Disney World reignites debate about clothing that could get you kicked out

A recent viral TikTok showed a woman being forced to buy a shirt after being told her outfit amounted to a Disney dress code violation — yep, like what you'd expect in middle school.

Her experience called attention to rules many guests don't realize are still enforced.

Walt Disney, the founder of his namesake company, which included the Disneyland and Disney World theme parks, wanted to build an amusement park that would be different from other parks in the U.S.

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Walt Disney reportedly thought parks like Coney Island were tawdry, and he wanted to build a place that was the ultimate family-friendly destination.

So when Disneyland opened in 1955, there were lots of rules for both visitors and workers.

For example, employees were prohibited from having mustaches until 2000, and goatees and beards were banned until 2012. Long hair was also a no-no until 2021.

Walt Disney had some other rules that seem quaint in our modern era. Chewing gum was not allowed by guests or employees (chewing gum is not sold in parks, but no one is going to force a guest to spit it out).

In Disneyland, alcohol was sold only in Club 33, a private club, until 2019 when Oga's Cantina opened.

But one thing has remained constant at Disneyland and Disney World: a family-friendly dress code that is in keeping with Walt's early vision.

Visitors to Disney theme parks must adhere to strict dress codes.

Image source: Steven Diaz/Disney Parks via Getty Images

What you can and can't wear at Disney World and Disneyland

A recent incident has renewed attention to what guests are allowed to wear — and what might get them turned away or removed from the parks.

In July, a woman went viral on TikTok after sharing that her outfit prevented her from riding an attraction at Disney's Epcot theme park. A Disney cast member reportedly told the woman, who wore leggings and a sports bra, that she was in violation of Disney's dress code and would need to buy a shirt to continue her visit.

“I was stopped before I could get on the ride,” the guest said in a viral video. “I had to leave the line and buy a $45 shirt to cover up.”

How the dress code at Disney parks is enforced

Disney has not officially commented on the incident, but the company does maintain a clear, though often overlooked, dress code policy. The guidelines prohibit clothing deemed inappropriate for a family environment, including garments that show a lot of skin, clothing with offensive language or graphics, and costumes for anyone over the age of 14 outside of special events.

According to Disney's official website, “Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times.”

The policy also states that Disney reserves the right to deny entry to anyone whose attire may detract from the comfort and safety of other guests.

The dress code at Disney theme parks

This isn't the first time the Disney dress code has made headlines in recent years.

In 2022, one visitor claimed she was given a free t-shirt at Magic Kingdom after employees said her top was inappropriate. More recently, other guests have said they were forced to leave or buy new clothing items if their attire didn't meet the standards.

While Disney's dress code is clearly listed in its terms and conditions, there is still confusion.

Some guests report being allowed into the parks without issue, only to be stopped later when boarding a ride or entering a restaurant.

This confusion about the clothing that is not allowed has sparked debate among parkgoers over what's considered appropriate and how the rules are applied.

Disney guests dress for the weather in Florida

The company's policy is particularly relevant during the hot Florida summers, when many guests wear less clothing. Like everywhere else in the U.S., athleticwear, including sports bras and leggings, has become increasingly worn as everyday clothing.

However, Disney's rules specify that items resembling undergarments, including sports bras, as well as excessively torn clothing, are not permitted.

The park rules also prohibit visible tattoos that could be seen as offensive.

Floor-length garments that drag on the ground are also banned, as they can pose safety hazards on certain attractions.

Before heading to any Disney park, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, the company recommends reviewing its attire guidelines.