What to Wear to Disney World in May: The Ultimate Packing List [2025]
Planning a May trip to Disney World? May is one of my favorite times to visit — school is almost out, the parks have that electric end-of-year energy, and the weather is warm enough to feel like a real Florida vacation. But I won’t sugarcoat it: May is genuinely hot, and the humidity is starting to show up. That means packing smart matters more than it does in March or April. As a former Floridian and longtime Disney fan, I’ve done May at Disney and I’m here to tell you exactly what to wear to Disney World in May so you can focus on the magic and not your wardrobe.
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What to Wear to Disney World in May: The Weather
May is when Florida starts to remind you that it is, in fact, Florida. The average high temperature in May at Disney World is around 88°F, with average lows around 68°F. Humidity climbs noticeably compared to the spring months, and late May marks the very beginning of Florida’s rainy season — which means afternoon thunderstorms become a real possibility, especially toward the end of the month.
The good news: crowds are more manageable in early May before Memorial Day weekend, when schools haven’t fully let out yet. Memorial Day weekend itself is one of the busiest weekends of the year at Disney, so plan accordingly. Mother’s Day weekend also brings a bump in visitors.
The most important thing to understand about dressing for Disney World in May: heat management is your entire strategy. This is not a layering month. This is a breathable fabrics, cooling accessories, and staying hydrated month. Forget the zip-up sweatshirt. Embrace the tank top.
What to Bring to Disney World for Families
I always recommend a double stroller as mobile storage — it holds your extra shoes, cooling towels, snack bag, and any layers you shed by 10am. All of my tips below assume you have somewhere to stash extras other than your own back.
Pro tip: tie a grocery store balloon to your stroller so you can find it easily in the sea of strollers. Just make sure it isn’t a Disney-branded balloon or they may ask you to remove it!
Bubble Wand
A quintessential Disney item and a must for little ones. The ones inside the parks are overpriced — grab a cheap one beforehand and bring it in. In May heat, my kids have been known to chase bubbles for a solid twenty minutes in the shade, which is a win for everyone.
What to Wear to Disney World — For Any Month
The things all belong on the what to wear to Disney World in May list but are really must haves for any month!
Comfortable Walking Shoes
You will walk more steps than you think is humanly possible. Wear shoes you have broken in — never debut new sneakers at Disney. Waterproof sneakers are a great option if afternoon rain showers are in the forecast, and in May they often are. Make sure everyone in the family has been wearing their shoes around the house before the trip. Because of the high likelihood of rain, I also recommend bringing an extra pair of sandals or water shoes you can slip off in case of storms.
Sunscreen and Sun Hat
The Florida sun in May is relentless and you will be outside a lot. Sunscreen is non-negotiable — reapply throughout the day, especially on the backs of necks and tops of ears that parents always forget. A packable sun hat is also worth bringing for adults and kids. You won’t wear it on rides but you’ll be glad to have it in any outdoor queue or while walking between parks.
First Aid Kit
Disney World does have an urgent care on property — I know this from personal experience and not in a fun way. Bring a basic first aid kit including children’s pain reliever, blister bandages, and antihistamine. Blisters are the most common May complaint given the heat and the mileage.
Snack Bag
You are allowed to bring food into Disney World and this is one of the best-kept secrets of a budget-conscious Disney trip. We use a soft-sided cooler that lays flat in the suitcase and bring full lunches plus snacks. We freeze water bottles overnight to use as ice packs — as they melt throughout the day, the kids drink them. In May heat this strategy is even more valuable because staying fueled and hydrated is how you make it to the evening fireworks without a meltdown.
Refillable Water Bottles
Non-negotiable in May. Hydration is the difference between a great day and a rough one when it’s nearly 90 degrees. Bring a durable refillable water bottle for everyone in the family. You can refill at water fountains throughout the parks for free.
Fanny Pack
I refuse to call it a belt bag. It’s a fanny pack and it will change your Disney life. Hands completely free while chasing kids, no bag sliding off your shoulder on rides, easy access to sunscreen and snacks throughout the day. Ours have been to Disney and across Europe and I have fully retired my traditional handbag for travel.
Rain Jacket or Rain Poncho
In May, skip the rain jacket and go straight to a poncho. Here’s why: afternoon thunderstorms in late May tend to be heavy and fast. A poncho will cover more of your legs and keep you significantly drier than a jacket. It also doubles as protection on water rides, which in May heat you will absolutely be riding.
