Definitely pack your coolest clothes and use loads of sunscreen. I asked, The parks are reopening soon (July 11 for the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom and July 15 for Disney's Hollywood, As a way to cut costs, and in response to lagging attendance numbers, Walt Disney World has made changes to upcoming, We now have a better idea what touring a Walt Disney World theme park might look like after the COVID-19 lockdown.. Sarah typically wears a brand new pair every trip for this exact reason. Every time I spend the day at Walt Disney World, Im amazed at how many steps my smart watch records. Birkenstocks in the Nebraska style. I generally like to pack a zip-up sweatshirt so that I can wear it in the evening. Not to say I dont like polos anyway, as I do, but if youre more of a casual person, you cant go wrong with a good breathable shirt. But I always have some backup shoes I can switch to if the occasional blister starts to build up. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Another reason not to wear Crocs of any type at WDW? Because we love Disney t-shirts so much we have posts dedicated to all our favorite Disney shirts. If youre not used to constantly wearing sandals, dont wear them on a Disney trip! I stick to tennis shoes as well but I cant stick to one pair. This one has gotten me twice, but I think Ive finally learned my lesson. For kids, be sure to pack several Disney themed t-shirts. I always use packing lists when we go on vacation. I like shorts (or capris) because of the getting-in-and-out-of-rides modesty issue. Remember that there are several water rides, like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids. Hell actually drool on it. Lesson learned for our subsequent trips to Victoria & Alberts and Club 33: get a locker for your clothes or change in your hotel room. This may work for you Southern or West Coast types who can wear sandals year-round and develop calluses, but for us Midwesterners, thong sandals combined with aggressive park touring is a recipe for disaster. Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Finally, Id like to thank my sponsors for this blog post: Robert Burns, Saucony, Merrell sandals, and Crocs. zhengyiqiong/oct. Do not wear shorts that cause chaffing or ride up no matter how cute they are you 100% will regret this choice. Yeahsometimes you have to learn from your mistakes. You will definitely want to bring a bathing suit with you on your Disney Vacation, even if you arent sure you will be using it. Before my kids started school, I loved visiting Walt Disney World in early May. 2 years ago, the beginning of Dec was in the 80s. In these months, its best to pack layers and be prepared for big temperature shifts throughout the days. High temperatures can get into the 90s during the day with very strong sun. We try to visit when the crowds are low. My husband recently found some good looking cargo-type pants that convert into shorts. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you do thing youll be in the water frequently, you may want to pack two so one will always be dry. And Im a firm believer in my Teva sandals. What Is The Weather At Disney World In May? Thats just the distance from one end of Epcots World Showcase to the other. That way, if a strap or other part of the shoe irritates your foot, youll have a day or two to rest that part of your foot. Be sure to check out the crowd calendar to take into consideration what is the best time for your family. You can also subscribe without commenting. Understanding that you are likely to do a lot of walking, youll also want to make sure you have comfortable shoes and clothing for each day. Make sure that you pack comfortable shoes whatever that means to you. When we first went to California Grill, I thought it would be okay to wear my suit around to the other monorail resorts after dinner. To facilitate that, I recommend packing one outfit per person in your carry-on bag. Third, wearing non-touring attire in a touring setting. If you dont care how you look, Crocs are a great option. Love the monorail access. Posted on Published: 06/15/2021- Last updated: 07/22/2022. I also usually wear cargo pants/capris due to the vast array of pockets. Theyre a smaller brand, and they spend money on actual making awesome products rather than advertising the heck out of subpar products (cough*Nike*cough). Tom and Sarah have a miniature dachshund named Walter E. Dogsney and a yellow cat named Yossarian the Cat. Your shirt is fully sweated-through. Obviously feet even sweat in Florida in the summer. Choose whatever your favorite sandals are flip flops, chaos, crocs, or Birkenstocks! Dont forget the sunscreen even when its cooler the sun is still strong. We have an entire post dedicated to walking shoes. We were warm in our winter coats, hats, gloves/mittens (that wind at EPCOT can be brutal). Air conditioning can make a room feel cool and you want to be able to be comfortable during your