What is it really like...

[lovemickeya]

What is it really like at WDW in December?

We are going the first part of December and I am not sure what I need to be getting myself prepared for Weather wise.

Is it going to be raining, cold, mild or hot? As you can tell I have never been at Christmas time before.

My husband says it will be hot- shorts & Tshirt- My friend says We will need sweatshirt and windpants and my DS7 seems to think because it will be Christmas that we will need gloves, scarf. and coat. So I am confused on what essentials I need to be getting together here and there.

I understand it is Mother Nature and there are no answers set in stone- Just needing so pointers.

TIA

 

[Mom21]

I live in South Florida and we usually go to Disney sometime around the first 2 weeks of Dec. I have been when it is in the high 80's and able to swim. I have been several times where it was in the 30's at night with a wind that cuts right through you. All I can say is that you will have to wait until a day or so before you go to pack. It really can go either way. No way of knowing down here. There is no consistancy.

 

[wickey's friend]

We've been to WDW seven times in December. And, Mom21 is right -- it can go either way. The first time we went, we wore jeans, long sleeves and jackets one day, then shorts and sweated the next. One time we went, we wore heavy coats, gloves and hats for a few days.

But, even though that year was excrutiatingly cold -- think 29 degrees walking into MGM at 9 a.m. -- we didnt' care. We were at Disney World!!!!!

 

[The Mayor]

I've been 3 times in Dec. and all 3 were 75-85 during the day and 65-70 at night...but I have heard of colder days and nights from others.

 

[lovethattink]

Basically, layers are a must. Mornings and evenings can get down right chilly, with day time temps being quite warm.

 

[Jenn]

We went the first week of Dec in 2003. It was in the high 70's low 80's during the day, but we needed a sweatshirt and sometimes pants for mornings and evenings. Low humidity. The weather was perfect! I have heard of people needing winter coats and gloves, but we lucked out when we went.

 

[lovemickeya]

Thank you all for your advice and replies. We are in TEXAS so it doesnt get COLD here until January-for the most part. (Of course there have been exceptions to this). So I was trying to decide if I needed to purchase winter coats before we left or if it could wait until we return (Christmas).

So Thanks again- I will just have to wait until closer to time to leave and check with Weather.com for that area and see what the forcast is. Thanks again

 

[Tracey1974]

We are going the first week in Dec as well and I am going nuts waiting for 10 days prior so I can check the weather channel's 10 day forecast!

 

[liamsaunt]

We were there first week of December last year and the weather varied widely. Some days it was hot enough for shorts and t-shirts. Other days we started off with a light sweater in the morning removed later in the day. And then there was the night of our Illuminations cruise--FREEZING! We ended up buying hats and gloves to wear on the boat, and we were all bundled under blankets. And we're from MA, so we are not weather wusses!

 

[figment52]

I live in South Florida and we usually go to Disney sometime around the first 2 weeks of Dec. I have been when it is in the high 80's and able to swim. I have been several times where it was in the 30's at night with a wind that cuts right through you. All I can say is that you will have to wait until a day or so before you go to pack. It really can go either way. No way of knowing down here. There is no consistancy.

I packed for layering. Even checking the extended forecast before I go has not solved the problem. I have been in monsoons to just above freezing to dry sunny and low 90's.

December is very unpredictable.

 

[disneymama73]

It's terrible. I hate it. Pay no mind to my ticker.








Hey. Stop looking at my ticker!

We pack a little bit of everything. Shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, capris. It is my favorite time of year, but the only thing downside is having to overpack a bit. Doesn't bother me though.

 

[mrsv98]

I agree with layers. We were there during that time two years ago and the temp can be chilly in the early am and again if you are out late for Illuminations, etc. We had one 36 hour rainy period but the rest of the time was sunny. We swam many times and it was great!

 

[pearlieq]

The weather is a complete crapshoot. We've had sunny, rainy, 40's and 80's. There's is no predicting.

The crowds are not as low as you might expect. The secret is out.

 

[mrsv98]

The crowds are not as low as you might expect. The secret is out.

ITA. We were shocked at the crowd size on some days and MVMCP was packed!

 

[luvwinnie]

I was there once in Jan. and it was LOVELY...70s to 80...at night we needed light jackets.

 

[lovemickeya]

The crowds are not as low as you might expect. The secret is out.[/QUOTE

O Please don't tell me that - just something else for me to ponder. LOL Just Kidding.

I am the biggest Mickey Fan- Whole Kitchen is Mickey from top to bottom (Dh Just loves it -haha) So I am just THRILLED to be going.

I am just concerned with packing- I dont want to look like an unfit mother because my kids are in Shorts and no coats.

Thanks again for all the help

 

[geffric]

I was there last year early December and one day it rained and was chilly. I had a sweatshirt and a wind breaker, jeans and very thin gloves at MVMCP. I am going again this year and planning on bringing the same type of layers. Maybe zip off pants could be good..

 

[Towncrier]

I've been to WDW for the first week in December for the past 5 years. There were times when I wore a sweatshirt and was way too hot. There were other times that I wore shorts and a t-shirt and nearly froze to death. I can recall one evening going back to my room, turning on the television, and hearing the weatherman refer to "wind chill", a term that I had never heard in Florida. That night it got down to 32 degrees. Downright chilly.

My wife came down to meet me at WDW in 2004 and regretted wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt as she got off the plane in Orlando. By that evening, she was glad that she had dressed warmly.

I think that the "layers" advice is the best plan for December.