Disneyland Chic
[ 9 March 2009 ]
My new digs.
Dressing for Disneyland — or Disneyworld — is a multi-faceted affair.
While the unofficial uniform of Disney guests appears to be jeans & a t-shirt, & no one clad in that garb seems to be complaining, Disneyland is an amazing place, & I think a special effort should be made. After all, the photo opportunities are unparalleled — when you look back at your snaps from the day, odds are excellent that you’ll wish you hadn’t worn that shirt with the stains & your old running shoes!
However, it’s not as simple as just throwing on your most ridiculous ball gown, because it might not fit into the roller-coaster cars… & a pair of fabulous heels may look beautiful but it won’t be worth the anguish, since a day at Disney is long! So how do you strike a balance between looking cute & still being able to run around like a nut?
Jazzi, Gala & Nubby.
Exhibit A: The Footwear
Think about your shoes. Realistically, they’re the most important part of your outfit. If you’re really cold & worst comes to worst, you can always borrow your friend’s sweater or buy something in one of the Disney shops — but if your feet hurt, your day is pretty much over already. It sounds simple but it’s true: it’s hard to be happy if you’re wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Yesterday I wore my Frye Veronica Shortie boots, while Jazzi wore her patent leather Doc Martens & Nubby wore her Chloe combat boots. We are all typically fans of high heels & going for the most ridiculous footwear we can find, but today practicality won out so we could spend as much time as possible at the happiest place on earth.
Having said this, even though we wore our most comfortable shoes, we were all in agony by the end of the day & taking every opportunity we could to sit down… I suppose this is why the shoe of choice at Disneyland appears to be sneakers. Whatever you wear, I would recommend throwing some of those cushy padded gel insoles into the mix.
Exhibit B: The Outfit
Time to consider what you’ll actually wear. This is the really meaty part of your ensemble, since it’s what most people will see (& what will be visible in the majority of your photos). So how do you want to rock it?
Gala wore…
Sequinned ears (I took my ‘Gala’ maus hat but also bought pink sequinned ears & a pink discoball hat with ears, so they were all on rotation)
Oversized New York t-shirt
Pyramid stud belt
Yellow tulle petticoat (bought from secret vintage treasure trove!)
Sequinned jacket from Forever 21
Black stockings
Frye Veronica Shortie boots
Neon pink handbag
Bracelets & rings etc.
Nubby wore…
Black sequinned ears (she cut the bow off on the ride home)
Nubby nameplate necklace
‘The Sidewalk Never Ends’ t-shirt
Black cardigan
Black shorts from Forever 21
Black knee-highs
Red Chloe wedge boots
White Miu Miu handbag
Jazzi wore…
Disney name hat & alternating grey beanie
Glasses from Urban Outfitters
Alice dress
Black stockings
Patent leather Doc Marten boots
Whatever you decide, my suggestion would be to dress in layers. While Disneyland & Disneyworld are both in warm locations — California & Florida — that doesn’t mean the weather is pristine all the time, & in fact, we were quite cold today. So make sure you take something which is going to keep you warm, & I’d suggest avoiding bare legs unless you go in the height of summer.
Exhibit C: Extras
This could go in a bunch of different ways — for example, what kind of bag are you going to take & what are you going to put in it? (Sunglasses, camera, bubble mixture, flask of alcohol?) What are you going to take with you in terms of keeping warm? (Cardigan, blazer, scarf, cape?) What sort of accessories are you going to wear? (Fingerless gloves, huge pendant necklaces, sequinned ears, huge hair bow?) Let’s break it down now.
Gala’s bag contained…
Nikon D80 camera; Flip Mino HD; wallet; Helio Ocean; heart-shaped glitter coin purse; bottle of water; lip balm; index cards; pen; sunglasses; non-prescription frames.
For warmth, I took…
My sequinned hooded jacket, & I needed it. I wore it pretty much all day. It really wasn’t that warm!
My accoutrements were…
Constant rotation of hats & ears, pink Too Late watch, blue goldstone bracelet, Lolita I.D. bracelet, two Swarovski crystal bracelets, Tarina Tarantino ring, wedding ring.
