Weather at Christmas?

[melbatoast]

Confused about the weather at Christmastime. The past reports show a high in the 60's and low's in the 30's-40's! I think it will be too cold to be walking around at night. Any experience w/this? I'm from Chicago, and know all too well what 30 degrees feels like - that' why I go on vacation!

 

[amamax2]

December in SoCal is very unpredictable...highs could be in the 60s or in the low 80s, lows could be 30s or 50s (though the 30s refers to the coldest part of the night, so like around 3 am, not hours when DL is open - then it would more be the 50s). I'm not trying to be facetious, but that is just the way it is here.

Take a look at the Christmas thread and you'll see pictures poeple posted from previous years - sometimes people are in t-shirts, other times bundled up.

Rough guide would be pleasant to warm during the day, definitely cooler at night and early morning - you'll want a jacket.

Best advice is to check the predictions about a week prior to your trip.....

 

[goldies 5]

It can be both hot or cool in December. We have experienced 90 degree weather and also rainy weather in December at DL. We live where it snows and gets quite cold in the winter. I have never felt like I was personally freezing at DL. Our biggest dissapointment is if we can't wear shorts, because that is usually what we wear in December at DL. If you are used to the cooler weather, even the coolest Anaheim weather seems mild IMHO.

 

[Sherry E]

I think I answered this before when you asked this same weather question on another thread (about New Year's weather, maybe?). But in addition to what Amamax2 said, which is accurate, our 30 degrees in SoCal (if that's what it drops down to) is not going to feel the same as the 30 degrees to which you are accustomed in Chicago. Chicago is more biting, bitter cold in winter...often with snow. If it is not raining in December - and it could be - the weather in SoCal in the daytime may be cool, but it will seem warmer in DLR. And when it gets cold at night, there will be no snow. It may require a jacket and some gloves, but because you are used to Chicago weather I don't think you will find SoCal nearly as chilly, even if the temps drop to 30 degrees.

I've been to DLR in December when it rained. I've been there in December when it was 70 degrees in the daytime and 50 at night, and I was running around in a t-shirt the entire time (no jacket) but was not cold at all. I've been there when it was only in the 40's in the daytime and then 30 degrees at night and I was freezing, bundled up with mittens and layers and all kinds of things. It's all over the map, really.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I agree with what everyone else has said. It's really hard to predict the weather in southern california because it could be warm one day and cold the next. Like the others have said, if you're from Chicago, you will have no problems being out in the "cold" southern california clilmate. Even if it's not sunny and hot, it will still feel warmer to you, i think.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We were there Dec 18-23 last year. On the 18th I wished I'd packed shorts and on the 22/23 we were in pants, long sleeves (and sweaters in the early mornings and evenings). And are just from Nor California. I remember seeing the forecast with lows in the 30s, but at midnight when the parks closed it was more like 50. Honestly the coldest part of the Disney day is park opening IMO. We grabbed gloves and coffee/hot chocolate and were good until it started warming up around 9 or so.

 

[Sherry E]

We were there Dec 18-23 last year. On the 18th I wished I'd packed shorts and on the 22/23 we were in pants, long sleeves (and sweaters in the early mornings and evenings). And are just from Nor California. I remember seeing the forecast with lows in the 30s, but at midnight when the parks closed it was more like 50. Honestly the coldest part of the Disney day is park opening IMO. We grabbed gloves and coffee/hot chocolate and were good until it started warming up around 9 or so.

Yes, exactly! I was there on one of the days you were there, I see - I was there on Saturday, December 19th, and that was the day when I was running around in the t-shirt and no jacket at night because it was in the 50's and it just didn't feel cold. It was warm in the daytime. In fact, I had my big, bulky winter coat stuffed in a locker, ready to use at a moment's notice, because it had been absolutely freezing at night in 2008, when I was there in December. I was afraid I was going to be freezing again in 2009, and it turned out I never needed that coat. The only time I wore the big, bulky winter coat on 12/19 last year was in the early morning - as you said, it's coldest in the morning (or it was in 2009, anyway). As soon as it hit 8:00 a.m. or so, it was already warming up and that coat stayed in the locker for the rest of the trip!

 

[melbatoast]

Thanks everyone! I think the 30 degree thing scared me off, but I can handle 50 degrees if that what it might be at park closing. I started looking into going to Disneyworld, as the temps are warmer but also unpredictable. But the crowds scare me from what I have read.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks everyone! I think the 30 degree thing scared me off, but I can handle 50 degrees if that what it might be at park closing. I started looking into going to Disneyworld, as the temps are warmer but also unpredictable. But the crowds scare me from what I have read.

It's going to be crowded at DLR as well. But trust us all - and I think we all agree - even IF it is 30 degrees in SoCal/DLR, it will not feel the same to you as Chicago weather. It really won't. It's a totally different climate and feel out here.