You say you didn’t know Disney had a dress code, well you’re mostly correct. The information I am going to impart is not so much as what is allowed as to what is advised. That is if you and your family want to enjoy every moment of the magic. Now you’ve spent all that money and all that time planning to go to Disney World; all of the important things, the best resort for your budget, which restaurants you want to experience, right down to which rides and attractions are the can’t miss of your itinerary. One item that may go slightly over looked in your planning or unconsidered until its too late, is how to dress.

And no I’m not talking about style. In my many trips to Disney World I’ve seen tons of style and more than a few, shall we say, fashion faux pas, but that may be another hub for the humor category (got a ton of pics). I am not going to address how to match those stylish Capri pants that are on sale with that perfect batiste blouse; hell I don’t have the skills. I am going to advise you how to dress for the climate, for comfort and for protection.

Guys, forget about the fashion part, however you dress your gonna look like a dork. Sorry, apparently this is like an unwritten Disney rule. Been there too many times, got the tee shirt, lost the hat. Guys we come in four shapes, short, tall, fat, skinny, and combinations thereof, we all look dopey in shorts and sneakers. Adorable (I have been told), but dopey, especially us Dads, carryin’ all the crap your gonna be carryin.”

Folks Florida can be fashion and fun killer with its climate. Not dressing with the appropriate clothing for the type of weather is the issue. Disney World can be devilishly hot or brutally cold. If you are not prepared you are going to miss a lot of the magic.

Firstly consider which season you will be visiting. If you’re not familiar with Florida, and my observations lead me to the conclusion most tourists are not, read on. As compared to just about everywhere else in the North and South America, Europe and Japan that enjoy 4 seasons, in Florida we have only three, Summer, Winter and “Sprall;” which comes twice a year and seems to only last about a week or two; once around March and again in about November. July and August, which are included in summer, actually have their own “cracker” assigned, yet quite defining name, Hotter-than-Hell.

These are also the times of year the little girl losing her bikini bottom makes a ton of money with her aloe products, all of them. Yes the sun will get you pretty good even in winter, I’ve seen many a bald guy walking around with zinc oxide on his head at Christmas time. Brits not to single you out, and you New Englanders need to pay attention too; there hasn't been this much red in the US since the Revolutionary War.

My first advice is to get a good backpack; if you have a family get two, one for Mom and one for Dad (and Dad you will end up, at some point carrying both). This will be the most important and most used piece of luggage you will need on your entire trip. Make sure to get one with lots of pockets; I like the triple layer type. Ladies forget the purses and handbags, everything you need can go in the backpack. And NOooooooo you don’t need all that other stuff that's in there. Your wallet, a brush and some lip balm and that’s it, maybe if its that time of the month, well you know. You will discover learning how to pack this one bag correctly, Dads, this critical to your survival, is an absolute for successfully conquerering a Disney day.

Dads Disney Survival Tips is coming soon. This is a pre-published advance tip; be sure when you get your backpack/s it has padded shoulder straps, above are just few options click any of the links and there are many types to choose from, if getting two packs I suggest different types 1 large and 1 medium in size.

Okay let’s get to clothes, that’s why you came. LAYERS. In Florida you dress in layers, for protection and comfort from all extremes. This is important for all “three” of our seasons, especially for older folks and the very young, typically 5 and under. The big difference in the layer scheme is the thickness of the material, depending upon temperature. Yes I know, DUH!

However what I am getting at is even in summer (ladies) you may want/need long sleeve shirts. One for sun protection, SPF 9000 only does sooo much, two will find the indoor show venues in the parks can be very cold, a relief in the first few minutes but then Disney’s nuclear powered AC systems can chill you to the core, particularly if you have sun burn. My wife always takes a lightweight, long sleeve, denim shirt on all our warm weather trips, (hence the 3 tier back pack.) You will also find it can be cool to cold in the mornings and evenings and down right hot during the day, no matter what the season.

Even in winter I’ve experienced temperatures in the 30’s in the morning and by afternoon it can be in the 80’s then back down to the 50’s or lower by night fall. Florida has a damp cold, and the wind will drive it right through you. Makes it a bit tough to pack.