Jazzi’s bag contained…
She actually didn’t bring a bag. She does not know why. She carried everything in her hands & shortly before we left the park, she lost her debit card & had to call & cancel it. Let this be a lesson to you!
For warmth, she took…
Her friend’s hooded sweater. It was mad cute.
Her accoutrements were…
None!
Nubby’s bag contained…
Camera, cellphone, wallet, room key, lip gloss, powder, heart-shaped sunglasses & an extra pair of shoes (which she didn’t wear).
For warmth, she took…
A black cardigan.
Her accoutrements were…
Watch, nameplate necklace, maus ears.
Exhibit D: Final Notes
The thing about Disneyland is that it’s important to be prepared, but don’t pack so much that you’re going to lose things when you go screaming around the corners on Space Mountain!
Another thing to keep in mind is to take it easy. Yeah, it’s expensive to get in & you want to do as much as you can, but it’s better to do less & enjoy it more than to race around like a maniac & feel stressed out. There’s so much to do & look at that it’s extremely unlikely you’ll manage to cover it all in a day. In our case, we only managed 4 rides (Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, Space Mountain & the Mad Teaparty) before we were completely exhausted.
Also, be sure to take plenty of cash. There is food everywhere & they pipe buttery popcorn scent all around the park, so trust me when I say you’re going to want things you might normally resist. In the mood for cupcakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chilli in a bread-bowl, a bag of taffy or an enormous ice-cream sundae? You’ve got it! I didn’t see a single ATM as I walked around even though I’m sure they exist, & the smaller stalls which sell coffee don’t take credit cards, so be ready for that!
Die-hard Disney-goers will often take a picnic lunch or pack snacks, which is probably the most economical & practical thing to do, but it’s probably less fun. I feel like part of the glee of going to a theme park is just eating whatever you want & not giving it a second thought. It’s part of the experience, isn’t it?!
Above all, the most important thing is that you go with people you like. They always say that travelling is the way to ascertain whether a relationship has lasting potential, but I think a good, solid day at Disneyland is a pretty accurate gauge too. You’ll really find out whether you like someone when you have to stand next to them in line for an hour with sore feet & twinkling music swirling around your head, trust me!
Thankfully, when I have my wife by my side, everything is alright.
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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i went to disneyland two weeks ago for my boyfriend’s birthday. i decided to dress like minnie mouse! i wore a red, polka dotted blouse, red cardigan, black and white polka dotted skirt, black leggings, and brought a red hooded jacket. (accessories: red heart-shaped bag and vintage mickey mouse pin!) i spent the night at my bf and realized i forgot my yellow flats, and we ended up driving back to my home so i could pick them up before we went to disney! they totally made the outfit. i bought the same ears that nubby wore. it was fun having people stare at me and hear them whisper to their friend, “that girl’s dressed like minnie mouse!” i didn’t see any of the characters that day, cause it would have been interesting to take a picture with minnie. :) they were probably in toon town, which was a spot i didn’t go to.
i ended up buying a season pass that day, so i plan on dressing up like a different disney character every time i go there! :0)
LOVE THIS POST GALA! :D
The three of you are toooooooooo cute! Looks like you’re having a great time in L.A.
We had HEAPS of people ask us if we were in the parade & take photos of us & film us & stuff, it was pretty amazing. Hahah. It’s way more fun to add to the atmosphere than just be a spectator, you obviously know what I mean!
{p.s.} i was looking through your photo stream on flickr and noticed you went through at least 3 different hats! did you buy them prior to your trip? i didn’t see ones as cool as yours!
You guys look fantastic!
I’m going to Disney World in May and I can’t waaaait to dress fun :D
jeane — I took my black hat with ears with me; I bought that in Florida last May. But I bought the pink sequinned ears & the sequinned hat while I was there. Haha. I also have silver sequinned ones in my suitcase. Obsession! Danger danger!
disney land california is one of my favourite places! When we went, I was totally sunburnt on my back from walking along santa monica beach the day before. Cue not being able to wear a bra and getting major pain from any ride :( So worth it though, loved the whole day there!
