When visiting a Disney theme park, it is an exciting time, and many of us have rituals and traditions that accompany our experience. For some, it might be starting at a particular restaurant for a certain meal; for others, they might enjoy wearing a specific accessory or matching clothing. For myself, a trip to the magic wouldn’t be the same without a handful of my favorite Disney Ear Headbands along for the ride. Not only do I love wearing them in their natural environment, but I love the way they liven up photos with the family as well. When it comes to ear headbands, there are so many options to choose from and take it from me; not all are created equally. Choosing the right ones to suit your personality, wardrobe, and head can be harder than you think. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned from experience to choose the right option for you.
Never Buy Without Trying Them On
You would think that all of the headbands themselves would be exactly the same. However, there are some slight variations in the band itself, either by design or natural variation in manufacturing, that make some stiffer and tighter than others. I’m not talking a lot. You won’t find some that fall off and others that don’t, as if there are unmarked sizes. But if you are like me, with a bigger head that is prone to headaches, migraines, and any sort of allergy known to man, trying a few on can likely find one that will put a little less pressure on your skull, enough to delay the onset of those nasty reactions. If it feels tight when you try it on, that will only intensify throughout the day, and this beautiful Disney accessory will be doomed to spend more time in your backpack than on display.
Think Twice About Sequins
I know, I get it; the sequin headbands look fantastic. Many in my collection have this feature, and I love the way they sparkle and catch the light. But, I do need to caution anyone with hair they like to wear out, especially my curly girls out there; these can be a trap. Upstyles, no problem. Keeping your hair out and free? After a slight breeze or enthusiastic head turn, the sequins catch the strands of your hair and get tangled very easily. My curls are the worst, and a couple of times, I’ve ended up standing in line trying to unravel a few pesky strands of hair that have woven themselves in between the sequins. It’s not fun. There is a trick, though! There are two types of sequins. Some are almost flat, and you can run your finger over them without much resistance. These are usually the ones with the plushier ears. Others, often the flatter ears, have much more texture, and the sequins sit up from the ear itself, feeling quite rough when you feel them. Those are the troublemakers! If you prefer to wear your hair out, keep this one in mind before grabbing the sparkles.
Consider Adaptive Ears
Sometimes, they call them “adaptive.” Other times, it’s an “Ear Headband with Strap,” in any case, these are ear options that secure with a strap around the bottom of your head rather than the pure force of the band gripping the sides of your head. If you are (again, like me) prone to headaches and other issues around your face, consider a pair of these to take all that pressure off your head. Because of how they fasten (at the base of your skull), these have a tendency to sit slightly more forward than the headbands do, so I highly recommend having a few bobby pins on hand to help secure them in the right spot. A small price to pay for all-day comfort! This version of ears can be harder to find in the parks so check out shopDisney.com before your visit and consider buying in advance.
Be Mindful of Your Outfits
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying Disney Ears. Sometimes, we gravitate to our favorite Disney characters or the most elaborate pair we can find, only to realize that they don’t blend well with the outfits we’ve packed for the trip. Some of my favorite ears barely get worn because (even though magnificent at the time of purchase) they don’t coordinate well with my wardrobe. Choosing a design with not too many colors and a theme that isn’t going to age too quickly.
I hope these help you to select the perfect pair of ears for your Disney trip. If you’ve got a few in your collection, let me know what your favorites are. I’m hard-pressed to go past my black and frangipani Aulani ears, but I’m open to suggestions for my next trip.
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
