This did make it necessary to carry a backpack for most of the trip to keep the extra clothes in though.

Emily

 

[MinnieGolf]

Two pieces of advice: Check the weather forecast closer to your departure date, and be sure to pack lots of layers.

Previous posters are correct: the temps at that time of year can vary from 30s to 80s. The temps also can vary widely during the same day: the morning can be cool, the afternoon can be hot, and the night can feel downright cold!

I almost always pack a variety of clothes I can layer: shorts, short-sleeve shirts, pants, long-sleeve shirts, Under Armour pants and tops, a hoodie, a knit cap or ear muffs, gloves, scarf and a windPROOF jacket. (Wind-resistant will let the wind blow through.) Almost all of my items are thin and packable. A cashmere hoodie, for example, is relatively thin but is warmer and more breathable than a thicker polyester version. A North Face windproof/waterproof jacket is thin and easily packed into a suitcase or toted into the park. Thin gloves and a thin cap can be tucked into a pocket or small purse/backpack for the park.

I've been to WDW three times during unseasonably cold weather, when nighttime temps dipped into the 30s. My layers were invaluable! Also, remember that temps that sound reasonable (50s, for example) can feel cooler in Florida. Humidity and wind can make the temps feel much colder, especially to those who live in drier climates.

 

[MinnieGolf]

A North Face windproof/waterproof jacket is thin and easily packed into a suitcase or toted into the park.

I should've worded this more clearly. I meant it doesn't take up much room in your suitcase, AND you can easily bring the jacket into the park. It's much smaller and lighter than a parka.

 

[mickeynut1]

As others have said, the weather can be very unpredictable that time of year. We've gone twice in December, first time being 2003 and second time 2010 (about the same week both times) and the weather was totally different. In 2003 it was in the 80s on our arrival day and after that we needed coats, gloves, etc the rest of the week. The resort pool was also closed after that first day due to the cold. In 2010 the weather was nice. The temps hit middle to high 80s a few days which was great for swimming, and although it wasn't warm enough for us personally to swim after those first few days (others were swimming all week), the temps were comfortable without having to bundle up in winter coats/gloves. I packed for all kinds of weather, but we didn't need anything heavy. Florida had a cold snap the week or so before we arrived, but luckily for us the weather changed for the better and it was great while we were there. With all of that said, I agree with the other posters that regardless of what the weather might say right before you leave, I would pack a little of everything as you just never know .

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone many times in early December. I remember one trip where it was low 80's everyday, I wore shorts everyday. Didn't even need a jacket for MVMCP. I also remember one trip where it was a high of 49 on our arrival day.

A high of 65 or 70 may sound great and it's not bad if the sun is shining during the day. But as soon as it gets dark, it gets cold. I remember one trip where it was highs of low 60's the whole trip and I brought a light winter coat and was glad to have it at night.

 

[djblu883]

as others have stated the weather cam be from nicely balmy to frigid....bring layers! 2 winters ago about that time it got down in the 20's for 2 days and was miserable for outdoor activities at night, but the days were tolerable so we still had a good time! And ENJOY your vacation! Don't let negative replies ruin your magic!

 

[AJA]

The only thing you can plan on is dress in layers. The US southeast is impossible to predict. One year it can be 30 degree's with the orange groves is danger of freezing and then the next year a heat wave, the year after that perfect weather in the mid 70's.
It totally depends on that particular years weather pattern.

If it were me, I would not purchase much. Maybe a couple pairs of capris if you don't usually wear them? You'll have to wait until 7-10 days out to really know what extreme if any you'll be dealing with.

I totally understand wanting to shop and plan (favorite part of my vacation ) I would plan short sleeve tops with sweaters or jackets for the morning and evening, a couple long sleeve tops just in case, a couple pairs of shorts, couple pairs of capris, and couple pairs of pants. And of course my swim suit lol. But at the end of the day you really will have to wait until the week before to know what to really pack.

Orlando is not as far south like the Keys or Miami. It's much more at the mercy of the jet stream. It can easily be 80 degrees on your first day and a high of 45 degrees on your last.

ETA: weather history

On December 1st, 2010, the closest available weather station to Orlando, FL (ORLANDO EXECUTIVE AP, FL), reported the following conditions:

High Temp: 73.4F
Low Temp: 57.2F

On December 2nd, 2010, the closest available weather station to Orlando, FL (ORLANDO EXECUTIVE AP, FL), reported the following conditions:

High Temp: 60.8F
Low Temp: 42.8F

On December 2nd, 2009, the closest available weather station to Orlando, FL (ORLANDO EXECUTIVE AP, FL), reported the following conditions:

High Temp: 82.4F
Low Temp: 64.4F

 

[niknakk]

Wow! I am so glad I asked this, you guys really saved me from freezing during my trip! I really didnt know what I was getting myself into. Im just going to layer layer layer, and utilize the lockers (great tip)! Seriously thank you!!!

 

[alice99]

We went Dec 4- Dec 12 2010, the first 2 days we were short sleeves during the day (high was in the 70's) and a light jacket at night. The rest of the days, we were coats, hats, and gloves. We had highs in the 40's during the day and down into the 30's at night.

We were there in December, 2010.... though later in the month (Christmas Week)..... we were pretty cold. I live in NY and love cooler weather so this was great for me, and my kids were thrilled too.

My husband not so much, he was annoyed the whole time.

When we went in August 2011 my daughter kept saying how she really preferred to be freezing over sweating.