An important part of a successful theme park visit is making sure you and those you are traveling with (in my case, my husband and 2 kids) are comfortable. Otherwise you’re going to be hearing a lot of complaining about being too cold/hot/wet/whatever and that can really ruin a good time!
Overall, the weather in Anaheim is really mild and pleasant. The mornings and evenings are pretty brisk all year long and the afternoons are sunny and warm. That being said, weather can be unpredictable so you want to make sure you check the forecast ahead of time so you know what to expect. In general, the monthly averages look like this:
I have found the best tactic to keep everyone comfortable is twofold: 1) dress in layers, and 2) wear good shoes.
You’ll notice some of those average temperatures have a range of more than twenty degrees – if you’re going to be in the parks all day you’ll want something that works for the chill as well as the warmth. Plus something about being at Disneyland can make a sunny afternoon feel like it’s about ten or fifteen degrees hotter than it actually is, so it can be downright sweltering!
For January thru April, I usually dress myself and my kids in jeans or leggings, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt on top of that and a light additional layer (jean jacket, puffy jacket or something similar). Start the morning wearing them all and remove layers and stuff them in a backpack, stroller undercarriage or tie them around your waist as the day warms up. By the evening you’ll start adding them back on again.
For May thru October, it’s a similar idea except I usually wear shorts, a tank top or t-shirt and only one additional layer (either a sweatshirt or sweater or light jacket).
November and December are much like January thru April but there can be the random super hot and sunny days or the occasional rainy day. Just make sure you check the forecast and come prepared.
Another thing I like to have on hand (either underneath the stroller or in a backpack) is a light blanket. It serves lots of purposes at the parks – a layer to bundle up with if it’s cold, a padded spot to sit and watch a parade or fireworks, a rag to wipe off benches or other surfaces, a makeshift shade covering for an impromptu stroller nap… lots of uses for a blanket! I always pack one and these are some of my favorites.
Now the next part of the key to successful Disney dressing – comfy shoes! This is not the time to break in a new pair of kicks, no matter how padded and cushiony they may seem. You want shoes you know work well for your feet and have already been worn several times. I also like to alternate shoes from day to day, as I find that’s easier on your feet with all the walking. You know what works for you and your family best, but here are some of my tried and true favorites:
For me (click on images for more info):
In the warmer months, these are sandals that work well for me:
Here are shoes that work well for my kids:
So that’s how I like to prepare as far as attire goes. A good bag is also a major component to help set you up for Disneyland success. My strategy is to carry a backpack for the bulk of park extras I pack (see how I pack my park bag here) as well as wear a fanny pack or small crossbody bag for smaller more essential items (usually I keep my phone, ID, hand sanitizer and a travel pack of wipes in my fanny pack). Here are some backpacks that have handy features for long park days – I look for padded straps, lots of compartments and ease of cleaning (a touch of Disney magic is a fun bonus for some of these):
And here are some fanny packs that are perfect for park days (or everyday, I love me a fanny pack):
For all kinds of extras that will help you stay prepared for your day at Disney, be sure to check out my Disney bag post!
