Trying to decide what to wear to Disneyland California? Look no further! This monthly guide is your fashion fairy godmother and go-to resource for a variety of cute outfit ideas. California weather can be a bit wackadoodle and I’m here to make sure your wardrobe is ready for the weather mood swings, no matter the month.
As a Disney parks fanatic and a proud Magic Key Holder (500 visits and counting!), I’ve practically majored in the art of Disney style. Whether you want all-day comfort or the perfect Disney Bound, here’s everything you need to know to perfect the most Insta-worthy OOTD for your next Disneyland vacation.
Table of Contents
Why you should plan what to wear to Disneyland
Trust me when I tell you that when it comes to dressing for Disneyland, you don’t want to wing it. First, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re comfortable and not make the mistake of trying to break-in your new shoes. You’re going to be walking around 20k – 30k steps, going on rides (including water rides), waiting in long lines, and eating naughty snacks so comfort is key. The good news is that you can dress cute and stylish while still being comfortable.
You’ll also find that people in California go all out for their Disneyland park visits. Couples dress in matching outfits, people Disney Bound, and everyone’s in their favorite Disney merch. These types of outfits take planning.
Most importantly, if this is your first time planning a Disneyland trip, it’s important to know the weather in Anaheim, California.
What is Disney Bounding?
A Disney Bound is when you dress in normal clothes that are inspired by your favorite Disney character. Disneybounding started as a way for adults to still dress up as their favorite characters since adults are not allowed to wear character costumes in the park. This stylish and fun outfit trend has really taken off. I personally love Disney Bounding as it lets me create fun Disney-inspired outfits in my own style. You can see one of my Snow White Disney Bounds pictured above.
Check out our complete Disney Bound Outfit Ideas List
Tips for Styling a Disney Bound
The key to planning a successful Disney Bound is to dress based on the colors of your favorite character. You can embrace your own style and do not need to wear a dress unless you want to. For example in the picture above I did a Disney Bound of Baby Yoda (grogu) by wearing light green pants and a similar turtle neck sweater.
You can accessorize your outfit with matching Disney ears, jewelry, or my personal favorite, a themed bag. For my Baby Yoda Disney Bound, I wore these super adorable matching ears and brought my Baby Yoda Loungefly. Can you tell I’m a Star Wars fan? lol
A great way to find Disney Bound clothes is on places like Amazon and Shein, but also from my own closet and my Rent the Runway Subscription!
What NOT to wear to Disneyland
Below is a list of what NOT to wear to Disneyland. Some of these things are just general bad ideas across the board at any theme park but many of these are not allowed at Disneyland Resort. If you are wearing something that violates Disneyland’s dress code, you could be asked to leave the park or change.
- High Heels: I am shocked to say I have actually seen women wear huge heels to Disneyland and I’m always baffled. Unless you’re walking straight to Clubb 33, just don’t do it. If you see “influencers” doing this, they pack them in a backpack, take their picture, and then stick them in a locker.
- Clothing with foul language: OK, confession here, I went to Disneyland once and wore a shirt with a bad word on it, but this is frowned upon. My shirt was part of a Disney Bound for an after-hours event called Villians Nite and was a bit of a play on words ( I dressed as the modern Cruella). However, on a normal day, you could be asked to change your shirt as it goes against the dress code at Disneyland. I even brought a backup shirt just in case. Disneyland’s website leaves this even more open to judgment by stating ” Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics” cannot be worn.
- Loose clothing that ties: Another Disneyland dress code violation that is good to know about is loose clothing that ties. If you are wearing a shirt that ties at the top and around the back, there is a high probability you could be asked to change. This is because Disney is worried your shirt could accidentally come off.
- Clothing that drags on the ground: Long skirts and dresses are not allowed to be worn at Disneyland as it creates a potential trip hazard.
- Costumes: It explicitly states on the Disneyland website that Costumes may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older and masks may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older (unless they are for medical purposes). This is why Disneybounding is so popular.