down time in the evenings. Temperature-wise, I generally do fine wearing shorts in 60 degrees or better, so the WDW climate works well for me even in February. (June is the wettest month at over 8 inches of rain). If you are planning a date night out at Disney Springs you may want to bring a dress or collard shirt. I mean who would have thought that Florida could get so COLD?! New Balance is another good choice! . Im all about my Asics. Your feet are likely to feel that distance. (Touring Plans, would you like a guest blog post about my experience with Celebration Hospital and WDW staff in an emergency situation? Disney With Daves Daughters does not claim to represent the Walt Disney Companyin any way and is not employed by or affiliated withThe Walt Disney Company. Although I cant offer direct confirmation, she assures me that the hats are excellent because they block your face from harmful and aging sunlight, and the dresses keep you cool in the especially warm summer months. highly recommend bringing a rain jacket or rain poncho. You probably wont need a sweatshirt or sweater at all in the parks, and youll want to drink lots of water and plan cooling breaks. Were tennis shoes and socks people, due to the foot-rub issue. With regard to footwear, Sarah is a big fan of Merrell sandals and Mickey Crocs because theyre both comfortable. This post in particular will focus on the month of May. Always. It is important to consider the type of fabric your clothes are made out of. I second (or third?) You are now ready to pack your bags and head out to Walt Disney World! I am also a fan of Crocs but not the beach style. I dont like having to bring a purse/backpack into the park, so cargo pants are perfect for storage! It was the balls of my feet from the sweating and rubbing. They are wearing shorts and polo type shirts. Every day I switched, and sometimes even in the middle of the day if we headed back to the room for anything. November, when you can start to enjoy the Disney Christmas events, is cooler than October. You have to determine when you will go and where you will stay. I also purchased a lanyard for my AP, TiW, and FPs very useful. Its also before things get oppressively hot. Apparently North Face sports excellent craftsmanship! When we went down for WDW Today Reunion last year, despite reading weather forecasts that it would be as low as 50 degrees, I brought mostly polos and shorts, two pairs of jeans, and no coat. Together, Sarah and Tom run the website http://DisneyTouristBlog.com. May in Orlando can definitely be considered hot. You will be doing a lot of walking every single day. Feel free to send them a message or follow along on Instagram! Though, I think I fall into Toms reference to West Coast types who can wear sandals year round. You will have dozens and dozens of pictures taken so it is smart to put a little bit of thought into what to wear. My other mistake was taking a pair of tennis shoes that was at end of life. He recently married his princess, Sarah, to whom he became engaged at WDW on the beach of the Polynesian Resort in 2007. If its a Nikkor, you dont want to run into my husband. Highly recommend the wicking socks, as mentioned AND ones with no seam- it really can make a difference if youre walking all day. The average emperatures in May are around 88 degrees, and overnight temps only drop down to 70. Just another reason to make sure whatever shoes you wear can take a lot of walking! But he has also worn Columbia brand sandals. Jodi resides in Massachusetts with her husband, fifteen-year-old son, seventeen-year-old daughter, and Havanese dog. After reading the blog and the comments, I think Ill stick with the tennis-shoes. When visiting a Walt Disney World with or without children, theres a lot to consider. I only wear them that way in the winter because I have to to stay warm here in IN. Expect January to be the coolest month of the year, which makes it great weather for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Because I am prone to sun blisters on ears, nose, and neck, I wear a wide brimmed fedora style hat instead of a baseball cap, which provides shade to the whole face and neck. As for footwear, I have become a big fan of Saucony shoes in the last year. The actual best part is having cast members call you Indiana Jones for the whole time youre in WDW! Now Teva Mush or Reef flip flops those are some amazing shoes. Ahh, Crocs. Like anything else, its not about the shoe you wear, but about the quality of the shoe you wear. Once home, I went to my running shoe store and told the guy there about it. Ive seen Saucony before but have never tried them on. Regardless of the month you are visiting, there are some common things that youll need to consider when packing your clothes for Walt Disney World. In May you will want to wear shorts to Disney. As for myself, I generally wear my Disney touring shorts, which really just have ridiculous amount of pockets (because I *hate* having to