Ultimate Disney World Packing List Tips: What to Bring & Unique Ideas
This guide covers what to pack for Walt Disney World, with a checkable packing list of essentials, smart stuff to bring in your backpack for park days, and 50+ unique products and clever gadgets that’ll improve your trip, helping keep you powered, stay cool & comfortable in Florida’s weather. (Updated March 23, 2024.)
The first part of this Disney packing list highlights the less-obvious items–things you never knew you needed. These are interesting and sometimes odd things we’ve learned about over the years, some of which have dramatically improved our experiences when traveling. We pack some of these when visiting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Tokyo, Paris, and beyond. Consider including some of them in your luggage.
The second half is our comprehensive Disney packing list that you can download and save. This encompasses things you almost certainly already own–but might forget without this downloadable packing list for Walt Disney World. We use this checklist to make sure we’ve remembered all the basics. As for unique items, we update this list regularly with new ideas, plus essentials based upon feedback and suggestions from readers. We love discovering innovative things that improve travel, so please share your finds and recommendations in the comments!
March 23, 2024 Update: While we haven’t added anything new to the list with this update, several of the new-for-2024 additions (and more) are deeply-discounted as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. In particular, here are the following categories with substantial savings:
- Anker Chargers & Power Banks
- Packing Cubes & Compression Bags
- Personal Fans
- Disney Loungefly Bags
- TravelPro Luggage
There’s also a lot of Disney stuff on sale that is not related to travel. See our full List of the Best 2024 Big Spring Sale Deals for Disney Fans for a complete roundup of the toys, books, games, and travel accessories.
If you’re going to order this stuff for your trip and don’t want to hassle with bringing it with you, it’s possible to place an order with Amazon.com prior to our trip and have the items shipped to your Walt Disney World resort. In Address Line 2, specify your arrival date. Resorts now charge a $6 package handling fee will apply to all packages that are received by the hotel. This fee does not apply to grocery delivery.
Anyway, the idea behind this list is not that you buy and pack everything here. These are just ideas, not a list of comprehensive necessities for Walt Disney World. If you packed all of this, you’d be taking way too much. We are firm believers in not overpacking. It’s important to comb through this list, determine what might help improve YOUR vacation, and take that. Not everything here is for everyone–they’re just ideas.
Note that we receive a small commission from Amazon for your purchases, so buying through these links helps support the site. However, neither the price you pay nor our recommendations are impacted by that. We only recommend products that we’ve bought and used ourselves, or that come highly recommended from friends or readers (if the particular products aren’t applicable to us).
With all of that said, let’s get to the unique item Disney packing list, and then the packing checklist. We’ll start with the items our readers love the most–smart items that’ll save you time, money, stress, or (literally) physical discomfort and pain!
Smart Stuff to Pack
Anker Nano Portable Charger – I just started using this in 2024, and it’s already my new favorite charger. The big selling point is the built-in Lightning connector for iPhones, meaning that you don’t need to carry additional cords. That alone is a game-changer for me, as I can hold the phone in my hand while the charger is attached and simply use it like normal. The only downside is slightly slower charging than the other batteries below, but everything is about tradeoffs, and that’s one I will happily make.
Compact Portable Charger – Poor phone reception in the parks and the need to check wait times, planning apps, use Genie+ to book Lightning Lanes, or share photos via social media can be a drain on your battery. This device has dual ports capable of fast-charging, making it perfect for the two of us. Here are other options we have and like:
- Anker “Lipstick Sized” Battery – This is commonly known as a “lipstick charger” due to its shape and size and is approximately 2 full phone charges. This is pocket-sized.
- Anker Ultra-Compact Battery – Double the capacity of the first battery, giving you around 4 full phone charges. It’s a bit bulkier, but still easy to throw in a lightweight backpack. This one also works well for the two of us.
- Anker High Capacity Battery – With a whopping 8 full charges, this will get an entire family (or one teenager) through a day at WDW. In our opinion, you’re better off buying 2 of the middle battery, but to each their own.
