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Best Girl’s Outfits for Visiting Disneyland or Disney World!

Dressing for Disney: Disney princess dresses. Planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World?  Trying to figure out how to dress your little girls?  I’m sharing my secrets to keeping your kids comfortable and stylish while doing Disney!

There is nothing quite like the magic that happens when a little one steps into a princess dress. Whether it’s for a birthday party, Halloween, a trip to Disney, or just twirling around the living room on a random Tuesday, princess dresses instantly transport kids into a world where sparkles, bravery, and imagination rule the day.

Disney Princess dresses, especially, hold this extra-special charm because each gown represents a story kids already know and love. Watching them choose their favorite princess and then transform into her—complete with twirls, giggles, and the sweetest poses—is honestly one of my favorite parts of motherhood.

Over the years, we have collected our fair share of princess dresses, and let me tell you: not all dresses are created equal. Some are beautifully made but not practical for play. Others are adorable but itchy, stiff, or uncomfortable. And then some get worn so often that they practically become a second skin. That’s why I wanted to put together a helpful guide that breaks down what to look for in princess dresses, how to choose the right styles, and where to find high-quality options that kids actually love wearing.

Whether your little one loves the classic princesses—Cinderella, Snow White, Belle—or the modern queens like Elsa, Anna, Moana, or Rapunzel, there are so many beautiful choices out there. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to find dresses that photograph beautifully, hold up to regular playtime, and make your child feel like the main character in her own story.

This guide is packed with recommendations, practical tips for choosing the right gown, and ideas for styling your princess dress photos (because we all know pictures are half the fun). If you’re planning a princess party, putting together a dress-up bin, or prepping for a magical Disney vacation, this post will help you find the perfect dress to make the moment unforgettable.

Let’s explore all things princess—from fabric and fit to twirl factor and sparkly details!

 

Disneyland is my happy place.  We have had season passes for several years and we visit a lot.  A.  LOT.  I know Disney secrets and how to time rides and where to eat and so much more locked away in my Disney vault of a head.  It might be a sickness…lol.

When we are at Disney, we are frequently stopped and asked about our girls.  “Where did you get those adorable Disney princess dresses?”  “How did you do their hair.”  “OMG, they are so cute…you look just like little princesses.” 

My daughters are trained too.  They have been asked about their dresses so many times, they will simply politely respond that their “Fairy God-mother made them.” 

As they are getting older and starting to segue into the pre-teen, adolescent “I don’t want to wear my princess dresses stage anymore”, I decided it was time to pass on the Disney dressing secrets. 

Today I’m sharing my tips for dressing little girls for Disneyland and Disney World and sharing with you where I find the cutest options!!

The Dress: Picking the RIGHT Disney Princess Dresses

Picking the right Disney princess dresses is super important.  Firstly, both Disneyland and Disney World sell princess dresses. You can show up buy a dress and wear it all day if you want. 

You can also go to Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and pay to have your little princess dresses, and done up for the day (which also comes with a line jump at the Princess meet and greet). 

We don’t do this. EVER.   For two main reasons…

ONE: The dresses are scratchy and SUPER hot.  I often see little girls sweating like crazy walking around dresses like Merida full on with the long orange wig and I feel sooo bad for the. 

No matter the time of year…plan to be sweaty at either park. Long lines, tight spaces and lots of people mean periods of uncomfortable warmness, even in the winter.  

TWO: I feel like the girls often come out of BBB looking a little TOO done up….too much hairspray, too much fake hair, too much glitter.  It’s not my jam. 

I like my girls looking sweet, cute and comfortable with real girl hairstyles.  This is a personal preference, but my girls are always comfortable and free to climb the ropes in California Adventure or play in the garden at Goofy’s house. 

Also, I’m a big fan of not wearing exactly the same thing as everyone else.  My girls like that we rarely see other little girls wearing Disney princess dresses that look like theirs.  It makes them stand out and feel special.

So what do I do?  I order their dresses from handmade boutiques ahead of time.  I have some tried and true shops that deliver awesome dresses that are comfortable and unique.  Here are my recommendations:

Little Wellies

Little Wellies offers what they call playground princess dresses.  These are awesome.  They have an easy halter tops style and adjustable tie around the waist.  They last for years too…my girls have gotten several years of use out of theirs! 

Below pictured is the Little Wellies Minnie Mouse dress and the Sofia the First dress.

 

 

Ross and Rosie Designs

Ross and Rosie offers fun trendy outfits and cute princess aprons.  These are a great option is you think you might want to ditch the Disney princess dresses at some point. 

They can be tied over leggings or shorts and a t-shirt easily for a beautiful princess look!  Below are the Ross and Rosie Anna and Elsa aprons.

