Worried about December weather...

[mcgill93]

I am so excited!!! We are planning a December trip to catch the holiday decorations! I am still trying to decide on a resort, but am worried that we won't be able to use the pools due to the weather. I have only been to Disney in May and October, so can someone tell me what their weather experience has been? Thanks so much!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

You will get a wide variety of responses on December weather because....December weather in Orlando is completely unpredictable!

You could have warm days (80s) with cool mornings, or you could have mornings near freezing with afternoons in the 40s or 50s. Or you could have a little of both, or something in between.

Just pack a little of everything (including bathing suits!).

 

[Ziggie]

For the most part, you won't find Floridians swimming in pools in December. However, that doesn't mean that others might not enjoy it.

Also, I've found that the winter months is when they refurbish pools on many properties. We've been to WDW dozens of times during the Christmas holidays when pools were closed. So, it may not even be an issue. I would contact the hotel you select shortly before leaving to check and see if the pool will in fact be open.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We're going in December to see the holiday decorations. I'm bringing a bathing suit but I'm not counting on pool weather. If we can go in the pool one day I'll look at it as a bonus. I've never been in December before but I've been in January many times and always been able to get into the pool at least once while there.

 

[ciera321]

We were at DW in December a few years ago and the weather was mixed. Of our 6 days, there were 5 nice, sunny days in the upper 70s and the evenings were a bit chilly. One day only reached 50, evening temps in the low 40s and breezy. My DH and DS did swim on the nice days, but I wasn't that brave... We just took clothes that we could layer and stored our jackets in lockers. I can't wait to go back this December for all the Christmas festivities!!!!

 

[dmslush]

We were there from late december through early january for our wedding/honeymoon. The weather was all over the place. Some days it was hot and we were in shorts. The night before the wedding, we were in hats, gloves, and coats. The day of the wedding (which was outside on January 3rd), the temperature was in the 30s/40s and I was told that the wind was blowing 20-30 miles per hour. All I know is it was COLD COLD COLD, I thought I would freeze to death in my dress. I wore a coat between photos LOL

 

[suzimar57]

i guess i'll be packing jeans/shorts, along with t-shirts/sweatshirts for our week in december - maybe even toss in a pair of gloves, too....

 

[dmslush]

i guess i'll be packing jeans/shorts, along with t-shirts/sweatshirts for our week in december - maybe even toss in a pair of gloves, too....

I would definately take a pair of gloves. It won't take much room in your luggage and they are expensive in the parks!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We went this last Christmas and we "tried" the pool once...my daughter and husband went in, I opted to stay out.

The weather was a variation of EVERYTHING. Our first 2 days had highs of 50's....we thought it was nice because we're from Wisconsin. That's "car washin' weather" to us.

We had some 80 degree days in there and some 70 degree days in there also. I would pack everything.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

When we went, we actually had to order hot chocolate at Sea World because the high temp was 50 one day w/ a breeze. We also wore gloves. The other 6 days seemed to be steady at 69-70 degrees which felt so much better. I loved all of the holiday decorations......December was a pretty time of year. We went the first week in Dec. a few years back.

 

[tiger4me2]

My suggestion like most others pack in layers. This past December when we were there was hot like it was in September. Hardly any rain. We didn't pack a bathing suit nor did we care. Some years it can be darn right cold & I mean cold. So our winter coats & scarves came in handly along with the gloves. But it beat snow, ice & temps below 10 lol Have fun it is a great time to go.

 

[Taja]

I can vouch for variable weather in December.

In December 2003 (about mid-month), weather was mostly nice with warm days and cooler evenings/mornings. One night was downright cold, and one day wet and dreary.

In December 2004 (beginning of month), it mostly was warm, with cooler evenings. The breeze could be quite cutting at night, though, particularly on the parking lot trams.

In December 2007 (9th - 17th). it was very warm--no jackets at all, and even my southern California friends went swimming during the day--until three days before we left. Temperature dropped slowly the first two days, then on departure day it was 35 degrees at 1:00 p.m.! *eek*

Definitely pack a pair of gloves and some kind of hat--one of those knitted watchcaps or whatever they're called. I carry a cheap one--about $1.50 at WalMart!

 

[suzimar57]

ok - packing a hat, too.

 

[7165red]

We were the last Dec. 22-29 and used the pool everyday. It was heated of course. The pool a AKL was going strong. The year before it was a little cooler but we still used the pool. You really have to be ready for anything but with heated pools I think you'll be alright. The kid never have a problem with the weather. If it is cool they are wearing shorts and flip flops it's funny but they are enjoying themselves.

 

[bsbrady]

I have been to Disney the last 3 decembers, I have gone swimming on all trips. All the pools are heated between 81 & 85 degrees. But we have always had great weather

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

I am so excited!!! We are planning a December trip to catch the holiday decorations! I am still trying to decide on a resort, but am worried that we won't be able to use the pools due to the weather. I have only been to Disney in May and October, so can someone tell me what their weather experience has been? Thanks so much!

We are from Mass. and we were swimming everday in late December. The pools are heated and the weather was fine.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

I am so excited!!! We are planning a December trip to catch the holiday decorations! I am still trying to decide on a resort, but am worried that we won't be able to use the pools due to the weather. I have only been to Disney in May and October, so can someone tell me what their weather experience has been? Thanks so much!

The weather is GREAT in December. In the past 6 years that my son & I have been going to DisneyWorld yearly, we have only gone one other time & that was in June. You will love the weather. This past December 2007, it was 80-90 all week long. It never rained once. Mostly every other year it has been about 70-80, cool nights, but GREAT weather. The pools are heated as well, so don't worry, HAVE FUN !!!!!

 

[roxy83]

When we went two or three years ago in December it was cold and rainy half the week. The other half was warmer but not swimming weather. Just for reference I am from Maryland and can "deal" with chillier weather. We wore jeans, tshirts, sweatshirts, etc. In otherwords, December in Florida means layering.

 

[MagicalEars]

The pools are heated so that's not the problem, it's getting OUT of the pool that can cause issues.

Other than that, follow everyone's suggestions and pack a little of everything. It may be in the 60's and you'll see all the warm weather folk dressed in hats, gloves, scarfs and such. Meanwhile those of us used to colder weather in Dec will be like "HEAT WAVE!".

 

[chickenskin]

We usually luck out with the weather, but we were at WL this past Dec. and here's the view from our room.

Sorry I couldn't resist, actually this past Dec. we swam every day.