Dressing Cute AND Comfy at Disney

If you’re planning outfits to wear to the parks, you’ve probably already seen tons of pictures on social media of influencers wearing adorable outfits and poofy dresses. And sure, these outfits make for some great photos, but they’re a lot less cute after walking 10 miles in 90° heat with 75% humidity and an afternoon downpour. Does that mean you have to eschew style for comfort? No way! Keep reading to find out how you can have both.

An important note: Disney does have a dress code policy that you can find here. If your outfit is deemed to be in violation of the dress code, you may be asked to either change or leave the park. Adults should avoid wearing costumes, or anything resembling a costume unless they are attending a ticketed event that allows it. Clothing that is excessively revealing or ripped, contains inappropriate language, drags the ground, or poses anything other safety hazards may also violate the dress code. If you choose to wear an outfit that risks violating the dress code, I suggest bringing a backup and, please, be nice to the Cast Members of they ask you to change. They’re just doing their job.

It’s All Material

First things first, pay attention to the materials clothing is made out of when you’re planning outfits. The weather in Orlando averages above 80° 7 months out of the year and the humidity rarely falls below 50%. Chances are, it’s going to be HOT while you’re there. It’s also pretty likely you’ll experience rain at some point in your trip, especially if you’re visiting between May and September. So to keep comfortable, gravitate towards materials that are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. 

A few good materials to look for are cotton, linen, and nylon or polyester. The best fabrics will be cotton and linen blends that incorporate nylon or polyester to achieve breathability and moisture-wicking properties. Despite the fact that it’s very lightweight and breathable, I suggest avoiding silk, unless you want to advertise exactly how much you sweat. Other materials you’ll probably want to avoid are flannel, heavy denim, leather, or rayon. 

Another thing to keep in mind is the color of the clothing you’re packing. It’s basic science; dark colors will absorb light which causes them to increase in temperature while lighter colors will reflect light. 

Go With The Flow

Remember those poofy dresses I mentioned earlier that look like something out of an episode of Bridgerton but look so cute posed in front of the castle? I’ll be honest, as cute as they look, it’s not something I could imagine wearing for an entire day in the parks. For starters, I feel like all that poof would get annoying to deal with while getting on and off attractions. For another, anything that restricting around the bust seems like it would just be collecting a pool of boob sweat and make it difficult to breathe. 

However, that’s just my opinion. And if you want to live out your Princesscore dreams in the Most Magical Place on Earth, go for it. But, if you’re looking to feel like a Princess and not recreate the corset scene from Pirates of the Caribbean, I might offer a few suggestions.

First, give yourself some room to breathe. When I’m at the parks, I tend to favor shorts and skirts with elastic waistbands or lightweight dresses that aren’t too fitted. I also give drawstring waistbands a thumbs up since they can be adjusted if you start to feel uncomfortable (by which I mean, ate too many yummy snacks and now you have a food baby). I still like to wear denim occasionally, but I opt for lightweight denim that has plenty of stretch.

Most importantly, be sure to try on any outfits you’re considering before wearing them in the parks. If they’re even the least bit uncomfortable, imagine how they’ll feel after walking around in the Florida sun for hours.

Start Off On The Right Foot

Ever heard the phrase “beauty is pain”? Well, I don’t recommend following that advice when it comes to your footwear at Disney World. No matter how perfectly that pair of sandals or wedges match your outfit, you’ll regret it after limping around one of the parks for several hours. And you’ll regret it even more the next day when you’re limping around with blisters. If you don’t want to spend your days in the park, miserable and in pain, take my advice.

First, pack more than one pair of shoes. This isn’t the area where you want to pack light. Even the most comfortable pair of sneakers can get a little uncomfortable after walking 10+ miles in the Florida heat and humidity. Imagine it’s the first day of your trip and your shoes rub a blister on your ankle. Now imagine wearing those same shoes, rubbing that same blister, for the remainder of your trip. By switching out your shoes, you’ll be able to give your feet a slight reprieve. 

Second, pack shoes that are comfortable and supportive. If you’re the type to rock a pair of Crocs, I’ve heard they’re very comfortable in the parks. Or, if you’re like me and your fashion sense won’t allow you to wear plastic clogs, I’ve got some other options. By far, my most comfortable park shoes are my New Balance sneakers. But I also find my Air Force 1’s and Keds to be great for running around the parks from rope drop to park close.

Whatever shoes you choose, make sure they’re completely broken in. A day at Disney is not a good day to wear brand-new kicks.

Don’t Forget To Accessorize

No matter how light and breezy your outfit or cloud-like your sneakers, it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra precautions to stay comfortable. There are a few things I always pack to help me avoid any painful situations.

The first is an anti-chafing stick like this one from Megababe. For girls with curves, this can be a lifesaver (or a thigh saver) in the summer. But especially at Disney. Rub a generous amount on any places you might experience chafing and avoid any awkward waddling or discomfort. 

Another thing I always pack to avoid chafing is undershorts or bike shorts to wear under dresses and skirts. Not only do these help avoid any of that painful thigh chafing, but they also provide a little extra security when you’re climbing on and off attractions. 

Regardless of how comfortably you dress, there’s no avoiding the sheer heat and humidity. You will sweat. To combat the heat, I recommend packing a handheld misting fan. A refreshing face mist can also make for a nice, cooling treat to have on hand. There’s also a good possibility you’ll run into an afternoon rainstorm on at least one day of your trip. Have a packable poncho or rain jacket in your park bag to stay dry. And, because it’s almost impossible to keep your feet dry during a downpour (or on Kali River Rapids) you might want to consider keeping a backup pair of socks in your park bag too.

If you’re a Disney park expert and you’ve got any other tips, feel free to drop them in the comments! And if you want more Disney content, check out my posts Tips for Saving on a Disney Vacation and What I’d Wear: Disney Edition. And, of course, follow me on Instagram for more style inspiration, Disney content, and more!