What to wear in December

[betteratmk]

:xmas: We are from NY going to WDW for the first time in Dec. What are good options to bring so I don't overpack as usual Especially footwear, is it still warm enough for sandals? It will be snowing at home. Thanks for your input!

 

[coltow]

We are from MA so we are in the same boat. We plan to watch the weather very carefully before we go. We know we'll have to wear warm clothes to the airport so we will have a heavy jacket with us just in case. Our (hopeful) plan is to bring both jeans and shorts along with t-shirts and a sweatshirt. We (hope) can wear the shorts and shirts in the day. We can take the sweatshirts in our backpack in case we need them. We also know that we can go back to resort in the afternoon or early evening to change if we need to.

 

[mousefan1972]

I've been twice in Dec twice and both times had great weather in the low 80's in the day 60's at night.Maybe I have just lucked out on weather? I would say check the week or so before and pack accordingly. It's all relative too keep in mind. I was born and raised in MA and our first Dec trip, we were walking around in shorts and t-shirts saying this is great weather and would say why are these crazy people wearing sweatshirts. Now we live in VA and I guess our blood has thinned since we don't deal with snow anymore, so we are the ones with sweatshirts:lol:

So true! We were there Dec. 19-27 last year, and when we left MA there was already about 2 feet of snow on the ground and the high that day was in the teens. We walked around the entire trip in shorts during the day (or capris for me) and jeans at night. Most nights we put on our sweatshirts at some point, too. It was so funny in the morning to see the CM's around the Poly in fleece jackets, gloves, and scarves, as we trotted out of our room in shorts and T-shirts! :lol:

 

[majorrfb]

What to wear

My wife and I visited WDW last Dec. 5-12, and this year Nov. 29-Dec. 7.
Based on last years experience, the days were warm and comfortable with cooler nights. I wore shorts and shirt all the time. No problems. Of course, we live in Western Massachusetts and in Dec. anything above 30 degrees in great with me. But honestly, you won't need heavy clothes. At most, sweater or light jacket and long pants at night, if you think you'll need the extra layers.:sohappy::xmas:

 

[betteratmk]

:xmas: We were there in April and it was a little chilly one day, by the next morning the resort had Disney winter gear for sale in the gift shop!! Iguess I need to put some summer stuff aside when I bring out all our fall and winter clothes. Just hope we can get out of the driveway if we decide to drive. Anyone from the Northeast drive or do you always fly?

 

[Mori Anne]

I agree that Florida can be a grab bag for weather.

I lived in Florida for a year, and I also have been to WDW many times in December. It can definatly be 80 during the day and 30/40 at night. Even if it is 50 at night, going from 80 to 50 makes 50 degrees feel cold. I used to laugh at people who would say they were wearing gloves and jackets in 50 degree weather (Mostly lived my life thus far in PA and Northern VT), but honestly, when you are in hot hot weather all day, 50 degrees can feel very cold.

I suggust bringing gloves, and like someone else said, layers. I had a heavier sweatshirt, scarf, and gloves to use at night. I wore (sp?) capri's during the day. My husband was good in his light weight khaki's (sp?) and a light shirt. I would recommend bringing a light winter jacket to have in the hotel, and check the weather daily and see if it is something you will need. Sweatshirts are always good to bring if it does rain as well as your poncho because when you get in the AC after being in the rain it can be cold. The scarf, hat and gloves don't take that much room and add a great deal of warmth should it get chilly. We have stayed at WDW late late late into the night (extra magic hours) and were always glad to have the extra warmth with us.

If you don't bring "cold weather" things with you, and you head to the gift shops to "buy the warmth" so to speak, it will cost you. I believe sweatshirts are a good 48 +. I haven't been there since January of 08, so they might be more than that now. The jackets are even more expensive. I am not sure, but I don't remember seeing gloves, but then again, I was never looking for them either.

Cheers!

 

[Mori Anne]

:xmas: We were there in April and it was a little chilly one day, by the next morning the resort had Disney winter gear for sale in the gift shop!! Iguess I need to put some summer stuff aside when I bring out all our fall and winter clothes. Just hope we can get out of the driveway if we decide to drive. Anyone from the Northeast drive or do you always fly?

