Princess Dresses & Character Costumes for Disney and Universal
How to Dress Up for the Parks for Less
A princess dress, a wizard robe, or a Mario hat can make a park day feel like a story your child is part of. Buy it before the trip, pick one built for Florida heat, and know the park rules before you get to security.
The best princess dresses for Disney World are the ones your child can wear through a hot park day: light, short enough not to drag, and bought before the trip, when they cost a fraction of park prices. Kids under 14 can wear costumes at Disney World. Universal posts no age limit, but it bans costume masks, long trains, and toy weapons.
Planning which princesses to meet? Start with our Disney princess meet and greet guide.
Our #1 Favorite Pick
Officially Licensed Disney Jasmine Dress (Disguise)
Jasmine’s teal gown with a sparkly sheer overskirt and an attached cape, in sizes from 3T-4T to 7-8.
The dress your child picks, for a lot less than the park shops charge.
Why you need it:
- Officially licensed, so the colors and details look like the character
- Costs far less than buying the same dress in the parks
- Gets worn again for birthdays, dress-up, and Halloween
Why this works in the parks:
- Elastic at the ankles keeps it off the ground
- Slips on over shorts and a tee, so it comes off fast when it gets hot
- Characters notice the dress, and kids remember that
If your child wants one dress for the trip, start here.
Get it on Amazon →Best for Hot Days
Disney Character T-Shirt and Shorts Set
A character tee and soft shorts in sizes from toddler to big kid.
All the character, none of the layers.
Why you need it:
- Cooler than any costume on a 90-degree afternoon
- Easy to wear all day, on every ride
- A good fallback for kids who don’t want a full costume
Why this works in the parks:
- Nothing to take off for rides or security
- Works under a dress in the morning and on its own after lunch
- No costume rules to think about at either resort
From May to September, this is the outfit we’d plan the day around.
View on Amazon →Best Toy Story Costume
Toy Story Woody Deluxe Costume (Disguise)
A one-piece jumpsuit with Woody’s plaid shirt, cow-print vest, and jeans built in, plus his hat, kerchief, and sheriff badge.
The whole Woody look in one box.
Why you need it:
- Nothing to piece together from different stores
- Comes in toddler through big-kid sizes
- Perfect for a Hollywood Studios day in Toy Story Land
Why this works in the parks:
- The hat, kerchief, and badge work on their own over a tee when it gets hot
- Nothing drags, trails, or covers the face
- Hold onto the hat on fast rides, or tuck it in the bag
It’s a full jumpsuit, so we’d save it for a cooler month or the morning.
Get it on Amazon →Best for Universal
Gryffindor Robe for Kids (Party City by Rubie’s)
A hooded black robe with red and gold lining and the Gryffindor crest, worn over regular clothes.
Walk into Diagon Alley already dressed for it.
Why you need it:
- Costs a small part of what robes in the Wizarding World shops cost
- Makes every photo in front of Hogwarts feel like a movie still
- Gets worn again for Halloween and movie nights at home
Why this works in the parks:
- Wear it over a light tee and take it off in the afternoon
- Pick a size that ends above the ankle, since Universal bans long trains
- Best on a cooler-month trip; it’s a lot of fabric in July
Pair it with an official Universal wand, not a replica.
View on Amazon →Best for Epic Universe
Super Mario Hat, Gloves and Mustache Kit (Disguise)
Mario’s red M cap, white cartoon gloves, and a stick-on mustache, in one child size.
The easiest costume in Super Nintendo World.
Why you need it:
- A hat is the one costume piece almost every kid will keep on
- Shades their face on a sunny day
- The gloves and mustache finish the look for photos
Why this works in the parks:
- Nothing to take off but the hat on rides
- Pairs with a red tee you already own
- The mustache is optional; most kids skip it after the first photo
The cheapest way to dress the part for Super Nintendo World.
Get it on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, KidsParkGuide may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
For a lot of kids, a costume turns a park day into their own story. A princess dress at the castle, a robe in Diagon Alley, or a Mario cap in Super Nintendo World gets noticed by characters and cast members, and it shows up in every photo you’ll keep. The catch is the price and the heat. The same costumes cost far more inside the parks, and a dress that looks great at home can feel very different by 11am in Florida. This guide covers how to save on costumes, how to pick ones your kids can actually wear all day, and the Disney and Universal costume rules to know before you go.
How to Save on Costumes Before You Go
The single best way to save is to buy before you leave home. Costumes sold in the parks are priced for people who are already there and didn’t plan ahead. Character dresses in Disney’s park shops often cost $60 or more, and kids’ Hogwarts robes at Universal have been priced well over $100. A well-reviewed dress or robe online usually costs a fraction of that.
Before you buy anything new, check what you can get used. Kids outgrow costumes long before they wear them out, so local Facebook Marketplace listings, consignment sales, and hand-me-downs from friends are full of dresses worn once or twice. After Halloween is an especially good time to look.
