Wondering what to wear to Disneyland? Here’s a guide of Disneyland outfits, what people typically wear, and seasonal Disneyland outfit tips to help you plan your own Disneyland outfits.
As Magic Key holders (Disneyland annual pass), we’re lucky to go often and observe the parks! And as a former fashion blogger, I have to admit I take a lot of notes on what people wear to Disneyland.
Between planning our own family outfits, styling cute Disneyland outfits for myself, and prepping for several trips a year, I’ve noticed a lot of patterns of Disneyland outfits, and the types of outfits you’ll commonly see at the parks.
Let me help you plan and pack clothes you’ll look and feel great in!
Before we start with some Disney outfit inspiration, let’s talk about what to leave at home and what to be aware of.
What not to wear to the parks…
Before we dig into what to wear to Disneyland, we need to look at the guidelines and dress code the parks have set.
Does Disneyland have a dress code?
Disneyland does have a dresscode!
On their website they list a few guidelines and rules for the Disneyland dress code:
Attire that is not appropriate for the theme parks (and which may result in refusal of admittance or ejection) includes but is not limited to:
- “Costumes/masks may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older. But there is an exception of special events, like Oogie Boogie Bash, where costumes that follow guidelines may be worn.
- Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
- Excessively torn clothing or loose-fitting clothing which may drag on the ground and create a potential trip hazard
- Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
- Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate
Note you also need to wear shoes, and are subject to search at security.
What to Wear to Disneyland
Let me start by saying, dress first for comfort. You are going to be walking a lot, getting in and out of rides, and making the most of that Disneyland ticket. The most important thing is to dress in what you’ll feel great in.
*If you still need a ticket, here’s our favorite place to get discount Disneyland tickets!
As a general rule, you can never go wrong with comfy sneakers, a short-sleeved shirt, and your go-to shorts or jeans. Go for some with a little bit of stretchy comfort to easily get in and out of rides. And also, pack a lightweight jacket like a zip hoodie.
Also, let me take some pressure off and assure you that you don’t need to go out and buy a new wardrobe. Your normal clothes are going to be just fine.
Outfit Ideas for Disneyland
However, it’s always a little fun to add some flair and enjoy this fun opportunity to add some Disney to your outfits. While I share the three main types of looks and Disneyland outfits you’ll see in the parks, note that you can always go without the pomp and circumstance.
But if you’re looking for a little more fun, style, and to make the trip feel a little more magical, here’s your guide to the three types of Disney outfits people wear. And any of these will set you up for comfort and style at The Happiest Place on Earth!
Here are the three types of Outfits Worn at Disney Parks
1. Disney Shirts and a Pair of Jeans or Shorts
Here’s the classic Disney vacation-ready outfit formula:
- A Disney print t-shirt (in short sleeves or a long sleeve tee)
- Jeans or shorts
- Comfortable shoes or sandals
- A light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
You’ll likely see this Disney outfit combo more than any other at the Disneyland Resort. Even if you aren’t typically a character tee kind of person, a Disney trip is a great excuse to wear one!
Character Shirts
A classic Mickey Mouse t-shirt is always a good idea. And it’s easy to find the Fab 5 gang (Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Goofy) on inexpensive shirts even at Walmart, Kohls, and Target. And Mickey Mouse’s timeless standing pose printed on a shirt with a contrast ringer and you’re set with the perfect way to casually fit right in at Disneyland!
Many people find their favorite character when they were a kid, a cartoon classic they love, Pixar pals, or grab characters from the same movie and coordinate with family or friends. Stars Wars tees, or an Avengers short sleeve shirt is a favorite for adults and teens too.
A little adorable Mickey detail or rocking the comfort of cotton with a Disneyland logo, is the definition of effortless style during a Disney vacation!
A few favorite places to find cute Disney shirts and sweatshirts include:
Spirit Jerseys
This one also needs to be added as something you’ll see all over the parks in both California and Florida. I have to admit I used to scratch my head at these, but the moment I got my own Mickey Mouse Icon spirit jersey, I completely understood.
Disney has developed their own line of shirts in the form of a pullover spirit jersey. It’s meant to feel a little sporty, and a lot comfy.
They are a cotton top with a specific theme and design. They typically have words on the back shoulder or a print yoke style, a bit like a jersey, and long raglan sleeves. The most classic is a classic black and white cotton Disneyland top with white puffy ink that reads “DISNEYLAND” across the back. But you can find them in every theme from favorite Disney eats, to Disneyland Resort’s most popular attractions, or character-themed designs.
Spirit jerseys are meant to be oversized and the perfect weight to enjoy all year. Many wear these with jeans in the cold weather months. And you’ll see them with pushed-up sleeves and paired with shorts or tucked into a skirt in warmer months.
