Cold Weather Disney

[Stratman50th]

So, here's a screen shot of the forecast for next week. I'll bet if I do it again in a couple days it will change.

 

[Miffy]

I have a trip planned in early December and the weather looks arctic, for Orlando, 40s at night and 60s during the day. I know the pools are heated but not sure it will be much fun getting out. I'm considering canceling the trip as we were looking forward to hanging out at the pools. Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

If hanging out at the pools is a necessity, just be aware that you can't count on it. As other posters have said, I have also been at WDW in December/January/February when it was ridiculously cold--like wearing my winter coat the entire trip--and also in the 80s, sometimes on the same trip. I personally cannot deal with getting out of a pool when it's 40 degrees outside, but I've seen plenty of other people do it and it seem to be fine with it.

 

[DSLRuser]

I have a trip planned in early December and the weather looks arctic, for Orlando, 40s at night and 60s during the day. I know the pools are heated but not sure it will be much fun getting out. I'm considering canceling the trip as we were looking forward to hanging out at the pools. Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

do not belive anything greater then 3 days out. Central florida weather is dependent on the atlantic and gulf systems. they are always changing and intermingling. 3 days is the max for accuracy....anything longer is a guess....or an average from years past.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

When I was there in December 1989 it was the weirdest weather I encountered. One day it would be t-shirt weather, the next was the coldest 23rd December on record. I don't use pools, but, my husband went swimming most days no matter the temps.
I'm planning to go next December and I'll be bringing my coat and Christmas jumpers because December weather is unpredictable from my experience of my visits at that time of year.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Yes. In 2010, it was FREEZING when we went-a CM told us it was due to El Nino weather that year. We had our winter coats on the entire time and did not swim. I personally do not like going to Disney when it is cold because like you said, the pools are a huge part of the experience and relaxing part of the trip! With that being said, we still had a lot of fun and it didn't ruin our trip. Since it will be in the 60s during the day, that should still be fun (it was in the 40's during the day in 2010). Someone else can chime in though if you will be bored with new restrictions because we didn't want to be out in the parks at night when it was cold.

Oh boy we were there 2nd week of Dec 2010! It was freezing and windy! We had winter coats hats and gloves and still couldn’t stay in park the winds were just too cold. Mostly just ate for 3 days.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have a trip planned in early December and the weather looks arctic, for Orlando, 40s at night and 60s during the day. I know the pools are heated but not sure it will be much fun getting out. I'm considering canceling the trip as we were looking forward to hanging out at the pools. Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

We have been to WDW many times when the highs were in the 60's and lows in the 40's. The high 60's might be warm enough to sit at the pool, in the sun, if the wind wasn't blowing. But definitely too cold for us to go swimming. The parks aren't too bad when the weather is in the sixties, but the 40's and 50's are pretty cold for being outside for hours. The crowds are usually lighter, though.

 

[Blondie58]

I have a trip planned in early December and the weather looks arctic, for Orlando, 40s at night and 60s during the day. I know the pools are heated but not sure it will be much fun getting out. I'm considering canceling the trip as we were looking forward to hanging out at the pools. Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

We are from northern Ohio. We know cold weather and snow yet we do like it more when Orlando temps are 50 to 90. We can adapt. However, we have found the extremes, below 50 and above 90 not to be as fun. If you are not used to cold weather 40s to 60s may be a real negative.

 

[Heather07438]

Our trip is in Jan 8 nites. Is Jan generally a bit colder than Dec?

We’re hoping to at least find 1 or 2 afternoons warm enough to swim. Are the hot tubs open at Poly or Beach Club?

 

[figmentfinesse]

Our trip is in Jan 8 nites. Is Jan generally a bit colder than Dec?

We’re hoping to at least find 1 or 2 afternoons warm enough to swim. Are the hot tubs open at Poly or Beach Club?

I'm going the last week in January, after exclusively going in the summer the past three years. And I am a pool junkie!! Yes, all hot tubs are open. I am really hoping it won't be too, too cold.

 

[Chris Anglin]

I have a trip planned in early December and the weather looks arctic, for Orlando, 40s at night and 60s during the day. I know the pools are heated but not sure it will be much fun getting out. I'm considering canceling the trip as we were looking forward to hanging out at the pools. Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

My husband and I went the week after Thanksgiving 2018 and we like to have froze. We are from south Mississippi so we're used to weather more like typical Florida, therefore we didn't enjoy ourselves like we normally do. I did keep up with the weather forecast before we left so I went prepared, at least I thought I did, but still had to buy more cold weather clothing. During the day it was ok, but at night it got COLD. Just keep up with the weather forecast and go prepared for anything.

 

[Joe Brig]

My reservation is for Dec 6-12. I'm considering moving it to Dec 13-19. Room rates are higher but no fees to move the flights. Pools are especially important this trip as they seem to be the only place not touched by too many covid changes. Looking at historical weather, it seems pretty rare to have 2 below average weeks in a row in December.