Comfortable Shoes to Wear All Day at a Theme Park
One of the most important items you’ll want to wear to Disneyland is comfortable shoes. In fact, if you are spending several days at the park you may want to bring two comfortable pairs of shoes so you don’t wear the same pair on consecutive days. My feet are so sensitive and I don’t like to wear any shoes for any occasion that are uncomfortable.
My go-to shoes to wear to Disneyland are my Nike Free Runs and my Allbirds. I get Allbirds in a variety of colors and actually have a pair I only wear inside my home as my house slippers. I can walk all day in these shoes without them getting sore. You’ll definitely want to bring a pair of your most comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes.
Occasionally, if I don’t plan on being at the parks all day, I will wear my riding boots which I can walk for a good 5 hours in before my feet become sore. In the summer I wear a pair of Tahari Sandals which are nice and padded.
Everyone has an opinion on the most comfortable sandals to wear at Disneyland so I scoured my Disneyland Facebook groups. The sandals or flip-flops that these seasoned Disney vets recommended most often are Crocs (I refuse!), Tevas, Birkenstocks, Rainbows, Olukai, and Sanuks which are made out of the same material as Yoga mats.
What to Wear to Disneyland in June
In June, the average temperature in Anaheim, California is a high of 79° and a low of 62°. I notice that the first two weeks are usually relatively cool and cloudy. California does get a June Gloom and though we do not get much rain here, this is one of our rainy seasons. Continue reading for what to wear to Disneyland in the rain!
For a Disneyland theme park trip in June, I recommend wearing jean shorts with a short-sleeved top or tank top. I would bring a light jean jacket or cardigan that can tie around the waist in case it gets chilly in the evening or if it is a cloudy day.
What to Wear to Disneyland in July
As we head into July the temperatures begin to rise with an average high of 84° and a low of 66°. July is sunny so you will not get much shade and Disneyland does not have many shaded areas.
When considering what to wear to Disneyland in July, I first recommend bringing a hat. Especially if you tend to run hot. I always bring a hat to wear in the warmer months. You will want to wear light fabrics, shorts, and tank tops or short sleeve shirts. One of my favorite things to wear to Disneyland is skorts, they’ve definitely made a comeback!
There won’t be much need for a sweater at night, but if you get cold easily, you might want to bring a light long-sleeve shirt for the evening.
Holidays in July
The Disney parks celebrate July 4th with a spectacular fireworks show. If you plan on going in July, be sure to wear your festive mickey ears, American flags, and cute Disney-themed merch. I have a cute Mickey American flag shirt I wear whenever I visit the parks in July.
What to Wear to Disneyland in August
By August, Anaheim, California has hot days and nights. Luckily we do not have high humidity so it is much more comfortable than Walt Disney World in Florida. Average temperatures are a high of 86° and a low of 66°. I rarely ever need any additional clothing in the evenings.
Definitely wear tank tops, shorts, and a hat. Also don’t forget sunscreen or you will likely have a nice red surprise by the end of the day.
What to Wear to Disneyland in September
As an insider who has lived in Southern California for over 20 years, all locals know that September and October are actually our hottest months. While the average temperatures are listed as 84° and 64° I highly recommend not going by these numbers or you could be in for a rude awakening.
Even though it’s September, this month of the year has that real summer heat. Each year seems to get hotter and hotter. One thing to take note of is that we do tend to have chilly mornings in California so if you’re arriving at rope drop, then you may need to dress in extra layers.
Special Disneyland Events in September
At Disneyland California, fall and Halloween is in full swing. The first nights of the Oogie Boogie Bash take place and everyone is in the holiday spirit. If you are going to be attending the Oogie Boogie Bash, make sure you dress in a summer costume that will not make you hot!! I cannot stress this enough. When we went to the Oogie Boogie Bash in September it was over 100 degrees. I dressed for the weather and those who didn’t were so incredibly hot and miserable.
