What to Pack for Disney World in December
You may be excited to go to Disney World soon, but are you aware of everything you need to pack for your trip? Well, if you still need help on what to pack for Disney World in December, don’t fret. In this article, I’m going to show you everything you need to throw into your suitcase for your upcoming December trip so you can be prepared to enjoy everything that Orlando has to offer!
What to Pack for Disney World in December (TLDR)
Here’t the Too Long Didn’t Read summary of what you need to know. You’re going to first want to pack a lot of clothing basics, such as a jeans, hoodies, slacks, capris, and sweatshirts.
As you’ve probably guessed, outside of common sense items like a bathing suit or very comfortable shoes (for all the miles you will walk), I would also recommend the following items:
-Pack a collapsible water bottle so you can always stay hydrated
-Pack hand sanitizer if you don’t always want to rush to the bathroom to clean your hands
-Pack a light jacket if you plan to be in the theme parks at night once the sun goes down in December
-Pack extra batteries and memory cards (if you use digital cameras, like a DSLR)
-Pack wet wipes, just in case you or your children happen to put their hands into something sticky (and you can’t get up and easily leave because you’re on a ride or watching a show like Fantasmic).
Clothing
When it comes to packing clothes for your trip in December, we recommend packing a good combination of both winter and warmer weather clothing. This is because the temperatures in Central Florida can change a lot from the morning and night to the afternoon.
When visiting Disney World in December, you’re definitely going to want to pack the following items:
1) Jeans
2) Hoodie
3) Slacks
4) Capris
5) Sweatshirt
Shoes
Because December can be quite chilly at certain points in the day, you’ll want to make sure you pack several pairs of sneakers or tennis shoes. This is because you want to keep your feet warm and comfortable throughout the day. If you need to, bring some heavier cotton socks too to help with any cooler temperatures.
We recommend you bring shoes that you’ve had for a bit, instead of new shoes. That way you don’t end up with any blisters or other foot injuries while on vacation. Sandals may be a bit too cool for the weather in December. But, if you decide to bring a few pairs, make sure they are ones that are good for hiking and walking.
Swimwear
Believe it or not, the Disney resort pools, and most pools in Florida, are heated. This means you can get some pool time in, even if it’s a bit cool outside. With this in mind, pack one to two bathing suits per person if you plan on swimming at all during your trip in December.
If you aren’t sure you’ll be swimming, pack at least one swimsuit just in case. If you don’t pack swim gear, you may be able to find swimsuits at local stores. But, since December is technically winter in Florida, you may not have a great selection.
Outerwear and Other Accessories
With cool temperatures in the mornings and evenings, you’ll want to make sure that you pack some “winter” gear. And, if you’re coming from a wintery climate already, chances are pretty high that you’ll already be bringing a winter coat along for the trip. But, packing doesn’t mean just clothing. Here are some other things you’ll want to think about bringing with you during the winter months at Disney.
December’s temperatures can get down into the mid-50’s. So, bringing a light jacket or some hooded sweatshirts can be a great way to stay warm when it’s slightly chilly without being too hot or bulky.
It can get downright cold at night at Disney. If you’re staying at a park late to catch the fireworks, nighttime parades, or enjoy extra magic hours, chances are your hands and head may get a bit cold. Bringing light gloves and hats can help keep you toasty warm while enjoying all the nighttime entertainment Disney has to offer. If you have kiddos, this is a must bring item for your trip.
If you have space, consider bringing ponchos or a small umbrella with you if the weather is predicting a lot of rain on your trip. Of course, even if you don’t have space for these, you can easily pick up ponchos in the parks themselves, at your resort, or a local store too. It’s not very rainy in December, so if you are limited on space, skip packing these.
This is one of our favorite must pack items for winter weather. A small blanket stored in your backpack or stroller can be perfect for bundling up at night while waiting for a parade or firework.
Of course, you can’t forget sunscreen — even in December. Having sunscreen on hand for your trip is a must-do.
Packing List for Young People
When it comes to packing for your children and young adults, you’ll want to think about a few other additional considerations bringing the essentials. Here are some things you’ll want to think about packing for kiddos and teenagers that include a few particular considerations for December park touring.
Children
- ID Tags or Card:
While we don’t ever want to think about something scary like losing our children in a theme park, it can happen. Having an ID tag or card on hand is a way that you can help identify your children to Disney cast members and provide contact information on how to best reach you while you’re at the Disney theme parks.
- Disney themed clothes:
Kids love wearing their favorite Disney themed clothes when they’re at Disney. Let them pick out some of their favorites, so they have something fun to wear every single day you’re on vacation. Because December is a generally cooler month, do pack long sleeves or layers for any t-shirts you might have. For younger children, Disney theme tights or leggings can be a great way to wear Disney clothes while staying warm too.
