Planning a trip to Disney World soon and wondering what in the world to wear to keep you comfortable and cool? You’re in the right place. Welcome to the ultimate guide to Plus Size Disney World Outfits!
I’m not going to sugar coat it… planning this type of trip does NOT feel like a vacation to me as a plus size mom. Navigating which rides I’ll be able to fit onto, figuring out how to use Genie + and lightning lanes, paying for expensive tickets, and figuring out what to wear feels pretty daunting.
I grew up going to Disney World often. We didn’t do the big fancy Disney vacations I see all over social media these days. We’d go for a couple days, staying mostly off site. We’d then road trip from Orlando to a nearby beach for a couple days then head back home.
While I’ve been excited to introduce my own children to the magical spot, I was a bit nervous about making it a positive experience for us ALL.
In today’s post, you’ll learn what to wear to Disney World, non-clothing items you need for Disney World, where to buy plus size Disney World outfits, and get plus size Disney World outfit inspiration.
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What to Wear To Disney World When Plus Size: Plus Size Disney World Outfits
With so many things to think of when planning your magical vacation, I’m here to make figuring out what to wear one less thing you need to worry about.
As someone who grew up as a Disney kid, visiting often with family, I already knew a lot about navigating the parks comfortably. But as a plus size woman and mom, it was a whole new ball game.
I spent HOURS researching Disney tips, scouring Facebook groups, and thinking through every possible discomfort I might face as a plus size person navigating Disney.
My hope is that this post will save you LOTS of time and help you feel prepared to navigate what to wear to the parks for ultimate comfort.
Comfortable Shoes (at least two pairs)
Bringing comfortable shoes that can support you through LOTS of walking is absolutely a top priority when deciding what to wear to Disney World.
It is recommended to bring at least two pairs of your most comfortable shoes so that you are able to alternate if one becomes uncomfortable.
Definitely do NOT use your Disney World trip as an opportunity to break in a new pair of shoes, even if it’s the same style you’ve worn comfortably in the past.
I recommend bringing comfortable athletic sneakers.
Sneakers are a VERY personal choice and what is comfortable for one person might be miserable for the next. Use the time leading up to your trip to take long walks in your different sneakers to determine which are the best fit.
If you need new sneakers for your trip, try to get them well in advance so you can break them in.
Read this blog post featuring my personal favorite sneakers from Kizik. They are hands free which makes them SO easy to put on and they’re available in both regular and wide widths.
For our trip I took two pairs of my Kizik Athens sneakers and alternated them each day. I also had sandals to wear in the evenings if needed, but I didn’t rely on those often.
Some folks like to take sandals or water resistant shoes like Crocs into the parks as well, but I didn’t find this necessary for our trip.
Lightweight Fabrics
Of course, the Florida heat can be brutal for much of the year so it’s important to dress accordingly. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are your friend as they’ll help keep you cooler and they’ll dry quickly if you sweat or get wet.
Longer Length Shorts / Bike Shorts / Skorts
For most plus size folks, short shorts are a no-go at Disney. Chafing can be extremely painful and even if chafing isn’t an issue for you shorts riding up as you walk is annoying.
I recommend moisture wicking plus size bike shorts like these.
My favorite clothing purchase for our Disney trip was The Get Moving Skort – 17″ from Spanx. I LOVED that the shorts underneath were long enough that they didn’t ride up at all. The skirt on top made my casual athletic outfits look a bit more elevated, and I also liked feeling more covered.
I actually loved the skort so much I washed it in the sink during our trip so I could re-wear it another day!
The Spanx skort is available in sizes XS-3X. If you need larger sizes than those offered by Spanx, check out the collection from Woman Within.
Dresses
Dresses may seem like an odd choice for Disney World with all the walking you have to do. With some bike shorts underneath, they can be great!
With a flowing bottom half, you can feel a bit more breeze. Not to mention how cute you’ll look. This Minnie Mouse dress from Torrid is at the top of my list.
Matching Family Shirts
When I think of modern-day Disney trips, I think of cute matching shirts for the whole family. I LOVE seeing the creative ideas families come up with whether it’s personalizing shirts with names, favorite characters, or whatever else they love.