carry anything around I can fit camera, water bottle, phone, park maps, small pet, whatever in those!) I feel the coolest and most comfortable in them. Such a great post, Tom! We have recommendations for the best shoes for men, women, and kids. Youll still want to have a second layer for the chilly nights. I would wear my jacket made by them if we visited in colder months! : ). Women Admittedly, I dont have the same type of first-hand experience dressing as a female, but as someone who has been dragged to shopping malls all of his life by his mother and wife, I feel I have a pretty good handle on this, as well. (The volume of inquiries Ive received about her attire is actually why Im writing this.). I bring Reef flip-flops for water rides and when it rains because running shoes make your feet REALLY wet in the rain! Ive worn the same pair to Disney World and Disneyland for the past few years. Know your touring style, know what makes you most comfortable, and dont try anything youre really not used to. You did, like, a couple of marathons there! I generally dont need a sweatshirt at night, but it may still be a good idea to pack one (you can always wear it on the plane). I use them as my running shoes and theyre super lightweight as well as wicking. I typically wear a polo and flat front khaki shorts when touring, but Im admittedly a bit of a unique example, as I have a camera strap with heavy lenses (Im not talking about your standard kit lens!) I dont wear them in the rain, though. For some, running shoes are the best option. Well visit the park during the day, and then take a break at our resort to shower and change before dinner. If you are choosing to wear a Disney graphic tee, make sure it is made of breathable fabric. I will wear long dresses when we go to DTD or back the parks for an evening walkabout. This year Ive learned my lesson! Every person in your family should have at least one pair of long pants packed. Jeans and a sweatshirt and a light sweater thats easily packable in my backpack that I carry in the parks for the air conditioned restaurants or theaters. This is a family blog, so Ill let you connect the dots. She looks way more adorable than I do though. It will rain in Orlando in May. Florida is known for its rainstorms, which usually come on strong and quickly. I like to bring several styles of shoes, and rotate them by day. I live in the Midwest and I live in my Mush until theres snow on the ground. Sadly, I was not that smart last year! Im from Seattle where I can get away with wearing those anywhere from March through November, and the benefits of being able to tromp through puddles doesnt deter me from the occasional WDW afternoon shower. The following list is geared towards women, but it is easily adjusted for men and kids. If youve ever read one of our Disney trip reports, its no secret that my wife likes to wear large floppy hats and sundresses. Depending on the time of year, it can get cooler when the sun goes down. You do not have the heavy summer crowds but you do have nice warm weather. We have packing lists on our site that you can use as a template. Again pack a sweatshirt, but you may also consider shorts instead of long pants. You want to be comfortable for a day of magic, but lets be honest you also want to look cute! When I visit Walt Disney World from my home in Massachusetts, Im usually in for a temperature shock. You need to be in a good shoe! So now I always wear my Sauconys in the parks. And I ALWAYS pack a cold weather outfit. First, and easily the biggest mistake is wearing traditional thong style sandals. I have a pair that I bought for our last trip that is starting to wear down. So, I have two sets of footbeds and wear them on alternate days, giving them a chance to rest. You may also need to make reservations for dining and rides/theme parks in advance, depending on where you are visiting and the current rules and regulations. Here at TouringPlans we make much ado about situating yourself for the best touring experience possible. I will wear sneakers most of the time and switch off. Average highs are in the high 70s and lows are in the 50s. Hopefully I have the space in my suitcase to do that next time! If you have older kids, you can give each of them a packing list to let them pack their own stuff. Its always the thong part between the toes that gets me. And you cant say enough times DONT ASSUME IT WILL BE WARM. Oh, the thong type Crocs that I wore back in June 2007. I usually wear my Keens to WDW, which are more of a hiking type shoe, but I can walk for days without blisters. Many many many people last year were wearing 4 and 5 mickey sweatshirts and freezing in their flip-flops. You never know. And then you slip and drop your 7 month old in the process. Your best bet is to wear clothes that are comfortable and that you like. Is May A Good Time To Go To Disney World? You will be walking 8-9 miles per day and bad shoes can also contribute to getting the Disney