What do you wear in December?

[Rory607]

We have been to Disney in basically every season except winter and now have our first Christmas break trip planned. I’m used to packing for heat with a hoodie for cool mornings/evenings. Do we need coats? I was thinking maybe packable puffer jackets? Do we need all pants or should we pack some shorts? I have a feeling I’ll be fine in pants as I only wear shorts if it’s over 80, but I’m not sure about the rest of the family.

 

[shoegal9]

As a Floridian I can tell you.... it is a crap shoot. Could be 95. Could be 35. Pack for everything (i.e. layers).

ETA: When it's cold here, it feels colder than the cold in the north because of the humidity. I am originally from Michigan and there are days down here in the low 60s with wind that feel colder than Michigan in the 40s or 50s because of the dampness.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

We did a Christmas trip a few years ago, we were fine with a sweatshirt for the mornings/late nights, shorts and t-shirts otherwise.

During January trips, we wore long pants once.

I tend to visit my parents in gulf coast area AL for Christmas these days. Definitely shorts and sandals most of the time.

I'd keep an eye on the 10 day forecast while you're packing just in case there's a cold spell. Do you have Columbia/Eddie Bauer type fleece/waterproof shell combos? Those are useful if you're not sure about cold weather. Or if there is a risk of freezing temps.

 

[AussieFan8]

We were there last Thanksgiving week when the lows were around 50 some days. I did end up wearing my packable puffer jacket one night and was glad I had it. We were in the parks until midnight that night, so it felt pretty cold by the end. There were also a couple days that week I wore shorts. I packed one pair of shorts, multiple pants, a lighter jacket, and my packable puffer and was glad I had all of it. I also had t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts. It was the first time I got a locker most days we were in the parks so I could bring a small backpack with the jacket(s) in it and not have to carry them around if I didn't need them, plus it was a place to put souvenirs since you can't ship to resorts/front of park anymore.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Fleece vest and jacket and a roll up travel jacket all in black. We'll be there for three weeks in November/December and all pieces will go with everything. I bring thin fleece black gloves (good especially at EPCOT at night) and a couple seasonal scarfs in cotton, linen or silk. With 3/4 sleeve black tee shirts and jeans, I can make an outfit and just add ears LOL!

Landsend has a wicked good deal online right now with no minimum shipping! Happy shopping!

 

[Rory607]

We were there last Thanksgiving week when the lows were around 50 some days. I did end up wearing my packable puffer jacket one night and was glad I had it. We were in the parks until midnight that night, so it felt pretty cold by the end. There were also a couple days that week I wore shorts. I packed one pair of shorts, multiple pants, a lighter jacket, and my packable puffer and was glad I had all of it. I also had t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts. It was the first time I got a locker most days we were in the parks so I could bring a small backpack with the jacket(s) in it and not have to carry them around if I didn't need them, plus it was a place to put souvenirs since you can't ship to resorts/front of park anymore.

We’ve never rented a locker before, but that is a great idea for the coats. You are confirming my feeling that we need a little bit of everything, which is going to be a challenge for me. I have an overpacking problem

 

[AussieFan8]

We’ve never rented a locker before, but that is a great idea for the coats. You are confirming my feeling that we need a little bit of everything, which is going to be a challenge for me. I have an overpacking problem

You can do this! I managed to get all of that in carry-on only for a 6 day trip!

 

[Carol_]

We’ve never rented a locker before, but that is a great idea for the coats. You are confirming my feeling that we need a little bit of everything, which is going to be a challenge for me. I have an overpacking problem

No need overpack. Pack 1/2 a suitcase. Bring medications, apples, and a credit card. Buy warm souvenir clothes as needed. Don’t pay WDW prices for fruit, and the $ you save will cover the costs.

 

[AnnaS]

We have had to wear hats, scarves and gloves in October yet one December and January trip, we were able to wear shorts and sit by the pool. I would check the 10 day forecast before leaving.

 

[Rory607]

No need overpack. Pack 1/2 a suitcase. Bring medications, apples, and a credit card. Buy warm souvenir clothes as needed. Don’t pay WDW prices for fruit, and the $ you save will cover the costs.

Lol. We were there in the spring and it got chilly partway through the week. They were rolling out those carts with $65 sweatshirts as soon as the temps dropped!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Fleece vest

In case just your torso gets cold.

 

[DVCjj]

I ALWAYS pack a scarf and Dollar Tree gloves (I actually use on freezing planes so always in my tote anyway).
I never go on a Dec trip without Uniqlo Heat Tech long sleeve liners. One in White and one in Black. They pack to practically "nothing" and can be layered with every top I bring if need be.
Hands down....best piece of clothing I've ever owned.

Been at Disney Dec trips where it's 75 and about 8 years ago it was 29 (yep, 29 at Grand Floridian....colder than back home).
Just kept layering and layering in the parks. I come from the Midwest so I have a packable puffer coat when leaving and coming, never expecting to wear at Disney but occasionally we sure do.

 

[pixiegoose]

December is our favorite time to go and we pack a bit of everything! Most of the time we’re good in shorts and t-shirts during the day, with a long sleeve or sweatshirt for early morning/night but there have been days we’ve needed long pants and sweatshirts all day. But even when it’s “cold” there, it’s still usually warmer than home in MA.

 

[MICKIMINI]

In case just your torso gets cold.

I leave my flanned lined llbean chinos at home LOL!

 

[nw6675]

We had a Nov trip with flurries...and I don't mean at MGM at the time . It was soooo cold that trip.

 

[MamaMermaid]

As a Floridian I can tell you.... it is a crap shoot. Could be 95. Could be 35. Pack for everything (i.e. layers).

ETA: When it's cold here, it feels colder than the cold in the north because of the humidity. I am originally from Michigan and there are days down here in the low 60s with wind that feel colder than Michigan in the 40s or 50s because of the dampness.

Floridian here too. This is the answer. You never know what to expect.

 

[ElenaRN]

Like everyone else has said.. it varies greatly. We were there in early Dec 2011 and were in T shirts most days and hoodies a few days.
We were there in mid Nov 2017 and I had on my winter jacket at night as it was in the 40s.

 

[Specter]

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but make sure that what you have can be layered and at least the outermost layer can be easily removed but is also comfortable to carry. When it is cold but then you go inside for a ride they sometimes have that heat going and it can get stifling pretty fast.

 

[tinkerjo]

We went Christmas week 7 years ago and it was a heat wave! We wore shorts all week and were in the pool daily. There was an evening or 2 we needed a light hoodie but we’re in shorts and t-shirt the next morning at rope drop. We got lucky I guess. Our favorite time to go is late February and have luckily always had perfect weather also. I do just watch the projected forecast and mostly pack last minute and preparing for at least a few cool nights even if it’s not projected.

 

[Shellyred8]

We start watching the forecast about a week out from the trip and then plan our packing based on that. As the Floridian's have mentioned, the weather can be all over the board! We were there one year in December and it was low 80's and glorious the entire trip. That was probably the best weather we've ever had on a WDW trip. But there was also a year when we where there in December and it was in the 40's and 50's and "misty" for several days. I hate being cold and wet, so that trip was a little miserable, as you just couldn't get away from always feeling "damp".