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Updated for 2018!

Ever see the ladies walking down Main Street, U.S.A., in pretty party dresses and high heels? I am actually amazed anyone can look somewhat presentable in the Disney parks. My family seems to arrive in Orlando when it’s hot, humid, raining, just finished flooding or about to pour. My “Disney uniform,” if you will, is a t-shirt and shorts, with my hair usually looking so un-Disney Princess-like that I wear a baseball hat. Not one of those flowery girly hats that accessorizes the matching mini-skirt and sparkly top I didn’t wear, but just a sweaty Mickey baseball hat. The hat is sweaty because I am sweaty.

While it’s easy for some princesses to pick out cute vacation outfits, have you ever thought about what you cannot wear to a Disney park? Yes, Cinderella, there are a set of rules, but it’s really just a matter of common sense.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Pinterest, there’s been some renewed interest in this article since it was first written in 2013. Some changes have been made to rules and regulations through the years, so we’ve added those in at the bottom. Those of you new to the Cheapskate Princess…thanks for stopping by!

Read: How Much Will a Trip to Disney’s Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs Cost You?

Years ago, this Disney Princess Classic Snow White 2 Piece Adult Costume was a Buy It Now Ebay auction for $33.98

Disney World Guest Appearance Guidelines

Disney World reserves the right to exclude visitors to their gated attractions who wear clothing that could create a “distraction.” This policy is in effect at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Springs and Disney Quest (while it’s still open.)

Examples of unacceptable attire includes:

Adult costumes or clothing that can be viewed as a costume (children under age 10 are excluded)

Adults cannot arrive at the parks wearing Disney character costumes and expect to gain park entry. Halloween is an exception if adults are wearing costumes to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNNSHP.) More on this later. Overwhelming amounts of party-goers are wearing costumes for these special parties, but here is where the “distracting” part can come into play.

This Belle dress was purchased from eBay, reportedly from a fancy dress shop online and in Essex. Ladies, this is going to be distracting at MNNSHP. As short as this dress is, this is going to turn some heads, but in a bad kinda way.

These two dresses were from The Daily Caller.com, on a slide show titled “The 50 Worst Possible Halloween Costumes.” (I edited that title a little bit, in case our younger audience is reading today.) The slide show was 50 skimpy, low-cut, short-short women’s Halloween costumes. Several Disney character inspired costumes made their list. These would be interesting for an adult costume party, but they’re not appropriate for a Disney theme park Halloween party, all your princess bits and pieces hanging out everywhere.

Clothing that is excessively torn

Clothing made with offensive material (ie transparent)

Clothing which exposes inappropriate portions of the body such as string bikini tops, G-strings, bikini bottoms, etc.

Guests wearing wedding attire are discouraged from entering the Theme Parks.

Clothing displaying offensive messages/language

Read: Disney World Tips for Kids: “Free Day” Fun Activities

Gentlemen, we’re going to need more material on your bottom than this. Oh and a shirt. Even if you look this good, you’re going to need a shirt.

This Minnie Mouse themed “dress” I found on Google Images on a site called WD Lingerie.com, and while probably suitable for an adult costume party at a friend’s house, this will be distracting at Mickey’s Halloween Party. It doesn’t so much look like a costume for those Disney Bounding fans, but it’s just too short, too low-cut and far too distracting to be worn to a family park.

Plus those shoes. Good Lord, you won’t make it far in those heels…

Read: What are the Best Shoes to Wear on a Disney World Vacation? We Asked the Fans…

I know Miley Cyrus used to be Disney’s beloved Hannah Montana, but dressing like her 2014 image at one of their theme parks is sure to get you thrown out. This costume is distracting, both on TV as well as walking down Main Street, USA. Is this what you want standing next to your child in line for the Dumbo ride? Don’t ask your teen sons to answer that question, because they might not tell the answer you hope for.

What you need for a Disney theme park is less skin and more class. Miley’s costume scares me, so it’s sure to scare small children and grandparents on monorails everywhere. I’ve seen more material on bathing suits in Disney water parks.

Keep it classy, Orlando!

Read: How to Pack the BEST Disney World Theme Park Bag Ever!

What about dressing for the Disney restaurants?

For the Signature Dining Restaurants, a “Business Casual” dress code is in effect:

Men should wear

dress pants
jeans or dress shorts
a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt with collar is required
Jackets are optional

Women should wear

jeans
skirts or dress shorts
a nice blouse, sweater, or a dresses

NOT PERMITTED:

Tank tops
swim suits or
swim cover ups
hats for gentlemen
cut offs or clothing with rips/tears
T-shirts with offensive language/graphics

Read: 8 Reasons Not to Go to Disney World in the Fall

What about the MNSSHP Halloween parties at WDW?

This is the exception to the “no adult costumes” allowed rules, because it’s a Halloween party, right?

DisneyWorld.com states that the Disney company values safety and good judgement. Disney has the right to deny admission to or remove any guests wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other guests. Anyone guests not adhering to these guidelines may be refused park entrance and/or removed from the parks unless costumes can be modified to meet the costume standards.

MNSSHP rules and regulations as of July 2017 are as follows:

GENERAL

All guests may dress as their favorite character but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other guests.
Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.

GUESTS AGES 13 AND UNDER

Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

GUESTS AGES 14 AND OLDER

Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g., full-length Princess dresses)
Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
Masks of any kind may not be worn.

All rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.

This is a Disney party with a ton of small children running around, so you have to use your good judgement. None of those too-revealing outfits pictured above will probably be allowed, and you wouldn’t want to take the chance of being asked to change costumes before you are allowed inside anyway. Use this link to see Disney’s current rules and regulations.

Those of you that wound up here from Pinterest, with this article described as a humorous look at what not to wear to Disney World, desiring to see more crazeeeeeee Disney-themed costumes, then you will LOVE this article:

Ladies: Do NOT Wear These Costumes to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Where is a great place to look for children and adult costumes at reduced prices?

How Can You Save Money on Disney World Souvenirs? One Four Letter Word…

Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you at your sewing machine, adding several inches of hem line to your Tigger dress for the Halloween party, just in case!