Florida at Christmas

Welcome to Fodors Jacquie. You will want to re-post your question over on the United States forum. "Forums Help" is for questions/problems using the website, not for travel advice/discussions. Almost no one will see your thread here.

There are TONS of FL and Disney experts on the USA forum.

IMHO, too cold for the beach (re: swimming) in December. In the Keys the water and air temp will be warmer than Central Florida but there isn't much "beach" there. All and all, December is a great month for weather in Central and South Florida.

My parents live in SW Florida. It was too cool last year at X-Mas for their pool. Some people were in the Gulf but it wasn't too warm. Keys would be the best but agree with thill about not much beach.

Mother lives just west of Ft. Lauderdale and we always think twice about going at Xmas. We were in Orlando once with the kids and it was in high 40s/low 50s, we had to buy jackets for everyone. Of course the kids still swam in the pool.

Have also been to the Keys in December and it was high 70s/low 80s. If you go, make sure you visit the Pennecamp Coral reef park near Key Largo.

The point is its IFFY about the weather. The good news is that there is so much to do in Central/South Florida, you can adjust. Advice - have 2 itineraries, one for warm, one for cold.

Personally, at the low prices they are giving away for cruises, I would go to the Caribbean at Xmas, where you are almost guaranteed warmer weather.

Apparently katie moved your thread. Now you will get lots of help/advice.

I was in Orlando a few years ago over Christmas. The crowds were low and the lines were short. Temp 60-70. We also traveled to the keys and the temp was 75-85. We're from the northeast and found it warm enough to swim.

We go to Florida every year for Christmas, so I can help some.

Where are you coming from? If you are from a northern city, then it will be plenty warm for you. This past Christmas was hands down the best weather we've ever had. We come from Michigan.

There seems to be a climate shift right around Alligator Alley which runs between Ft. Lauderdale and Naples. North of there can be chilly, south of there is warm.

We've spent time in both Ft. Lauderdale and Naples. The beaches are always crowded and there are many people swimming. The water isn't hot and it takes a bit to get used to it, but it isn't cold either. This last Christmas was about 80 and sunny every day. That was a bit unusual. But it has always been above 70. It is absolutely shorts weather.

We've been to Orlando in January twice and it can get cold there. Jeans and jacket during the day cold.

Christmas lodging books fast. I would be working on that asap. And if you have your exact dates and need a rental car, book that asap as well. Rental car rates only go up.

FODORS TIP - click on your name at the top of the page to get all your post brought up. It is much easier to find things that way! Welcome.

Although weather in Florida is generally pretty mild in December, I can remember a couple of years when the temperature dropped into the 20s for several days. The point already made about unpredictabiliity is valid. The Keys will be the only place, other than perhaps Lauderdale and Miami Beach, where you can count on weather that will usually be warm enough. Orlando can also be very cold or not, and you never know. In general, you can expect average daytime highs in Orlando to be somewhere around 55-70 degrees except when a cold front goes through. Basically you just have to make your decision and hope that statistics are on your side.

Respecting northeast's experience, the week between Christmas and New Year is traditionally the busiest week at Disney's parks. With current economic conditions, that could be different this year, but I would anticipate planning your visit for significant crowds.

Planning your beach time in the Keys gives you the best chance at tropical weather. Hoping you have done your research and know that the Keys have limited beaches and not every Key has a beach.

In Key West (my favorite vacation destination), the week between Christmas and New Year's is extremely busy. Minimum stays are required and prices are hiked.

On the positive side, the keys will be the warmest area of Florida, but on the negative, the "beaches" are 99.9% man-made and most are tiny, too.

Transportation between Orlando and Key West may also be a problem. The drive down the keys from Miami to Key West is 4 hours under the best circumstances.

We may need a bit more information about the length of your stay and what you hope to accomplish.

This was my first winter in FL.
Agree that Christmas time in central FL might be cool and might be warm. Beaches near Orlando (Cocoa Beach, an hour away) would most likely be on the cool side.

However, I was in Key West on Christmas Day last year and the beach was crowded - and yes, it was a small beach - but everyone was having a good time.