What to wear to Walt Disney World is one of the most commonly asked questions people have.
You will have dozens and dozens of pictures taken so it is smart to put a little bit of thought into what to wear. You want to look back at photos and love your photos – not be annoyed by your outfits!
You also want to be comfortable and ready for long days at the parks. You do not want to have to run back to your hotel for a sweatshirt or a raincoat.
We want to help you figure out what to pack for your trip to Walt Disney World. Our goal is to help you simplify your clothing so you can focus on other things!
This post is dedicated to what to wear (and pack) to Walt Disney World in December.
What Is The Weather at Disney World in December?
The weather in December is almost identical to February. The highs are in the mid 70’s and the lows are in the mid 50’s. There is very little rain in the Orlando area in December, however, it is more rainy than November. You will find there to be about 4 days of rain. The entire month sees 2.2″ of precipitation.
Clothing Packing List – December
December is a great time of year to visit Disney World. The Christmas decorations are out and the parks are beautiful and festive.
As far as clothing goes, moisture wicking shirts and shorts will always be your friend in Walt Disney World, but they aren’t as necessary as they are in the summer. In December, layers are your friend. If you are getting to the parks early for rope drop or staying late for an event or extra magic hours you will definitely want to have a sweatshirt or jacket with you.
We recommend packing the following:
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweatshirts, fleece jacket, or cardigan for layering
- Several pairs of pants or jeans
- One or two pairs of shorts
- Socks
- Additional items to consider (see below) gloves, hat, packable blanket
1. Tee Shirts
Pack at least one t-shirt per day that you will be at the Disney Parks. We always bring at least one Disney themed t-shirt because we love adding to the Disney Magic!
Many, many people wear Disney themed shirts at Disney World! It is fun to match your shirt to the park you will be in. For example, wear a Star Wars shirt in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and your classic Mickey shirt in the Magic Kingdom
You may want to choose to bring a Christmas themed Disney shirt if you are going to Disney World in December. There are so many options out there! We have an entire post dedicated to Christmas apparel for Disney! We love this Grumpy dwarf shirt (it also comes in a sweatshirt option):
- Officially Licensed Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Christmas Apparel; Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs T-Shirts; Disney Seven Dwarfs Grumpy Shirts ; Disney Youth Shirts; Classic Snow...
- 21PRIN00285A-001
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
You could also consider getting some Disney Christmas nails done as well!
Because we love Disney t-shirts so much, and we really think you should bring at least one to the park, we have posts dedicated to all our favorite Disney shirts.
- Disney shirts for the entire family
- Disney shirts for couples
- Disney shirts for women
- Disney villain shirts
- Disney clothes for teens
- Disney clothes for toddlers girls
2. Long Sleeve Shirts
We definitely recommend bringing several long sleeve shirts to Walt Disney World in December. Lightweight long sleeve tops are easy to throw in your backpack and will give you a warm layer for those chilly restaurants and early mornings.
Layering is key to enjoying your time in the parks! Make sure the long sleeve shirts will fit comfortably over your t-shirts. Try on your outfits before you go! We cannot stress this enough. You want to be comfortable and not thinking about your clothes while you are in the parks.
We have a list of our favorite long sleeve Disney themed shirts here.
3. Sweatshirt, fleece jacket, or cardigan
You will want to bring at least one sweatshirt, fleece jacket, or other layering piece for extra warmth. Early mornings at the bus stop and late evenings at the fireworks can be quite cool. Our motto is this: we would rather have a sweatshirt and not need it vs. wishing we had a sweatshirt and not bringing it!
Your layering piece is completely up to you. If you already own a lightweight jacket or have a favorite sweatshirt simply bring that! You will want to be aware that you will likely not wear this layering piece for most of the day, so make sure it will fit easily into your backpack and isn’t too heavy. While we love the look of jean jackets, they can be bulky and heavy to carry around.
Puffer jackets are a great option as they are lightweight, squish easily into a backpack, and provide plenty of warmth! This one from amazon is incredibly affordable.
- Contoured seams bring a fitted shape to this water-resistant lightweight quilted coat
- Zip pockets, stand-up collar, elasticized cuffs, packs neatly into included carrying bag with drawstring closure
- The perfect lightweight jacket for all seasons
- Everyday made better: we listen to customer feedback and fine-tune every detail to ensure quality, fit, and comfort
- An Amazon Brand
If you prefer a fleece style jacket, this is a great option – it has great zippered pockets, very affordable, and comes in 40 different color options!
- This midweight polar fleece jacket with a high collar, works as a finishing touch to a cool-weather look or a comfy base layer when it's time to bundle up
- Everyday made better: we listen to customer feedback and fine-tune every detail to ensure quality, fit, and comfort
- Contoured side seams for a fitted look
- Winter made better: we listen to customer feedback and fine-tune every detail to ensure quality, fit, and comfort
4. Several pairs of pants or jeans
You are going to want to bring pants or jeans on your December vacation. The number you will bring is subjective to the exact weather and your personal preferences. Again, consider what your optimal comfort level is and pack accordingly. Pants options could include: joggers, jeans, leggings, or athletic pants.
While 75 degrees is typically shorts weather, do keep in mind that that is the HIGH temperature. Most of the day it will not be 75, especially later in the month. Of course, if you are experiencing unseasonable warmth, you will want to pack lighter pants (leggings, joggers). If it is cooler than normal you will want to pack more jeans and heavier sweat pant style joggers.
5. A couple pair of shorts
We do recommend that you bring a couple pairs of shorts, even if you think you won’t wear them. You may be surprised by the weather!
You will be walking a ton and often shade is not easily accessible. You may find shorts to be a better option. They take up very little space in your suitcase, so throw in a pair!
6. Socks
This is its own category because you CANNOT forget to bring socks! You will not want to wear sandals to the parks in December (we don’t recommend sandals as your park footwear anyway, but especially not in December). Pick comfortable socks that will not give you blisters.
We actually recommend that you pack two pair of socks for each day of vacation. If your feet get sweaty in the parks it will feel amazing to swap out your socks for a clean pair when you get back to your hotel. Trust us on this one – we are from Minnesota and understand socks.
If you are in the market for new socks, check out Darn Tough socks. They are super comfortable, merino wool (they will hep keep your feet dry!), and are made in Vermont! The best part is that they have a lifetime guarantee. If you get a hole in them, send them back for a new pair! Our entire family wears this brand.
- Ultra Lightweight - Our lightest sock for race day or anyone looking for a lighter-than-air feel from a tougher than hell sock. True Seamless technology allows for an undetectable seam fusion for an...
- No Show Tab Height - The toughest sock you’ll never see. When your shoes are on this sock is gone.
- Composition - Knit with 54% Nylon 39% Merino Wool 7% Lycra Spandex. The fast action wicking pulls moisture away from skin, so no more sweaty, stinky socks. The soft, breathable merino wool has fast...
- Guaranteed for Life - If these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them. No strings. No conditions.
- Made in the USA - Every pair of socks is knit in Northfield, Vermont - the perfect testing ground for the finest premium all-weather performance socks.
7. Additional Things To Consider
- Rain Gear – while the amount of rain in December is not very high, you may want to consider grabbing a poncho to throw in your backpack in case you get caught in an afternoon rain shower.
- Dressy clothes – some dining locations have a dress code, so please keep that in mind. If you are planning a nicer date night at Disney Springs or the Boardwalk out make sure you have appropriate clothes!
- Hat and gloves – a lightweight pair of gloves or a hat may be something to consider, especially if you will be pushing a stroller around and unable to put your hands in pockets.
Checking the weather is vital before your trip to Disney World in the winter. One year we visited Disney in the winter (January) and it was freezing. We wore hats and mittens every day to the parks. It was windy, which made the temperature feel colder. We were very, very glad to have brought gear to keep us warm.
Is December A Good Time To Go To Disney World?
Generally speaking, December is a great time to visit Walt Disney World, especially early in the month. We absolutely love the way Disney decorates for the holidays.
Be aware that the crowds are unbelievably high during Christmas and New Years. Be sure to check out our Disney Crowd Calendar for more detailed information.
Other Disney Packing Tips
Of course, we didn’t cover packing a hat, sunscreen, pajamas (check out our favorite Disney Christmas pajamas) and other personal items! This post will help make sure you don’t forget anything. We have other packing tips to help you plan your November vacation to Disney World.
If you are looking for an overview of what clothes to pack for Disney World check out our month by month guide!