I went there when I was like, 12 or something, and wanted to buy EVERYTHING I saw! So much consumerism!
I think I’d rather dream about it though instead of going there again. That way I could have everything I wanted and I could come up with new rides and things to look at, and it could be called Luxyland! Wooooo
It’s years since I’ve been to Disneyworld and now I really want to go again! Last time I did the shorts and a t-shirt thing the whole time, but I think I was around 13 and it was the height of summer so scorching hot!
It looks like you had an amazing time and I love the petticoat!
After working for the Mouse for 5 years, I would say your tips are all good ones.
But you have to go back and correct! It’s Walt Disney World (not Disneyworld). It’s been drilled into me so I can’t just let it go!
: )
Even after living in Orlando for 5 years, working for the company and being able to go everyday if I wanted, I still miss it and still love the Parks!
Glad you had a great time.
Luv
Poochie
Looks like too much fun! Haunted Mansion is one.of.my.favorites!!
You guys are adorable.
Wish I could have come along!
next time, for sure.
I didn’t realize that you were married!
Ohhh, I went to Disneyland this time last year. You’re making me want to go back!
You ladies look fabulous.
Comfort in footwear IS important in places like Disneyland. I admit to wearing my most comfortable flip-flops when I have goen to Disneyland and places like it. It’s better than horribly hurting feet at the end of the day. Of course, even in the most comfortable shoes the feet ache after walking around and standing on line for rides all day.
Loved you outfits! Definitely would fit in if you moved into Toon Town. :)
perfect! ♥
I LOVE that you’re treating a trip to Disneyland like a serious mission to the desert or up a mountain or something!. Obviously Disneyland is serious business but most adults wouldn’t realise it! :D
Isn’t the unofficial uniform of everywhere jeans and a T-shirt? That combo has never made sense to me, since if it’s T-shirt weather, jeans are too hot, and if it’s jeans weather, a T-shirt is not enough. Maybe other people have a higher tolerance for toasty legs than I do . . .
Man I love that petticoat. The colour is fabulous. Is it see-through at all? Do you have to make sure your undergarments are suitably modest?
The way you and Nubby are rocking ears that match your hair totally blows my tiny mind.
dressing up for disneyland is ALWAYS a must!! My friends and i have recently started going in themes every time we go to disneyland, starting with our tacky christmas sweater day, where all of us were in the tackiest christmas outfits as possible. it makes the park SO MUCH FUNNER to be dressed up!! we have a few other themes lined up, i hella cannot WAIT to go back to disneylandddd!!!
its also wise to note that you can technically get kicked out of disneyland for being in costumes, so if you dress in costume and you’re over the age of 9, they can ask you to leave. dressing like characters from disney especially, if it looks too “costumey” which is always subjective to whoever is checking can get you thrown out or not allowed in. :[
Wonderful post! Really interestingly written, and good info.
I LOVE disneyland & therefore love this post – superb snapshots!
that looks like so much fun. YAY!
Are you two married? If so, you’re the perfect couple.
Now I’m prepared if I ever get to go to Disneyland, wonderful!
I remember the days when Disney would turn away what they would back then deem “punks” or alternatives. I had one friend who had a white mohawk and was told that he would not be allowed in the park with such a hairstyle as it was a family friendly establishment. His solution – went into the restroom washed it out, stopped and got a can of hairspray and entered the park and then redid his hair. Another friend of mine was turned away from the park because they had Ronald McDonald red hair. And finally one last person I know was turned away for wearing spurs (sure not the smartest choice but it was the late 80’s)
You looked like you had an AWESOME time! You would like Bat Day when a thousand goths descend upon D-Land. Truly a very cool site to see
I was cold when I went so I’m glad I took a hoodie to keep me warm, although I forgot to put it on before splash mountain so got soaked!
