Planning a trip to Disneyland this summer? Find out everything you need to bring to stay cool and comfortable in my Disneyland summer packing list.
This Disneyland Summer Packing List post was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
One of the challenges of planning a Disneyland vacation is knowing what to pack. Even though Southern California has a reputation for fair weather year-round, your Disneyland summer packing list may be more difficult than you imagined.
Here are some straightforward reminders and some not-so-obvious tips on what you should include in your Disneyland summer packing list.
This is not a complete list of what to pack, just a relative list of items that you should bear in mind as you pack for your trip during the hottest months of the year.
Remember summer is also the time of year when attendance is higher in the parks and there are more crowds to contend with.
Summer Accessories to Pack for Disneyland
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Shade
- Ice Pack
Sunscreen
It’s important to be prepared when you pack, but you don’t want to pack so much that you are uncomfortable.
One of the nice things about going to Disneyland is that there is plenty of convenience around the parks to buy things you may have forgotten to pack. You’ll pay a little bit more than you should, but that’s part of the deal.
On the other hand, there are certainly things to avoid leaving behind. One of those is sunscreen. Don’t get caught without it.
A whole day at Disneyland in the summer sun is not going to do you any favors.
If you have multiple days during your trip and you forget sunscreen on the first day, prepare for a miserable vacation. Just avoid any pain from the blistering summer heat and make sure you protect yourself.
My favorite sunscreen is Babyganics SPF 50 because it’s mineral-based and it works really well for my pale skin. I like the spray (instead of the cream) because it soaks in and doesn’t leave a white residue.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses can be a souvenir. They have plenty of sunglasses for sale in the park, but those are better options if you happen to lose the sunglasses you brought with you.
You should bring the pair you use at home to shield your eyes from the sun and avoid discomfort, or worse headaches.
You don’t want a headache while you’re at Disneyland. Sunglasses make the days in the bright summer sun at Disneyland much nicer.
Hat
Another item you should pack, but you can also buy if you want the souvenir is a hat.
Hats do make a practical souvenir, but they are very expensive if you buy them at the parks, Downtown Disney or the hotels. Don’t leave unprepared and count on finding a hat to purchase.
Hats are great in the summer for keeping your head cool and getting the sun out of your eyes. Ideally, you’ll wear hats and glasses (but when you ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad you “best remove ’em”).
Shade
Finally, when it comes to protection from the sun, nobody is more important than the kids. If you have a baby in a car seat, make sure you have a cover for it.
Some strollers are compatible with car seats, making it more convenient to carry little ones around, but they don’t provide the level of coverage necessary to keep their faces out of the sun.
Make sure toddlers in strollers have proper shade as well so they don’t get overheated.
Ice Pack
If you are bringing drinks into the park, be aware that you are not allowed to carry loose ice. To keep things cool carry an ice pack in an insulated lunchbox or a small cooler.
A cooler can be a maximum of 18″ x 25″ x 37″.
Bringing in your own food or drink is a great way to save money at Disneyland.
Proper Summer Attire to Pack for Disneyland
- Comfortable Shoes
- Breathable Clothes
- Semi-Formal Wear
- Swimwear
- Light Sweater
Comfortable Shoes
The main thing you really need to make sure you bring to Disneyland, no matter what time of year it is, is comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot more than you think, so comfortable shoes are important.
If you buy new shoes for the trip to Disneyland, make sure you give yourself a couple of weeks in advance to try them on and get used to walking in them.
You don’t want to travel to a place like Disneyland in shoes that you haven’t even broken in. It’s not a bad idea to also add some support like insoles.
Breathable Clothes
In the summer, it can get very hot in Southern California, some days can be brutal. Those fair-weather winters become something else once July and August roll around.
Wear light clothing and if you wear layers, anticipate having to remove some. That means wearing only garments you will be comfortable in without additional coverage. Avoid anything too skimpy or excessively torn clothing.
There are some things that will keep you from being admitted into the park, so remember to be comfortable, but also appropriately dressed for a family environment.
I like wearing athletic dresses that wick away sweat and keep me cool and comfortable throughout the day.
Semi-Formal Wear
In addition to lightweight breathable clothing, you should also pack some clothes that are just a touch more formal.
The nightlife at Downtown Disney and the high-end dining are places where you might feel more at ease if you dressed for the occasion. Some restaurants at Disneyland are very fancy.
The Napa Rose, for example, is a place where you should dress up a little bit, although there isn’t actually a dress code for the restaurant.
Swimwear
While you are staying at the resort, or perhaps at a neighboring hotel, make sure you have something to wear to the pool.
I’m super thematic, so I love wearing this red polka dot swimsuit because it reminds me of Minnie Mouse. And I like to get rashguard and swimsuit sets for my boys.
Disneyland has terrific pools including a rooftop pool on the Paradise Pier Hotel where you can even hear the soundtrack to the Fireworks while you watch them at a distance.
For guests who want to spare no expense poolside cabanas are available for rent at the Disneyland Hotel and the Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Light Sweater
It might seem strange when planning a summer trip to pack a light sweater or a jacket, but it’s an essential Disneyland summer packing list item.
Anaheim is in a desert region. Although it does get very hot during the day, there is little to keep the heat from escaping very quickly after sundown. Consequently, even on a hot day, it can get very cold at night.
If you plan to stay at the parks well into the evening or enjoy a night out at Downtown Disney you should bring a lightweight option for covering up when it gets cold.