Rash. This is a huge temperature swing, and will usually mean that youll need to wear layers. Join me and my daughters as we spill the family secrets to a magical family vacation. Ever walk over a mile in flip flops? While you arent likely to need a sweater or sweatshirt, its still a good idea to pack it. I totally agree about it not always being hot. Awesome Summer Vacation Ideas in the US for Families. Right up there with Refillable Mugs in terms of the Great Disney Debates. We prefer ponchos because you can throw it over your backpack easily. Lesson learned: it does get cold in Florida. The biggest mistake is bringing brand new shoes to the park. With so much walking, they just tend to feel better. Id agree with you on the flip flops/thongs if youre talking Old Navy or Wal-mart $1 versions. Luckily suits dont take up a ton of space in your bag, so if you end up not needing it thats fine. What do they do? I am a former member of the planDisney panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. We have recommendations for the best shoes for men, women, and kids. He says they are very comfortable, especially on hot days. Yes, the Crocs were comfortable, but the blisters were hell!! Now that Ive shared some of our favored attire for optimum touring, Ill share some mistakes weve made. Terrible to hear what happened, I hope everything is okay now! Our biggest tip is this: do not wear new shoes to Disney World! This is one mistake we repeated over the course of several trips, becoming good friends with the nurses in the First Aid buildings by the second days of a couple of trips. OBVIOUSLY dont carry a purse?! What Should I Wear To Disney World in May? I think some answers are definitely worse than others. Instead, youll want to make sure you that you have everything you need for whatever weather conditions youll face. Youll want to make sure you do this for kids as well. Make sure that you wear t-shirts that will not be see through if you get wet on water rides. I did wear flip-flops (as we call them, to differentiate from other types of thongs) for a half day and though I didnt have any trouble with blisters or sore feet, I did have trouble with my shins from the lack of support. One of the most important things to consider, however, is what to wear to Walt Disney World. Yes, thanks, I should have added that she was fine except for the large bump on her little head! Figuring out what to wear on your Walt Disney World vacation can be a bit of a challenge. And as pre-caution, I plan on using the Lanacane Anti-chafing gel every morning before we set off for the parks. And some of the surfaces get slick. A note about the weather: We like to look at historical averages when coming up with a general idea of highs and lows. . We cannot emphasize enough the importance of comfortable walking shoes. Yeah, Shades of Green! These shoes are especially great for wet rides aboard Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run, and Kali River Rapids. But when I get to my resort, I usually want to get changed right away and visit the parks. Boy, is that one COLD walk when its 32 degrees and dark!! It rains. March has very average similar temperatures to February. These are not always an accurate representation of what the actual temperatures will be. To complement my kicks, I always wear a good pair of moisture-wicking socks. If you are visiting Orlando over Memorial Day Weekend a rain poncho is a no-brainer. I love my casual flat Crocs that are ballerina slipper style and my Mary Jane Crocs. A Great investment. Hate the walk on really cold or hot days. Better safe than sorry with blisters! You may also experience strong showers. We brought appropriate clothing. Read More, Family Travel News and Blog | Boston, MA --- Jodi Grundig, Family Travel Blogger 2011-2022 The Real Moms LLC - All Rights Reserved. We have an entire post dedicated to all the best rain gear for Walt Disney World (jackets, ponchos, the best small umbrella, the best rain shoes). But its important to look at the low temperatures as well. Its also important to keep in mind that hurricane season starts in June, so youll need to keep an eye on the forecast and could potentially deal with heavy rain. I think the comments here only demonstrate the best answer: you need to wear what works for you! Men As someone with about 26 years experience dressing as a male (besides a regrettable period towards the beginning where I crawled around half-naked in an incognizant stupor), I would consider myself an expert on wearing mens clothing. the vote for Sauconys. Well, I guess not, as I dont carry a purse either. So when that 250-lb guy stomps on your piggies (or worse, your childs piggies), think about whether youd rather be wearing closed shoes or sandals. On my daughters first Disney trip, she wanted about 15 princess-themed dresses/shirts within the first five minutes. I prefer to wear FitFlop shoes, but thats a personal preference. This will frame your entire packing