It was also really quiet that day we mannaged to do half the park by the afternoon because we didn’t have to queue to get on anything. One of the locals told me it’s best to go on a weekday morning as in the afternoon the locals all bring their kids there after school and at weekends it’s crazy. Also breakfasts at Disney are damn nice so it’s worth going early just for that XD
I went for the Snow White look when I went, when I was buying my Tarina Tarantino necklace the guy serving me asked me if it was intentional or not so I told him this was probably the one occassion it was intentional :p
I’ve also heard that they can refuse you entry to the park if you’re considered to look like a cast member or in costume, so if you want to dress up it’s best not to go too overboard with it or go on a quiet day where you won’t be as noticed ;)
It was my first time visiting the park but I absolutely loved it, I hope you had a magic time to
Super cute post! I worked there for years, (had to wear the ickiest polyester costume, it was incinerating in the summer!!) but I still go back all the time, I adore that place to bits!
Disneyland always makes me feel like a giddy seven year old. And of course dressing for the occasion is half the fun! You gals looked adorable!
xoxox
I think that little cottage behind you in the first pic was built just for you! It matches your outfit so well.
i agree about shoes being the most important aspect of your disneyland outfit.
i once wore some flats that i hadn’t quite broke in and ended up abandoning them in the middle of the day. that’s right folks, i walked ‘round disneyland barefoot. IT WAS GLORIOUS...and disgusting, but way more comfy then those flats.
I want to goo sooo badly. I haven’t been in Disneyland in a couple years!
I love it, and not just because of the rides, but because all the scenarios and imagineering (that’s how walt disney called it), all the design, the special effects, it’s genius! I’m thinking all the time “how the hell did they do this!?”
I want a pair of ears:)
You are so cute!!! I love your tutu!
I saw a pink mini tutu skirt at a store and I was debating whether to get it or not. I know you’d look fab in it, haha! (:
I love your silvery eyeliner! What is it??
I am still in high envy of your pink hair!!
LOVE DISNEYLAND! Seriously it is my second home. I have a pass and my best friends and I go as much as possible. Dressing for Disneyland is serious and you will be extremely tired by the end of the day. Mouse ears are a must though and so are comfy shoes. I think the best part is that you can wear whatever you want and run around like you are 7 again. You guys all look super amazing.
Happy Disney Days!!
~Orange Flamingo
Gala! I am so excited. I go in a few days.
You guys certainly look like you are having the bestest time =)I love how Disneyland is the one place where even the shyest wallflower can dress up and act silly.
Of course, you have a great time doing that whenever!
xoxox
I used to live pretty close to Disney World; for a while, we went every Xmas. It’s very crowded at that time, and some people are surprised by how cold it can get. One year it was windy and in the upper 30s (Fahrenheit) after dark.
Your layers suggestion is right on, as is the idea of taking a hat or wearing a hoodie.
Structured sneakers — something with arch support! — or Docs are the best shoes to wear. You can expect blisters by the end of the day if the seams in your stockings or socks are too prominent.
I was always happiest with a body-hugging handbag holding only necessities (a sheer lipstick, some moisturizer, tissues, selected wallet items, some kind of lightweight camera). Some kind of small, zippered messenger-ish bag seemed best. I think I tended to wear Docs or Vans on my feet.
If you’re at Disney World in FL, keep in mind that it rains almost every day in the Orlando area, even on the punishingly hot days. It helps a lot to bring a cheap plastic poncho, if you don’t want to be stuck in a shop, don’t want to carry a small umbrella in your bag, and don’t want to pay hyper-inflated Disney prices for a similar cheap poncho. The late morning or early afternoon showers probably won’t last more than an hour if it’s not a “rainy day.”
I love disneyland, I have a pass and go there to hang out with friends, so much fun! Of course I wear my minnie mouse ears and plan my outfits around them :P
Wow Gala! Gosh you just make every thing you do look like so much fun! I’ve always wante to go to Disneyland … I love Jeane’s idea of dressing up like Minnie Mouse! I dressed up like a fairy to go to a Food & Wine festival the other week, it was so much fun, two little girls wanted to have their photo taken with me! Lol!