We took the Train from Vermont and Pennsylvania to Florida. We got a private room and thoroughly enjoyed it. We drove once, but won't do that again. Also, as you know, you never know when it will snow, and planning a driving trip around snowstorms was aweful. We won't be doing that again. We had no snow going down, and the forcast coming home was fine, but on our way home we hit a snowstorm. It took us an extra day to get home because of it. Plus the roads weren't that great. It was definatly NOT worth the risk. I am not sure what part of NY you are from, but Interstate 80 can be a nightmere to drive in the winter. I live right off of 80 in PA, and it is always backed up after snow or because of blowing/drifting snow.

 

[elcodfish]

winter

I'm from Buffalo, and in December in Florida, I wear jeans and a t-shirt and carry a hoodie. In the mornings and at night it can be chilly, but in the daytime it is pretty warm. I don't know about sandals however, because I always wear sneaker, winter or summer. As for the rain, my winter coat, which I wear down, has down parts, a warm fleece and a water resistant caot with a hood which zip together, so if it looks like rain, I take the rain coat.

 

[jjgoo]

Thanks everyone who sent a response because we had this question too. Personally, I consider anything over 65 degress shorts and sandles weather. However my DW and father-in-law will want to have warmer clothes. I'll be good with just a pair of kakis, my winter jacket that has two layers (yea L.L. Bean) adn a hoodie.

Looking forward to WDW in December!:sohappy:

 

[Edisto Pluto]

Agreed. We have been many times in December including the week before Christmas this year. The weather runs the gambit. We normally start out with a light jacket or sweater and end the day in shorts and light shirt. At night it is generally pleasant requiring a jacket but.............please take the heavy jacket just in case.

 

[disneychic71]

:xmas: We were there in April and it was a little chilly one day, by the next morning the resort had Disney winter gear for sale in the gift shop!! Iguess I need to put some summer stuff aside when I bring out all our fall and winter clothes. Just hope we can get out of the driveway if we decide to drive. Anyone from the Northeast drive or do you always fly?

Hi! I'm from Northern NJ and we have been to WDW in December 3 or 4 times. While we have driven, it was in the late spring--never in winter! (And my husband said "never again!")
Here are a few of my tips for winter trip planning:
1. Get some space bag travel bags (I just saw them at Dollar Tree); the are especially useful for packing sweatshirts/sweatpants!
2. Bring a variety of clothes so you can dress for any weather.
3. If you or your kids like to use the pools, watch the weather carefully and plan accordingly, as you may only get one afternoon of truly warm weather.
4. It doesn't hurt to throw in some of those stretchy mittens! Once when we were there in early January it was 30 degrees in the a.m.!
5. Take ponchos even if it doesn't call for rain--A trip down Splash Mountain can ruin your day if it's only 50 degrees outside, so wear a poncho and take advantage of the shorter lines!
6. Bring a backpack to carry sweatshirts/ponchos/etc. You WILL need them eventually!
7. Finally, take time to enjoy the beautiful decorations--every hotel, shop, nook and cranny has something beautiful to see. Enjoy!

 

[betteratmk]

:xmas: We are from outside of Buffalo NY in the ski district, I would prefer to fly but my DH would prefer to drive rather than pay for 6 flights!! Frankly 21/2 days in a car with 6 people doesn't thrill me either:shrug::ROFLOL: Anyway we can get there will be o.k cause we are going to Disney:sohappy:

 

[dinandmick]

I was there in mid-December in 2000. The first 3 days of the trip we wore shorts and tank tops and went swimming. The last half of the trip they had record breaking cold and we ended up buying sweatshirts, tossel caps and gloves because we weren't prepared.

We're going in mid-Dec this year and I'm already planning on taking some warm clothes just in case!:xmas:

 

[minniemouseuk]

We've been in December 2003, 2005 and 2007.

I'm going to sound like I'm telling the story of Goldilocks now, but 2003 was too cold (50's), 2005 was just right (70's), and 2007 was too hot (mid 80's) !

We're also going in December 2009, so I'm packing everything from a swimsuit to a wolly jumper :ROFLOL: