Question for December travelers!

need2go2wdw

Active Member
I am planning a trip for this fall with some friends. We've gone in Oct many times, but they want to go when it is a bit cooler. We really want to go during the festive holiday season so we can enjoy the Christmas party at MK. I've only been to WDW once in Dec, it was a one day thing as we passed through. I live in Florida, but have only been here for one December so far so I don't have many years to compare weather trends, and I live in SW FL, so it's a little hotter here sometimes then Orlando anyway.

So, my question for those of you who may have an annual track record for visiting WDW in early Dec is, what is the temp generally like? We're trying to figure out if it's worth it to trade being able to swim and visit a water park for the holiday decor and MK party. We are trying to decide between AKL and BC, but would only spend the extra DVC points on BC for the use of Stormalong Bay. If it's typically too cold, I would rather use less points and stay at AKL.

Thanks for any advice! :wave:
 

bbt_sea

New Member
December Travel to the Magic

My family and I love WDW and visited February 2010 and December 9-23rd 2010.Although we had a great time both visits were FREEZING COLD.
During December we left a snowy England and arrived to very cold Florida .We had packed thermal underclothes/hats/scarves/gloves/winter clothing and we needed them.
We are used to cold weather so had lots of FUN but at times after being outside for hours we had had enough.We did have 4 sunny days and went to BLIZZARD Beach on those 4 sunny days, Temp around 72, but to us Brits that is fine there was only 8 of us in the park.
On the evening we went to see MVMXP it was soooooo cold.We sat and waited for a show to start and they announced it was to cold for the dancers to dance.We went back to the town hall and asked for new tickets for another night.
We have rebooked for 2012 but are playing it safe and going for Easter.
Good Luck it is cold but go wrapped up xxxxx
 
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disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
I am planning a trip for this fall with some friends. We've gone in Oct many times, but they want to go when it is a bit cooler. We really want to go during the festive holiday season so we can enjoy the Christmas party at MK. I've only been to WDW once in Dec, it was a one day thing as we passed through. I live in Florida, but have only been here for one December so far so I don't have many years to compare weather trends, and I live in SW FL, so it's a little hotter here sometimes then Orlando anyway.

So, my question for those of you who may have an annual track record for visiting WDW in early Dec is, what is the temp generally like? We're trying to figure out if it's worth it to trade being able to swim and visit a water park for the holiday decor and MK party. We are trying to decide between AKL and BC, but would only spend the extra DVC points on BC for the use of Stormalong Bay. If it's typically too cold, I would rather use less points and stay at AKL.



Thanks for any advice! :wave:


This is hard to answer because it can change so much. In dec 2006 my dh and I were at wdw dor a week and it was sooooo freaking hot and humid! So in nov of 2008, when we were there for a week in november, I didn't even bring coats...and it was freezing!! I bought mittens it was so cold! So those are extremes as they are not usually the temps duuring that time. So even if you go off the "norms", you never really know.
 
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Poofiesdream

Well-Known Member
I live in SE Florida WPB area and go to Disney the 2d week of Dec every year. If were having a warm fall it is warm but cools off at night. Last year we had a cold fall and it was freezing! It will only be a few degrees different than were you are, being a little cooler at night. The crowds being much lower are worth going then.
 
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disneynut4u

Active Member
We've been at WDW in Dec. 2006. Mornings & evenings were cool, but by 10:00 we didn't need our lightweight jackets anymore. At Illuminations at EPCOT, it was very cold sitting by the water. We thought it was too cool to do a water park, but the kids did swim at the hotel pool. The water is supposed to be heated but my idea of heated and Disney's idea of heated are not the same!! There were lots of people that did go to the waterparks, so for some people it didn't matter.

The Christmas decorations were awesome. Each park has an enormous tree at the entrance, decorated for that park (ex. AK has an animal theme tree). Pay attention at EPCOT, which was our favorite for Christmas. Each country has their Santa, who does a story about the legend about him. We even saw the Three Wise Men. The costumes are beautiful. Of course, Disney Studios has the Osborne Family Lights, which is a huge crowd draw.

You will LOVE Christmas at WDW!!!
 
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wendysue

Well-Known Member
We love the first part of November. The decorations were mostly up and we attended MVMCP on the first night and it was awesome. We could still wear shorts most days and a couple nights we wore sweatshirts and jeans. We swam during 4 of the 7 days we were there.
Would definitely go back in November again.
 
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erstwo

Well-Known Member
I agree with all of the above - there's just no way to know!

We were there the first week last year - December 2 - 12, 2010 and it was FREEZING! (I'll look up a link to our trip report.)

But we went two years ago the week before Christmas (something like Dec. 11 - 16, 2008) and it was freezing the first day, and mild temps (70's) the rest of the week.

You just have to be willing to pack your long underwear and/or coats on a trip to Florida. Some people would rather not, they want their trips to Florida to be warm. But for us, either way - it's totally worth it!
 
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disneygirl1

Well-Known Member
December is SO hit or miss weather wise. One year we went it was in the mid 70's all week... This past December we went and it was beyond freezing the whole week!!!
 
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afurkin

New Member
We went during the 1st week of December last year and I had to buy all new clothes when we got there because it was so cold, plus I had to buy gloves. At night it was miserable for the Christmas Party at MK. The heater in the pool wasn't working either, so the one day we had that was decent, the pool was freezing.
 
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December is my all time favorite time of year to visit WDW. I have been in December at least 8 times. Twice, including this past December, it has been so cold I wished I had my winter jacket, hat and gloves with me. But no such luck, each time I had left them back home in CT. Other times it has been warm and I wore shorts the whole time with maybe a slight chill in the evening so I would throw on a sweatshirt. Other times it was jeans and t-shirt weather with a sweatshirt needed in the mornings and evenings. You just never know. As everyone else has said you can't count on it being the "average" temperature in December. Since you are in Florida you can kind of go by the weather you are experiencing in your area. I kept checking the local Orlando news websites to get the most up to date forecast before we left so I would know how to pack. As we got closer and closer to the trip I removed more shorts and packed more pants and sweatshirts for everyone. I even decided to add turtlenecks and fall jackets for our daughters (5&7) because they get cold before we do. I packed their winter hats and gloves too. Wish I had done that for us....we sure could have used them. My husband and I bought gloves and scarves and he bought a winter hat because he had just gotten a buzz cut before we left. The problem we ran into was they kept adjusting the forecast and just before we left it showed that it would warm up while we were there. But as the days passed they altered the forecast and it got colder. It can't hurt to pack for warm and cold, that way you are covered for the weather in between too!! Have fun. December is an awesome time to go. MVMCP is a lot of fun. Don't miss the Candlelight Processional, that is wonderful.
 
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EvilQueen-T

Well-Known Member
one word: bipolar. we grew up in orlando and now live about 2 1/2 hours north of orlando. we went last year the week after thanksgiving and froze froze and froze. we were layered with tshirts and sweatshirts etc...but still froze. the same time 2009 we had a mix of cold with rainy days then by the end of the week were in shorts and tshirts, 2008 we had on tank tops and tshirts the whole week. :shrug: bipolar. this year we go the same week and have decided t just pack everything shorts, pants, tshirts, bathing suits and winter jackets lol.
 
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RobnRachal

Well-Known Member
We've gone 4 times in December. First time was two weeks (end of December)and we were in jeans sweatshirts and gloves. The next time was a week (middle of December)and it was beautiful 70's. Third time was a week at the beginning of the month and we had 80's first half of the week and the second half it dipped 30 degrees and we were bundled up. The fourth time was December 2009 and the week we were there was high 80's sunny. I was in Florida heaven!! The rest of the fam complained it was hot??? :rolleyes:
So I guess as everyone else has confirmed, prepare to be surprised :)
 
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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
As so many people have noted, you really never know w/December. We went to WDW in 2010, and we had LOTS of days with temps in the 30s and 40s. However, when I lived in northern FL, there were many years where I'd be camped out on my tanning float in the pool from Thanksgiving through New Years. So, you just never know.
 
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Minnie1976

Well-Known Member
I've been many times in December, early and late. It has been very cold, very hot, cool. If a front comes through it could be hot and cold in one day. You just don't know.
 
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Todd L

Well-Known Member
I am planning a trip for this fall with some friends. We've gone in Oct many times, but they want to go when it is a bit cooler. We really want to go during the festive holiday season so we can enjoy the Christmas party at MK. I've only been to WDW once in Dec, it was a one day thing as we passed through. I live in Florida, but have only been here for one December so far so I don't have many years to compare weather trends, and I live in SW FL, so it's a little hotter here sometimes then Orlando anyway.

So, my question for those of you who may have an annual track record for visiting WDW in early Dec is, what is the temp generally like? We're trying to figure out if it's worth it to trade being able to swim and visit a water park for the holiday decor and MK party. We are trying to decide between AKL and BC, but would only spend the extra DVC points on BC for the use of Stormalong Bay. If it's typically too cold, I would rather use less points and stay at AKL.

Thanks for any advice! :wave:

I was there the first week of December a few years back and It was downright freezing at Night Time.
I think it was in the high 30's at Night and we just werent prepared for that kind of weather.
 
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need2go2wdw

Active Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all the info everyone! Florida is definitely a little fickle when it comes to December weather, that's for sure!

I have no problem packing for either temp, warm or cold and as far as checking the weather ahead of time and me actually living just a few hours away and feeling the temp outside myself helps out too, but I guess my biggest concern is should I save the points and go with AKL or do I chance it and splurge for BC for use of Stormalong Bay? I just don't know if it's worth the extra points for BC if the weather is so up in the air. Obviously choosing a resort isn't something I can wait until the 10 day forcast comes out either, unfortunately! :animwink:

I'm all for WDW at Christmas. It's something I've always wanted to do. I just don't want to freeze my buns off and I think my friends who would be flying in from cold Michigan would probably not be happy about vacationing in sunny Florida just to be just as cold as home!!!

We really like swimming. We, my friend and her family along with my own family, love to swim when we go to WDW. Water parks, resort pools...it's always some of our best vacation moments. So, being warm enough to swim is a big decision factor. We usually go in October. Still very hot and humid, during the day, yet comfortable at night.

I just don't know what to do! I guess I'm leaning towards AKL and maybe mid-November so we can still see Christmas at WDW but may not freeze our buns off??? :veryconfu
 
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disneygirl1

Well-Known Member
We stayed at AKL this past December! Absolutely loved it and will stay there again in a heart beat. We were able to swim one day and that was it. Would have loved to have been able to spend more time by the pool but it was just so cold!

I personally think Mid to late Nov would be a great time to go. I too love the holidat decor, and after freezing my butt off this past December. We will be going in Nov to check the holiday decor for now on!
 
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