 

[WEDWDW]

Anyone have experience with Disney and cold weather?

Yes,yes I do.

December of 2010-you had to be there to understand!lol

The fact that the Pools were closed A LOT was the least of our worries-WE WERE JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE!lol

The 22 degree night was EXTRA special!lol

 

[RabFlmom]

I can tell you the pools are not going to open tomorrow morning because of the cold. I think they are planning to open at noon. Should be 65 by then.

 

[Jaydee51]

Hi, just got back and would not cancel if I were you! The decorations alone should be enough to motivate you.
For warmth, while the sun is out you won't know it's cold.

here is my experience from last week...

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...erature-for-toddlers-during-november.3818376/

 

[fla4fun]

Oh boy we were there 2nd week of Dec 2010! It was freezing and windy! We had winter coats hats and gloves and still couldn’t stay in park the winds were just too cold. Mostly just ate for 3 days.

Count me in the 2010 Frozen Party! The best memory of that trip was drinking hot chocolate on a bench watching the Osborn lights at the Studios. It was about three weeks after my mom passed away, and my dad and I went together. Good (but cold) trip.

But that was unusual. Typically, we get a cold front, then it gradually warms up each day until the next front, maybe a week or two out. As another poster said, layers will be your friend. Bring the winter jacket AND the swimsuit. Bring shorts, heavy jeans, and something in between. If your resort has a pool that is sheltered from breezes, I would choose that one. Have double the amount of towels you think you will need, so you can swap out the wet one you dried with for a dry one for the walk to your room. I have been at Pop in cold weather and seen several people enjoying the computer pool, which has a lot of buildings to block wind and reflect sun. If the weather is too cold, the pools will close or have shorter hours.

I have had December trips where I wore short sleeve shirts and no jackets at all, and trips where I wore two or three jackets in layers. I like the parks better in cooler weather as it makes waiting for the rides more pleasant than August heat. But I understand being disappointed if swimming is a big part of your plan and it gets too cold. If it were me, I would not cancel, but then, I go in December and January every year, so I am used to cold trips.

 

[fla4fun]

Our trip is in Jan 8 nites. Is Jan generally a bit colder than Dec?

We’re hoping to at least find 1 or 2 afternoons warm enough to swim. Are the hot tubs open at Poly or Beach Club?

January and February are typically our coldest months. A lot depends on how cold it is up north. If it’s a mild winter up north, then it’s milder here as well. I remember a President’s Day weekend trip with icicles hanging on the landscaping from running the sprinklers. It usually doesn’t stay cold for more than a couple days before starting to warm up, so with an 8 night trip, I would expect you to be able to swim at least half of those days, maybe more.

 

[Shellyred8]

We’re from Wisconsin and have a trip planned for December 6-12. The weather looks perfect for us! Perfect, sweatshirt wearing, fall weather!!

We're from MN and will be down there during this same time frame. I agree, the weather looks perfect for us! Mid-60's will feel marvelous right now!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's 46 degrees this morning in SW Florida. It's sunny and 42, but feels like 36 in Orlando right now.

 

[nkereina]

We were there one November when it was highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. Just like hot weather, there are pros and cons.

For me, the biggest pro is that its comfortable walking around. I know walking around the torturous heat and humidity of the summer, I lose energy quickly and need frequent breaks. It takes a lot out of me. In the cold, I don't really experience that.

The con is obviously the cold, but it can be mitigated if you're dressed appropriately. Bring clothes warmer than you think you'd need, gloves, etc. Dress in layers. Considering carrying a backpack or renting a locker in the event you can remove layers or want to bring extra layers. Remember that you will be out in the mornings, maybe for rope drop, and that's before the sun is at its highest point. The daily high temperature likely won't be reached until late afternoon. That means it will be 30s and 40s in the morning when you're waiting outdoors in queues, maybe in the shade, and when you're being whipped through the cold air on rides like Everest and Slinky Dog. In the winter months, the sun sets earlier and temps start to drop again, so its important to take advantage of day time. Schedule a TS lunch as an indoor reprieve.

 

[Dug720]

The con is obviously the cold, but it can be mitigated if you're dressed appropriately. Bring clothes warmer than you think you'd need, gloves, etc. Dress in layers. Considering carrying a backpack or renting a locker in the event you can remove layers or want to bring extra layers. Remember that you will be out in the mornings, maybe for rope drop, and that's before the sun is at its highest point. The daily high temperature likely won't be reached until late afternoon. That means it will be 30s and 40s in the morning when you're waiting outdoors in queues, maybe in the shade, and when you're being whipped through the cold air on rides like Everest and Slinky Dog. In the winter months, the sun sets earlier and temps start to drop again, so its important to take advantage of day time. Schedule a TS lunch as an indoor reprieve.

I second this. Plus Florida cold is just a different kind of cold. I live in NYC now and have lived outside Chicago earlier in my life, and that cold is just different. I don't know how to explain it other than Florida is its own kind of cold.