Weather in December

[Jaylie]

Hi all,
We are heading down to WDW the first week of December and I'm wondering what the weather might be like? How cold might it get (or for that matter, how warm)? Thanks for your help.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Winter 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 you could have something in between.

Plug your dates in here for some recent weather history, but be prepared for almost anything!

http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

 

[shaun&miranda]

I've been to WDW in December for the last three years, and am going again this year for the 2 weeks before Christmas.

The weather really does vary a lot. In the day, you should expect to wear lightweight jeans or trousers and a tshirt or vest, by early evening you'll want a sweater or cardigan, and if you stay for a fireworks show or similar you will need gloves, a warm coat or big jumper and ideally a hat (it gets REALLY cold).

Of course, some days are hotter than others - last year we went in the first half of December, and there were a coupld of days we wore shorts, but then froze after 5pm! Some nights are milder too of course.

We have found the only way to do it is to wake up, look at the Weather Channel to see what the low is predicted to be, open the door and feel the current air temp, dress for that, and then pack a backpack with warmer clothes for the predicted low. Then once you're at the park, bung the backpack into a locker and forget about it until you get chilly.

2 years ago it was so cold on some days we left the parks to go back to our room and get warm. Remember that many restaurants will still have the air conditioning on, and aren't as good for warming up when you're cold!

I'd also suggest taking lots of warm sports socks. Take a spare pair each day in case your feet get cold standing around waiting for fireworks, or in case your feet get wet if it rains.

You will also definitely need to bring or buy a poncho - it will rain at some point (although in our experience it clears pretty soon). When it rained on our summer trip, we were happy enough to get a bit wet - that isn't as fun when you get cold later that night!

Have a great time. WDW is at its most magical in December in my opinion! Be sure to watch Epcot's firework show Illuminations early in your trip - there is an extra Christmas finale that is just wonderful!!! And buy a Disney Christmas hat - or you will feel left out!

Miranda

 

[sukaryan]

I ditto all past remarks! Since I am a chronic over packer, for our 2004 Dec trip to WDW, i decided to show my husband how clever I was by not packing heavy coats! Or scarves, gloves, ect! Then, Tues night of Very Merrry Christmas party, down to 40 degrees. We had to stop by wal mart on way to park to get extras and bundles kids in sweaters and fleeces. We stayed warm, but I felt like an idiot. It was one of the coldedst nights in FL in years and we were out in it. So, next time, take winter coats and extras, better safe than sorry>

 

[TaraPA]

Pack light gloves - seriously! Last December it was almost 80 one day, the kids were swimming & we all had on short sleeves. The next day it was super windy & a high of 50 - we were so cold we were shivering & miserable. We went back to the hotel early to escape the cold! Having gloves on would have helped us.

 

[dbmarie]

Make sure you bring at least one or two pairs of shorts because it did reach over 80 degrees a couple of times last year.

 

[aubriee]

I love Dec at WDW. I've been the last three Decembers and will be returning this Dec 8th-16th. As everyone else said bring a little of everything, because the weather is VERY unpredictable. Dec '04 we wore shorts all week and my GD swam everyday, Dec '05 my mom and I almost froze (I'm talking heavy coat, gloves, and toboggans weather cold!), then last Dec it was shorts weather again. All three of these trips were the second week of Dec.