Worried about December weather...

[Snow Shoe]

We were there this past Christmas and the weather changed radically! We arrived on 12/25 and it was cool during the day. As the week went on, it warmed up to mid -upper 70's. During NYE night a cold front came through and the next morning it it was cold. NYD the wind was blowing hard, and it was overcast and misty. That night they issued a hard freeze warning for Orlando and it was COLD the next morning!!! I beleive at BWV the temp that morning was 28 degrees. Burrrrrrrrr!

 

[Ziggie]

Some add'l info:

Dec, Jan + Feb are our coldest months of the year. It can get chilly! We've worn jackets and gloves on some of our Christmas trips and lightweight sweaters on others. 72 degrees will feel warm to someone who is experiencing snow and cold winter weather.

As I said up above, hotel pools can be closed for refurbishing (call ahead). Also, Blizzard Beach has been known to close for refurbishment during the entire month of December.

 

[buzznina]

I lived in Orlando for 18 years and like everyone has said the weather can really bounce around temperature rise. Also, let me tell you that if it gets in the 40's or low 50's, with Orlando's humidity it feels colder then the temperature. I always had my sisters complain to me when I said it was cold in the 40's until they came to visit and realized that their wind breaker type jacket was not warm enough

 

[tinawv]

As most posters have stated it is a gamble. We went in December of 2003, and there was only one day that we didn't have to wear a coat. I think that it was one of their more colder December's. Even if it is cool and you decide you can't take the pools, you can always enjoy the hot tub.

 

[cfknight]

We did WDW the second week of DEC. last year. We live in KY so it was pretty cold. Well we made the mistake of packing winter clothes! The weather was mid to upper 80's ALL WEEK LONG! Not a drop of rain.

 

[imsorry]

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!

We were there around the same time: December 10-December 15, 2007. We swam every day and the night we went to see the Osborne lights it was around 65 degrees. I had packed a sweatshirt, but I never needed it.

 

[bsbrady]

IMHO December, especially the first 2 weeks of December , is the best time of year to go. You get all the Holiday decorations, the special holiday events the weather is usually nice. The good thing is, when its 80 degrees in December there usually is no humidity.

When I was there this past December (6th-16th) It was 81-83 degrees everyday and no rain. We couldnt have asked for better weather.

You can always check the weather forecast a few days before you go and pack accordingly.