Plus Size at Disney World: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy the Magic

Wondering what to wear to Disney World as a plus size person? From plus size friendly rides at Disney World to the best plus size Disney World outfits, this blog post has you covered! Get everything you need to know for plus size at Disney World readers!

Disney World is one of the most popular theme parks in the world and attracts millions of people each year. But it can be overwhelming to figure out what to expect on your Disney vacation, especially if you’re planning a trip there as a Pooh size person.

What to wear to avoid chaffing, which roller coasters should I avoid, and how to make sure you stay cool in the Florida heat are all important questions to consider. Luckily, this blog post has you covered with helpful resources on how to navigate the attractions and what to wear to the Disney Parks as a plus size fan.

Plus Size at Disney World

First and foremost, comfort is key when deciding what to wear to the most magical place on Earth. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, standing in a long line, and waiting for shows or parades. You don’t want to be distracted by uncomfortable shoes or clothes that make visiting a great place, a less than a great time.

And because a cute Disney shirt is always a must, we’ve found a few plus size Disney shirts that will help you show your love for all things Mickey while making sure you are comfortable during your magical visit to the theme park.

What to Wear to Disney World for Plus Size Guests

Whether this trip is your first visit or 50th, it’s always a good idea to revisit the best practices (aka plus size dress code) for having a comfortable Disney trip. No one wants to be thinking about their outfits (other than how stinkin’ cute they look) when there’s so much to see and do. So let’s dive right into everything my fellow plus size Disney fans need to know to make sure they can enjoy the Disney magic stress-free.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people try to tough it out in uncomfortable shoes, flip flops, or GASP high heels.

You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Disney World, so make sure your shoes are up for the task. Bring a pair (or two) of great walking shoes. Break them in before your trip and pack a few pairs of thicker socks. Trust me, those thinner cute socks cause a lot of friction that can end up in a nasty blister that makes walking hard. Not magical at all.

Pack some moleskin to apply to hot spots that your shoes may rub to avoid blisters, blister Band-Aids for if a blister does start to form, and consider bringing along an extra pair of shoes to change into if your feet start to hurt.

Wear Light Clothing

There are a few different options when it comes to plus size Disney World clothing. Again, you’ll be doing a lot of walking (up to 20 miles per day, according to some estimates) so you don’t want your Disney outfit weighing you down.

And with the central Florida heat and humidity during the summer months, it’s especially important to pay attention to what you’re wearing on warm days. Wearing a light tee or tank top is a great idea to keep cool. You’ll want to apply some anti-chaffing cream or powder to your underarm areas to make sure your arms stay dry and chafe free while wearing a sleeveless top.

And, don’t forget your sun protection! Apply sunscreen to any exposed areas and consider wearing hat or visor if you’ll be in the Florida sun for a long time.

Protect Your Thighs

The humidity in central Florida can also make for a sticky situation when it comes to your thighs. It’s important to protect them from chafing and rubbing by using an anti-chaffing product that’s designed specifically for the thigh area.

I also recommend wearing longer bike shorts underneath your skirt or dress. This will help keep your thighs from rubbing together and can also offer some extra protection when you’re climbing in and out of attractions.

Winter Months

Although most of the year Florida is sweltering, the winter months can get a little chilly. If you’re visit Disney World during the colder months, you’ll want to make sure you pack a few warmer items to keep you comfortable.

A light jacket or hoodie is a great idea for when the temperature starts to dip at night. If you’re like me, you’ll want something you can wear to rope drop and after dark to stay warm but easy to remove mid-day.

All Disney parks have lockers that you can rent to stash your jackets, ponchos, and other items that you don’t want to carry. So bring what you need without worry of having to haul everything around.

Plus Size Disney World Outfits

Now that we’re talked about what to be careful of, let’s talk plus size outfits for your Disney World trip! Walt Disney World Resort vacations are the perfect time to let your inner Minnie Mouse fan shine with adorable Mickey ears, cute t-shirts and plus size people are no exception!

So don’t worry, you can still rep your favorite character with these adorable clothes. Grab a few and put together your favorite outfit that’s both fun and comfortable.

Amazon

You can find so many great things on Amazon. No more running around looking for the perfect Snow White shirt, get it delivered to your door stress-free!

Here are a few favorites you’ll want to check out:

Be Millennium Falcon ready with this stylish Star Wars doodle graphic tee that goes up to a 5X.

Trash? Nah, it’s a Forky shirt! This Toy Story tee is too funny not to grab for your trip- make a statement anytime you wear it. Available in plus sizes up to size 3x.

Your BFF Minnie Mouse will love this red and white polka dot t-shirt dress! Add a pair of bike shorts and you’re ready for a fun park day or dinner at Disney Springs.

Don’t forget bedtime! This Monsters Inc. Mike Wazowski pajama set will surely make your sleep more fun.

Hot Topic

Hot topic is a good resource for plus size Disney clothes. They offer a Disney lover lots of colors of tees, great dresses for a trendy look that is worth the extra cost. I will warn you that some of the t-shirts I’ve gotten aren’t the best quality but they do well for a trip.

Torrid

Torrid is my go to place for plus sized Disney leggings. I search their Disney plus size clothing on a regular basis to grab looks before they sell out. Make sure you shop early for your vacation looks so you won’t have a hard time finding Disney clothes you want to wear in your size.

Disney Plus Size Friendly Rides

It’s hard to decide what rides to skip at Disney because I know that feeling of FOMO is all too real. But, if you’re plus size or have a larger body type, there are some rides that may not be as comfortable for you.