I’ll share lots of resources for matching family Disney shirts later in the post. Here’s an example of the shirts our family wore on our first park day at Magic Kingdom:
Shop our Disney Squad shirts on Etsy.
Great Socks
As someone who typically hates wearing socks, this part is a challenge for me. I normally just wear whatever socks I snag on Target or Walmart trips, but I upgraded for our Disney trip.
My sister in law swears by Bombas socks. You can shop Bombas socks here. They’re currently offering 20% off your first order with code COMFORT20.
I meant to order Bombas socks before our trip but didn’t get around to it. Instead I snagged a pack of cushioned athletic socks by Adidas at TJ Maxx. I actually LOVE them. I can’t seem to find them in store anymore, so I will be ordering more to complete my collection.
Belt Bag / Fanny Pack
Belt bags, formerly known as fanny packs, are an amusement park staple.
It’s SO convenient to have a hands free option to hold your necessities while walking around and it’s even more important when riding rides.
Unfortunately, it can be a challenge to find belt bags that work well for plus size women.
Lululemon makes the most popular belt bags, but at a length of only 44.9″ many plus size folks can’t wear them comfortably around the waist.
I snagged this Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag dupe on Amazon. It is much larger with a 50″ strap and is also significantly less expensive!
I LOVED having my cell phone, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, ID and credit card close by at all times.
Disney Loungefly Backpack
While I personally prefer the belt bag option, Loungefly backpacks are VERY popular in the Disney community.
I can definitely see why – they’re adorable and allow you to show off your Disney style.
These do also hold slightly more than a belt bag.
You can shop adorable LoungeFly Disney backpacks here.
Large Durable Backpack
If you have kids or just need a lot of stuff with you, a large backpack is key. We used this leather backpack from Able for diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, extra drinks and snacks, and so much more.
I loved that we could just hang it from our stroller handles instead of carrying it. I was surprised, too, that for all the rides we rode, we were able to bring the backpack with us.
My favorite part about this backpack as a plus size mom is that was perfect for our Disney trip but is also a staple in our day to day life.
I use it as a Diaper bag, a work bag, a travel carry-on, and so much more. It’s SO stylish and will last for years!
Shop my favorite plus size friendly backpack from Able here.
Light Jacket Or Hoodie (Winter Months)
Most of the year, the temperatures in Orlando will be VERY warm but if you are going in the winter months it will be good to take a light jacket or hoodie on your trip.
As always when traveling, look at the weather forecast before your trip and ensure you’re prepared for the weather. It can vary pretty significantly day to day.
Poncho
Speaking of being prepared for the weather, you’ll definitely want to snag some ponchos before your trip.
It rains often in Florida even if for short periods of time.
You CAN buy ponchos in the park in a pinch but you can save time and money by bringing your own!
I snagged this family pack of lightweight ponchos for us, but thankfully we never needed them!
If you DO want to buy a heavier duty plus size friendly poncho, these are great!
I’m also contemplating either these wearable ponchos for my kids or this stroller rain cover for our next trip!
Swimsuit
Whether you’re planning a day at the water park or just taking a quick dip in your hotel pool, it’s a good idea to bring along a swimsuit or two for your trip.
Believe it or not, my favorite sources for plus size swimsuits are Old Navy and Walmart.
Check out Old Navy plus size swimsuits here.
Shop Walmart plus size swimsuits here.
Coverup
It’s also a good idea to bring a nice coverup so you’ll be covered as you walk to and from the pool.
Mickey Ears
You can definitely hold off on buying Mickey ears before your trip and get them in the park as a souvenir.
If you love a good park entrance photo op, though, you can buy your fun mouse ears before your trip.
Go straight to the source, Disney, and get your Mickey ears here.
Everything But the Plus Size Disney Outfits: Non-Clothing Items You Need To Stay Comfortable At Disney World
Water Bottle
It goes without saying that in the hot Florida sun, it’s important to stay hydrated. You can get free water cups at quick service restaurants but it’s nice to have your own bottle to keep your water cooler longer.