Then decide what your child actually wants. Some kids want the full dress. Others are just as happy with a character tee, a pair of ears, or a hat. For more ways to keep trip costs down, see our guides to Disney World on a budget and Universal Orlando on a budget.
Buy one size up. Costumes run small, kids grow fast, and a little extra room is cooler in the heat. Just check the length so the hem stays well off the ground.
Disney and Universal Costume Rules for Kids
Both resorts allow kids in costume, but the rules are different. Check them before the trip so nothing gets taken away at security.
Disney World: Disney’s posted rule is that costumes can’t be worn in its theme parks or water parks by guests 14 or older. Kids 13 and under can wear them on a regular park day. Fan sites that follow Disney’s rules closely report that kids’ costumes shouldn’t drag on the ground, and that masks can’t cover the face. Leave toy swords, blasters, and anything that looks like a weapon at home. Separately ticketed events like the Halloween and Christmas parties have their own costume rules, including for adults.
Universal Orlando: Universal’s posted policy doesn’t list an age limit for costumes, but its rules apply to everyone. No costume masks, veils, or long trains. No swords or weapons. Face paint can cover no more than half the face. Costumes can’t be wider than 28 inches or taller than 80 inches, they may go through extra screening at security, and some costumes may not be allowed on certain rides.
At both resorts: a costume that’s short, light, and has nothing loose or pointy won’t cause problems. Rules can change, so check each resort’s website the week of your trip.
Princess Dresses for Disney World: What to Look For
Here’s what makes a dress or costume easy to wear for a whole park day.
Breathable fabric. Many costumes are polyester, which holds heat. Look for a cotton lining or a cotton bodice, and skip long sleeves and layered capes for a summer trip.
A length that stays off the ground. Long hems get stepped on, catch in escalators and ride vehicles, and get filthy by noon. Ankle length or shorter is the goal.
Easy on and off. A dress that slips on over shorts and a tee lets your child change in seconds when the afternoon heat kicks in. It also makes bathroom trips a lot simpler.
Washable. Snacks, sunscreen, and rain happen. A dress you can rinse in the hotel sink and hang to dry overnight is worth more than a fancier one you can’t.
Our guide to what to wear to a theme park with kids covers fabrics, shoes, and layering in more detail.
The Best Character Costumes for Disney and Universal
A Classic Princess Dress for Disney
This is the costume most kids picture. Disguise makes officially licensed dresses for most of the classic princesses, each sold on its own. Their Jasmine dress is a good example: the colors and details look like the movie, and the elastic ankles keep it from dragging. Reviewers say the glitter sheds, so pack it in a zip bag. For a cheaper option, the Party Chili snow queen dress comes in sizes from 3T up and includes a cape, crown, and wand. It isn’t official Disney merchandise, so the details are a little different, but most little kids don’t mind.
Plan to wear the dress for the part of the day that matters most, like a princess meet or a character meal. Our guide to whether character dining at Disney is worth it helps you pick the meal where the dress will get the most attention.
Character Outfits for Hot Days
On a summer trip, a full costume can be more than a child wants to wear for 10 hours. A Disney character T-shirt and shorts set or a 2-pack of Disney character tees gives kids the character without the extra fabric. Add a character cap like the Frozen Elsa and Anna cap or the Lightning McQueen cap, and you’ve got sun protection kids will actually keep on.
Many parents do both: a character tee all day, and the dress for one meet or one photo. It’s the easiest way to keep a dressed-up kid from turning into an overheated one. Our guide to beating the heat at Disney and Universal has more ways to keep kids cool.
Costumes for Kids Who’d Rather Not Wear a Dress
Dressing up isn’t only for princess fans. The Woody deluxe costume has the shirt, vest, and jeans built into one jumpsuit, plus Woody’s hat, kerchief, and badge. A Buzz Lightyear costume is a favorite too. Both are full jumpsuits, so save them for a cooler month or the morning. On a hot afternoon, Woody’s hat and badge over a tee still do the job. Both are perfect for Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
A Hogwarts Robe for Universal
For a Harry Potter fan, walking through the brick wall into Diagon Alley in a robe is a big moment. A Gryffindor robe from Party City by Rubie’s costs a lot less than the robes in the Wizarding World shops. Pick a size that ends above the ankle, and plan to take it off for the afternoon in warm months.
If your child wants a wand to go with it, only the official interactive wands sold by Universal work at the spell spots in the parks. Our Harry Potter day at Universal Orlando guide covers wands, the Hogwarts Express, and how to plan the day.
A Mario Hat for Epic Universe
Super Nintendo World is at Epic Universe, and a red cap is all it takes to fit right in. The Disguise Mario kit comes with the cap, white gloves, and a stick-on mustache. Add a red tee you already own, and you’re done. The gloves are fun for photos, but most kids won’t keep them on in the heat. Our Epic Universe family guide covers what to do in Super Nintendo World with kids.
Is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Worth It?