 

 

Lover Dovers Clothing

This is another one of my favorites!  Also…random awesome tid bit for you.  You know that tide commercial with the dad and little girls who loves her favorite princess dress? 

It was a Lover Dovers Rapunzel dress in the ad. Awesome, right!!

Lover Dovers dresses are comfortable and adorable.  She makes some with tulle skirts and some without.  We have owned at least 12 of these and have loved each one!! Pictured below is the Rapunzel dress, Anna/Elsa dresses, Moana dress, and the tulle-less Snow White dress.

 

 

 

Etsy

La Jupe make fun Disney princess dresses that are easy to wash and wear.  My girls love dressing up like their favorite super heroes and with Marvel firmly planted in the Disney vault…they are awesome Disney dresses to change things up a little bit! 

Pictured below are the La Jupe Iron Man and Captain America dresses!

Knotted Wear

Knotted Wear makes fun Disney princess dresses that are a little more on the long and fancy side.  These aren’t as versatile for summer, but they are super cute and still comfortable.  Pictured below are the Alice in Wonderland and Queen of Hearts dresses. (Also shown is this cute Queen of Hearts headband)

Here are other recommended options for dresses:

The Hair: To Up-do or not to Up-do

Hair is another big deal when dressing for Disneyland or Disney World. It gets hot…especially when you throw into the mix the excitement and the walking around.  I like to keep my girls hair up and off their necks as much as possible.  

We typically done simple hair styles with big coordinating bows.  I will often do a top knot for princesses, french braid pigtails for Anna and A side Braid for Elsa.  For Minnie…we go with our favorite Minnie mouse Buns:

I think getting the hair up and out of the way (and using a healthy dose of hairspray to keep it that way) helps to make the day easier. 

We also use an assortment of hair donuts to help make sure  buns are clean and add volume as needed.

Prepping for the Weather

So…it’s pretty much always warm.  There are a couple months in the winter where you want to keep a hoodie on the whole day, but we have been every month of the year and stripped down to a t-shirt with out a problem. 

Even in the warmer months, a hoodie in the morning or at night might be needed. Little girls can pretty much always wear a princess dress.  When its definitely warm, mine wear a dress and sandals. 

When its definitely cooler, they wear a dress, legging underneath and a zip hoodie with tennis shoes.  Purchasing a dress is an investment for the whole year!

Dressing for Disney doesn’t have to be a hassle.  Find a good dress, practice your bun skills and you are good to go!

Conclusion for What to wear to Disneyland

Disney Princess dresses aren’t just costumes—they’re memory-makers. They’re the outfits kids choose for the moments that matter most: birthday photos, trick-or-treating, Disney vacations, school spirit days, and imaginative afternoons spent reenacting their favorite scenes. What I love most about finding the right princess dress is how much joy and confidence it gives little ones. A good princess dress helps them feel bold, brave, creative, and completely immersed in their world of play.

Whether your child gravitates toward the adventurous spirit of Moana, the elegance of Cinderella, the curiosity of Ariel, or the strength of Mulan, these characters help shape how kids express themselves. Choosing a dress that reflects your child’s personality adds another layer of magic to the experience. Every twirl, every spin, every “Mom, look at me!” moment becomes a piece of childhood you’ll look back on and treasure forever.

When deciding on the right dress, remember that comfort is key. Kids should be able to move, play, run, climb, and dance without feeling restricted or scratchy. Breathable fabrics, stretchy materials, lined bodices, and soft tulle make a world of difference—especially if your child wears their princess dresses constantly (like mine always did!). Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive, but it does mean paying attention to the details: seams, sparkle shedding, neckline comfort, and durability through washes and play.

Another thing I always encourage parents to think about is versatility. If you’re choosing a princess dress for a party, pick one they’ll also enjoy long after the event. If you’re prepping for Disneyland or Disney World, comfort and weather-friendly options matter even more. There’s nothing sweeter than watching your little one meet her favorite character while wearing a matching gown—those photos are priceless.

Princess dresses also make wonderful gifts. Whether it’s for birthdays, holidays, or “just because,” they’re the kind of present that gets played with again and again. Add accessories like crowns, wands, gloves, or themed jewelry, and you’ve created a whole moment that sparks endless imaginative play.

At the end of the day, the best princess dress is the one that makes your child light up. The right dress doesn’t need to be the fanciest or the most expensive. It just needs to make them feel magical. That feeling—the sparkle in their eyes, the twirl of the skirt, the transformation into a character they adore—is what makes these dresses so special.

I hope this guide helps you choose the perfect Disney Princess dress for your little royal and inspires magical memories you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re planning a princess party, dressing up for a Disney trip, or building a dreamy dress-up wardrobe at home, may your days be full of sparkle, imagination, and enchantment.

If you love these Disney World Dress options, please pin this Image to your Disney Pinterest Board:

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