This is also a great time to wear any fall-themed shirts and Disney ears in hues of orange, yellow, and rust.
What to Wear to Disneyland in October
The first 1-2 weeks in October are still warm and we often still have 80° days. It doesn’t start to finally cool down until about the last two weeks in October. The average temperature during October at Disneyland is a high of 80° and a low of 59°. This is pretty accurate. One thing to take note of is that the evening temperatures start to cool so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket, sweater, or cardigan just in case.
Special Disneyland Events & Holidays in October
The best thing about planning your Disney vacation in October is Halloween! You will want to dress in the colors of orange and black, wear Halloween-themed Disney shirts, or do a clever Halloween Disney Bound like The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the picture above you can see me in my Jack Skellington Disney Bound for Halloween.
What to Wear to Disneyland in November
Typically November is when the weather starts to cool down with an average high tempurature of 74° and lows of 52°. However, remember when I said California weather is wackadoodle? Today is the day before Thanksgiving and it’s 80° and windy. This is why November is a great time to dress in light layers. A tank top underneath with a lightweight jacket, sweater, sweatshirt, or flannel you can tie around your waist is best.
During November, it is still warm enough during the day that I feel comfortable wearing skirts or a cute dress. However at night time, not so much. If I’m wearing a skirt or a dress, I always bring a pair of tights for the evening. I just roll them up and put them in a ziplock bag to throw on later. Even if I don’t need them, I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Disneyland Holidays & Events
Christmas decorations go up in early November and Halloween decorations come down immediately after October 31st. November is also the start of the Festival of Holidays at Disneyland California Adventure. This is an annual food festival with holiday foods from around the world.
People in California love Christmas and start celebrating in November. If you love Christmas and want to dress for the holidays, go for it, you will not feel out of place. Disney Shop starts selling all of their holiday merch in early November.
Also in November is Dapper Day which is usually the second Sunday in November. If you’ll be visiting on this day, you may want to join in on the fun and dress in a 1920’s theme.
What to Wear to Disneyland in December
In December I always recommend bringing a heavier jacket which you can put in a locker and take out in the evening. Once the sun sets, temperatures drop rapidly in Southern California. December has much cooler temperatures with a high of 68° and a low of 46° at night. December is the perfect time to pack a pair of gloves and a scarf. Sometimes I even bring hand warmers with me.
During the day, I always wear either a sweater with jeans or a thick wool skirt with tights and a sweater. If you are traveling here from a state like New York, however, 68° might actually be warm for you. In this case, a short-sleeved or long sleeve shirt with a sweater to wear in the evening might suffice.
Disneyland Events & Holidays in December
I absolutely adore the holiday season at Disneyland and during December Christmas is in full swing. Everyone goes to the park in their best holiday outfits. Disneyland California celebrates Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. Dress in your favorite holiday colors like red & green or blue and white.
What to Wear to Disneyland in January
Like December, January is also our chilliest month with a high average temperature of 69° and lows of 47°. While California doesn’t typically get much rain, when we do, January is typically a rainy season. It’s always good to be prepared when you’re traveling. Read more on what to wear on a rainy day at Disneyland below. Personally, I think this is the best time of year to plan your Disney trip since the daytime temperatures are cooler and the park is less crowded.
Disneyland Holidays in January
Disneyland celebrates New Year’s Eve with a celebration in both NY and California time.
What to Wear to Disneyland in February
February temperatures are cooler during the day but are still chilly in the evenings, with average temperatures at 69° and 48°. During the day last year, I was able to wear jeans and a tank top. You’ll still want to have a jacket to wear in the evenings just in case. Last year when I attended Sweethearts Night at Disneyland it was freezing and I had a full-length winter jacket with gloves and a scarf. Even though 48° is the average temperature it can get colder and if there is a wind chill it can feel more like 40°.
