Freezing Weather for Christmas at Disney World!
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during winter months of November through February, you need to pack clothes for cold weather. This post offers an update on the freezing forecast for Christmas 2022, plus tips for dealing with chilly temperatures in Central Florida. (Updated December 22, 2022.)
“Winter” weather is once again returning to Orlando–just in time for the heart of the holiday season! A cold front is about to sweep across Central Florida, bringing with it cooler temperatures and lows in the 30s over the weekend. (It’s a very similar story in Southern California, but the difference is that this time of year is pretty consistently cold in the morning and evenings at Disneyland.)
Obviously that’s not “winter weather” by most standards, but it’s extremely cold for Floria. This will cause closures, impact crowds–and you may want to pack something other than just shorts and t-shirts. Here’s a look at the latest forecast, via WESH 2 Orlando…
December 22, 2022 Update: Meteorologists are forecasting extremely cold weather this weekend at Walt Disney World. Models indicate that on Christmas Eve morning, Central Florida will see lows in the 20s or 30s, with feels like temperatures dipping into the teens.
Accordingly, the National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch Orange and Osceola Counties (where Walt Disney World is located), along with most other counties in Central Florida. The Freeze Watch is in effect Friday night through Saturday morning, per the NWS.
If there was moisture in the air, snow would have been possible–a real white Christmas at Walt Disney World, not just the ‘snoap’ kind. However, in a rare turn of events for Florida, it’s expected to be too dry for precipitation.
“It’s got the potential to be one of the coldest Christmases we have seen in the last 30 years,” according to WESH 2 Meteorologist Eric Burris. While unlikely to set any all-time records, Christmas Day 2022 will easily crack the top 10 coldest on record.
High temperatures are expected to peak in the 50s on Christmas Day, which is rare for Florida. That last happened in 2020, and before that only in 2001, 1999, 1995 and 1993. The coldest high temp for Christmas Day was 36 degrees back in 1983.
If high temperatures remain in the 40s on Christmas Eve, it would be the first time the Walt Disney World area failed to climb out of the 40s since January 2014. As of right now, that’s what’s being forecast–making it one of the coldest Christmas Eves on record in Orlando.
Unsurprisingly, Walt Disney World has announced that Blizzard Beach will be closed this weekend due to low temperatures. As of right now, Blizzard Beach will only be closed December 23-25, 2022. The water park is currently scheduled to reopen on December 26, 2022 according to the official calendar.
It’s unlikely that actually ends up happening. Monday and Tuesday are currently forecast to be too cold for a likely reopening. The current low temperature for Wednesday is only 48 degrees with a high of 70, and that’s within the range of past closure temperatures for Blizzard Beach. That day could go either way, but our bet at this point is on a Thursday reopening. (On the other hand, it’s an exceedingly busy time of year, so perhaps Walt Disney World figures there will be enough demand even with frigid temperatures. That’s doubtful, though.)
Most tourists envision sunshine and warm weather when preparing for trips to Walt Disney World, but the reality this time of year is that you could experience a veritable roller coaster of weather in a single day. With temperatures in the 30s and 40s possible at any point through February, it’s important that you’re prepared for winter weather (minus the snow…hopefully!) at Walt Disney World.
The cold weather at Walt Disney World can be good news if you’re properly prepared, as crowds tend to be significantly lighter when the temperatures drop. Between locals who don’t own the clothing for colder days and tourists who don’t pack appropriately, a drop in temperatures results in a drop in crowds.
This is especially true in the evenings. A familiar story plays out with regularity this time of year at Walt Disney World: around lunch, the temperature is in the mid-70s, perhaps even the 80s, which is t-shirt and shorts weather for most people. By sunset, the ‘feels like’ temperature drops considerably, to around the low 50s.
An hour or so after sunset, Magic Kingdom can clear out on days that are abnormally frigid. We’ve had late nights when the park is a ghost town (we’ve seen Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a 20 minute wait on nights when the park was previously very busy during the day!), as the cold weather drives a lot of guests away.
Even if you’re from a cold weather state and are used to cold weather, you should not ignore these huge variances in temperature, thinking it’ll still feel fine. Your body will become acclimated to those 70-degree Florida daytime temperatures pretty quickly, making double-digit temperature drop once the sun goes down feel even more pronounced.
More importantly, Florida cold is far worse than Northern states due to the humidity that comes with it. We cannot reiterate this enough. The “feels like” of even 50º weather in Walt Disney World is significantly colder than what it’d be in a Northern state. We aren’t simply Floridians who aren’t used to the cold weather–we spent years living in the Midwest and are no strangers to sub-zero temperatures and blizzards. Florida’s humidity makes semi-cold weather far less comfortable.
