I Won't Visit Disney in the Summertime Without These 11 Must-have Cooling Accessories—From $10

Travel + Leisure

5 hours ago

Disneyland is known as The Happiest Place on Earth for many good reasons—it's a wonderland throughout the year. It's certainly my happy place where I can be ageless and explore the stories I've loved all my life. But when I go during the hottest months of the year, I have to come prepared to beat the heat and stay comfortable from the time the park opens until it closes.
These smart travel essentials will help you stay cool during the summer months, even on the hottest days. With these tips and genius gadgets, it's possible to look and feel your best for a Disney day no matter what time of year it is. Through trial and error over many Disneyland trips, I discovered which items truly work to help you stay cool and which ones stand the test of time. Read on for my top accessories for a hot summer day at Disneyland, including a portable fan, cooling towels, and other necessities to make it a magical day.
This adorable mini fan fits perfectly with the Disney theme. It's not an official merch item, but it does have an adorable set of ears that I always associate with Mickey, of course. It's small, so it fits easily into my purse and sometimes into my pocket. It's also convenient once night falls because it has an LED light. This little fan packs a lot of power, and it comes with a rechargeable battery. It comes with three speeds (low, medium, and high), so it's prepared to cool you off on even the hottest Disney days.
A cooling towel isn't a want on a super-hot day in Disneyland—it's a need! You want to have a cooling towel, plus at least one back-up if the forecast is predicting high temperatures. This cooling towel multi-pack has four high-quality options so you can share or keep extras on hand for future hot days in the park. If you want to pack minimally and pick one up when you get there, keep in mind that cooling towels are sold in the park, but they will be expensive. Also, you might not find them right when you need them. I bring my own cooling towels, and I'm always happy and relieved I did.
While portable, handheld fans are great and necessary at Disney when it's hot, they can't be your only line of defense against the high temperatures. Your arm will get tired if you hold a fan up to your face all day, especially while you walk. That's where this neck fan comes in handy. I just turn it on, sit it on my neck, and comfortably walk around the Disneyland parks, much cooler than I'd be without it. When I stop to wait in line for a ride, though, the handheld fan comes out to offer further relief from the heat while the neck fan continues to run. I love that this neck fan comes in many colors, but my favorite for summer is green.
I try to bring as little into the park as possible to stay comfortable, and I love carrying this small, lightweight belt bag that fits all my hot-weather essentials. I don't want to be bothered with a big, heavy purse when it's sweltering out, and I certainly don't want to lug one on rides. This adorable, small belt bag has room for my ID and credit cards, plus summer must-haves like my portable fan, sunscreen, and more. It has a zip closure, so I don't have to worry about anything falling out when I'm rushing around the park.
Not only is baking outside all day uncomfortably hot, but the sun's rays can be damaging. I like wearing shirts with UPF 50+ protection when I go to Disneyland, and this short-sleeve top comes in several fun, summery colors. It's lightweight, and the fabric wicks moisture away from your skin so you stay comfortable during a long day of Disney exploring.
Here's another way to beat the heat at Disney during summertime. This cooling neck gaiter protects your neck from getting a sunburn. It's also activated from water or sweat to cool the fabric to a temperature that's as low as 30 degrees below the average body temperature, so it'll offer almost immediate relief from the heat. I wear it on trips to the park when I need an extra tool to keep my neck cool on an especially hot day.
I love this joy-inducing Disney hat! Yes, you can find lots of Mickey ears for sale at Disney, but the traditional ears don't offer sun protection like this adorable hat. It can protect your face from getting a sunburn when you're outside watching parades or standing in line. It matches many things, and it announces your love for the most powerful mouse in the park. Let's face it, it's always been Minnie!
I have long hair, so a ponytail is my go-to hairstyle for Disney's hottest summer days to keep the hair off my neck and stay cool. I love these Minnie ear scrunchies that let me add some Disney flair to my look without sacrificing staying cool. Throwing my hair up in a scrunchie also means I don't have to spend a lot of time fussing with my hair before or during my park day.
This hooded cooling towel is also a good option to accompany traditional cooling towels when temperatures are soaring. You simply wet it, then put it over your head, and it offers instant cooling relief while you walk around. When I wore it, I was still quite cool even after a couple of hours. It comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick one that matches your Disney park outfit. This hoodie towel also offers UPF 50 sun protection for added safety.
Yes, there are now waist fans. No, I won't hesitate to wear one on especially sweltering days in Disneyland—there is no shame in my cooling game. In fact, this wearable belt fan is so discreet that most people probably won't even notice you're wearing it. If they do, they're likely to wish they had one to help them cool down, too. This wearable fan has a rechargeable battery for convenience, and it's lightweight, so it won't slow you down as you make your way around the parks.
Yes, I travel to Disneyland with multiple fans. If you've visited the park in July or August, you're sure to understand why. Although this misting fan doesn't have the adorable mouse aesthetic, it offers sublime relief on scorching hot days with its water misting option. When you're waiting in line for up to hours in direct sunlight, mist this on yourself over and over again, and your neighbors in line might ask you to spray them, too. Luckily, you can refill the water container as much as you'd like to use it all day long. Just keep in mind this fan runs on old-fashioned batteries (and they aren't included), so be sure to pick up a pack of AAs before your trip.
Cute Disney jewelry is fun to wear during any summer trip. BaubleBar has eye-catching, affordable Disney jewelry, and this colorful tennis bracelet might be my favorite piece of Disney jewelry. It looks bright and cheery, and it's a high-quality piece that's made of gold-plated brass. The glass stones come in every color of the rainbow, and the simple clasp makes it easy to put on and take off.
Whenever you go to Disney these days, you're sure to see tons of Loungefly backpacks and bags. I resisted them at first, then I discovered how fun they can be to carry. Since they are small and lightweight, they are a good fit on a hot day at Disney—and they'll keep you on theme. They offer a surprisingly large interior, and many have a spacious front pocket too, plus adjustable straps. They're small enough to take on rides, too.
In my experience, you cannot go wrong with Vera Bradley luggage. It lasts for years, and I love their adorable Disney patterns. If you don't want an in-your-face Disney print, Vera Bradley is the way to go because they have more subtle options, like this duffle bag that's covered in quilted Mickey Mouse shapes. It can be checked or carried onto the plane as a carry-on. Sometimes, if I'm just taking a weekend trip to Disneyland, it's the only luggage I carry because it's spacious and sturdy.
I always thought Yoda was the cutest character in the Star Wars universe, and then The Mandalorian brought the cuteness to another level. Although he is named Din Grogu, most people refer to him as Baby Yoda, and who wouldn't like to see that adorable face looking at you from your phone case? You'll be ready for the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area of the park with this adorable pick. Because I always bring my phone to the park and have to use it throughout the day to book rides and mobile order food, I love decking it out Disney-style with a themed case. Casetify cases are high in quality and have protected my phone even after several drops at the park.
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