I absolutely ADORE Jazzi’s outfit. I think she has a super awesome style and loads of class! I’ve always wanted black Doc martens but Mum thinks they’re too goth …
xxx
I plan to go to Disney (don’t know which one yet) with my boyfriend next year, and that post totally got my hopes high!!!
eee, you guys all looked AMAZING! and i love that little house in the first pic. CUTE :D
I’m really curious about your diet (in the sense of HOW you eat, not connoting deprivation). I’ve seen you talk about eating raw numerous times, but how does your cupcake obsession fit into that? (And what about Disneyland food?)
I started eating vegan almost two months ago. You should post up about STARTING THE FOOD REVOLUTION! HAAAAY
...or just a thorough post about a well-rounded diet. Anything you wanna do ;-)
Awww, what a magical day! Your photos are amazing, and I love this advice :) You would have been the best dressed girls at Disneyland, that’s for sure! I can’t wait to go one day! :D
So cute! I adore your skirt!
darnit gala, i wish you had posted this just one day earlier! i went to disney world on sunday with my friends for the first time in about 8 years (and have determined that the relationships definitely have lasting potential) and it was magical and hilarious for so many reasons. i bought the same ears that nubby is wearing but had i seen the pink ones i would have snatched them up. i completely didn’t even consider wearing one of my tutus or petticoats and am now kicking myself.
they had this one area (pretty much for little girls) where you could make an appointment and they would turn you into a “princess”, complete with whichever disney princess outfit you wanted to wear, a tiara, and some glittery hairstyle. it looked like such a dream come true for young girls and i saw so many kids walking around looking like princesses and being really psyched. we were almost tempted to get it done ourselves. do they have that in disneyland too?
also minnie’s house is my dream house, seriously
Oh, Gala why do you do this to me? I have a desperate urge to go to Disneyland Paris now!
Love your advice, it’s a good point to wear nice clothes if you want to look good in the photos. But then what if your nice clothes get spoilt? Your skirt’s gorgeous, I would normally categorise that as ‘too nice’ for Disneyland!
Exsqueeze me while I head off to Facebook to try and persuade someone (anyone!) to go Disneying with me…
I went to Disneyland at the start of the year the (3rd of January I think it was), and everything was still Christmasy. I would have rathered it to be just normal.
The Ice Cream shop on Main st. was the best, especially at the end of the day, Its was yummm! We also got big knots in our backs, That was our downfall not our feet.
Your & outfits are way cuter then ours, but then again by the 3rd day we didn’t really care as long as it was comfortable.
Me and two other girls in my exchange group did everything we wanted to do, didn’t miss out on anything. Who ever said you couldn’t do it one day was wrong (: but we defiantly could have gone another day.
Also are you going to Knotts Berry Farm? I highly recommend it, awesome for salon photos and rollacostas (especially the wooden one).
Man I want some of those ears so badly!!!!
This is a totally fab post Gala and you, Nubby and Jazzi all look amazing!
I went in January on mine and hubby’s cross-coast american adventure.
I got the same ears as nubby and also cut the bow off – before I left the park :D I was part of the jeans an t-shirt crows as I’d come straight from the airport (yawn) and off a flight from Aus, also it was 27th of December – nothing is warm enough.
I went to Disneyland almost four years ago and it was the most amazing time of my life! We stayed at the Paradise Pier hotel for a week and we went to Disneyland every day except for one and we still didn’t manage to go on all the rides! I’m feeling all wistful… can’t wait to go back one day.
Fun post! My friends and I might have a road trip to Florida sometime this year and go to Disneyworld so this post is something I’ll keep in mind.
My favourite post ever.
This is getting me excited for my trip to Florida in May! 2 weeks of sunshine, disney magic and amazing times! We’re doing the whole she-bang; dining in Victoria and Alberts, going on a Hot Air Balloon ride and hopefully swimming with Dolphins or Manatees!
I love Disneyland! I’m going for my birthday this year and two weeks later I’m going to Disneyland Paris while on my honeymoon!
My last Disney outfit:
farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2…
best ears in the land!
i agrizzle my frizzle with Bailey.
has to be said ~ that’s a piece i could really sink my teeth into ;).
