Whether you are visiting the resort in the heat of summer, or cool of winter – here are the Top 5 tips for staying comfortable in the resort year-round:

1. Change your shoes: This is my favorite stay-comfortable tip! Being on your feet all-day in the parks can really make your feet tired and sore. Changing your shoes about mid-day, or once they are starting to ache, can really pep up your feet (and you)! Start out wearing your most comfy sneakers, or what have you, and toss a pair of supportive sandals or flip flops into your backpack/stroller/locker to change into later in the day – it can really make a world of difference in your energy level. *Bonus – if you want to go on Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Rapids, or any other wet ride or activity, but don’t want to walk around in squishy shoes for the rest of the day – you no longer have to worry, since you’ll have a dry pair waiting for you!

I love these Starbucks + Disney disposable cups, I saved mine from my morning latte and refilled it with water all day!

2. Layer: While the Southern California weather is pretty much perfect year round, the fluctuation in temperature between the morning,  mid-day, and evening can be startling. Layering your clothing with everything from tank tops, t-shirts, cardigans, and jackets can keep you at just the right temperature no matter what time of day or night it is.

3. Stay hydrated: It’s super easy to get dehydrated between all of your walking, and that warm California sun – and no one wants to feel lethargic and yucky at Disneyland! Stay feeling great all day by bringing a refillable water bottle, or buy one early in the day and save it! You can refill it at a number of cold, filtered water spigots throughout Disneyland; click here to see a list of locations!

You may have to look closely to spot the stroller in this scene -every inch of it is covered in our entire family’s stuff… Grandma’s got the baby… a fair trade 🙂

4. Lighten the load: Don’t bog yourself down with a heavy backpack or giant shoulder bag that’s going to weigh you down and leave you feeling uncomfortable! If you have kids, take advantage of that stroller – load everything you can in/on it and let those wheels do the work. You can also rent a locker and pack all of those items in that you will only be needing occasionally (ie. the shoes and jackets from earlier tips). Or, if your kids are older you may be able to get away without bringing anything but what’s in your pockets (for example, instead of bringing your camera and video recorder, just use your smart phone). And as always, minimize where you can and pack only the most essential items.

If your kids can rest in Disney, why not you?

5. Let yourself rest: As much as you may want to go-go-go and get the most out of your Disney day, you’ll get tired, cranky, and enjoy your day less if you don’t let yourself rest every now and then. The afternoon is a particularly good time to take a longer rest since that is the warmest and most crowded time of day. But whether you want to head back to your hotel and lay down for an hour, or find a shady spot and put your feet up for 15 minutes – whatever it takes to refresh your body is going to be worth it in the end to stay comfortable, happy, and enjoy your magical day!

On hot days you’ll need to take a few extra steps to stay comfortable – like wearing hats and sunscreening, seeking out cool places. For tips on how to stay comfortable in the heat, check here and here. 

What tips do you have for us on how to stay comfortable when spending a day (or days) at Disneyland? We’d love to hear from you!

Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.