What to take in December?

[TigerCheer2009]

Okay. I admit it. I'm a WDW novice who pushed her trip back until December 2006. I'll be staying at Pop Century. What would be some good things to have (like sunscreen, will we need it?, or portable fans, will it still be hot/warm out? Anything over 67 degrees is hot, over 80 is a scorcher) I need to know this because I'm gonna give Tinkerbell gifts to my family.

What would you liked to have had on your trip?

 

[zurgswife]

If you go in Dec you need to take a little of everything....I have worn shorts and gone swimming in Dec (I hate cold so trust me it was very warm), then I've also had to wear a winter jacket.

Two years ago Christmas week was in the 50's and then the next week New Years was in the high 80's....You just never know with December and Florida...

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks, zurgswife!

So would these be appropriate:
Tee shirts
Jeans/cotton pants
Shorts
Sweatshirts
Bathing suits
Winter coats

That's just like Ohio weather!

Does it usually rain in December?

 

[babar41]

I agree, you never know what December will have in store for you. It can be cold (with frost!) or hot and muggy. There can be sunshine galore or rain. But regardless of what the weather it will be beautiful because you are at DIsney World! I would suggest the following:

jeans
shorts
t-shirts
fleece
sweatshirts
light weight jackets
heaverier jackets
umbrellas or ponchos
sun screen
swim suits
heavy socks
2 pair of tennies shoes (1 to dry out after the rain)
sandels

We are going in December this year, it has been a couple of years since we were there in Dec. Last 2 years have been Nov. November seems to have too may hot days for me. Don't forget to go to MVMCP! You will love it!

 

[meier56013]

I would also recommend light weight gloves and hats for everyone. We were there last year the 2nd week of December and we wore hats and gloves every night with our winter coats. It was warmer that week at home in Minnesota then it was in WDW!!

 

[DebbieB]

We've gone the last 7 years in early December and the only major rain we hit was in 2002, there were fronts that stalled over Florida twice that week that caused 24 hour straight hard rain.

The temps do vary widely. In 2003, we wore our winter coats and gloves on some nights. Last year, it was low 80's everyday and you just needed a light jacket or sweater for evening, if that.

 

[sunny04]

I would suggest you keep an eye on the weather when it gets closer to time too. Last Christmas we were freezing one or two of the days, with actual freezing temps. at night. We were layered with as many layers of clothes as would fit on us! But then, a couple of the days on the same trip it was 70+. Two years ago at Christmas it was warm the whole time, chilly at night with light jackets. Plan to take a little of everything, but as it gets closer decide which thing you need more of. If you get there are need more warm clothes, darn, you'll just have to buy some neat disney clothes!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Alrighty then-
Packing list from Babar (Thanks x a million!)

jeans
shorts
t-shirts
fleece
sweatshirts
light weight jackets
heaverier jackets
umbrellas or ponchos
sun screen
swim suits
heavy socks
2 pair of tennies shoes (1 to dry out after the rain)
sandels

Plus:
lightweight gloves and hats (thank you, meier56013!)

And if needed be:
Ponchos (thanks, DebbieB and sunny04)
Disney clothes!!! (sunny04, thanks for the ideas!)

Since when did Ohio all the time and Florida winter switch climates? Cold/warm/dry/wet/snow/rain/ice/sun! That could be in a week! Holy cow!

Thank you again!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

It's all about LAYERS!! You've got to be ready to freeze at night and sweat during the day. It's just the way it is. You should be prepared for rain, but Dec is the dry season in Florida so I wouldn't be as concerned as I would be if I were going in the summer, when you can set your watch to the 3 pm showers every day! Have fun!!!

 

[DebbieB]

Watch the forecasts carefully before you go so you don't overpack (which I always seem to do....). If you see the daytime temps will not be above 70, I would skip the shorts or only pack a couple. If you see daytime temps will be around 80, then you only need a couple sweatshirts & pairs of jeans. Of course, you can get the year with both and then have to pack a little of everything!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks Laugh O. Grams! I live in Ohio, so layers are one of those required things! Extreme at both ends of the weather spectrum, I guess.

DebbieB-I am a notorious over packer! I'll check the weather, but DISboards seem to be more knowledgable than the weather for right now. They'd probably direct me to Hong Kong disneyworld or something, I don't know! Thanks!!!!!

 

[cranbiz]

You absolutly need to pack for anything.

The weather can be as low as 30-40 and as high as 80-90. Don't forget sunscreen, just because it's December, doesn't mean that you won't get burned.

I'm from Mass and last year I was comfortable with just a sweatshirt at night but in 2003 was wishing for gloves and a winter coat. It was mostly shorts during the day with a qiuck trip back to the room for pants before going to dinner.

If you are planning on spending the entire day at the parks, bring a change of clothes for cooler weather and rent a locker to store your stuff in.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

We'll probably be going back to the room midday. So that'll make use of the good ol' scout motto: Be Prepared!

So sunscreen WILL be needed? Thanks for that tip.

 

[Merriwind]

I once read or heard some amusing advice about WDW weather in December and January. Take a die (or any cube). Write on your die--one to each side--30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s. Roll your die once for each day you will be at WDW. The results of your rolls will be the temperatures you will experience.

We've been there a lot in Dec and Jan. Love the weather, but the temperatures are unpredictable. It is definitely chilly--and sometimes downright cold--in the mornings and evenings. Daytimes can be warm, pleasant or chilly.

I second the vote for gloves. They are expensive at the parks! I know this because DD and I bought two pair at AK last January!

I don't remember much rain--if any--during our visits in the cooler months. Plus, winter is definitely the dry season in FL. So, you may be safe from that.

Enjoy--December is a great time to visit WDW!

 

[Rachel78]

We go every January and the weather can be unpredictable. One year (2002) it was in the 30's every day and we had expected it to be warm. We were huddled together, wore layers of clothes, and drank hot choc all day. Then, the last two years (2003 and 2004), the weather has been great 70's and dipping into the 50's or 60's at night. You definitely need a jacket and gloves for the evenings, possibly a blanket for the fireworks show. It can get cold just sitting there.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks, zurgswife!

So would these be appropriate:
Tee shirts
Jeans/cotton pants
Shorts
Sweatshirts
Bathing suits
Winter coats

That's just like Ohio weather!

Does it usually rain in December?

When we went in Dec. 2004, we were in long sleeved shirts and jeans most days, occasionaly t shirts and jeans. I'd say it was around the 50's/60's most days also. One day it got up around 80. It's best to pack a variety of clothes and dress in layers.

We had rain maybe one day and it was not too bad.

 

[FSUGrad97]

It's all about LAYERS!! You've got to be ready to freeze at night and sweat during the day. It's just the way it is. You should be prepared for rain, but Dec is the dry season in Florida so I wouldn't be as concerned as I would be if I were going in the summer, when you can set your watch to the 3 pm showers every day! Have fun!!!

I could not have said it better!

In fact, there have been many times where I have left for work and it is in the 40's, but warms up to the mid-seventies by lunchtime. While rain is not as predictable as it is in the summer, keep in mind that after it rains in December, it can get chilly (which is probably relative, since I think anything under 60 is parka weather ).

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Merriwind-I'll try that! It'd be a crack up if it were true, but horrible if it weren't! Thanks! (Note to self: bring ponchos JIC but we may not use!)

Rachel-Thanks for the advice! Hopefully the awful weather (wink wink) will be a respite!

EsmeX-Will do. Thanks for the tips. My family know this: Pack for everything and wear whatcha need! We've learned from experience!! (BTW, like the sig pic!)

FSUGrad97-Wow!! Didn't know that! That's warm in the winter! Thank you!