They come in so many styles, and change often with new merch lines. You’ll find themes around Disney’s signature landmarks and rides, tasty spirit jersey options that are food themed, and color-themed jerseys too! They have fun styles for everyone!
The only downside to the effortless style park favorite is they can be a little pricey if you buy them new in the parks.
These shirts help you get in the character of the park and feel a bit like a kid again! Whether you splurge or save, a Disney inspired print tee is always in style!
2. An Outfit You Love Paired with Disney Accessories/Ears
One of the easier ways to get ready for a Disney trip and plan a great outfit is to rock an outfit you already love and feel great in, and add a few Disney accessories.
Plan an outfit you love and feel like your best self in! Then, try to find one of the following Disney accessories to complete your look:
Disney Ears
The most popular item is a pair of Disney ears. These are a big deal at the parks!
Let me give you the most common example: get some Disney ears and match them with your outfit. My first pair of Minnie Ears are classic black with a red bow. I made sure to grab a few outfits with a splash of red, and they worked great! A decade later, I’ve upgraded to my rhinestone Mickey ears, but I still follow this formula on every single Disneyland trip!
While I’m all about the experience of choosing your first pair of ears in the parks, it’s also really nice to choose the perfect pair in advance and plan some outfits around it. And if you choose a few pair, we won’t blame you one bit!
I love being economical and pairing a non-Disney outfit I know I’ll use and wear over and over again. And ears that match your look are always a winner.
Disney Accessories
If ears aren’t your thing, look into another cute Disney accessory to add to your look.
Try a Disney-themed hat, some Disney earrings, a fun bag or Loungefly, add a scarf, pin on some Disney pins, or check our my favorite Disney fanny pack as the perfect accessory.
You’ll be amazed what even one cute accessory can do for a fun look!
Vintage Styles
One more note on this. Many people love to lean into vintage vibes and dress in 1950s/1960s-inspired outfits. Disneyland opened in 1955 and the first iconic styles came out in the subsequent years. You’ll notice Minnie and Mickey often wear clothing from these decades. In fact, there’s even a day called Dapper Day where people dress up in fancy vintage style.
But it doesn’t have to be Dapper Day to enjoy a little vintage charm on your next visit! Lean into those midi skirts, buttercup shorts, a button-down top, vintage-look Disneyland pullover crew sweatshirt and sweaters, or classic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse vibes. You can’t go wrong with any!
3. Disney Bounding / Disney Bounds
Since Disneyland has a dress code stating there are no costumes for teens and adults, many get around this by wearing a Disney bound.
What is a Disney bound?
It’s an outfit that resembles or gives a nod to a Disney character.
It may be the color scheme the character wears. Perhaps you’ll find everyday clothes you can pull together to look like the character. But Disneyland parkgoers find it makes for a fun day to dress like a character stopping short of wearing a full costume.
Let me give you one example. We always go to Disneyland at Halloween time. I had just purchased a tan jumpsuit and joked I looked like Oogie Boogie. That lead to an Oogie Boogie bound! I made my own ears using burlap, black stitches, and some spider buttons. I added some spider earrings. And even though I was in a normal outfit, everyone stopped me that day to compliment the Oogie Boogie bound.
Many people love to find the color of dress a princess wears, and rock that with a crown or ears. I’ve seen others find a Loungfly bag and match the color scheme of the set character. There’s no wrong way to Disney bound!
You can literally choose any character you want, and find an outfit that gives a resemblance to them. Grab some ears and accessories to top off the look, and you’re set for your own fairytale magic with a modern style that works for you!
What to Wear to Disneyland by Season
Although Anaheim is temperate year-round, the weather changes just enough each season you’ll want to review the forecast and pack accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of wear to Disneyland and Disneyland outfits by season.
What to Wear to Disneyland in the Spring:
Spring weather can be dream, and I have so many happy memories of past trips with perfect weather days. Spring has an average high of 73 degrees and lows of 54 degrees F. Southern California typically sees far fewer rainy days, but be sure to double-check the forecast.
We found a typical jeans and a t-shirt outfit with a hoodie, cardigan, or jacket you can easily add or remove works great! It’s often warm in the day, and chilly at night.
Our children often layer a long-sleeved shirt with a short sleeved character shirt on top (like this one with Mickey’s timeless tee shirt pose). They can easily push sleeves up or down, and it makes it a breeze to pack light and we prepared for cooler evenings and warmer days.
