A full day at Disneyland or Disney World can range from 12-15 hours – that’s a lot of walking. From early mornings to late nights, your days will be long. Let’s make sure you’re comfortable during that time.
This post is all about how to stay comfortable at Disney Parks.
Dressing comfortably while on your Disney vacation is important to feeling good all day. Your shoes and lack of weather-appropriate gear can make or break a day at Disney.
It’s important to plan ahead and check the weather, check crowd levels and if there are any holidays that can potentially make the day a bit too overwhelming.
A Disney vacation is supposed to be fun, so don’t let it get away from you. Wear comfortable clothes and enjoy your day!
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How to Stay Comfortable at Disney
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The number one tip you’ll hear from just about everyone is to wear comfortable shoes. It’s the number one tip for a reason. Sore feet can ruin your day and make enjoying time with your family unbearable.
If you’re going for full 12-15 hour days and aren’t just at the Parks for a few hours to take cute photos, wear your good walking/running shoes. Don’t wear shoes with little to no arch support or cushion.
I’ve added insoles to the shoes that I wear every day and they really help. I also like to change my shoes later in the evening when things slow down. I’ll slide on my Crocs for the evening to watch the parade and fireworks and throw on my comfy clothes.
@julia.vaness Prepping for the return of the #rundisneyhalfmarathon at disneyland 😍 #disneyday #walkdisney #disneyland ♬ original sound – Julia Vaness
@julia.vaness So many steps! No rides and only stopped for lunch. Walked a half marathon at Disneyland 🥰 Very proud of myself for not leaving after mile 7 #walkdisney #disneyland #disneyday #disbeylandhalfmarathon #rundisney #visitanaheim ♬ original sound – Julia Vaness
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is very important while at the Parks. You will be walking a ton and distracted by endless rides and snacks. Pack a water bottle with you to keep in your bag and try to finish a couple every hour.
On hot days, we challenge ourselves to each finish a bottle before we get on whatever ride we’re waiting in line for.
Both Disneyland and Disney World Parks have water bottle refill stations throughout the Parks. You can also ask for water at dining locations.
If you’re packing a backpack, its easy to toss a water bottle in but if you’re bringing a smaller bag for the day it might not be as easy to carry it in your hand. Try out a water bottle bag holder or a crossbody bag that fits a water bottle. I have a post reviewing the best crossbody water bottle bags for the Parks here.
Related Post: Top Travel Crossbody Bags in 2023
Schedule in Breaks
Taking breaks is an important park of any Disney day. Plan your day ahead of time to maximize your rides and entertainment and to make sure you get enough time to relax. If you’re spending multiple days at the Parks then I would schedule in some pool time and maybe a nap for one of the days (if you hotel isn’t too far).
For full days at the park, I would suggest taking a break during off-peak hours. Crowds build up in restaurants and seating areas around noon and then again around 4 PM – 6 PM for prime dinner time.
Schedule your meals and break times a little before or after these peak hours to ensure you have enough time and space to relax. Click here for tips on how to maximize your time at Disneyland.
Prepare for the Weather
Both Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida can reach crazy high temperatures and the humidity in Florida makes it even worse. To be safe, check the weather ahead of time and prepare.
I’ve always heard of people getting heat rashes and heat stroke at Disney World but last summer it happened to it. It was 110 degrees out and even though we were wearing hats and sunglasses and drinking tons of Drip Drops, my legs and shoulders broke out in a heat rash. I felt okay but my body was so itchy and red for days. Wear sunscreen!
Here are a few items I like to pack for extreme heat at Disney
- Wide brim hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Mini-fan
- Cooling towel
- Insulated water bottle
Related Post: 5 Essential Skincare Products You Need for Your Disney Vacation
For cold and rainy weather at Disney, I like to pack
- Wide brim hat
- Poncho
- Shoe covers to avoid wet shoes and socks
- A lightweight rain jacket
- Small umbrella
Pack a Mini First-Aid Kit
A mini First-Aid kit is something I haven’t left the house with for a few years. I always carry a tiny bag in my purse with
- Band-Aids
- Advil
- Tums/Pepto
- Drip Drops
- And usually some other random items like hair ties and earplugs
Carrying a few of these items in smaller quantities will help a lot throughout the day. Blisters are a real thing, stomach aches from all of the snacks and dehydration from the heat. Be prepared and carry a small go-to bag with all of the essentials.
Here’s a short TikTok I made packing my backpack for Disneyland.
@julia.vaness Forgot to post this video from last month. Heres what i packed for a full day at Disneyland in February. It was kind of cold but sunny so no need for any extra items to stay cool. #disneyparks #backpackfordisneyland #packingfordisneyland #disneyparkbag #disneyland #visitanaheim #whattopackfordisney #essentialdisneyitems ♬ original sound – Julia Vaness
Related Post: How to Prevent a Disney Hangover
I hope this post provided a few helpful tips for you as your plan your next Disney trip. Staying comfortable at Disney doesn’t need to be another thing on your list to worry about. Dress comfortably, give yourself time and avoid hanger by enjoying snacks and drinks along the way.
If you have any other tips that have worked for you, leave them below in the comments. I’d love to learn even more ways to stay comfortable at Disneyland.
See you at the Parks!
FAQ’s
- Is it comfortable to wear a dress to Disneyland?
- Yes, dresses are comfortable to wear at Disney if they have already proved to be comfortable for you. You will be walking a lot, so avoid floor-length dresses and skirts and anything too heavy.
- I’m definitely a Selkie dress girly that loves to twirl in a puffy dress in the Parks. Linen and cotton sun dresses are another great option
- Wear what is comfortable for you.
- Should I wear leggings to Disneyland?
- Leggings are a great option to wear to Disneyland. They are lightweight, breathable and great for long days with lots of walking.
- I highly recommend leggings or active wear of any type.
- How do you survive sore feet at Disney?
- Invest in good walking shoes
- Add insoles with arch support to your shoes
- Pack pain reliever to take mid-day to avoid sore feet
- Should you wear a hat at Disney?
- Hats are great for sunny days and rainy days
- Bucket hats are the best and provide the most coverage but baseball hats are great too
- Can I fill up my water bottle at Disney?
- Yes, you can fill up your water bottle at Disney
- Disney provides water fountains and water bottle refill stations throughout the Parks
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