For many visitors, the only criterion for Disneyland clothing is “Will it fit in my suitcase?”. For pickier guests, here are some factors to keep in mind when packing.
Dress for California Weather
The weather in California is generally quite predictable – one of the reasons it was chosen as the location of Disneyland! Anaheim follows the typical desert pattern of hot, sunny days and cool evenings. Don’t forget to pack layers as the park cools down in the evening – Disneyland stays open to midnight on some nights, and outdoor rides can get very chilly!
Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended accessories in the summer months.
Choose Clothing That Can Get Wet
A few Disneyland rides – notably Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain – will get guests fairly soggy. Other rides may sprinkle or splash you depending on where you sit. During the day the sun may dry clothes quickly – it is recommended to ride “wet” rides while the sun is still high – but it is wise to avoid white T-shirts, dryclean-only items and similarly problematic clothes. Disneyland sells waterproof ponchos, but these do not guarantee absolute dryness!
Follow Disneyland’s Dress Code
The Disney dress code prohibits excessively revealing clothing, heelies, gang patches, offensive T-shirts and a number of other items. Guests over the age of nine are also forbidden to wear clothing that looks like a costume. In other words, leave your hoop skirts and Cinderella shoes at home! If you are denied entrance at the gate you will probably be allowed into the park after changing your clothes or covering up as requested.
Children aged nine or below are permitted to wear costumes. However, many purchased Princess costumes are scratchy, synthetic and uncomfortable. It may be worthwhile to bring along a change of clothes in case your little Princess gets sick of being poked by tulle!
Disneyland's Club 33 has a stricter dress code than the other restaurants in the Park. The rest accept casual park clothes, although some people prefer to change into a fancy outfit for a dinner at the Blue Bayou or Napa Rose.
Choose Clothing That Will Be Comfortable and Modest on Rides
If in doubt about an outfit, ask yourself “Will this still be decent upside-down or at G-forces?” Some rides such as Splash Mountain require riders to straddle a seat; others, such as Tower of Terror, may result in skirts flying up. While many people happily wear skirts and dresses to Disneyland for coolness and comfort, ultra-short miniskirts and very full or long skirts may pose problems. Climbing in and out of rides is another issue – an outfit should allow you to step down into a boat easily, climb into a canoe or secure a restraint between the legs on some rides (such as the Maliboomer in Disney’s California Adventure).
Wear Comfortable Shoes
A trip to Disneyland involves a lot of walking. In particular, guests who are collecting FastPasses or making reservations will cover a lot of ground. Comfortable shoes that have been broken in are a must. Some guests also recommend bringing a dry pair of socks to wear after wet rides.
Choosing appropriate clothes for Disneyland will mean you spend more time enjoying the rides and less worrying about your aching feet or tripping over your skirt. A final rule: choose clothes that are attractive. They'll probably end up in a lot of photos, and dressing nicely will make the trip feel more special.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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