Buy ponchos before you go or grab them from a grocery store near the park. The ones they sell inside Disney are expensive and not very good quality.
Change of Clothes
Leave a change of clothes in the car if you’re not staying on property. This is your emergency option. If you have a recently potty-trained child, keep a backup outfit in the stroller. In May I also recommend keeping a dry shirt for yourself — between the heat and the water rides, you may want one mid-afternoon.
Mickey Mouse Ears
No Disney outfit is complete without them. Classic ears, themed ears, character hats — whatever your family loves. I’m personally a fan of Mickey scrunchies as a lower-key option that won’t give you a headache on a long hot day.
What to Wear to Disney World in May
May is its own beast at Disney and deserves specific packing attention. The March strategy of “bring layers” does not apply here. The May strategy is: stay cool, stay dry, stay comfortable.
Lightweight Breathable Tops
This is not the month for cotton. Cotton holds moisture and in May humidity you will feel damp by mid-morning. Look for moisture-wicking fabrics — athletic tops, linen blends, anything labeled quick-dry. Tank tops are perfectly appropriate and honestly ideal. I keep one backup tank in the stroller in case of water rides or heavy rain.
For the kids, the same rule applies: athletic or moisture-wicking fabrics over cotton. Matching family shirts are adorable but if yours are heavy cotton, save them for a cooler month.
Shorts and Athletic Skirts
May is a shorts month, full stop. I personally love biker shorts and tennis skirts for Disney — they’re comfortable for walking, don’t ride up, and dry quickly. Denim shorts are doable in early May but get uncomfortable in full heat and humidity. Athletic fabrics are your friend.
Pack two or three pairs so you always have a dry option. One pair of lightweight joggers for evenings if temperatures dip or you run cold — but honestly, evenings in May are still warm enough that shorts work until park close.
Cooling Towel
This is the what to wear to Disney World in May addition that doesn’t appear on the spring break list and it is genuinely a game changer. A cooling towel — you wet it, wring it out, and it stays cool for hours — is something I wish I had discovered earlier. Drape it around your neck in the outdoor queues and you will feel like a different person. Get one for every person in your family over age 3.
Water Shoes or Flip Flops
When thinking about what to wear to Disney World in May – water shoes or flip flops are a must have. Water rides are not optional in May — they are survival. Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom and Tidal Wave at Hollywood Studios will get you wet and in 88-degree weather that is a feature not a bug. Bring flip flops or water shoes for everyone so you can change into them for water rides and back out of them without ruining your walking shoes.
Do not wear flip flops all day as your primary shoe. That is a blister waiting to happen after 15,000 steps.
Bathing Suit
Bring bathing suits even if you don’t plan to hit a water park. Disney resort pools are heated and open year round, and after a long hot May day at the parks there is nothing better than jumping in the pool before dinner. I don’t recommend wearing your bathing suit into the theme parks — save it for the resort pool. Instead for water rides I’ll wear water shoes or flip flops, athletic shorts and a quick dry tank top. I’ll throw on a poncho over and stack our water rides so I can change into dry clothes afterwards.
Lightweight Zip-Up or Thin Layer for Evenings
You will need almost nothing in the way of layers in May, but a very lightweight zip-up is worth tossing in the stroller for late nights. The parks are air-conditioned inside attractions, some restaurants run cold, and if you catch an evening show near the water there can occasionally be a breeze. One thin layer per person is enough. Leave the heavy sweatshirts at home.
Disney Packing List: What to Wear to Disney World in May
Here is my complete list of what to wear to Disney World in May. How many of each item you need depends on how many park days you have planned.
- Sunscreen (and lots of it — reapply!)
- Packable sun hat
- Rain ponchos
- Comfortable broken-in sneakers
- Water shoes or flip flops
- Fanny pack
- Cooling towels
- Moisture-wicking tops — tank tops preferred
- Shorts, biker shorts, or athletic skirt
- One lightweight zip-up for evenings
- Bathing suit
- Refillable water bottles
- Snack bag with soft-sided cooler
- Double stroller for families with young kids
- First aid kit
- Mickey Mouse ears
Heading to Disney earlier in the year? Check out my packing list for April.