LOVE
I’ve been to Disney world more times than I can count and I’ve read a billion tips on what to bring and what to wear etc. This HAS to be the most original one yet!
you’ve just added further fuel to my dream/obession of going to disneyland! you jazzi and nubby all looked so cute!
infact i think i’ll make it a goal for next year!
snaps for ever expanding world road trips :D
i am in love with your pink sequinned ears… i must have a pair… sparkle and pink are my two favourite things! >_
Could Nubby BE any more beautiful!
Omygosh! I’m going on a pilgrammage to Disneyland to make a wish in the fountain (a holy site!) on my birthday (March 27th!) Your article is right on time!
I’ve always wanted to rock a tutu to Disneyland, but usually I’d get too nervous to seriously wear it.
Now, it makes perfect sense!
:)
Adorable, Gala!
i have had Gothic Lolita friends turned away at the gates or made to change before being allowed in. Ridiculous!
FANTABULOUS post!!!!!!
Aaaahhh, you’re making me miss Disneyworld again! I was just there in December and I had a total blast; it’s so amazing. And you’re right, it was (surprisingly) cold!
The funniest part about it was that since I have pink hair, my sister and I could never blend in with the crowd and we got all kinds of attention from the characters in the parade and such.
Anyway, the three of you look AMAZING, but I can totally relate on the shoes thing, haha. But even with sneakers your feet will still hurt.
PS: It’s SO TRUE that if you can’t spend a day at disneyland with someone and have FUN, they aren’t for you, I went with my ex and had the worst day ever! He took me to the Blue Bayou and I was a vegetarian at the time and on a drug that suppressed my appetite and tried to order a child’s peanut butter and jelly sandwhich and they brought me a HUGE sandwhich filled with all kinds of wierd meat that I mistook for croutons in the dark dark room and didn’t finsih it and got nothing but guilt trips and him being mean all day, we were also with my family and he was mean to my cousins and complained the whole time that we weren’t going on his favorite rides, and acted like a complete know it all about disneyland the whole time, as well as ridiculing me for likening the rides to psychedelic trips…
Hopefully me and my new boyfriend can pass the test!
Where did you get your nonprescription frames?!
I’ve never been to Disneyland/world!! But when I finally go I am totally using this guide and taking fun photos like this!
I love the first pic the most.. you really do look like you could happily live there. :D :D
Disney is always fun.
You three look hella cute!
I’ve always thought it would be great to go, but hasn’t been a burning desire of mine… until NOW! Haha, gosh – I REALLY want to go now, after looking at your photos and reading about it.
I’m so glad you dress how you want and have fun with it. There are not enough people who do. I feel like I’m wearing a costume every time I leave the house because everyone else wears jeans khakis and t-shirts. Ugh!
I’m coming to Disneyland in 2.5 weeks! Your adorable photos are making me VERY excited, Gala :).
This brought back lovely memories. I went to Disneyland when i was 16 (im now 18) and i absolutely loved every minute if it! It is the happiest place on earth. I felt like a little princess and literally all your dreams (maybe not all) but surprisingly they might/do come true. Take it from me i was craving fries and there out of nowhere was a little McDonalds caravan stall which was selling french fries. YUM YUM YUM. the hog dogs were actually quite good too!
also my favourite ride was on the “screamin’” roller coaster and of course the “its a small world” boat ride. it was one of the best highlights of my holidays in the USA ;)
I’m officially in love with your outfit…How petticoat junction meets New York!!!
Wait! You’re married?
I am so jealous! Disneyworld (NOT Disneyland) is one of my all time favorite places to visit.
I don’t think I’ve been there since I was a fashion senseless teen and I am totally digging your ensembles – especially the assortment of Disney paraphernalia.
Disneyland was built so kids could be kids and adults could be ones too. You’re outfits are perfect for the happiest place on earth! I’ve been to Disney World about 5 times now and Disneyland 3, but I confess I am one of those who wears jeans and a t-shirt. This post has made me think that maybe the next time I find myself at the Magic Kingdom, I might want to find my inner kid again and wear something a bit more magical!