Something to keep in mind as we discuss this- this should not be a trip where you try a completely different fashion that you may not be comfortable in. I see women rocking gorgeous dresses and styles that are great for them, but would never work for me. As you read my tips, know that I am someone who chooses comfort and function over fashion. Read my advice with your own style and preferences in mind. My tips are just to help you know what to expect and some feedback based on my perspective.

Once you’ve decided on your shoes, look at the weather forecast for your trip. California has mild weather. You will not likely need to pack for any extreme cold, but the mornings, especially waiting in line for early morning magic hours, can be very chilly and you may get rain. A pair of jeans and a pair of shorts are a good idea so that you can cover your bases. If you are a leggings person, they are great for Disneyland because they’re comfortable and you can move easily and not worry about them getting too dirty. Depending on the number of days you go and whether you’ll have laundry access will determine a lot of your packing. Because we generally go back to our hotel for naps midday, I often start with jeans for the chillier morning, then change into shorts for the afternoon when the weather is warm.

Pack layers. T-shirts, long sleeves and a fleece or sweatshirt are usually enough. If the weather looks extra chilly, a coat will be necessary- we travel from Colorado so the humidity makes us feel especially cold when the temperatures drop! If you’re going mid-summer, you may want to skip the jeans and coats and stick with shorts and a light cover up, but, again, pay attention to the weather and plan accordingly. We are rarely visiting when it’s super hot, but on hot days, we’ve been really thankful for our water bottles and hats!

As you plan your trip, I want you to keep something in mind- you are going to want to wear Disney gear. Before your first trip, you might be doubting the truth of this. Trust me, though- the influence is strong in the parks. Everyone around you will be wearing Disney clothes, hats, backpacks and other gear. There are also so many shops with cute and appealing merchandise. Evaluate your plan and budget. You can find really reasonably priced shirts online through Amazon, Target and H&M. You’ll need to plan in advance to get these before your trip, but you will definitely save money doing it this way. What we usually do is plan that each of us will buy a new shirt each trip. That means we pack one less item and budget for the costs, which ranges between $35 and 60 per shirt (eligible for the AP or DVC discounts). The best part of this is that I now have a little stack of shirts for our trips. I only wear them when we go to the parks and it makes packing so easy because they’re all together and ready to go. Plan to bring a backpack with you, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Because you can bring food and drinks in, this is key to carry snacks, sunscreen, water and other things like autograph books. You can put it at your feet on all the rides or leave it with a stroller if you don’t leave valuables in it. For myself, I wear a fanny pack. My husband teases me to no end about this, but it allows me to keep my phone,  ID and cards on me, as well as small basics, like a sunscreen stick and chapstick. I really like being hands free and not having to deal with anything extra on the rides. I have a super simple one that I got as a bridesmaid gift, but there are tons of options from basic and affordable to snazzy and expensive. This would definitely be the place to rock a sequined one of you’ve got it 😉