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Orlando Packing List for December: Pack vs Rent Guide
- Daniel Harper
- 2026-10-12
Quick answer: For an Orlando packing list in December, pack layers for a normal high near 74°F and a low near 53°F, plus park-friendly bags that follow each park's rules. Bring clothes, medications, comfort items and a small day bag, and rent the bulky things (stroller, car seat, crib, beach gear, grill) instead of flying with them. Below is a list by family member, the official bag and stroller rules at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, and a pack-or-rent table.
We checked each fact below against the official page on October 12, 2026. Park policies change, so confirm before you go.
Key Takeaways
- December normals at Orlando International Airport are 73.8°F for the high and 52.9°F for the low, with about 2.48 inches of rain over roughly 7 days (NOAA 1991 to 2020), so layers beat bulky coats.
- Disney's rules limit bags and coolers to 24" x 15" x 18" and prohibit strollers over 31" wide and 52" long. Wagons are not allowed at its theme parks, and neither are folding chairs.
- Universal does not allow suitcases or bags with wheels, outside food (except 2 liters of bottled water per guest, baby food and formula, and food for medical or dietary needs), or folding chairs. SeaWorld allows bottled or refillable water but no other outside food, and it does not allow luggage, wheeled bags, suitcases or folding chairs.
- Sunset is about 5:30 pm, so pack jackets for the evening and a light for the walk back to the car.
- Renting a stroller, car seat and crib to be delivered to the house frees suitcase space for clothes.
December climate: what you are packing for
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give these December numbers (see the National Weather Service climate summary): average high 73.8°F, average low 52.9°F, 2.48 inches of rain and 7.1 days with measurable rain. The airport averages about 2.5 nights a month at or below 40°F, so a cold morning is possible. Sunset falls between 5:28 and 5:39 pm. For a full breakdown, see our Orlando weather in December guide.
Packing list by family member
| Who | Clothes (layers) | Essentials |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (0 to 12 months) | Bodysuits, footed sleepers, a fleece or zip layer, socks, a sun hat, a warm hat for mornings | Diapers and wipes, formula or bottles, burp cloths, pacifiers, a carrier, a change pad, medications, a swim diaper if you will use a pool |
| Toddler (1 to 3 years) | 2 or 3 outfits a day, a sweatshirt, a light jacket, closed shoes, a swimsuit, pajamas | Sippy cups, snacks, a comfort toy, a favorite blanket, spare clothes for the stroller basket, a potty seat if you use one |
| Kids (4 to 12) | T-shirts, long sleeves, a hoodie, long pants and shorts, walking shoes, a swimsuit, a poncho | A refillable water bottle, a small backpack, ear protection for fireworks, a book or tablet for the car |
| Adults | Layers, a jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a poncho, a hat and sunglasses | Sunscreen, a portable charger, ID, medications, a day bag that fits park size limits, a reusable water bottle |
A few specifics worth knowing:
- Sunscreen: the FDA says newborns and babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight, and sunscreen is not usually used on infants. See the FDA guidance on sunscreen and infants. For older children, we suggest hats, shade and sunscreen even in December.
- Car seat clothing: NHTSA says to choose lightweight fleece layers instead of puffy materials so the harness stays snug, then cover the child with a blanket or a coat worn backwards over the buckled harness. Read the NHTSA cold-weather car seat tips.
- Ear protection: for fireworks nights, the NIDCD says protective earmuffs come in sizes that fit infants and children. See the NIDCD guidance.
Official bag, stroller and food rules at the parks
| Park | Bags and strollers | Food and drink |
|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World | Bags, backpacks and coolers larger than 24" x 15" x 18" are not allowed. Strollers over 31" wide and 52" long are prohibited. Wagons and stroller wagons are prohibited. Folding chairs and selfie sticks are not allowed. | Glass containers (except small ones such as baby food jars) and alcohol are prohibited. Loose or dry ice is not allowed in coolers; re-usable ice packs are recommended. |
| Universal Orlando | All bags are screened. Suitcases and bags with wheels and folding chairs are prohibited. Stroller rentals are $40 per day including tax. | Outside food and drinks are prohibited, except bottled water (2 liters per guest), baby food and formula, and food for medical or dietary needs. Food cannot need heating or refrigeration. Only a soft-sided cooler smaller than 8.5" x 6" x 6" is allowed. |
| SeaWorld Orlando | Luggage, wheeled bags and suitcases, tents, canopies and folding chairs are not permitted. Lockers range from 13" x 7.5" to 22" x 13.5". Single and double strollers are rented first come, first served. | No outside food, drinks or coolers except bottled or refillable water. Glass containers are not permitted except for baby food or medicine. Exceptions to the food rule may be made for dietary needs and baby food or formula if you contact the park before your visit. |
The Disney and Universal numbers come from their property rules and policies pages, and Universal's stroller rental price from its park FAQ. SeaWorld's bag and food rules come from its park policies page, and its locker sizes and stroller rental note come from its FAQ. For park-by-park detail, see our Universal Orlando packing guide and Disney versus Universal with babies.
Airport and flight tips for families
If you are flying, the Transportation Security Administration says formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food, including puree pouches, in quantities over 3.4 ounces are screened separately: tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of your carry-on. Strollers, baby carriers, car seats and booster seats must be X-rayed, and children 12 and under can keep their shoes and light jackets on. Read the TSA's guidance for traveling with children. For more on flying with a baby, see our guide to flying to Orlando with a baby.
