It’s inevitable. The moment you step foot into a Disney park everywhere you look are miniature versions of characters scrambling about on a sugar high. As hyper as it may seem, costumes can add a bit of magic and a whole lot of cute to your vacation! Here are a few tips on toting dress-up garb on your next trip.

Where to Buy Disney Costumes

Yes, you can 100% buy Disney costumes at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, but you’ll pay far more than a 100% markup. If you do a little prep work, your princess or pirate can be adorable for a lot less. Children’s consignment sales are a gold mine for costumes, especially in the fall since most have a whole section for Halloween costumes. We’ve run across countless Disney Parks brand costumes with matching accessories for $30 and under. Disney Stores and Disney Outlets also have costumes on clearance almost constantly. Again, some of these are even Disney Parks leftovers at a fraction of the price. If you’re crafty, take to your sewing machine and whip something up pre-trip. I’m not a seamstress by any means, but I’ve been able to put together several costumes for the kiddos through the years. Boys, especially, can benefit from this route, as there just aren’t nearly as many options for them on the Disney dress-up scene,

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Get Park Wise: While maybe not always the most economical of options, consider Etsy! Handmade costumes tend to be less itchy and often well-made, as the proprietor relies on positive feedback to maintain sales. This is a great option for less popular costumes and, again, boys’ outfits.

 

How to Pack your Disney Costume

Garment bags have been a great option for us, as they keep costumes mostly wrinkle free. If flying, there are often closets aboard and attendants have been happy to hang garment bags when there’s room. If not, lay it flat across the top of the overhead compartment. If you have to pack in your suitcase, I recommend a thin garment bag or dry cleaning bag purely to keep those glitter-adorned princess dresses from rubbing off onto the rest of your vaca wear. Fold it over as few times as possible, and lay it on top of your suitcase.

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Get Park Wise: To get rid of any wrinkles, simply grab the iron in your hotel room and give it a quick once over or for more delicate (or cheap plastic!) materials, hang it in the bathroom for a little steam during showers.

Dress-Up Time

Both coasts can get a little steamy, and while that’s great for getting the wrinkles out, it may not leave your mini characters happy after a few hours in polyester and nylon. Be sure to bring a back-up outfit in case your littles decide a big tulle skirt isn’t conducive to coaster riding or that clearance pirate gear gets too itchy. We always tossed the costumes in the stroller, but there are lockers for rent should you be traveling without one.

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Also consider opting for the handmade costumes purely for the comfort factor. My crew was able to traipse around all day in their cotton costumes because they felt very similar to typical clothing. My niece also lasts longer in costume when wearing a light camisole and shorts underneath her gowns.

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Have you ventured into Disney costume territory? What are your tips?

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Jessica Ma'ilo
Jessica is a special education teacher by day and blogger and Fairy Godmother Travel agent by evening. When not supervising play dates or sleepovers, she can be found creating, sewing or singing. She loves hitting the Disney Parks, and she and her family escape to the World and Land as often as they can. She can be contacted at [email protected], and you can also check out her family blog, Magic, Memories, Mayhem.