Disneyland Events & Holidays in February
Disneyland definitely celebrates Valentine’s Day and even has a special after-hours event called Sweet Hearts Night. In the picture above, I did a Disney Bound as Ariel.
Also, February is Lunar New Year and California Adventure Park has a Lunar New Year food festival to celebrate. You can look up which animal the year falls on and wear something to bring in the Chinese New Year.
What to Wear to Disneyland in March
The month of March is still relatively cool with an average high temperature of 71°. Nights are beginning to warm up slightly with lows at an average of 52°. Disneyland is very sunny and I have noticed that during the month of March, it can get pretty warm in the sun. I typically wear a light long-sleeved shirt, but most people would feel comfortable with a short-sleeved shirt or tank top. I recommend dressing in layers in March with jeans, a tank top, and a light long-sleeve shirt or sweater to tie around your waist. I would still bring a jacket to put in a locker.
Disneyland Events & Holidays in March
Celebrate the luck of the Irish in March with your favorite Mickey 4-lead clover shirts and green colors. March is also the official kick-off month of the Disneyland California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. I’m a big foodie so every year I like to dress up for this event. Last year I did a Ratattouli Disney Bound and this year I will likely wear a fun themed shirt.
March was also the debut of Disneyland’s After Hours Princess Nights and I remember when I attended, I had on a full length faux fur winter jacket so nights still get pretty chilly. If you’ll be attending this event, dress for the weather. I saw many girls freeze in short princess dresses.
What to Wear to Disneyland in April
April is when temperatures start warming up with the average high temperature at 74° and lows at 54°. At Disneyland, you can definitely get away with jeans and a tank top or short sleeve shirt in April. You can probably even start wearing shorts at this time, but the nights are still pretty chilly so bring a winter jacket for when the sun goes down. Most days are cool but in the sun it can feel slightly warmer. I would still dress in layers. In April I still wear long sleeves but most would be comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt.
Disneyland Events & Holidays in April
Disneyland celebrates Easter in April and it is the official beginning of spring in California. You’ll see lots of Disney flower ears, with colors of yellow, light green, and pastels.
April is also the second official Dapper Day where everyone dresses up like they’re from the 1920’s. It is extremely popular and takes place typically the first Sunday in April, but you’ll want to do a search to confirm the official date each year.
What to Wear to Disneyland in May
Warmer weather starts in May, but nights are still pretty chilly with the average high temperature at 75° and lows at 58°. During May the temperatures can fluctuate so it’s good to come prepared. During the day you can wear shorts, skirts, and dresses. I would still layer with a tank top and long sleeve shirt. In the evenings I would bring a heavy sweatshirt or winter jacket.
Disneyland Special Events in May
May is Star Wars month and throughout the month they also have the special After Hours ticketed event, Star Wars Night. I absolutely love the month of May and getting dressed up for Star Wars night. As you’ll see by my Chewbacca Disney Bound, it was still chilly enough that I was in a furry winter jacket.
Disneyland Outfits for Comfort & Functionality
When deciding what to wear to Disneyland, comfort is key. I love wearing loose clothing in soft breathable fabrics. If you want to dress for comfort, think of athleisure outfits with your favorite tights, a loose tank top, and sneakers with an optional hooded sweatshirt in case it gets chilly. I swear by Lululmeon tights for being both comfortable and flattering. They are pricier but you’ll own them for years.
You can even do cozy and comfortable Disney Bounds like the relaxed Jumpsuit I wore for Princess Nights. Another great option is joggers because they’re super comfortable, loose, and flattering.
Disneyland Backpacks & Bags
The most popular bags to wear to Disneyland are definitely the Lounge Fly backpacks. They actually hold a fairly good amount. I however prefer cross-body bags because everything is much more easily accessible. Another good option is a refillable water bottle holder which has additional room to carry things like chapstick and credit card. Corkcicle makes a super cute Disney water bottle bag that holds their water bottles and has a large zipper compartment.
Accessories to Wear to Disneyland
Below is a list of accessories you may want to wear to Disneyland or key in a locker just in case.