The difficulty of packing for Walt Disney World or Disneyland this time of year is the large variances in the weather. You could experience four seasons of weather during your trip…in a single day. Daytime temperatures could be in the 70s, whereas nights and evenings could be 20 or 30 degrees below that. That swing in a single day is a huge difference.
Most people aren’t going to want to carry the luggage that would be required to pack for every weather scenario, making what to bring a tough question. This post will cover a few things you should take on any winter trip to the Disney Parks, plus some additional items to consider when the weather is expected to be unseasonably cold.
While it’s incredibly unlikely to snow while you’re at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, temperatures in the 40s or 50s in Florida and Southern California happen much more likely than you might expect. Being caught off-guard by frigid temperatures in the parks sucks. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. As much as I hate to admit it, this has happened to me a couple of times, and I’m very diligent about checking the weather forecast.
For those of you reading this at the last minute (if you’ve already arrived at Walt Disney World and are surprised by the cold weather), you do have one option: heading to UNIQLO at Disney Springs and purchasing a coat and some warmer clothes.
UNIQLO is your least-expensive option on Walt Disney World property, and they normally carry sweaters, coats, jeans, etc. (Note that UNIQLO sizing runs small, so be sure to try things on before buying. Most of the time, you’ll need to size-up by one size.)
Alternatively, if you have a rental car and don’t mind venturing off-property, there are several outlet malls within a short drive. We favor Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets for a few reasons. First, they have a diverse range of stores (from Old Navy to Burberry). Second, there are plenty of options for inexpensive winter-wear (Columbia, Levi’s, Gap, Nike, etc.). Finally, there’s a Disney outlet that features deep-discounted items from the parks.
Of course, the best option is preparing with what you need before your trip. That’s where the rest of this list comes in handy. Note that this list only covers items specific to winter travel. For our full all-seasons packing recommendations, check out our Unique Disney Packing List post, which contains a lot of innovative and cool things for your trip that you otherwise might not have considered.
Before we dig into the practical (read: boring) stuff, let’s start with some highly recommended fun options to get into the festive spirit. This is downright essential if you’re attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Even if you aren’t, we highly recommend doing a full-day or at least an evening donning your holiday finery…or at least a rad shark sweater!
Novelty Christmas Sweaters – Every year, we wear new “ugly” (or some might say super stylish) Christmas sweaters during the holiday season. Disney itself sells some great (albeit pricey) designs. For cheaper non-Disney options, we highly recommend Blizzard Bay Ugly Christmas Sweaters. This brand is our favorite for budget-friendly ugly Christmas sweaters.
We’ve purchased several of these for $25-$35 each, and have had them for years. Here’s the Manatee Christmas Sweater that Sarah is wearing above; I’m also partial to this Gator Christmas Sweater, both of which are fitting for Florida. The Blizzard Bay brand offers quality sweaters–not just sweatshirts that look like sweaters–that hold up over time. They’re not heirloom caliber, but they’re better than you’d expect for novelty Christmas sweaters!
Another brand that we’ve had success with in the past is Alex Stevens Ugly Christmas Sweaters. However, in searching again for new designs in December 2022, many of their designs are disappointingly crude and juvenile (IMO). I’m hardly puritanical, but I think way too many of their new styles rely on shock value imagery instead of fun, cheesy, and good-natured humor. To each their own, though!
Christmas Mickey Mouse Santa Red Graphic T-Shirt — This is my go-tos for wearing underneath Christmas sweaters, since the weather isn’t usually right for those until the sun goes down. It’s cheap and looks far nicer than you’d expect for a shirt that costs for $13. (I’d recommend sizing up if you want a looser fit.)
Other Christmas Attire Trends – We have not gotten “into” either of these trends yet, but Ugly Christmas Suits and Matching Family Christmas Onesie Pajamas are both incredibly popular with guests at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You won’t be out of place with either, and both make great material for family photos.
Christmas Accessories – If you’re not down with the sweaters, or want to take it a step further, grab an Illuminated Christmas Light Necklace. It’s just like the one they sell in the Magic Kingdom, but it’s a lot less expensive!
This cool Reindeer Christmas Scarf is great. Candy Cane Elf Stockings for ladies are both practical and festive. These matching His & Her Reindeer Antlers are also pretty…uhh…stylish? 😉
Now, let’s check out what you should pack for Disney during those winter months. First, some practical stuff, and then fun options to get in the festive spirit (in the event you’re visiting at Christmas-time)…
HotHands Hand Warmers – Perfect when you’re standing around outside waiting for a parade or fireworks on really chilly evenings. These hand warmers are cheap and effective, and last longer than a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. These might seem over the top for a normally warm-weather destination, but when the sun goes down, it can get cold.
Touch Screen Gloves – Post photos of Cinderella Castle lit up for Christmas to Facebook or Instagram without removing your gloves. Priceless. These gloves will keep your hands warm while allowing you to use your touch-screen smartphones.
Microfleece Travel Blanket – This is a really versatile option, and it’s worth grabbing a few. Thanks to its incredibly thin material, it packs easily in your backpack, and can be used to keep warm before parades/fireworks (or, if it’s not that cold, you can sit on it) to wrap around you on a chilly night, etc. The super cheap price makes this something you don’t have to worry about getting dirty!
Thermal Shirt – Packing a lot of cold-weather clothes can take up a lot of room in your suitcase, so instead of heavy coats and thick sweatshirts, we recommend inexpensive and lightweight means of keeping warm. Thin thermal shirts that keep your body heat close to you and can be worn under another layer of clothing are a great option. We recommend this one for men and this one for women.
800-Fill Down Coats – Our pick here is specifically an 800-fill goose down coat because it compresses really well and takes up barely any suitcase room. It’s smaller and warmer than fleece, and although a bit pricey, these last a long time and are perfect for cold weather.
In Florida or California, a down coat is more than enough to keep you warm even on colder nights. If you’re going to Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disneyland in the winter, you should also pack a proper winter coat and use the down coat as a base layer. In France and Japan, temperatures drop below freezing on a regular basis (both parks get snow a couple of times per year), and a down coat alone will be insufficient for those cold nights.
Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Winter Hat – You can find cheap knit winter beanies just about anywhere, but I’m serious about my winter hats. I love this Mountain Hardwear hat with a wind-stopping layer; I’ve worn it in the mountains in sub-zero temperatures and it has kept me warm–it can handle Walt Disney World just fine.
Waterproof Shoes – These are probably overkill. I bought a pair for our first visit to Disneyland Paris a couple of years ago because I read that December in France is cold and rainy, and I was vindicated as it was cold and rainy, and my wet stayed warm and dry, but there’s a difference between Paris winter weather and Florida or California winter weather. I don’t typically wear these to the parks during the winter months (they are far from stylish), but they are a great option if you want to play it safe.
Long Pants – For some of you, this is a no-brainer; even in the summer you wear jeans. For those of you like me who savor the feeling of the wind rustling your leg hair, jeans are not something you typically pack when visiting Florida or California. The most practical option is convertible pants like these ones for men or these ones for women, which are great for hot or cold weather (and are nice for storage)…but are not exactly the most stylish option.
If you’re visiting during the winter months, regardless of the forecast, you will want to pack at least one pair of long pants as a safety net: you’re likely to encounter at least one sub-50s day on a weeklong trip in the winter. Unless you’re keen on the idea of dropping ~$50 on a pair of Disney sweatpants (and are okay with then wearing sweatpants to the parks), just bring a pair of long pants.
Finally, and once again, other packing “rules” for Walt Disney World remain in effect for the winter. For instance, not packing disposable ponchos is a cardinal sin if you’re visiting Walt Disney World any time of year (and down jackets do not take well to rain). Depending upon your sensitivity to cold weather and/or style preference, there are also other accessories you might want to pack. Some people love scarves, I find them to be an inefficient hassle. Some people love thick socks, I view these as ill-advised “moisture sponges.”
Not necessarily related to winter packing, but if you’re visiting for Christmas, consider packing some lights or other decorations to put in your hotel room window if you have the space in your luggage. A lot of people do this, and it can be fun! For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and related articles.
Your Thoughts…
What you recommend packing for a winter Disney trip? Do you have any experiences with unseasonably cold weather at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi, My family is going mid November of this year. Would you still recommend following your winter packing list or do you suggest something else?
Hi Tom!
We are heading to WDW in a red-eye tomorrow night and the weather is stressing me out! Here’s my question- does 79 degrees in the winter feel the same as a summer 79? I know the humidity in the summer is out of control and it makes it feel much hotter than a SoCal 79… so will it be the same in January?!
Thanks!
