Weather in December

[AdamsMum]

Hi All,
Canadian DVC member here, don't see anywhere to post this. I have my first December trip coming up this year.

I've been in WDW in:
January - cold - needed a jacket
March - moderate with a rainy day
May - hot and rainy
August - hot (really hot), humid, rainy
October - still hot but not so humid

I realize that often the weather is just unpredicable, but what can I expect in December? Will I need a jacket, will I be able to use the pool. I'm a person who doesn't mind cool weather, and suffers in high heat and humidity. What do you think? If I don't need cool weather clothes I might get by with a carry on only.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you are going to see the Candlelight Processional, you may need even more than a jacket....humid and cold to the bones some years.

Yes, you may swim. We do sometimes, but more often we spend times going to resorts, enjoying the decorations.

 

[cruisin5]

We had beautiful weather last December - 80s, low humidity. It very early in the month though.

 

[pineapplepalms]

We happened to hit a cold snap in mid-December last year where it was in the 40s at night and we definitely needed jackets, especially for the nighttime events. Even during the day we didn't feel like it was warm enough to use the pool (whenever we passed a pool it was empty). However, I think the week before and after were both much warmer. You'll really have to see what the weather forecast says right before your trip since it can be quite unpredictable!

 

[chalee94]

Last December (2nd week) it got very cold. Used layers, including Nike cold-weather lined gear with warm fleece some days. Weather started to warm up on leaving day. You never know. Don't pack till you check the weather a couple of days before you leave.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just check Weather Nation or your favorite weather website and put in the 10 day forecast right before you go.

 

[matheke]

Layers, Layers. Layers. We have seen it all. We have gone in December for most of the past 25 years. It can be beautiful and nice swimming/pool weather to 30 F degrees at night with highs in the 40's F.

 

[AdamsMum]

Sounds like I'm going to need cold weather gear at least for evenings. Thanks all.

 

[DVCjj]

We have had an early December trip to the Grand Floridian when it was 28 degrees. Back home in the bitter cold Midwest it was warmer.

We FROZE....and I mean FROZE at the Candlelight Procession, even with down jackets. DH and DSIL took a dip in the GF pool just for spite (yes, they looked like nuts).

Now when I go in Winter to Disney, I always bring Uniglo Heat Tech layers. Insanely thin to pack and really makes a big difference. There is a Uniglo in Disney Springs, a catalog and also online.

 

[DenLo]

We had beautiful weather last December - 80s, low humidity. It very early in the month though.

We were there the first two weeks of December 2017 and I think only the first week was nice.

We happened to hit a cold snap in mid-December last year where it was in the 40s at night and we definitely needed jackets, especially for the nighttime events. Even during the day we didn't feel like it was warm enough to use the pool (whenever we passed a pool it was empty). However, I think the week before and after were both much warmer. You'll really have to see what the weather forecast says right before your trip since it can be quite unpredictable!

I don't know why we don't bring at least a fleece jacket in December we always seem to need it at least at night although lately even during the day. The humidity seems to make it worse.

Last December (2nd week) it got very cold. Used layers, including Nike cold-weather lined gear with warm fleece some days. Weather started to warm up on leaving day. You never know. Don't pack till you check the weather a couple of days before you leave.

I know in the 2nd week of December 2017 we often walked around with three warm long sleeve shirts and a jacket, and wool blend socks, I think it got so we did our FPs and left the parks except one day we only made it to the park and left before doing anything. Next year we will drop some warm clothes and pack more winter gear. It turns out it was similar temps at home in Houston that week and worse in the mid-West and East.

 

[lisaviolet]

often the weather is just unpredicable

Your own words.

This. Two years ago it was like summer every single day for almost two weeks. And even at night, which rarely happens. So heavenly at night. Never even put on a long sleeve. Swam any time of day or night.

And then there was 2010 ?, there were days I thought I would never ever get warm again. No exaggeration.

There is nothing - NOTHING - like the cold in the south. It feels at least ten degrees colder. And damp, so incredibly damp. Pool time, forget it. It's fun to watch people try though!

I'm a person who doesn't mind cool weather

I too rarely, if ever, get cold. I used to wear clogs without socks in winter up here (Toronto). And many winter days I only wear a shawl. Cold does not bother me in the least. That's how different it all is OP.

Most people will never experience a year like 2010, but if one does you will know it. Some people will say it's all fine - I still went swimming etc, that is because they don't know what they haven't experienced. They have experienced colder temperatures, not the crazy damp cold that can come.

And also if it's a longer trip, you can not rely on weather forecasts. Doesn't work. I have been on many longer December trips where the forecast changed greatly while there.

The absolute majority of my December trips have been warm, so your chances for warm weather is high.

Have a wonderful vacation. Despite this post, it really is such an incredible time to be there.

 

[AdamsMum]

I too rarely, if ever, get cold. I used to wear clogs without socks in winter up here (Toronto).

I'm also in Toronto. Constantly in conflict with others in my office about the window being open, a/c being on...

