If you’re heading to Disneyland Paris and planning to take a dip at your resort pool, you may want to double-check what you’re packing. While France has a unique approach to swimwear—particularly in public pools—guests have been wondering whether the same rules apply at Disney hotels. A recent Reddit thread sheds some helpful light on the subject.
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A Guest Asks: Can I Wear a Swim Top?
One user, who typically swims wearing a rash guard (a close-fitting swim shirt) with bikini bottoms for health reasons, asked whether this type of modest swimwear would be allowed at the Disneyland Paris hotel pools. The guest had heard of France’s restrictions on certain types of swimwear—especially more modest or full-coverage styles like burkinis—and wanted to be sure before arriving.
They were booked at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, but with the hotel pool temporarily closed, they had been informed they would be redirected to another pool during their stay—though which one wouldn’t be revealed until check-in.
The Response: Disney Seems Flexible
The good news? A fellow traveler quickly chimed in to offer reassurance. According to their experience, Disneyland Paris hotel pools aren’t nearly as strict as some municipal French pools. They shared that wearing a rash guard wasn’t an issue and no one raised concerns—so long as the material was appropriate for swimming and not overly see-through.
“If you can see too much through the top, they might ask you to wear something under it,” the reply explained. “Not because it’s France, but because it’s a family place.” In other words, discretion is key, but functionality and modesty are generally not frowned upon—especially at Disney.
The same user pointed out a bit of irony in the conversation about modesty: “Some of the French swimwear would draw crowds elsewhere.” In fact, many French pools require men to wear tight-fitting swim briefs (yes, Speedo-style), which is often cited as a hygiene measure and a cultural norm in France.
The Broader Context: France’s Unique Swimwear Rules
In public pools across France, swimwear policies are enforced much more strictly than at private or resort facilities. Here’s a quick overview:
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No Baggy Shorts or Full-Cover Swimwear: Loose-fitting clothing like board shorts or full-body swimwear is typically banned in French public pools due to hygiene regulations.
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Burkini Bans: Full-body swimsuits known as burkinis have been banned in many municipalities. The justification often cited is hygiene, though critics argue the bans discriminate on religious grounds.
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Council of State Ruling: France’s highest administrative court upheld the bans, asserting they are necessary to maintain hygiene and public order—not religious in nature.
These rules have led to heated public debates, particularly around religious expression and discrimination.
What This Means for Disney Guests
Fortunately, Disney hotel pools are operated privately and generally don’t enforce the same restrictions as public pools in France. While they still ask guests to wear swimwear that’s appropriate, they’re reportedly flexible about styles like rash guards and more modest suits—as long as the garments are designed for swimming and aren’t overly bulky.
That said, guests should still avoid wearing non-swim-specific clothes like cotton t-shirts or streetwear in the pool. Swimwear should be made of proper materials, and the fit should not pose hygiene or safety concerns.
Bring It, but Be Smart
If you prefer more modest swimwear for health, religious, or personal reasons, you should be fine at a Disneyland Paris hotel pool. Just be sure what you’re wearing is swim-specific and isn’t excessively loose or layered.
And if you’re staying at a hotel with a temporarily closed pool, Disney will provide access to another pool at a nearby property. The policy should be the same across the resort, but if you’re unsure, it never hurts to ask at the front desk.
Safe swimming — and don’t forget your swim cap if you’re heading to a French public pool instead!