If you’re from a colder area then 79 @ WDW will probably feel warm (possibly hot if your summers are also cool) to you, humidity definitely make it feel hotter but looser clothing helps with that a lot. If you’re not used to humidity I’d suggest skipping any plans of skinny jeans while it’s warmer, you probably aren’t ready.
All of that said, don’t just not plan for cold weather, weather is a fickle mistress and she will betray you in a snap. The southeast as a whole is DEFINITELY capable of having a 79 degree day with a night that’s in the 50s or lower. As Tom mentioned too, you’ll feel it more too with the drastic changes. The humidity means it permeates too, you’ll find the cold almost clinging to your clothes when it does cool off. So be safe and pack accordingly.
I would like to add fleece lined leggings to the list. If you aren’t from colder area (or just not used to be being outside in the cold for long) these can be great and their really versatile. You can toss them on with that dress you’ve been wearing all day, or you can wear them under your jeans like I do here in NYC (I’m from the Carolinas so the bitter cold of the city still gets to me).
If you don’t want to go the leggings route, tights (not hose) are a great trick I learned in the military deployed in December in Afghanistan. You’d be amazed at the difference wearing a pair of tights under your pants can make, especially with looser pants. Think of it as giving yourself a pocket of air to buffer between you and the cold.
Like you, I can’t recommend hot hands enough. These bad boys are so strong that when our convoys had to stay the night at a FOB in tents with no heat we’d use them in the bottom of our sleeping bags. Two of these would last us all night and keep us toasty warm in freezing temperatures. They have versions that go in your shoes too but I can’t recommend them unless your shoes get a crazy amount of airflow. These packets need air to activate so if they’re “suffocated” they stop working.
UNIQLO is great too. We love them here in NYC for their thermal leggings (another great option to wear under pants) and undershirts. For trips in the hotter months they can be amazing too, with cooling tanks and tees that wick moisture away.
We were at WDW this past NYE. First day we were there the weather was perfect, sunny, and temperatures in the 70e. By that night temperature had dropped to mid 50s. The next three days were rainy with temperatures in the high 30s/low 40s. Safe to say we were completely unprepared and had to buy warm clothing at the gift shops. Still had a great trip regardless.
Unless there are recycling bins there that accept thin plastic sheets/bags, disposable ponchos are horrible for the environment.
Either bring a real rain jacket, or spend the few extra dollars to not look like you’re wearing a giant garbage bag and get a proper reusable poncho for like $10+. If you forgot it beforehand, they should be available at nearby stores like Walmart, Target, and/or sporting goods stores.
I’m heading to Orlando TOMORROW from CO. Luckily, layers is my middle name, but ….Totally freaking out about what to bring for outerwear. Glad I found this post, Tom, you rock. Down parka? Leather and Layers? I planned to bring my EXOFFICO Long rain coat, but now I’m having second thoughts. Sounds like people don’t wear “rain jackets” but prefer to use disposable ponchos?
I live in MI and I was at WDW December 9th-12th. 40 degrees in Florida feels significantly colder than 40 degrees here due to the humidity. When the sun goes down, it’s frigid! I’m not kidding. We dressed in layers, wore winter coats and I still felt cold. Granted its warmer than MI, but when your outside all day and whipping around on Test Track, you’ll be glad that you’ve taken your winter gear.
Going the last week in Jan and I WANT to wear my capri’s LOL. I will be taking your advice and brining a couple of pairs of long paints. I am hoping that a cardigan sweater and hoodie give me enough for the early morning & after the sun goes down.
I don’t normally even wear a sweater until it gets down below 40 here, but that is not being out side all day – Although since is is <10 degrees here now, I am going to be wearing my coat on the plane so I will have it if needed.
Looking at the extended forecast the next few weeks still look below average in orlando, but keeping my fingers crossed that they are accurate in preducting back up to the 'normal' average after that.
But even down to 40, it is a lot beter than single digits and big piles of snow! that I will be leaving at home!
I did pick up a micro-feece blanket – the hand warmers do seem like over-kill, but they don't take up a lot of room, so we will see. My BF is convinced it will not be cold, but I don't want to have to think about going back to the hotel early if it does get chilly at night.
I live in MI and I was at WDW December 9th-12th. 40 degrees in Florida feels significantly colder than 40 degrees here due to the humidity. When the sun goes down, it’s frigid! I’m not kidding. We dressed in layers, wore winter coats and I still felt cold. Granted its warmer than MI, but when your outside all day and whipping around on Test Track, you’ll be glad that you’ve taken your winter gear.