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is Disney’s salon where kids get a royal makeover, with locations in Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. It’s a sweet experience, and some families plan a whole day around it. It’s also one of the more expensive add-ons on a Disney trip. Packages have recently run from about $60 for a knight package to more than $200 for a princess package that includes a gown, before tax. Check Disney’s site for current prices and ages.
It’s completely your call. If you do book it, the knight package is a great option for kids who’d rather carry a sword and shield than wear a crown. If you’d rather spend that money elsewhere, a dress you bought ahead of time and a little hair styling at the hotel gets you most of the way there. Either way, your child will feel like royalty when Cinderella notices the dress.
Shoes and Accessories
Shoes: skip the dress-up shoes. Plastic princess heels and jelly shoes cause blisters and slips within an hour. Pair any costume with broken-in sneakers. Nobody looks at the shoes in the photos.
Shorts under dresses: a pair of stretch cartwheel shorts under a dress keeps kids comfortable on rides, on the stroller, and sitting on the ground for a parade. They also make it easy to pull the dress off and keep going.
Something to carry the costume in: a gallon zip bag keeps a dress clean and dry in your park bag until it’s time to change, and holds a sweaty one on the way back. Our guide to how to pack a theme park bag shows where it fits.
Ears: Mickey ears are the most popular accessory in the parks. Our Disney and Universal gifts and stocking stuffers guide covers Mickey ears, including why many families let their kids pick a pair in the park.
We’ve learned that what kids wear matters a lot more by mid-morning than it did when we packed it. On one Disney trip, our older son was miserable in a cotton tee by 11am, and I paid way too much for a shirt in a gift shop that I should have brought from home. The one time we bought a misting fan in the park, it leaked and got the stroller seat wet, and the kids didn’t want to sit in it after that. What we’ve taken from both is that the things that work best on our trips are the ones we chose before we left. That’s how we’d handle a costume too: buy it ahead, have your child wear it at home on a warm day, and keep a backup outfit in the bag.
What’s Overhyped or Skippable
Full polyester jumpsuits in summer. They look great in photos and get hot fast. Save them for a cooler month, or swap for a lighter dress or a character tee.
Long capes and trains. They drag, snag in ride vehicles, and Universal doesn’t allow long trains. Cut or skip them.
Light-up and sound-effect costumes. The batteries die by lunch, and the noise gets old in a long line.
Buying in the park on impulse. If your child falls in love with a dress in the park, it’s your call, but you’ll pay a lot more than you would at home. Ask before the trip what they want to wear, and buy it ahead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Letting a teenager wear a full costume at Disney. Guests 14 and older can’t wear costumes on regular park days.
- ✕Packing a toy sword, blaster, or wand with a pointy end. Leave anything that looks like a weapon at home.
- ✕Trying the costume on for the first time in the hotel room. Scratchy seams and tight sleeves are easier to fix at home.
- ✕Pairing a dress with dress-up shoes. Sneakers every time.
- ✕Making the costume an all-day commitment. Let kids change as soon as they’re hot or tired of it.
What Most People Forget
A backup outfit. A spilled drink or a water ride ends a costume fast. Keep a tee and shorts in the bag.
Sunscreen where the costume doesn’t cover. Sleeveless dresses leave shoulders exposed, and those burn first. Reapply after every water ride and every couple of hours.
Your phone number on your child. A costume makes kids easy to spot, but it doesn’t tell staff who they belong to. Our guide to kid safety gear for Disney and Universal covers simple ways to add it.
Timing the costume. Put it on for the moment that matters, like a princess meet first thing in the morning or a character breakfast, when it’s cooler and the dress is still clean.
Buy the costume before the trip, and pick one built for the heat.
For a Disney princess fan, an officially licensed princess dress worn for the morning meet is the one to get. For a hot day, a Disney character tee and shorts set keeps the fun without the heat. At Universal, a Gryffindor robe for Diagon Alley or a Mario hat for Epic Universe covers it. Buy before you go, check the park rules, pack sneakers and a backup outfit, and let your child decide when the costume comes off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Disney’s rule is that guests 14 and older can’t wear costumes in the theme parks or water parks, so kids 13 and under can. Keep the costume off the ground, skip masks that cover the face, and leave anything that looks like a weapon at home.
Not on a regular park day if they’re 14 or older. Separately ticketed events, like Disney’s Halloween and Christmas parties, allow costumes for all ages with their own rules. Character-inspired everyday outfits are fine any day.
Yes. Universal’s posted policy doesn’t list an age limit, but it doesn’t allow costume masks, veils, long trains, or weapons for anyone. Face paint can cover no more than half the face, and some costumes may not be allowed on certain rides.
Almost always. Character dresses in the parks often cost $60 or more, while a well-reviewed dress online usually costs much less. Used dresses on Facebook Marketplace or from friends cost even less.
They can be in summer. Pick a dress with a cotton lining, no long sleeves or cape, and a length above the ankle. Have your child wear it in the morning and change into a character tee when it heats up.
No. Only some packages include a gown, and there’s a knight package too. Check Disney’s site for current packages, ages, and prices before you book.
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