Disney really does a great job making sure that the park is inclusive for all guests, but there are some attractions that may be a tight squeeze for plus size guests.

Most of the rides that I’ve found aren’t as accommodating are the newer construction rides. Which sucks, frankly because of course you want to hit the new, exciting rides first thing!

To help you know which rides to be wary of, here is a quick list of rides that may not be as comfortable for larger guests:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This Magic Kingdom ride is a “skip it” ride for plus size friends. The bar is hard to get closed if you carry your weight around the mid-section and even if you can get it snapped the lack knee room makes the ride super uncomfortable.

Space Mountain

This roller coaster can be a bit of a stressor. It is harder to get in and out of but other than being awkward, it’s comfortable for plus size riders. As long as you’re able to shimmy in and out of the low seats, you should be good on this fun ride.

Avatar Flight of Passage

This is a ride that has the most buzz around it. Guests report having issues with size often. Body composition is really the deciding factor for this ride. Depending on how and where you carry your weight, you may be fine.

If you’re worried about this ride but really want to experience it if possible, ask the cast member at the end of the line if you can get a sneak peek at the seats and they will direct you to a seat that you can try out before you commit to waiting in the long line.

Star Tours

Although this Star Wars attraction is a bit tight on the hips, once you get the buckle clicked (why is the seat belt always under your leg?) you’re good to go on this attraction.

Again, this list isn’t all inclusive, but these are some of the top attractions at Disney World that may not be as comfortable for larger guests. Luckily the list is short and there are TONS of other great rides to enjoy while you’re at the parks.

Splash Mountain

With a bench seating and no lap bar, this ride isn’t bad for bigger riders but tall riders may struggle with the lack of leg room. A great option is to ask for your own row if you want to stretch out a bit.

Test Track

Although it’s harder to get your seat belt buckled on this exciting ride, this one is a great light for plus size riders.

Riding Solo

If you’re still worried about being comfortable on rides, you can discretely let the cast member at the front of the line know you’ll be riding alone.

Some rides like Haunted Mansion, Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Spaceship Earth, It’s a Small World and Winnie the Pooh have room for two larger adults but can be less than fun when you’re sweaty from the Florida weather.

Riding with a Little Kid

If you’re like most moms, your first thought is about how your weight and abilities will affect the family and kids. If you’re a plus size woman with a young child, you have the added stress of wondering if you’ll fit on the rides your kids want to go on.

The good news is that rides like Dumbo, the Carousel, and Aladdin’s Magic Carpets are all bench seats that allow mom or dad to ride with the kids. The bad news is that with a lap bar that settles on a plus sized tummy, you might be nervous about keeping your little one safe. It’s totally understandable. I’ve been there.

Don’t worry plus size parents, your small child is perfectly safe in the ride next to you. You can relax and have a good time knowing that if the attraction needed separate seat belts to keep your child safe, they would have put them in. Promise.

Disney Tips for Plus Sized Guests

Stay hydrated – Drink lots of water throughout your day to avoid leg cramps and exhaustion. I like to bring a water bottle and use these clips to attach it to my bag. Water cups are free at most dining locations and there are plenty of water fountains on property to fill up at.
Protect yourself from the sun – Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and don’t forget to reapply after swimming or sweating.
Pack two pair of walking shoes – This is a life saver. After a long day of walking, your feet will be tired and sore. The next day, switch to the other pair of tennis shoes to give your feet a bit of a break from the same hot spots. Often the worst part of long park days isn’t the walking but the long wait in line. Standing is the worst for any park guest, but switching out shoes helps.
Flip Flops – And while you’re at it, pack some sandals or flip flops for after you get back to the resort, your feet appreciate a change. I swear nothing feels better than a cool shower and flip flops at the end of a long Disney Parks day!
Bring compression socks – Bring a pair of knee high compression socks to sleep in for recovery. They will help with any swelling and give your feet and calves a much needed break.
Buy a crossbody bag – With the crowds and limited space on rides, a small crossbody bag will make everything hands free and easy to access when you need it without having to dig through a big bag. I love using a crossbody purse because I never have to remove it on rides, giving me more time to focus on getting settled comfortably instead of shoving a backpack under my seat.
Ibuprofen is your friend – Take it in the morning, take it at night. Take it like it’s your j-o-b. It will help to alleviate swelling or inflammation from all the walking and help relieve body aches before they become unmanageable.
Take breaks – There’s no shame in slowing down. I know you want to get your money’s worth which people often think means more rides. But slowing down means you not only get to rest, but look at things you might have otherwise missed. And when you rest, you feel better which equals a happier person who can enjoy their vacation, right?

More Plus Size Disney Resources

Parks in Your Pocket

Big and tall park guests will appreciate this perspective on what to expect when visiting the parks. His YouTube videos help you avoid wasting time waiting to ride something you won’t fit on.

Pammie Plus Parks

This site is a great resource for plus size guests planning their trip to Disney. Her YouTube channel is great for answering specific questions on what to expect on rides and in the parks for plus sized visitors.

Pixie Dusted Journeys

For a ride by ride review of seats this tall, plus sized blogger is super helpful. Her tips on leg room, bench seats, and the lap bar is great if you’re a plus sized princess who’s self-conscious about your size.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to enjoy the magic of Disney World, plus size style? I hope this guide has given you some helpful tips and ideas for what to wear and how to make the most of your vacation.

Whether you’re Disney bound as plus size or big & tall guest, I hope you have a stress-free, magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Check out all of our these other great articles for more tips and information on planning your best Disney World trip.