process, so that you can make sure you have the right amount and style of clothes for your trip. :p Between the Disney jacket and the Wizarding World scarf I was finally warm enough. The theme parks are informal, and most people wear casual clothes like t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, and light dresses. Be sure to keep in mind any special events that you might be taking part in during your vacation. Refillable Mugs in terms of the Great Disney Debates, Disney Introduces Disney Park Pass System To Reserve Theme Park Admittance, Disney Park Hours Reduced for Upcoming Dates, Disney World Touring Plans Without FastPass, Theme Park Enjoyment Index for JULY 2022 (Carousel of Progress updated, ICON Park loses mind, Tower of Terror billboard RIP), Around the Universe Discounts and News for August 2022, Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks Review, The Weeknds After Hours and Multi-day Tickets Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 31. Bought a comfortable as all get out pair of Skechers sandals that Ive been wearing all summer with no problems, great shock absorbers! We recommend bringing something that is not bulky so you can throw it in your day bag and not have it take up too much space. We typically go on vacation in the Winter months and it always seems to be warm/hot in the afternoons but cool in the evenings. You will want to wear short sleeve t-shirts, shorts, and comfortable shoes when visiting Walt Disney World in May. Alternating between a couple different pairs made a huge difference for me. We always bring at least one Disney themed t-shirt because we love adding to the Disney Magic! Having new Disney shirts will help prevent the constant I want! that kids can do on vacation! To start out, you need to know what the weather is going to be like when you are at Walt Disney World. December is very similar to January/February. Even the most comfortable walking shoes usually need to be broken in, so dont forget to take care of that well before your vacation. The humidity is starting to rise and it will feel hot! The second mistake is always assuming it will be warm in Walt Disney World. For me its a broken in pair of New Balance. The link in the post points to a whole bunch of out of stock items and I cannot seem to find them anywhere. We have specifics for all members of the the family below. June starts the busy and HOT summer months. Regardless of when you visit, you may want to pack bathing suits. I like any of the true runner brands (Brooks, NB, Saucony) and generally avoid the over-marketed junk that Reebok, Adidas, and Nike put out. If you can, pack new ones that they have never seen and purchase them from places like Target, WalMart, or Amazon to save money. We have gone on many Disney vacations and not used the pools but we have always been glad to have our suits just in case. Dont wear the clothes around any longer than necessary. The paramedics told me they see the most slips from people wearing Crocs. Ive been downright cold in December at Disney World, but Ive also gotten a little tan. The traction on those things is garbage, and gets really bad after wearing them for even a few weeks. One of the most common ways Ive had this occur to me is by wearing improper attire when touring. She also has indicated that its important to be careful getting in and out of low-sitting ride vehicles like Space Mountain in these dresses. She started blogging in 2007 on her popular review site Moms Favorite Stuff and after doing quite a bit of family traveling, decided to launch her own travel blog. Tom is an amateur Walt Disney World photographer. High temperatures throughout the year hover in the 70s or higher. Stay tuned. Wearing a t-shirt and bringing a sweatshirt or jacket is always a good idea. Its also important that you dont wear brand-new shoes. I wanted to PAY the nurse at the first aid station for helping me with my blisters. If they have pockets that have zippers on them we recommend packing those it will help keep things from falling out and getting lost. You will want to have a long-sleeved shirt with you for cool mornings or evenings or time in your hotel room. Choose whatever pair of shorts are the most comfortable for you to walk in. They can also be purchased throughout the parks. I have a great picture of day 1 at MK of my kids in front of the castle. If you are especially prone to getting irritated by heat, a tank top may be just the ticket to keep you comfortable. For my two boys ages 4 and 2 we always put them in traditional style Crocs. We actually love the idea of visiting Walt Disney World in May. You get two hours into an Ultimate Touring Plannay, you get three hours into the Dumbo or Die Touring Planand your feet start bleeding. October is when you can experience some of the fun Halloween events at Walt Disney World. You may want to consider bringing a lightweight long sleeve shirt to wear if you have dining reservations where the air