Your clothing choice is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to keeping your body happy at Disney World.
Choosing the right clothing is also one of the easiest and least time-consuming things you can do to feel more comfortable on your Disney World trip. Excellent clothing choices allow your body to regulate heat, prevent sunburn, protect your eyes, and prevent chafing and blisters. That means you get to enjoy the Disney parks for longer and with less to worry about.
Here’s our top five tips for what to wear at Disney World.
Wear Clothing That You Can Easily Move in
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At Disney, expect to spend up to 16 hours per day walking around the theme parks and resorts.
The majority of your time will be spent outdoors and under the Florida sun. And if you’re not under the sun or indoors for a ride, restaurant, or store, you’re still in the high humidity of Florida. Can you imagine wearing clothes that are too baggy, too loose, or clothes that soak up your sweat in this weather?
Case in point: wear comfortable clothes. But what exactly does “comfortable” mean?
- Loose-fitting clothing: Tight-fitting clothing soaks up sweat and amplifies any discomfort. Loose-fitting (but not baggy) clothing gives a physical separation between your body and your clothes, leaving more space for air to cool you down and for your sweat to evaporate
- Lightweight clothing: Lightweight clothing allows air to flow across your skin, cooling you down and keeping you dry
- Clothes you can easily move in: The last thing you want is to feel restricted because your clothes are too tight or too baggy. As a rule of thumb, if you feel comfortable squatting or lifting your arms over your head while wearing your clothes, you’re good to go
- Choose shorts over pants or leggings: First, shorts allow your skin to breathe and keep you cool. Second, even compared to performance pants or leggings, you’re not as restricted when moving, especially when it comes to hurrying to your next ride – or chasing your kiddos. Third, when it rains, it’s much easier to dry your bare legs than it is to dry soaked pants or leggings
- Opt for clothes that have more coverage: Sure, tank tops and short shorts might feel more comfortable and cool. But they end up exposing you to the sun and increasing your risk of sunburn. Instead, choose clothes that offer more coverage to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun
- Avoid denim: In the humid heat, denim traps heat and prevents your skin from breathing and cooling down. Denim also takes much longer to dry when it gets wet (and has a bad odor). Denim also doesn’t stretch, making it potentially difficult to move in. So, avoid denim at all costs
Moisture-Wicking vs. Moisture Absorbing Fabrics: Which to Choose?
The terms “moisture-wicking” and “moisture-absorbing” are confusing.
“Moisture-absorbing” literally means that the article of clothing captures and holds moisture from your body.
“Moisture-wicking” also does this but takes it a step further. “Moisture-wicking” clothes push moisture to the fabric’s surface, where it can evaporate. They also promote airflow and feel lighter, keeping you cooler and more comfortable all day.
In other words, with “moisture-wicking” material, you feel less clammy.
And feeling less clammy could make the difference between you still enjoying the magic and giving up on your day at the parks. After all, there’s no avoiding the sweaty, swampy feeling of being in the humid heat of Florida. But if you can get rid of even a little extra sweat, you can comfortably enjoy 1 or 2 more rides at the end of the day.
By the way, don’t forget about choosing breathable material for your socks and underwear. This is one of the most crucial areas to stay comfortable.
Here’s the Fabrics We Recommend to Wear at Disney World
The fabrics we recommend are the fabrics that perform the best in Florida, where it’s hot and humid.
First, a polyester blend makes for one of the most comfortable fabrics to wear at the Disney parks.
This includes a blend of polyester with spandex or polyester with nylon.
Depending on the weave used, a synthetic blend of polyester and spandex is a great option for clothes to use at the Disney parks. This blend has moisture-wicking properties, giving it the ability to absorb sweat and moisture away from the body, keeping you cool and dry.
Polyester-spandex is also durable, being able to stand the wear and tear of everyday use and exercise. It doesn’t shrink or fade, allowing it to maintain its shape after plenty of washes. Polyester-spandex is also easy to care for. It can be machine-washed and dried without special treatment. There’s a reason why this fabric is popular among athletic and sportswear.
Popular brands like RSVLTS and Park Candy use a blend of 93% polyester / 7% spandex.
Another great option is a synthetic blend of polyester and nylon since nylon has water-repellent qualities. Combined with polyester, this blend makes it a suitable choice for more humid days at Disney.
Certain models of Nike Dri-FIT clothing use a polyester-nylon blend.
For the most versatile clothing to wear to beat the heat at Disney World, your best bet is to use a polyester blend.
For the Florida Sun, Wear the Proper Hat and Sunglasses
This is a must when it comes to Florida’s humid heat.
Hats protect your eyes, face, and scalp from the sun to prevent sunburn. Sunglasses – specifically with UV protection – protect your eyelid, cornea, lens, and retina from eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses also:
- Prevent headaches and migraines caused by direct sunlight
- Reduce eye strain
- Reduce glare
- Offer protection from wind, dust, and debris
- Help prevent skin cancer and wrinkles around eyes
When it comes to choosing the right hat, a cotton baseball cap won’t cut it. Here’s what to look for when choosing your headwear:
- Choose a hat with moisture-wicking material: Polyester athletic hats (like the Nike dri-FIT hat) work well, along with polyester-nylon hats
- A somewhat loose-fitting hat is more comfortable than an overly snug hat: For those who love to wear Minnie Mouse ears, this is much like how ears that fit too snug on your head tend to hurt your temples toward the end of the day. Opt for a somewhat loose-fitting hat to prevent headaches at the end of the day
- A bucket hat provides more coverage than a regular hat: This is especially true for the back of your neck, where most people get sunburnt
- Choose an easy-to-pack hat: You’ll constantly be taking it off and putting it back on whenever you ride any thrill attraction. You’ll also feel cooler if you take your hat off after sunset or when you’re indoors
Finally, Test Out Your Clothing Before Going to Disney
Just like needing to break in your shoes when you first buy them, you need to test out your clothing before you use them at Disney World.
This means more than simply trying on your outfit in the mirror to see how cute you look. It means walking and moving in your clothing. Do squats in them. Wear them in the heat. Put them to the test.
The more you move in them, the more likely you can catch something that doesn’t feel quite right and possibly save yourself a very uncomfortable time at the Disney parks.
Need help planning your next Disney World vacation? Make sure to reach out to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors!