So you’re visiting Disney World in December- what do you pack? Check out this complete guide to packing for Disney World in December!

 

Visiting Disney World in December means extra pixie dust! Why? The Holiday Decorations, special events, delicious Holiday snacks, and, if you plan it right low crowds! But a special Holiday trip can require a different style of packing- not only for Disney World in December weather that can be unpredictable but also to add a special Holiday touch to your trip.

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This blog is all about What to Pack for Disney World in December.

What to Pack for Disney World in December

 

Weather in Disney World in December

Before We Talk About What to Pack, Let’s Talk About the Weather in Disney World in December

There’s one word for it—unpredictable! We say that for other seasons in Central Florida, but it’s especially true in winter.

Typical December Weather in Orlando (and Disney World)

• Highs and Lows – Average daytime highs are usually in the low to mid-70s °F, with nighttime lows dipping into the low-50s °F.

• Dry and Crisp – December is one of the drier months, so you can expect less rain overall compared to summer.

• Breezes and Cloud Cover – You’ll often get partly cloudy skies and a light breeze.

• Shorter Days – With only about 10 hours of daylight, evenings cool off quickly.

Why It’s “Unpredictable”
While most days are mild and comfortable, sudden weather swings are common in December. In fact, Central Florida has had occasional hard freezes—like in 2022, when overnight temperatures dropped into the 20s and 30s °F.  In 2023 and 2024, Central Florida also saw drops into 30-40 degrees F!

That might not sound extreme if you’re from a colder climate, but the humidity can make the chill feel sharper. Some years, you’ll enjoy perfect sweater weather; other years, you might be digging out gloves and hats for the morning.

What This Means for Your Trip
This is the perfect time of year for layers—think t-shirts for midday warmth, a cozy sweater or fleece for the evenings, and a light jacket or windbreaker for chilly mornings. Being prepared for a range of temperatures will help you stay comfortable no matter what December brings.

So layers will be your best friend! For a complete cheat sheet check out my Ultimate Disney Packing list, but see the key points for Disney in December here:

Layers

I generally recommend a light hoodie, short-sleeved Disney-themed shirts, and long-sleeved Disney shirts.  A tank top always comes in handy for those who are tank-top wearers, or some kind of light underlayer you can wear- just in case that sun starts blazing!

Bottoms

It’s good to bring a couple of pairs of shorts or a skirt in case it’s warm, and also a pair or two of jeans, as well as some comfy travel pants that you can work out in or sleep in so they can serve double duty (and these packing cube ideas can help you pack light).

Bathing suit

Should you pack one? Yes- you may not use it, but you wouldn’t want to miss out on a sunny pool day! Also, the Disney waterparks are open in winter (unless there is a freeze).  It’s possible you could get lucky and have a warm, and mostly low-crowd day, at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.   Currently Disney World has an offer to all guests booked at their resorts- free water park admission on your arrival day!

And don’t forget how nice a hot tub can feel after a long day at the Disney Parks!

Socks

Here’s your chance to rock those Mickey Christmas socks you never get to wear at Disney World! It should be cold enough to wear longer socks, at least at night.  I couldn’t resist sharing the multiple options for the Rock Em socks on Amazon.  They have so many Disney-themed socks to choose from!

Inclement Weather Wear

Keep an eye on the weather forecast before you go, but you can rest assured you will need some rain protection!  A raincoat can serve as protection against the rain and as an extra layer on mildly cool days.  And chances are you are coming from a colder climate than Florida, so wear a light jacket on the plane (we all know it can be frigid on those airplanes), and then you can use it if the temperature drops.

Festive additions- What to Wear in Disney World in December

Because the Holidays at Disney World can be so much fun, packing festive wear can make it even more magical!

 

Here are some ideas for Holiday additions to your packing list-

Ugly (or cute) Disney-themed Christmas Sweaters

There are so many fun and festive Holiday sweaters you can sport at Disney in December! These are especially important if you are going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, as they help you get into the vibe at this special (paid) event.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

One of the biggest highlights of December at Disney World is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. In 2025, the party runs on select nights from November 7 through December 21, bringing twinkling lights, festive treats, free (well, included not free as this is a paid event) cookies and hot cocoa, and exclusive holiday entertainment to the park. Guests can enjoy the “Once Upon a Christmastime” Parade, special stage shows, magical snowfall on Main Street, and shorter wait times for rides. With the party starting at 7 p.m. (and ticket holders able to enter as early as 4 p.m.), it’s a must-do for anyone who has it in their budget and truly wants to soak up all the holiday magic at Disney World in December!

Holiday Minnie Ears, Scarves or Hats

The choices abound for seasonal Minnie Ears, here are a few fun examples but trust me- you won’t be suffering from too little choices in this category!

Matching Disney Onesie PJ’s

This is an adorable trend for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that I adore! You will see many a cute family or friend group dressed up in matching Holiday Onesie PJ’s.  Talk about the ultimate comfort (as long as it’s not 80 degrees outside)! If wearing matching onesies is outside of your comfort zone at a Disney park, you can pack them anyway for some cute Holiday photos in your Disney resort hotel room or in front of the Christmas tree in the lobby!

Seasonal Disney T-shirts

The Holiday Disney T-shirts abound online, so dig in before you start packing and choose some fun T-shirts for you and your family or friends!

Here are some fun options to check out for your Disney World in December trip!

 

Disney World in December Tips

Now that we have the packing all wrapped up, let’s cover some helpful tips for Disney World in December.

If you want to see a full blog about planning a Holiday trip to Disney World in December read this.

But here are some basics:

• If you plan a trip in mid to late December, it will likely be very busy, so arrive early and stay late, taking breaks mid-day if you need them.
• Book your reservations as soon as possible because the parks can sell out during the Holiday season.
• Keep an eye on park hours! The Magic Kingdom will close early on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights, but if you plan appropriately (arriving at least 45 minutes before park opening) you may see low(er) crowds on those party days.  And if you are lucky enough to be going to the special event you can get in early those days anyway.
• If you are going during the high crowd times, it is highly recommended that you purchase Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass and or Single Pass if you are able to. Here’s more info on these (they are the paid skip-the-line services at Disney World)- they will save you time and headaches!

And speaking of crowds:

Disney World in December Crowds

Disney World in December can bring crowds, but not during the first week.  This really is the best time to go because you will get that Holiday spirit with the decorations, special snacks, and the cooler weather BUT also because this is one of the lowest crowd times of the year.  Yes, you heard that right! Most people plan their Holiday trips to Disney World in December the later part of the month, closer to Christmas.  In my opinion, avoid this time as much as you can! It is unbearably busy and the Parks are often sold out meaning extremely long queues (lines), and grumpy park-goers who may have lost that Holiday spirit the moment they entered the fray!

It’s not that you can’t have fun during Christmas week; you just have to be prepared to wait and get close to a lot of strangers!  But many families come back year after year for their Holiday vacations, finding it full of spirit and a special spark you don’t find at other times of the year.

The Wrap Up

Packing for Disney World in December is all about being ready for anything—sunny 75° afternoons, breezy evenings, or a surprise cold snap. Layers are your best friend: start with breathable shirts, add a cozy sweater or fleece, and keep a light jacket or packable puffer handy for mornings and nights. Don’t forget a rain poncho for those occasional showers, and toss in small extras like gloves, a hat, and a scarf—you might not need them every trip, but you’ll be glad to have them if the temperatures dip. 

Disney World in December can be so much fun! Be sure to pack everything you might need, for the weather and for Holiday cheer.

This blog was all about what to pack for Disney World in December

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