 

[lisaviolet]

The chances are you will have lovely weather, I wouldn't keep going down that time of year if it was all like 2010. Just pack in a "just in case" mode.

And like I said two years ago was strange the other way around, it was like summer every single day.

 

[castle1]

A couple of years ago in early December, we almost froze at the Candlelight Processional. And we were wearing heavy jackets.

 

[bobbiwoz]

A couple of years ago in early December, we almost froze at the Candlelight Processional. And we were wearing heavy jackets.

This was us in 2004. Remember it well, because it was DMom’s 85th Birthday Celebration! December 22,2004!

 

[CraigInPA]

I find this thread hilarious!

I'm from frost bitten Pennsylvania, and have gone in December, January, and February. I'm the guy walking around in shorts, sandals, and a short sleeved shirt in 50 degree weather. I swim when it's in the 60's. I'll put on a light coat at night when it dips into the 40's. The heavy coat is reserved for days when it's under 40.

My brother, who has lived in Florida for 20 years, does the same thing. His daughters, who grew up in Florida, put on the down parkas and search out pocket heaters when the temperature dips below 65.

I find December, with it's 50-60 degree daytime temps to be a great temperature! Much better than the one time I went in September and it was 90 degrees and humid!

 

[MJB62676]

I find this thread hilarious!

I'm from frost bitten Pennsylvania, and have gone in December, January, and February. I'm the guy walking around in shorts, sandals, and a short sleeved shirt in 50 degree weather. I swim when it's in the 60's. I'll put on a light coat at night when it dips into the 40's. The heavy coat is reserved for days when it's under 40.

My brother, who has lived in Florida for 20 years, does the same thing. His daughters, who grew up in Florida, put on the down parkas and search out pocket heaters when the temperature dips below 65.

I find December, with it's 50-60 degree daytime temps to be a great temperature! Much better than the one time I went in September and it was 90 degrees and humid!

I'm the same way...and the 2nd week of December last year had me all the way from frigid to sweating. It was in the 30's the first night we were there..by the end of the week (I think?), it was nearing 80.

Not at all what I expected. The "normal" weather of lows in the 50s and highs in the 70-80 range is what I look forward to this year.

 

[bobbiwoz]

January, marathon week, 2011, or 2013. DDiL pulled a muscle had to skip Sunday. We went up to Noccatee FL to look at houses. This was the fountain by the sample homes.

There were “beware of ice” signs at Contemporary dock. it was slippery walking on the aluminum walkway.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

The weather in December can either be perfect (in the mid 70's with very low humidity) or hot / cold. It all depends on the Cold fronts or Heat waves that come through. I've lived in Orlando for 30+ years and it seems the weather in October, November, December can be bit unpredictable. It is the best time to visit (Oct - April), but it's either hot, cold, or perfect. One thing is for sure, it doesn't rain all that often from November through March so you should stay dry.

I am referring to the day time temperatures. The nights and early mornings can be really cold.

Cold is anything under 70 degrees.
Really Cold 30's to 60's degrees
Hot is anything over 90 degrees
Perfect is between 70 - 90 degrees.

 

[lisaviolet]

Some people will say it's all fine - I still went swimming etc, that is because they don't know what they haven't experienced. They have experienced colder temperatures, not the crazy damp cold that can come.

Don't say I didn't warn you AdamsMum. Here it is ---

I find this thread hilarious!

I'm from frost bitten Pennsylvania, and have gone in December, January, and February. I'm the guy walking around in shorts, sandals, and a short sleeved shirt in 50 degree weather. I swim when it's in the 60's. I'll put on a light coat at night when it dips into the 40's. The heavy coat is reserved for days when it's under 40.

My brother, who has lived in Florida for 20 years, does the same thing. His daughters, who grew up in Florida, put on the down parkas and search out pocket heaters when the temperature dips below 65.

I find December, with it's 50-60 degree daytime temps to be a great temperature! Much better than the one time I went in September and it was 90 degrees and humid!

So do I on the bold. It's not about that.

And this is why I tell myself over and over and over not to bother posting on these December weather threads. It drives me bat **** crazy.

I will try one more time. Many of us swim there at low temperatures, many of us wear shorts/sandals/summer clothes at low temperatures. And sometimes see others walking around in winter gear while we do summer clothes. Many of us don't mind like lower temperatures. We are all the same in that aspect.

I live north of you and never ever get cold in the winter.

This is not about lower temperatures, in isolation. It's about sudden extremely damp lower temperatures that hit Florida, somewhat infrequently. And when they hit, they HIT. And they feel at least ten degrees colder than they are. I've been going down since 1974, and multiple times in December and other winter months. I have only hit it once - December 2010.

Don't you think it's weird that a whole bunch of travellers, some of whom do multiple trips a year, can remember their exact year and month that they experienced it?

It does that! Leaves a time stamp.

_________________________________________________

So your brother lives there and like many of us doesn't get cold. Please ask him to tell you that he's never felt an extreme damp cold in Florida in his twenty years (assuming he's not in South Florida). See if he can. And one where he spent an extended time outdoors at all hours, because going out and about for a bit isn't the same.