The trick to layering is the base layer, this base layer should be calculated for the warmest time of the day. I am going to start with men and boys, simply because they are the easiest. And as far as the dork factor goes, we know it, don’t care, and “Mom’s gonna dress us anyway.”

For men and older boys, pocketed walking shorts and collared shirts, shirts should have at least a breast pocket and I prefer a golf styled shirt for boys and a fishing style shirt for men. Not for looks, but for the functionality, collared shirts will prevent sunburnt necks. The golf and fishing style shirts all have open button collars, which are a bit cooler to wear. Men should get the type of fishing shirt that is loaded with pockets, they are incredibly lightweight and I guarantee you’re going to need all the pockets; for sun glasses, tickets & fast passes, credit & resort room cards, cash, and the inevitable “the dad hold this” stuff. See the examples just above and to the right click on any for lots of choices.

One thing that will surprise you while you are at Disney World will be the number of times you go into your pockets, and not just for your wallet. If neither you, nor your boys have the pockets your are going to do a lot of digging in the backpack, the more times you stop to dig, the less fun your going to have.

From here, layering depends on which of our fabulous seasons your visiting. For “Sprall” I usually take a long sleeve jersey type shirt, and/or a fleece sports pull over, in winter I add a lightly insulated Jacket and substitute jeans for shorts. When it’s really cold I have the long sleeve jersey under my fishing shirt, but this time of year I change to the chamois type of hunting shirt. For boys the same strategy applies. Dads, hair getting a little thin on top? Throw a ball cap in the backpack especially in the summer.

Now for younger children two things are of paramount importance, sun protection and temperature control. This will apply most importantly for those kids that will be in strollers. The biggest “mistake” my wife and I see at Disney World are children being turned into “Toasted Pop Tarts,” especially their legs. Most strollers have a sunshade, and the ones rented at Disney World all do, but folks these shades only cover the head & torso. A child’s legs are constantly exposed to the sun.

Tip: if you are brining your own stroller, be sure it's collapsable, lugging carraiges on Disney Transportation can be pretty tough. Here are a few options to the right

Imagine the position these children are in all day while riding around in a stroller. And while you are pushing the stroller through the crowds, you’re in a vertical position; your clothing and even your own shadow provide a modicum of sun protection. Your child is in a partially horizontal position, their legs, un-shaded are splayed in the Florida sun all day. Please be vigilant of this, your young child’s skin is particularly vulnerable. We have seen too many kids with terrible sunburns, some on the order of second degree.

Another consideration for kids in strollers is the heat. Ponder the fact that in crowds, like those you will find at Disney World, kid in strollers are close to the ground. When they are in a stroller all they see around them are knees and rear ends, and at that level barely a breath of air get to them. It gets very hot and young ones are susectible to heat exhaustion. I've seen many a flushed face in a stroller. If you see this in your child cool them down. Read on and you will see how without them even knowing.

Not only that, the surfaces of the strollers themselves got incredibly hot baking in the sun while you’re all in a show. Ever get in to a hot car and burn your hands on the steering wheel. The same burn will happen to your child’s back, butt, arms, legs and hands. I know those little midriff shirts are cute but leave them at the resort for the pool.

I know this doesn’t have much to do with dressing but if your consider these things your clothing options and choices will get clearer and your child’s vacation will be “pain free” and a much happier one. There are two tips to alleviating and lessening these issues. Number one; allow your kids to walk as much as possible, some parents, for very young ones bring a leash to keep them close, and carry them as much as possible. They will see and enjoy more at your eye level and they will be vertical. Number two; bring along a lightweight blanket of sufficient size to cover the stroller and a cloth changing pad to line the stroller seat.

Now as to the clothing. Layering still applies for kids.For those out of diapers in the summer start with a bathing suit under the clothing, mostly for girls, little boys usually don’t care if they get wet, and let them. Disney World, in all the parks, provides ample ways for this to happen in a lot of the play areas. It’s by design to aid what I have outlined above. Bring a second set of clothing for each child. (in the back packs) 

Tip: throw a couple of clothes pins in the backpack, hang wet clothes on the outside of the backpack or on the stroller, you will be amazed how quickly they dry and then you can alternate clothes.