- Gloves, Scarf, & Tights: once it gets chilly I always bring a pair of gloves and a scarf. If I’m wearing a skirt and it’s warm during the day, I also bring tights for the evening.
- Magic Band: ever since I purchased my magic band, I hated being at the park without one. Read all about why I think purchasing the Magic Band Plus is totally worth it.
- Pins: I don’t like to wear jewelry when I visit an amusement park, but at Disneyland, pins are a great alternative to represent your favorite characters. When I do a Disney Bound, I’ll often wear a matching pin. For example, when I wore my Princess Jasmine Disney Bound I wore a pin of Rajah, Jasmine’s pet tiger.
View my entire Disney Outfit Ideas List to find everything in these photos!
Cute Disneyland Outfit Ideas for the Fall
Fall is one of my favorite times to dress for Disneyland. The weather is warm enough to dress in a cute corduroy dress (which I own in 3 colors!) with a white t-shirt underneath and you can get away with just s simple flannel shirt for the evening. I always love to pair every outfit with a cute pair of Disney ears.
In October I like to dress in more of a Halloween theme, especially The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Winter Outfits to Wear to Disneyland
In the chilly winter months, you’ll want to dress warm and snuggly. This cute red coat gives total Disneyland princess vibes and it would also be perfect for a Snow White Disney Bound. A great colorful jacket can really pull an outfit together in the winter. Christmas is also a great time to wear red and green plaid patterns, themed Disney Christmas sweaters, and holiday Disney ears. You can also accessories with a cute cold weather beanie with Mickey Mouse poofs for ears.
Cute Outfits to Wear to Disneyland in the Spring & Summer
For the perfect summer day outfit at Disneyland, I love these cute Daisy Minnie ears with the matching tank top with some simple cut-off shorts. They also make cute Disney ear flower crowns. Floral Disney graphic tees are perfect and it’s also a great time to wear your favorite Hawaiian Lilo and Stitch themed clothes. During the warm summer months, I like to keep fabrics light and airy.
What to Wear at Disneyland in the Rain?
If it might rain during your Disneyland Resort Vacation, you want to be prepared. I have been to Disneyland in the rain several times and trust me, if you are unprepared it isn’t very much fun. It can also add an extra cost to your trip when you end up having to buy all these things. Here are my best tips for what you’ll want to wear if you plan on visiting Disneyland on rainy days.
- Extra socks: nothing is worse than having soaking wet feet all day so it’s always a great idea to bring extra socks. Even during the summer, if you plan on going on water rides you should bring an extra pair of socks so your feet aren’t wet all day.
- Rain Shoes or waterproof shoe covers: I have a pair of Sperry Duckhorns I purchased after I made the mistake of wearing sneakers in the rain at Disneyland.
- Rain Ponchos or Rain Jacket: It’s especially useful if your rain poncho has a good hood. Depending on the month it’s raining, you’ll want to bring a warm stylish rain jacket if you decide not to bring a poncho.
- large umbrella: I prefer to have an umbrella and throw on a beanie. Do not bring a cheap umbrella as when it rains in California it can get very windy. Make sure to bring a nice big well-made umbrella that won’t break with strong wind gusts. I really love the dome-shaped umbrellas that cover your face!
- Waterproof bag or waterproof backpack cover: You do not want your things getting soaked so bring a waterproof bag with you or a cheap waterproof backpack cover to protect your items.
Whether you’re a seasoned annual pass holder or this is your first visit to the Disneyland Resort in California, I hope you found these insider tips on what to wear to Disneyland helpful and you enjoy your time at the happiest place on earth!
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About The Author
Sondra Barker is an established travel writer, photographer, and culinary enthusiast. She resides in Newport Beach, California one of the most beautiful beach towns in the country. Her favorite destinations include visiting various wine countries, cruises around the world, and fun theme parks like Disneyland.
Sondra Barker
