December is not normally a month to wax lyrical about, weather-wise. For most people, it is the start of several months of miserable weather and a general feeling of “the blues” (and not the Moody kind, either!).
Conversely, it is the start of a generally balmy period on this side of the Atlantic, one where we can (finally!) open all the windows and doors and let some humidity-free air into the house for a good airing. The air-conditioning can be switched off – hurrah! – and we can happily go for long walks without turning into a puddle of perspiration.
This feeling of gentle contentment kicks in around half-past-November and usually lasts through to the end of March, but it is at its height right through December when we have the perfect combination of weather and outdoor events.
Just to start with, the big US holiday of Thanksgiving acts as the beginning of this period of blissful tranquillity. It is literally the time of year when we give thanks for what we have and show our appreciation for family and friends. It’s like Christmas, but without presents and decorations.
And, if you have timed your Orlando visit to include both Thanksgiving and the following couple of weeks, you can congratulate yourself on impeccable timing. There is some fabulous food to be discovered at many of the hotels and restaurants, and there is a general sense of holiday excitement for the whole long weekend (Nov 27-Dec 1) that this celebration now encompasses.
If you need recommendations for places to sample a true Thanksgiving dinner – which consists of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes (or yams), dressing, gravy and cranberries, plus pumpkin pie – we can heartily endorse any of the following:
Big Fin Seafood, Café Tu Tu Tango, Caribe Royale, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Seasons 52, Hilton Orlando and The Hampton Social in the International Drive area; and each of the Four Seasons Hotel, Earl of Sandwich, The Edison, JW Marriott Bonnet Creek, STK Orlando, Paddlefish and Raglan Road in and around Walt Disney World (see the full list of dinner possibilities from Visit Orlando at https://www.visitorlando.com/blog/post/thanksgiving-dining-orlando/).
Just be aware that Thanksgiving is much more the traditional time for turkey than Christmas in the US, hence the supermarkets will be full of turkey offerings, with all the trimmings, at this time of year. And, even if you’re not looking to take on the turkey-cooking challenge yourself, it is still fun to see the mass of related products piled high in the likes of our Publix, Winn-Dixie and Aldi supermarkets!
As the final weekend in November, this turkey feast also ushers in the month of December with the full rush of pre-Christmas events and festivities. And here lies Orlando’s great secret for the festive season – you can enjoy the full array of Yuletide offerings, shows and events with very little of the crowds that build up from around December 16 onwards and hang around until early January.
And it is this heady concoction of mild weather, shorter-then-average queues and all the festive trimmings that makes Orlando truly idyllic at this time of year.
Now, we’re prepared to believe that temperatures around 20-24°C might not be quite warm enough for some folks but, if you’ve been here during the July-September period, you’ll know how over-the-top Florida’s heat and humidity can be, to the point of needing the drone of the A/C system on full-time. Nature’s own sauna can definitely be over-powering.
Instead, these cooler temps (today, for example, we are “only” at 19°C, but there is plenty of sun and zero chance of any rain) are actually far more conducive to getting out and about and really enjoying this wonderful destination, while it also translates into an ideal time to be touring the theme parks, as it is nowhere near as energy-sapping as the summer months are. The park hours aren’t quite as long in early December, but you can actually do more in the time available.
Plus, everyone now has all their Christmas decorations and other programmes up and running for the festive season, and places like the Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld are so much more fun without constant crowds to deal with. You might need a coat or jacket for the evening, but you are not going to need the thermal underwear and other items of the typical wintry wardrobe!
No, the water parks are still open; outdoor dining is still perfectly acceptable; and you can still get a sun tan in December. It’s a win-win-win. And, when the UK forecast for next month shows a LOT of single digits, that means you will be substantially warmer than most.
Perhaps the best thing about Florida as we approach the winter solstice, though, is the general feeling of relaxed charm about the place. With the temperatures down to a more human level, the locals are more laid back and the smaller attractions are more welcoming. The likes of Leu Gardens, Winter Garden, Wekiva Island and Altamonte Springs – all places that we’ve blogged about in recent years – are that much more enjoyable, and the state’s in-built friendliness is at its best.
And, with more couples and empty-nesters looking to take advantage of the off-peak rates and lower flight prices, there’s no reason why an Orlando trip shouldn’t be on YOUR radar anytime soon.
What is YOUR favourite time of the year to holiday in? Tell us about it on the friendly AttractionTickets.com Community Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