As to the fairer sex, where to begin? Ladies the layering still works but I think I will outline what to avoid rather than suggest what to wear; since I fell off the fashion train quite a while ago. Let’s start with one of the more delicate considerations, bras. Some say necessary, but according to just about all I know, uncomfortable and girls, in today’s lesson I think we are going for comfortable.

I must say, I more than admire the female attributes, and Dad’s I can tell you a trip to Disney World has added attractions not specifically advertised, especially in the “Sprall” & Summer. To put it plainly, Disney World can be, a different kind of show. Some days I’ve seen more exposure at Disney World than I have at a strip joint (in my younger, wilder and more disreputable years, ……….okay it was last year, but it wasn’t my idea, and I was in the Keys). Man, they come in all kinds of wonderful shapes and sizes, framed and exhibited in multiple examples of individualism. And then, some, you just wish you hadn’t seen.

Now let me tell you I am not a prude and I do not take issue with life style choices or provincial conceptions, but Disney World offers just a little bit different kind of magic. I, like most of you Dads, will partake in a glance or two, (okay…..ogle….. sometimes) hell their on display, but perhaps this just isn’t the place. (Ladies, I guess by now you can tell this was written by a guy, but I’ve had good advisors.)

Never having worn one of these I have been advised a bathing suit top, the string style, without under-wire, is very comfortable and serves multiple purposes. Including, for those who are so inclined, and proportioned, when the temperatures really climb, revealed under an opened or tied button down blouse. Also I'm told a sports bra (as shown above) can work well for those, with modesty or other, shall we say challenges. Should you choose freedom, nothing too sheer, the Florida sun will burn you right through an organdi, tulle or mousseline like fabric. Then what kind of vacation will you and your husband have?

Avoid tight fitting jeans or shorts, the painted on type, after a while and a lot of walking these could create chaffing and, I have been told, can get damned uncomfortable. For the most part follow the same advice as for men, female styling of course. And remember the AC systems.

Another little idea, this one directly because my wife said to add it when she proofed; if you or your girls don’t have short or bobbed hairstyles, at some point during the hottest part of the day you may want to pull it up off your neck. My wife clips a barrette, or two to her belt loop so it’s always handy. Ever try to get one out of the bottom of your purse and succeed without dumping the purse; now think about the backpack. Ugly.

Footwear may be the most important consideration of all, sans sun protection. Simply, sneakers, or athletic shoes for all, and wear socks, white athletic ones and be sure no matter the style the sock rise above the back of the shoe. After your first Disney mile you will understand why, and you will probably hit that goal in the first hour rushing from ride to ride. Do not bring brand new shoes either; break them in before you travel, new ones will cause blisters most likely before you get to the entry gate and then you are in for a long uncomfortable day. Buy any kind that has some type of arch support.

If you wear flats, deck shoes, sandals or flip flops, which you should avoid like the plague, by mid day your are going to hurt, somewhere; stubbed toes, feet, knees, ankles, back, but definitely somewhere. You will also discover if you do not heed this advice, the bottoms of your feet will get burned, the concrete holds an incredible amount of heat and these type of shoes only insulate your feet to a minimum. You are also going to be more fatigued, and Disney World is not the place for fatigue, there is just to much to do and see. Most days the parks open at 9:00 AM and will stay open till very late. On “extra magic” nights,(times when the parks stay open later for resorts guests only) even later, the Magic Kingdom has been open as late as 3:00 AM and folks that’s a long day. Tickets aren’t cheap and you will want to get the most out of each day.

Tip: even with broken in shoes and good socks blisters can still happen with all the walking, throw some medical mole skin in the back pack just in case works better than band-aids.

The most important thing, primarily in winter, is multiple layers, and backpacks all the time to carry things when your not wearing it; and Tip, wear the heavy stuff in, (makes the bag check go faster) and rent a locker. Rent one when you first arrive (there’s a limited number) at the information kiosk located just inside the gate. When it warms up, stash everything until you need again in the evening. The locker rental is only about 3 bucks, worth every penny instead of lugging that stuff around all day.

Don’t let your fashion choices impede the magic. You and your family don’t want to miss a thing while your there.

Oh, One Special Note

Guys, back to the dork thing and quite frankly this goes just a touch beyond “Dork-ness”, please leave the black socks at home.

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If you or your kids are Disney Fans you might want to check this out for Christmas

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