Just a helpful note about UNIQLO. I discovered them while in NYC and fell in love with their practical, stylish clothes and outerwear. Their line of thermal gear is great – warm socks, hats scarves and under layers are extremely thin, not bulky, but warm. But….be aware this is a store from Japan and the clothing sizes are created with the smaller Asian frame in mind. This does really well in NYC where most of the population is super trim and fit. But if you’re like me, and fall in love with their clothes be prepared that they do not carry larger sizes. Many average Americans today may not fit into their XL and they carry nothing larger than XL, which is about a size 12-14. Of course, this means nothing if you’re stopping in for a pair of touch screen gloves (I love mine!). So, there you have it! I can’t wait to visit the Disney Springs location next week just to see what they have!
I think this underscores an important point about UNIQLO regardless of ones frame: try everything on. While I normally size up one size with UNIQLO items, sometimes shorter sleeves or an odd fit elsewhere causes me to bump up two sizes.
love, love, love your blog! very helpful and headed to our first MVMCP next week. So excited!
Love the recommended clothing links! Thanks for the great tips!
What about dri-fit wear in early November?
If your airplane has blankets, nab one and throw it into your carryon. It’s lightweight, warm(ish), and it’s not a big deal if you have to leave it behind to make room for souvenirs!
Excellent tip. Too bad most airlines have done away with these on shorter flights–but definitely agree that you should take it if it’s there!
what about Japan on january 3, 2018…that is the day we are planning on going. its a wednesday. needing helpful advise. like are all disney resorts booked solid? or do they not release until a certain time online?
My family and I were in WDW for Christmas 2015 and we had days that reached 100. It was apparently the warmest Christmas Florida had seen and was a nice break from the Chicago winter. Though we did end up having to run around finding some extra t-shirts and shorts to last our time there.
We visited WDW for two weeks leading up to Christmas 2016. Luckily, we drove. We had seen the average temperatures were highs in the 70s. We packed layers, jeans with t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, and sweatshirts. We had coats since it was cold at home before we left. The temperatures were in the 80s some days, and we had to go shopping and find shorts/capri pants.
We’re headed back on Valentine’s Day and trying to figure out what to pack. We will make sure to include at least one pair of shorts!
My first trip to WDW will be Dec 2017. I’m curious as to what shoes are good for the winter months. I think the waterproof shoes as mentioned above seem excessive. Thanks for any input!☺ï¸
December is not a SUPER rainy time of year for Disney. You should be fine with sneakers! Don’t underestimate how much walking you will be doing!
I love the fact that you have advice for Disney in winter, but I am having trouble trying to figure out what you mean by “cold.” (For reference, I come from Alberta, land of huge temperature swings).
Where you are from, in winter, can you see your breath? Do you worry about wind chill? Do you worry about frostbite? Would Florida temperatures in January be the equivalent of your spring or summer? Getting an idea about what your baseline is would help me to figure out how to interpret my need for a down filled coats and thinsulate gloves (considering I wear those to work right now so that I don’t risk losing fingers.)
I am from MI and I have never needed a down jacket in FL. We often visit in January, and my family has never really needed more than a hooded sweatshirt in the mornings. We have has some mornings in the 40s but never colder than that. I routinely wear leggings under a short sleeved sun dress with a hoodie or fleece in the morning with sandals. By afternoon it’s usually too warm for the fleece. Hope this helps.
Lol! I’m from British Columbia. Trying to figure out the same thing! We’re going in January too, have fun!
I’m going with my wife and 3.5yr old in a couple of weeks. I’ve been searching on what to wear and this is really the only blog I found that referenced men! Being a guy I usually wear jeans but also know that jeans aren’t that great if you get hot! I’m wondering if I’ll be ok during the day and night with jeans or do people recommend shorts for the day and jeans for the evening? Or should I invest in some hiking convertible pants, I don’t own any so any advice will be good!
a few years ago, prior to our December vacation, I was given a bunch of short knit gloves, the kind that sell for a dollar. The store owner was throwing them out, so I asked if I could have them. I wrapped each in festive paper and UPS’d them to my WDW hotel. I presented a pair of gloves to our servers at every meal, to cast members, and even to a shivering guest or two, wishing them a very Happy Holiday.
Cast members, especially those getting off work late at night, have a long, cold walk to their parking lots. It really didn’t cost me anything and seemed to have made people happy. So now I do it every December vacation. I buy the gloves after the holidays or at winter sales. Worth every penny.
This is positively wonderful. If you don’t mind, I’m going to follow suit. Kindness matters!!