What to wear in the park in december??

hanksgirl

Earning My Ears
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Jul 16, 2013
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35
We are going in December and I have never been to Disneyworld or Florida ever !! So what to wear?? Shoes?? Clothes?? Jacket? Kids clothes for my daughter?? My hubby? I have watched a lot of YouTube videos and read alot but I wanna talk to people who have gone and are planning to go now!!
 
We went two years ago in December and are going in December again this year. Last time, I wore jeans and short sleeve shirts. I took one long sleeve shirt and a fleece pullover that I wore mostly in the mornings and evenings although there was one day that I wore it all day.

I had actually wished that I had packed a pair of gloves. My hands were often cold. I do plan on taking gloves this year.

Now that being said, from what I understand, the weather varies quite a bit and can get warm. I guess my recommendation would be to watch the forecast and keep checking the ten-day forecast before you pack!
 
:) October -December are weird and tricky months in central Florida. Like our weather in coastal Mississippi it ranges from shorts to jackets in a matter of hours. I have been to WDW and worn capris, then the next trip almost froze to death. Your best bet is to dress in layers. I would check the weather reports the day or two before you leave to see how heavy the jackets need to be. I always take a light jacket for our fall trips.

We were there the end of October, first of November last year and my picks in front of castle are me in a skort but with my jacket and Mickey scarf. DH is in his heavy fleece Everest jacket. Then two weeks from that folks were maybe walking around in shorts.
 
We normally go to Disney in December, we've been around 10 times now. We have gotten all different kinds of weather. We have had weeks where it was in the 80s and only got down to the upper 60s at night and we have had weeks where it didn't get above 60 some days and it was in the 40s at night (cold when you are outside for hours at a theme park).

My best advice is to watch the weather before your trip and pack from there. The weather will at least tell you if you should pack heavier on winter or summer clothing. I would bring a little bit of everything though despite what the weather says. I would bring warm jackets for everyone and hats and mittens. If your daughter is still using a stroller bring a lightweight fleece blanket for waiting for nighttime entertainment.

My typical December packing list is the following:
2 pairs of pants (in addition to the pair I wear on the plane)-wear in the parks at night.
2 pairs of capris-for park day wear
2 pairs of shorts-for park day wear
5 tee shirts-one for everyday in the park
3 long sleeve tees- to wear over my tee shirt in the morning while its chilly
2 sweatshirts-for evenings
1 medium weight jacket- to wear on cold evenings (this would be my 30 to 50 degree jacket, normally a soft shell northface)
Winter Hat
Winter Gloves
Scarf

We normally go for 5 nights with 4 park days. If it looks like its going to be a warm week I bring my swim suit because the pools are heated :thumbsup2 I bring sandals but normally just wear sneakers in the parks, my feet get cold!
 

My best advice is to watch the weather before your trip and pack from there. The weather will at least tell you if you should pack heavier on winter or summer clothing. I would bring a little bit of everything though despite what the weather says. I would bring warm jackets for everyone and hats and mittens. If your daughter is still using a stroller bring a lightweight fleece blanket for waiting for nighttime entertainment.

Agreed. I haven't been to Disney in December for um, decades, but I did grow up in Florida. Definitely check those weather forecasts as your vacation gets closer!

In addition to that:
I don't know if you normally pack away all your summer stuff when fall hits, but if you do, be sure to leave out enough shorts and t-shirts for your trip, in case the forecast is for warm temps.
Even if the longer range forecast isn't for warm, be sure to pack at least 1 bathing suit per person. Bathing suits don't take up much room in suitcases, and weather forecasts can be wrong. (Likewise with the shorts & t-shirts, though not having a t-shirt along can be a great excuse to purchase a new overpriced Disney tee, which can make an awesome souvenir!)
Even if the forecast is for all warm temps, bring a light jacket if you tend to feel chilly. Personally, I could survive any week in Florida without a jacket, but there are times it is nice to have.
You will get different advice on footwear. Comfy sneakers should work out well in December, unless you get them wet. I like to have crocs & socks along as well, but not everyone likes that look. :blush:
 
My family and I went to Disney this past Christmas. We arrived on December 21st and stayed until the 28th. I checked the weather forecast the day before we left and packed appropriately, and it worked out well. Too bad for us it was quite chilly, but luckily we're from Illinois, so it was easy to be well prepared. Our first night there, we needed winter coats, hats, and gloves, and for the first time in all my Disney adventures, we made it inside as much as possible to keep WARM! There were several mornings when we saw frost on the ground, and during the day it barely got into the 70's. Until our last day. Which was a half day. It was beautiful and in the 80's for our visit to DTD! :upsidedow
 
As unhelpful as this sounds, pack a little of everything. Shorts, pants, long sleeved tops, short sleeve tops, sandals, tennis shoes, socks, gloves, a swimsuit and a light jacket. If you are used to cooler weather, it may well feel like shorts weather to you.

December in Florida is unpredictable. Early mornings and nights can be quite cold. But during the day, it can get quite warm.

I live in South Florida and for a December trip, I'd pack jeans, capris, tshirts, a tank top, a sweat shirt, a sweater, a jacket and gloves. For some reason, my hands always get cold.

Most resorts have laundry facilities, so if you need to wash clothes, you can.
 
Yes...............you have to bring a little of everything and plan on donning and removing layers.

Also.........part of your trip could be warm and then you could have a couple days of cold weather.

Some days could be calm and others be windy.

It is a little bit of a pain because you have to actually bring more clothes than if it was "just warm" or "just cold" for your trip.

Edit- Are you driving or flying to WDW? That can impact what you bring with you and if you may have to do a quick load of laundry!
 
We were at WDW in mid-December this past year and the weather changed wildly by the day and sometimes by the hour. Our first day was warm in the morning, then torrential downpour from 2pm on...(note: dollar store ponchos are useless in this kind of rain).
The next few days were downright chilly, requiring sweatshirts (I saw many wearing hats and gloves...but I wouldn't go that far...it wasn't THAT cold, but I come from a cold climate so it seemed nice to me actually, lol)...then more warm-ish but windy rainy days, then on our last day it was sunny, hot, humid...too hot actually...so I would pack a bit of everything...there was never a day that we couldn't manage with shorts and sweatshirts but if you don't like the cold I would pack some leggings, windpants, etc...something light weight and easy to pack. And I would say that good rain ponchos are a worthwhile investment :)...and one day, I will actually remember the stroller rain cover! have a great trip!
 
I live in Wisconsin so we are use to the cold!! I also wear skirts all the time so wearing shoes in my issue!! What to wear that's cute and comfy!! I know it not a fashion show by I still wanna look nice for pics!! We are flying down also!!
 
Since you are from WI, you may be adapted to the colder season by then, but still check the forecast a few days before to make sure that FL isn't going to experience anything extreme, like record cold or heat or a huge storm.

As many have mentioned, you will need a little of everything. Of all my December trips, I never needed a winter jacket, but at nights, a few times I did have to double up on a t-shirt under a long sleeve under a hoodie. I took off the hoodie when I was inside. I met some Canadians who only had shorts on but had a jacket, they said it was cold, but not that bad.

During some days, it was warm enough to swim.

If I were to guess, I think you can safely assume you won't need a down/winter jacket. I would pack a medium jacket and a zip-up/hoodie/wind breaker since that would give you 2 types of outer wear that offer a different level of warmness and you can double up if it's too cold. A knit hat and gloves are small and will help if the weather gets too chilly at night.
 














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