Pack or rent? A table for December
If it is heavy, bulky or only needed a few days, renting it and having it delivered to the vacation home is often easier than packing it. Honest Sherpa's categories below are live on its site as of October 12, 2026.
| Item | Pack it if | Rent it (Honest Sherpa category) |
|---|---|---|
| Stroller | Your own folds small and meets the park rules | Strollers: single, umbrella, jogging, double, plus rain covers |
| Car seat | You are driving your own car | Car seats: a convertible car seat and a booster seat |
| Crib or bed | Your child sleeps only in a specific travel bed | Cribs and bedding: full size crib, portable crib, Pack and Play, bassinet, toddler bed, bed rail |
| High chair, swing, play mat, monitor, gate | It fits in a suitcase | Baby and kid gear: high chairs, swings, play mats, baby monitors, child gates and more |
| Beach cart, chairs, cooler, shade | You live near a beach and own them | Beach items: cart, chair with umbrella, rolling coolers, sun shade, pop-up tents, sand toy kit |
| Grill and propane | You own a small portable grill and are driving | Grills: gas, charcoal and electric grills; the gas grill pages say each comes with a tank of gas |
| Games and movie night | A deck of cards and a ball | Games: yard, pool and board games, a movie screen projector, a popcorn machine |
See our checklists on baby gear for a vacation rental and what to rent for toddlers for more on what to leave at home.
Sleep, pool and potty: the small things that save a trip
- Sleep: pack your child's lovey, a sound machine or night light and pajamas for cool nights, and rent the bed. The Portable Crib page says it comes with a sterilized linen pack with a crib sheet and blanket, and the Pack and Play page describes a spot to nap that can be used beyond the infant stage.
- Pool: pack swimsuits, a swim diaper, towels and a rash guard, and ask your property manager whether the pool is heated, because we found no official data on vacation-home pool temperatures. Honest Sherpa's baby safety category lists a Puddle Jumper Swim Aid, and its page says it does not replace adult supervision.
- Potty training: the same category lists a Toddler Potty, which the page describes as a fox-themed toddler toilet with a splash guard and a removable bowl.
- Baby-proofing: a Child Gate and Baby Monitor are also listed, and our baby-proofing checklist for Orlando rentals covers what to check when you arrive.
Park day bag checklist
- A bag small enough for the park's size rule, with a rain poncho or two
- Water bottles (SeaWorld allows bottled or refillable water, and Universal allows up to 2 liters of bottled water per guest) and snacks that follow each park's food rules
- Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses
- A light jacket or fleece for each person for the evening
- Diapers, wipes, a change of clothes and a plastic bag for wet items
- Stroller hooks for the bags, or use the basket
- A portable charger and a printed or saved copy of tickets
- Ear protection for fireworks and a small light for the walk back to the car
Holiday add-ons and winter break timing
If you are staying for Christmas or New Year's, add holiday pajamas, a small gift bag and a camera or phone clip for photos at the lights. Honest Sherpa's site says it is closed on December 25, so plan delivery and pickup around that day. For events and dates, see our winter break Orlando itinerary, our guide to New Year's Eve in Orlando with kids, our winter beaches guide and our multigenerational trip guide. For a general list, see what to bring on a vacation to Orlando.
FAQ
What should I pack for Orlando in December? Layers: short and long sleeves, a fleece or hoodie, a light jacket, long pants, shorts, walking shoes, swimwear and a poncho. The normal high is 73.8°F and the normal low is 52.9°F.
Is it a good idea to go to Florida in December? Orlando is mild and among the drier months in the NOAA normals, with 2.48 inches of rain. Days are short, sunset is about 5:30 pm and holiday events run through the month.
What do you wear to Disney in December? Layers, comfortable shoes and a poncho. Disney's rules prohibit costumes for guests ages 14 or older in the parks, and they prohibit strollers greater than 31 inches in width and 52 inches in length.
Do I need a jacket in Orlando in December? Yes, for mornings and evenings. The normal low is about 53°F, and the airport averages about 2.5 nights a month at or below 40°F.
Can I bring a wagon to a theme park? Disney prohibits wagons and stroller wagons in all its theme parks and water parks. We did not find a wagon rule on the Universal or SeaWorld policy pages when we checked on October 12, so check with each park before you bring one.
Can I bring food and drinks into Orlando theme parks? It depends on the park. Universal allows bottled water (2 liters per guest) and baby food and formula, SeaWorld allows bottled or refillable water, and Disney prohibits glass containers (except small ones such as baby food jars) and alcohol. See the table above.
What should I pack for a baby in Orlando in December? Bodysuits and sleepers in layers, a hat, diapers, bottles or formula and a carrier. Rent the crib, stroller and car seat if you would rather not carry them.
What should I rent instead of packing? The biggest space savers are a stroller, car seat and crib or Pack and Play. Honest Sherpa also lists beach items, grills and games.
Pack clothes, not gear. Honest Sherpa delivers strollers, car seats, cribs and other baby gear to your vacation rental, free of charge, seven days a week. Delivery is for your arrival day and pickup is for your departure day, with dates chosen at checkout. The site says it is closed on December 25. Enter your zip code or city on the site to see if your address is covered.
