Weather in December

[voodooboy]

My family is taking their first WDW/DCL combo trip this coming December. Several friends and family members will also be along for the trip. They are curious about the weather in Orlando during December. I know that it is probably not shorts weather but I assume it is still mild. Regardless, I thought it best to inquire with experts that have actually experienced Disney in December. Thanks for any input.

 

[DebbieB]

We've gone the first or second week of December the past 6 years. High temps have varied from 50's to low 80's. 3 of the years we had temps in the high 70's/low 80's and wore shorts. One year was in the low 60's the whole time. The last couple years have had a mix, some days cool, some warm. Usually very little rain. If they are calling for lows in 40's or 50's, bring a warm coat and gloves for at night. It can get cold when the sun goes down.

 

[Ratpack]

Just went this past December and we had temperatures from mid 20's at night to 80 in the day, all over a 3 night stay. So the best I can tell you is it is hit and miss. I think the mid 20's is fairly uncommon but you are dealing with the weather, hard to say what it will be from day to day, much less 9 months away.

 

[leighe]

I was wondering the same thing about weather. Do people usually swim in December?

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there from 12/12-17 last December. We had friends that were there the previous week. They said it was really cold when they were there. And, it was pretty chilly when we were there. My dd lived in the same pair of jeans the whole time. We figured it would be warm enough for shorts and long sleeved tees during the day and then would plan on jeans/sweatshirts at night. Maybe 3 days I actually wore shorts.

As far as swimming goes, there were people in the pools. There was also a lot of steam coming off the pools. It was that cold. When the kids got out of the pool, they turned blue trying to dry off!!!

So, the temps were mid 70's-low 80's, at best, during the day. It was actually coolish in the shade. At night it went down to the 50's. Chilly if you were by a body of water!. The day we left, it was cold enough that I wore my heavy jacket and gloves waiting for the car to pick us up. If it's chilly and the wind picks up, layer those clothes.

 

[voodooboy]

I will just plan on bringing clothes for summer and fall type weather and possibly a windbreaker or light jacket. I appreciate your information and thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[AppleSister1]

We've gone around Christmas for several years. It's super unpredictable - we literally have been in mittens and layers of sweaters - but also in shorts. It can be SO cold in the morning - and warm up in the afternoon. Most of my family comes to WDW from NH, so they swim no matter what.

I suggest bringing long pants, a pair of shorts, and lots of stuff (t's, sweatshirts, sweaters) you can layer and peel off as necessary.

Hope that helps!

 

[padisneylover]

We went last year from Thanksgiving till the 2nd week Dec. Nearly froze several days due to temps that were highs in the 40's and very windy. Wished we had brought our winter coats from the north two days espically. Am going back this year and will pack for all three seasons. Hopefully that way it will be sunny and warm

 

[kel3420]

We have been to Disney in December several times, it is always a crap shoot (I just got back from Vegas, can you tell, lol)

Your best bet is to check the weather right before you go, but be prepared to bring clothes for both warm and cold weather.

We went one year and we ended up wearing our winter coats, and we are from Chicago. I also ended up doing laundry for the first time instead of buying more sweatshirts, lol.

It was COLD the first four days and then warmed up. The first nice day, I woke up early, went outside, woke everyone up, grabbed a quick bfast and headed off to BB to spend the day.

Have fun!

 

[BuzzMe]

This past Christmas was the first time in 5 years that I haven't had to wear my silk long johns at WDW! Be prepared-lots of layering pieces, hat, gloves.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Just went this past December (second week) and found it cool during day and night. I brought some shorts but I wore them 2 our the 8 days we were there. I didn't feel it was warm enough to swim but I did see people in the pool. If you go, make sure you bring a variety of clothing and dress in layers ... that way if you go to the parks during the day and stay into the night, you won't freeze

 

[siac]

it's unpredictable
in the morning 60
at noon 80
night 50,40,30

 

[voodooboy]

Thanks for all the input. I apprecite all of you taking the time to reply and provide information.

 

[goofy4tink]

A thought on packing...what we did was to wear our turtlenecks, sweatshirts, heavy socks and wind-breakers on the flight down. When we landed we stripped off the outer layer. Then, we had the heavier stuff with us for when it got colder but didn't have to worry about it taking up space in the baggage.

 

[Girlie Goofy]

In 2002, we spent two weeks in Orlando. It rained over 6 inches during that time. It was also cold and windy. I would strongly suggest a lined rain coat. If nothing else, this might be insurance for nice weather. We had been to Disney World in November twice before and had beautiful weather. We're from Wyoming, and are used to colder weather, bur the humidity can make it feel really colder than the air temperature. One nice thing about bad weather is that there are fewer people out and about!

 

[DemoBri1]

All I can say is prepare for anything weather wise at this time of year. We were there Dec 1-9, and we had highs ranging from the low 50's-mid/upper 70's. Although coming from Chicago where the temp was upper 20's with below zero WC, I still didn't mind wearing shorts for the most part.

It was really funny seeing the locals all bundled up in their gloves and winter coats on days when the temp was in the 60s.

 

[southernwingz]

We were there this past December from the 17th -22nd. I still can't believe how cold it was there. As if being cold weren't bad enough, it was unbelievably windy as well.

It was still a fantastic trip though!

 

[Steffy]

Originally posted by Girlie Goofy
In 2002, we spent two weeks in Orlando. It rained over 6 inches during that time. It was also cold and windy. I would strongly suggest a lined rain coat. If nothing else, this might be insurance for nice weather. We had been to Disney World in November twice before and had beautiful weather. We're from Wyoming, and are used to colder weather, bur the humidity can make it feel really colder than the air temperature. One nice thing about bad weather is that there are fewer people out and about!

Dec 2002... I remember walking through the MK with water rushing past my ankles. Wore out 3 ponchos that week.

I'm going back this December anyway!!

 

[LoveMickey]

We have gone the past 3 years - end of November beginning of December.

The very first time, was about 6 years ago, the weather was extremely warm. No long pant or sweathshirts at all.

2 years ago, was the rain year. But not too cold.

Last year we did the 4 day cruise, then 4 days at WDW. Sail away was a bit cool, we had long pants on and a light jacket. It was too cold to swim in the pool at the Radisson the day/night before the cruise.

Windy most of the time on the cruise, but warm enough for shorts/tank tops during the day. We swam at CC, although many did not at Serenity Bay.

First day back to WDW was beautiful, relaxed at the pool while doing laundry. There were some cool days and nights following.

So to sum up, be prepared for both weathers. But you'll see reduced crowds.

Have fun.

 

[WDWLVR]

As others have said it can really range from warm and sunny to very cold. We were there this past December and we did swimming one day. We were there in December of '02 and scraped frost off the car.