conditioning might be a bit cool. They are light as air and also comfortable as all get out! I like big floppy hats, in general, but I find a baseball cap with a ponytail through the back is the most practical for me in the parks. I may have to next time Im shoe-shopping. I stick with tennis shoes for most of my trips also. For example, high heels and a goose down parka in the middle of summernot as good of an answer as the ones I posted above! And then she lands on her head and you end up in the hospital instead of enjoying the Magic Kingdom. Great for sun or rain, and you can lash the thing to your head so it doesnt blow off, too! You may not always have access to your checked bags immediately, so make sure the clothes are easy to access. We think that comfortable walking shoes are the most important thing you can wear in Disney World. *We utilized the average temperatures from CurrentResults as well as our personal experience for this. Be sure to check it out. Moisture-wicking shoes dont do nearly as much good if your socks are retaining all of the water. If you are spending extra time at the Disney Water Parks, you may want several swimsuits and a coverup or two. Of course, consider your personal preference and pack those! This year it was in the 30s. That way, you wont have to buy brand-new Mickey ears (unless you want to!). Im a big believer in this strategy now. One other reason to not go with sandals- your feet get stepped on A LOT at Disney (and not necessarily by your own adorable child). Even though we werent heading to the parks, this was a terrible idea. Where you stay, when you go and more! Required fields are marked *. Sadly I have no pics of the Reedy Creek ambulance, though. Does she stow the hat or just hold on tight? Your face is already beginning to feel as if its baking. We've been going to Disney since my kids were little all on a teacher's budget. However, as the great poet Robert Burns once said, The best laid schemes o Mice an Men, Gang aft agley. Roughly translated to modern English, that means, The best laid Touring Plans of Men in the House of the Mouse, often go awry. Even with the best Touring Plan in hand, all it takes is one flaw in your overall park-going strategy for the day to take a turn for the worse. Learn how your comment data is processed. He pretty much scolded me If youre gonna walk that many hours in a day, stick with your running shoes! To avoid common touring attire pitfalls, here are my suggestions for men and women, based on the practices of my wife, Sarah, and me. I was there (I think) Dec 2-5 last year and it was FREEZING! ), so all the cargo pockets are really helpful for small camera, park map, ADR schedule, etc. My Tilley Hat. Can never be too careful, though. Your wife reminds me so much of myself! While we dont recommend wearing sandals while walking around the parks, they are perfect for hanging at your Walt Disney World Resort or going to the pool or water park. Many people pack rain ponchos for this purpose. Its the best way to make sure that you dont forget anything. , I know what you mean, though. So although not typically appropriate, being suited up can be fun for a few hours one evening for a different experience, I would even recommend it! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I wont go back to sandals now. Having the wrong shoes can ruin your vacation. While the Disney resorts do offer laundry facilities in common areas, who wants to spend time on their vacation doing laundry? Trust me, after walking from the Polynesian to Shades of Green at 2 am, it is NOT a mistake Ill make again! It also really starts the busy season, with many schools closed for a week or two for spring break. Alternating between pairs of shoes sounds like a really good idea. If you are coming from the northern states, Florida is likely to be a lot hotter than home. We recommend packing whatever is most comfortable for lounging around your hotel room as the likelihood of wearing these pants in the parks are slim (your will get too hot). If your childs favorite character doesnt change all the time, you may want to buy whenever theres a sale. Tank tops also make great layering pieces you can wear a tank top underneath a lightweight long sleeve shirt and be comfortable all day long! LOL . Go figure. Tom's photography can be found on his Flickr page (www.flickr.com/tombricker) and he can be contacted via Twitter (@wdwfigment) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wdwfigment). For days when some tropical storm has settled over WDW, I have a pair of Merrill hikers with so much Goretex in them, the only way your feet get wet if when your socks wick in moisture. Highs in January are about 70, with lows in the high 40s. I wear them in WDW every summer and they are every bit as comfortable as they were 10 yrs ago and surprisingly not falling apart at all! Jodi Grundig has loved traveling since she was a little girl. Make sure men wear shorts that are comfortable.