What to Wear to Disneyland in the Summer:
Disneyland warms up significantly in the summer months with an average high of 83 degrees with a low of 65 degrees F. Keep in mind although that sounds temperate, it can get quite warm in the day, particularly while walking so much. And it also can get pretty chilly at night. We’ve found our kids almost always wear a jacket or blanket during the nighttime shows.
It’s rare to see rain in the summer months.
I’d recommend leaning into the comfort of cotton and dressing in light layers that are very breathable. Pack shorts and skirts or lightweight dresses. They are perfect for a park day.
Also, many people love to opt for comfortable sandals since feet often swell more in the heat. But you can’t go wrong with our best walking shoes for travel guide.
What to Wear to Disneyland in the Fall:
Fall is my favorite time to visit with Oogie Boogie Bash and Disneyland at Disneyland Halloween time. We typically plan our annual big week-long trip during September when the crowds are low, so I know this season best!
Many are surprised to learn that the fall months are usually warmer than the summer months! You’ll find an average of 82 degrees with a low of 58 F. And it’s not uncommon to experience many 90-degree days.
I’d recommend breathable cottons, lightweight tops, and shorts or skirts on your lower half. Also, many people love to ride the water rides like Grizzly River Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain). Plan clothing that will dry quickly for these attractions.
One note: Oogie Boogie Bash has had record high temps the last few years with one opening night at 100 degrees. While the later October dates often cool down, I’d expect this event to be quite warm. If you are attending, I’d make the default plan costumes that work well with warm weather and don’t require a lot of layers or makeup.
What to Wear to Disneyland in the Winter:
The weather in the winter can honestly be all over the place! The average high in the winter is 70 degrees and a low of 48 degrees F. Although every year can vary, Disneyland gets about 4-5 rainy days each month during the winter. Make sure you plan for rainy days with our Disneyland in the rain guide.
I’d plan to wear pants with a long sleeve top, and definitely bring a jacket! I wear my favorite Disney hoodie most days, and it’s comfortable during the day and just warm enough at night.
Another favorite winter Disneyland outfit is a favorite Disney shirt with a cardigan. I love a good oversized Boxedlunch Disney cardigan. They are warm without being too warm. And, they always look cute!
If the weather is set to be cooler, grab a warmer jacket with a fleece interior, or a lightweight coat. It often feels cooler than you’d think, so plan accordingly.
Disneyland Pro Tip: There are lockers you can rent if you don’t want to carry warmer weather gear during the day, but want to have it for nighttime.
Disneyland Outfit Tips from a Disney Pro:
Pro Tip 1: Plan for Ease
Our family loves to wear clothing that’s easy to get on and off for bathroom trips. My kids often wear elastic waistband pull-on shorts. I actually love to wear dresses and skirts. Disney pro friends have confided they love the same for convenience since you always seem to be in a rush to use the bathroom.
Pro Tip 2: Breathable is Best
Lean into the coolness of cotton. You will likely be walking a ton, and even on a cooler day, cotton fabrics that are breathable are always a good choice. It’s like an active getaway with constant movement. So plan that way!
Pro Tip 3: Comfort Is King
Opt for comfort over fashion. I understand wanting to rock your Disney bound to perfection. But I’ve always watched my poor niece get blisters wearing those perfect Scarlet Witch boots. When in doubt, opt for comfort and what will keep you going throughout your day.
My favorite park sneakers and an outfit with softer walkable fabrics have never steered me wrong!
Pro Tip 4: All About Pockets
You’ll never know how amazing back pockets or deep skirt pockets can be until you go to ride a ride at Disneyland! After watching someone almost lose a phone on Matterhorn Bobsleds, I’m even more convinced a deep pocket is a must! And if you can’t find a Disneyland outfit with pockets, don’t forget a Disney belt bag!
Pro Tip 5: Document Your Fit
Take a few moments to document that well-crafted Disneyland outfit with some images in front of Disneyland landmarks. With Genie + your photo pass is free. We recommend grabbing one in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, or down by Pixar Pier in CA Adventure.
You’ll be so glad to have the memory in pictures, so make the time for it!
Disneyland Outfit Frequently Asked Questions
Opt for clothing and shoes you feel comfortable in. You’ll be doing a lot of walking and getting on and off rides throughout the day. Many people opt for jeans or shorts, a character tee, and comfortable sneakers.
Actually, yes! Wearing a dress is just fine and there aren’t any rides that restrict dresses or cause embarrassing moments. It’s one of the only theme parks this is true for! So feel free to rock that dress or skirt on your next Disney trip!
Take the opportunity to wear an outfit you feel great in, and opt for a Disney accessory like a pair of ears. Match your classy outfit and comfortable shoes to your ears. You’ll look and feel fantastic!
We hope these tips help you plan and prepare to visit Disneyland in style!
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