A lot of people think Florida drinking water has a weird taste, so some folks prefer to bring in their own bottled water. Others recommend bringing drink flavoring like Crystal Light or electrolytes like Liquid IV to help with the taste and hydration.
We were big fans of my 40 ounce Stanley cup. I would fill it with ice at the hotel each morning and refill it with water all day. The ice lasted all day even in the September heat.
Our first day we brought in a soft side cooler but later decided to just toss a few extra water bottles in our backpack and then buy any others we needed throughout the day.
On Disney transportation you have to break down your strollers. Carrying our kids, the cooler, backpack, water cups, stroller, etc. was a bit too much so we left the cooler behind the rest of the trip.
Neck Fan
If I’m being honest, I had never even heard of a neck fan until I started researching for our Disney trip.
SO many moms in Disney facebook groups recommend traveling with these.
I do *NOT* like being overheated so having a fan is so nice.
I got this one on Amazon since it has great reviews.
We honestly didn’t use it as much as I thought we would but it does work very well!
Cooling Towels
Cooling towels are another comfort item I was completely unfamiliar with pre-Disney trip planning. Now, I am BEYOND obsessed with them.
All you do is wet the towels, give them a quick shake, and wear them around your neck to stay cool.
I snagged this four pack from Amazon so that our whole family could use them.
I actually prefer these to the neck fans because they’re so light weight and work so well without taking up much space in your bag.
I also love that they don’t need to be charged.
I did notice these were sold at Disney shops too so if you forget one, you can snag one there.
Bandaids
This is pretty self explanatory but with all the walking you’ll be doing at Disney, there’s a decent chance you’ll get a blister at some point.
They’ll also come in handy for any other boo-boos that happen along the way.
If your kids are anything like mine, bring lots!
Moleskin or Blister Prevention
Even with the most comfortable shoes, rubbing and discomfort can happen. I kept this blister care kit in my belt bag and we used them any time we felt our shoes rubbing our feet in an uncomfortable way.
No one ever actually got a blister because we used them preventatively.
Epsom Salt Foot Soak
I personally did not try this trick but saw in a Disney mom group on Facebook that some folks like to soak their feet in Epsom salt at the end of a long day filled with lots of walking.
Even with comfortable socks and shoes, my feet were tired and sore at the end of the day. This epsom salt foot soak would have been a nice luxury!
I’ll take it next time!
Anti-Chafing Gel
I have sworn by Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel for YEARS and it is a must have any time you are walking a lot in warm weather.
You can put this on preventatively anywhere you chafe or you can use it to relieve any pain from existing chafing.
Because I chose to wear bike shorts and the long skirt I referenced earlier, I didn’t deal with any chafing at all. However, I will NEVER travel to warm destinations without this product in my bag. I’d rather be safe than sorry!
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a no brainer but don’t forget it! You’ll be spending lots of time in the hot Florida sun. You’ll definitely need it!
Tylenol or Ibuprofen
This is one tip I wouldn’t have thought of before joining many Disney groups online. Some folks shared that they took Tylenol or a pain reliever at the end of a long park day.
I was definitely sore with all of the long days of walking, so it was nice to have on hand.
Hand Sanitizer
If your family is anything like mine, they just love to TOUCH EVERYTHING! I was so grossed out by my kids touching everything and was grateful to have hand sanitizer and baby wipes on hand to keep them clean (well, as clean as possible) in between trips to the sink for hand washing.
I typically don’t splurge on expensive hand sanitizer but spotted this Citrus Grove scented spray hand sanitizer in line at the Ulta checkout and was sold. The scent was really nice and felt appropriate for a Florida vacation.
I also appreciated the easy application of the spray.
Where to Buy Plus Size Disney World Outfits
It can feel a little daunting to buy “specialty” plus size clothing given how limited our shopping options are in general. However, I found quite a variety of Disney clothing options and was really happy with my finds.
I’ll share my favorite destinations for plus size Disney Clothes here but don’t be surprised if you start noticing cute Disney clothes on your shopping trips. I have been surprised by how many retailers offer them!