- Costumes:
Many children want to dress like their favorite princesses, prince, or pirate. Disney’s character dining locations are some of the best places to eat in Disney World with kids. And having them dress up for the experience makes it even more magical for them. With this in mind, you can pack a costume or two for the trip. For example, check out this young boy dressed as Woody from “Toy Story” at the Disney Parks:
But, since December is cold, you may want to bring a sweater or jacket for any dress or costume that won’t keep your child as warm during the winter months in the parks. This way, when the weather warms up during the day, they can easily remove the jacket.
- Dress Up clothes:
If you are planning on going to any signature dining locations, you may want to consider bringing a few fancier clothes for your kiddos. They don’t have to be too fancy either. Just something that will look nice for the meal. Since it’s December pack slacks, tights, or other easy to pack warm clothes.
- Favorite toys:
There’s no doubt that children get used to their favorite toys. So, don’t forget to pack their favorite doll, stuffed animal, or toys for the trip.
- Wet Naps:
Park touring can get messy. Whether they get dirty playing or make a mess with a Mickey Bar, having some wet naps on hand is a good idea for all ages, but especially for kiddos.
Young Adults
- ID Cards:
Do make sure your teenagers have their IDs on them at all times. This is especially important if they are park touring without adults.
- Deodorant, Face Wash, and Personal Care Items:
You’ll want to make sure that your young adults bring the personal care items that they need. This includes deodorant, face wash (especially for those suffering from acne), and even feminine hygiene products. This way they’ll feel comfortable having all the things they need without having to run to a store during the trip.
- Phones, Headphones, Phone Chargers:
Most young adults like having their technology handy. So, do make sure that they’ve packed headphones, phone chargers, and any other technology they need for the trip.
- Bags:
Chances are your teenagers may go on an attraction or park tour on their own. If this is the case, make sure they bring a back to pack all their essentials in when they arrive at the theme parks.
Young adults will likely have a lot of the same packing needs adults do, but these additional items are definitely some things that you’ll want to make sure they pack for the trip.
The Weather in December
A lot of guests who are not familiar with Florida weather may not know that December can still be fairly warm but also have some cooler temperatures. The average temperatures in Central Florida during the day is in the mid-70’s degrees Fahrenheit. This is pretty warm to anyone come from a winter weather environment — though many Floridians would find this weather to be cold.
In the mornings or evenings, expect the lows to be in the mid to high-50’s. This means you’ll want to pack a lot of clothes that can be worn in layers. This includes jeans, slacks, long sleeve shirts, and sweaters or light sweatshirts.
Summary of What to Pack for December
So let’s quickly recap what we’ve learned today. If you’re traveling to Disney World in December, there’s few essentials you’ll want to throw inside your bag.
First, despite the cooler weather, you’re going to need to stay hydrated. I recommend bringing a collapsible water bottle. You can always find free water at Disney, and you won’t have to constantly scramble to find a cup or mug all throughout the day.
Next, some kind of hand soap or hand sanitizer would be good (after all, your hands touch a lot of yucky things at Disney). Wet wipes would be another wonderful addition to your backpack (or even throw them into a compartment in your baby stroller).
It’s going to be cooler out, so be sure to bright some kind of a light jacket with you.
Sticking with clothing, be sure to bring a hoodie with you. In fact, check out a photo of me rocking my Mickey Mouse hoodie at Hollywood Studios several years back in December. Trust me—I stayed very warm that day!
On top of that, packing a poncho (just in case it rains) is easy to do. Very lightweight, easy to fold, and will save you from having to purchase an expensive one in the parks.
I’d also recommend extremely comfortable shoes (preferably brand new shoes you purchased just for your Disney trip). Nothing makes a Disney trip turn into a nightmare like your feet killing you because your shoes are old and worn out.
And then finally, here are all of the small things I suggest throwing into a sling bag or purse before you enter into the parks:
—Cell phone (you’re going to need it for communication with your family, but honestly, if you’re utilizing Genie+, you really can’t navigate the parks without it in December). Don’t forget your phone charger too!
—ID (no, you aren’t trying to get into some secret club at Disney World, but it is always a wise idea to have some form of ID on you. I think this is especially wise if you’re traveling with children or teenagers. If anyone in your party gets separated during the highly crowded days in late December at the parks, security at the parks will easily be able to identify and help anyone in your party).
–Magic Bands (the next best thing is to pack your Magic Bands as well. This will make navigating the parks a bit easier—and more fun).
–Personal care items (make sure you pack things like sunscreen, deodorant, band aids and other other items that can help either protect your skin and body or repair your skin and body).
Overall Recommendations
December can be a wonderful month to visit the Disney Parks and Resorts. The weather is mild, but warm, and there are plenty of seasonal and holiday events happening to enjoy.
To keep you and your family warm during the chilly hours and cool during the warmer hours of your park touring, be sure to pack a good mix of warm and cooler weather clothes. This will help ensure you have a magical vacation from the moment you arrive at the happiest place on earth.
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