Packing List
December Packing List for Orlando — What to Wear & Bring
December is Orlando's holiday peak — 73°F highs and 52°F lows with just 5 rain days. Walt Disney World's holiday decorations, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Universal's Holidays celebration, and EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays draw massive crowds, especially Christmas week through New Year's. Days are pleasant and warm in the sun, but evenings and early mornings are genuinely cool at 52°F. This is layering weather: short sleeves for warm afternoons, a medium jacket for evening events, and comfortable shoes for the year's busiest park days.
Averages 52–73°F, ~5 days of rain
Clothing
December's 21°F temperature swing from 73°F afternoons to 52°F evenings at Orlando's theme parks demands layering — you'll want short sleeves for the warm midday walk through EPCOT's World Showcase and long sleeves for the 9 PM fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
December evenings at Walt Disney World and Universal drop to 52°F, and the open-air walkways feel cold after warm afternoon exploring — a medium jacket is essential for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which runs until midnight, and for Universal's holiday events.
December's 52°F lows make full-length pants comfortable for all-day Orlando park visits — jeans or casual pants work from the cool morning rope drop through warm afternoon touring and into the cool evening holiday events.
December's 73°F afternoon highs can feel warm in direct Florida sun, especially during midday at Animal Kingdom's open areas or EPCOT's shadeless World Showcase — packing shorts gives you the option for warmer days.
Walt Disney World and Universal's December holiday events are festive occasions — Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, and holiday-themed outfits are embraced at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and throughout the parks during the holiday season.
Footwear
December brings Orlando's highest attendance days of the year — Christmas week through New Year's at Walt Disney World and Universal means extended park hours (often 8 AM to midnight) and 12–15 miles of concrete walking. Supportive athletic shoes with serious cushioning are non-negotiable.
52°F mornings at Orlando's park gates make sandals uncomfortable — closed-toe walking shoes handle both the cool December morning start and the warm midday transition as temperatures climb to 73°F.
Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are free-admission holiday shopping destinations — December's 73°F daytime weather makes their outdoor walkways comfortable in casual shoes for the shorter distances of shopping and dining days.
Accessories
Even in December, Orlando's 73°F afternoons deliver UV exposure during the 8–10 hours of outdoor theme park time — EPCOT's open World Showcase, Magic Kingdom's Main Street, and Animal Kingdom's safari areas are fully sun-exposed during midday.
December evenings at 52°F feel cold after warm 73°F afternoons at the parks — a scarf adds warmth during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party's outdoor parade viewing and the walk from EPCOT to the Boardwalk after the holiday fireworks.
December's low sun angle in Orlando creates direct glare along Main Street USA and the World Showcase promenade during morning and late afternoon — the wide-open sightlines at the parks make UV-protective sunglasses essential.
December's layering needs — jacket for morning and evening, sunscreen, water bottle, and potential Christmas Party gear — require a day bag that fits in ride cubbies and keeps everything organized through Orlando's longest park days of the year.
Local tips for Orlando in December
- 1.Christmas week through New Year's Day is Walt Disney World and Universal's busiest period of the entire year — parks reach capacity, and wait times for headliner rides can exceed 150 minutes. If visiting during this window, arrive before park opening, use Genie+ and Lightning Lane aggressively, and accept that crowds are part of the holiday experience.
- 2.Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom on select December nights — it features exclusive holiday fireworks, parades, character meet-and-greets, and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Dress in warm layers for the 52°F evening and comfortable shoes for the 5+ hours of walking from 7 PM to midnight.
- 3.Early December (before the 15th) offers a sweet spot — holiday decorations and events are fully operational, but crowds haven't yet reached Christmas-week intensity. Hotel rates are lower, park wait times are manageable, and the 73°F/52°F weather is near-ideal for all-day outdoor park touring.