Torrid Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Torrid is always a go-to for plus size Disney outfits. They offer a wide variety of character tees, dresses, pajamas, and so much more.
Their Disney items definitely don’t stay in stock for long, so once you spot something you love… I recommend snagging it quickly.
Shop the Torrid Disney collection here.
Etsy Plus Size Disney World Outfits
While Torrid is a big winner for the plus size Disney clothes, if you’re looking for coordinating outfits for the whole family, ETSY is your spot.
Each of our park days we wore tees from Etsy.
My two daughters and I would wear matching tops and then we’d find something coordinating for my husband.
I love supporting small businesses on Etsy, and I love how creative their designs are.
You can also often customize shirts by adding your names, the year, etc.
Additionally, most Etsy shirt sellers print on standard “merch” style blank tees. This means they can usually access a wide variety of sizes even if not advertised on their shop.
If you find a tee you love that isn’t advertised as being sold in your size, you can always try to message the seller to see if they’d be able to accommodate you.
My one caution with Etsy is to be sure that you read reviews of sellers before purchasing. Most are great but you definitely want to check them out before ordering to make sure you’ll get your money’s worth.
Shop Disney tees on Etsy here.
Looking for matching family tee shirt inspo? I’m rounding up my personal favorite Etsy tees later in this post!
Amazon Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Honestly, what CAN’T you buy on Amazon these days? They have a great selection of so many Disney items, including shirts.
We snagged this Frozen inspired shirt for my husband, Kevin, for our Epcot day and he got lots of compliments on it!
Shop Amazon Disney shirts here.
Hot Topic Plus Size Disney World Outfits
I rarely think of Hot Topic as an option for clothing but I was pleasantly surprised to find an incredible selection of Disney clothing there for pus sizes.
They have some really cute pieces that are unlike anything I have found elsewhere.
Shop the Hot Topic Disney collection here.
Woman Within Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Woman Within is another great option for plus size Disney clothes. My favorite part of the Woman Within options is their superior size range.
Many of their items are offered up to a size 40, making them the most inclusive Disney clothing option I can find!
I especially love Woman Within’s seasonal options for Halloween and Christmas!
Shop the Woman Within Disney collection here.
Kohls Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Kohls is another store I just don’t think about enough. They have some cute Disney options and you can’t beat all the sales and discounts offered by Kohls!
Shop the Kohls Disney collection here.
ShopDisney / Disney Store
If you’re looking for all things Disney, you can consider going straight to the source and shopping directly with Disney. Unfortunately, there are very few options available over a size 3x but there are some good finds online! You can also find a ton of cute Disney accessories here.
Shop Disney clothing and accessories.
Catherine’s Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Catherine’s is owned by the same family of brands as Woman Within, so they both offer similar items and have the great size range. You might find duplicate items on their sites but both are good resources!
Shop Catherine’s plus size Disney collection here.
Macy’s Plus Size Disney World Outfits
Macy’s has some of my favorite plus size women’s Disney shirts.
They have a great selection and offer great prices too!
Their offerings come up to a size 4x or 28.
If I hadn’t gone with matching shirts from Etsy, I would have worn shirts from Macy’s daily in the parks.
Shop the Macys plus size Disney collection here.
Plus Size Disney World Outfits: Ideas and Inspiration
Anna & Elsa Castle Tee (plus sizes offered) | Plus Size Pink Shorts (similar up to 4x) | Kristoff Ice Company Tee (up to 3X) | Anna Dress (sizes 12 months to 9/10) | Elsa Dress (sizes 12 months to 9/10)
Family Matching Disney Squad Tees | Spanx Skort | Kizik Athens Sneakers | Red Headband (similar)
Pooh & Friends Castle Tees (similar) | Spanx Skort | Kizik Athens Sneakers | Tigger Shirt
Cutest Plus Size Friendly Disney World Outfits: Tees From Etsy
Prior to our trip I spent HOURS scouring the adorable t-shirt options on Etsy. These are the ones I saved from my own browsing!
This has been a post featuring plus size Disney World Outfits.