Anker 3-Port Charging Block – This is a niche product, but it’s another game-changer for me. For a while, we had stopped bringing power strips and adapters to Walt Disney World, instead using the new wall charging ports in hotel rooms at Walt Disney World. The only problem is that those are slow as molasses in January, as my grandma would say.
This Anker 3-port block charges my Nikon mirrorless camera, laptop, and phone simultaneously and the device is smaller than my Macbook charger by itself. It’ll be overkill for a lot of people, but it’s absolutely perfect for me!
Anker Outlet Extender – If you don’t need something that advanced (really only necessary for high-end cameras or laptops), this is a much less expensive alternative that also gives you added outlets. I don’t think extra outlets are necessary for Walt Disney World hotels, but you’ll presumably use this elsewhere. We like it for older hotels where outlets are more scarce.
Anker 4-Port USB Phone Charger – Same idea, but all USB. We used to use this before getting the 3-port block.
Autograph Book Substitute – Instead of having characters sign a blank page, have them sign this actual book about 150+ Disney characters. After the trip, it’ll be a treasured keepsake for your kids. We’ve heard tons of feedback on Facebook from people who have tried–and loved–this! (Do NOT buy the Disney Pixar Character Encyclopedia New Edition. That’s an “update” to the best autograph book substitute, but it’s no longer suitable for autograph purposes. You’ve been warned!)
Lightweight & Water Resistant Travel Backpack — You probably already own a backpack, so hear us out on this. The material is super-thin, meaning it’ll easily pack into your luggage. The bigger selling point is the light and breathable material, which is critical in the Florida heat. It’s designed to stay cool while hiking and other strenuous activities…and visiting Walt Disney World definitely qualifies!
Repel Travel Umbrella – This travel umbrella is compact, windproof, and has a lifetime guarantee. We have ruined so a few umbrellas that have been caught by gusts of wind at Walt Disney World, so this actually is important.
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad – By far the most popular item on this list, and for good reason! Chilly Pads use some sort of space-age science material (or witchcraft?) to simultaneously be “cool and dry.” After getting wet and being wrung out, the towel becomes cooler than the outside air, providing cooling relief without the wet mess. When it stops cooling, re-wet the towel and wring it out. Boom, cold again.
Frogg Toggs Chilly Sport – Same idea, but different dimensions that makes this even more suitable for wearing around your neck. A good alternative if you want to save a little money on your Frogg Toggs purchase.
Sukeen Cooling Towel 4-Pack – Some people don’t like the Frogg Toggs texture, which might make this breathable mesh material more attractive. The cooling system uses moisture from the towel to draw the sweat away from your skin to keep you cool. We do not find these Sukeen towels as effective as the Frogg Toggs and don’t actually recommend them as a result, but some Walt Disney World fans prefer them. YMMV.
Crocs LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneaker – Want to recreate the stylistic sensibilities of a mid-tier Disney blogger? Well that ‘fit can be yours with these shoes! Joking aside, I cannot recommend these highly enough. (Here’s the women’s version of the shoe.) In case you missed it, they were the centerpiece of our list of the Best Shoes for Walt Disney World.
5-Pack of “Pro” Ponchos – While these are technically disposable, they’re a thicker and higher quality material than the ponchos above. They’re easy to reuse–just hang them up to dry in your hotel room! Unless you really want to throw away your ponchos after each use, this is the superior option. For something with even more personality and durability, Sarah loves this reusable “Minnie Mouse-Inspired” Polka Dot Poncho.
10-Pack of Disposable Ponchos – These will save you a ton of money. Ponchos in the parks cost $10 each, and over the course of a vacation, that can really add up. We recommend taking a 10-pack of ponchos (or more) for your group. They’re small and easy to throw in a backpack.
Body Glide – Since making the original list, many others have recommended this product to us as the best way to combat chaffing. Unless you normally walk 10+ miles per day at home over the course of several consecutive days, this is a very real problem that many people will unexpectedly experience. Better to be safe than sorry!
Moleskin Padding Roll – Along those same lines, your “dogs will be barking.” Seriously, one of the biggest shocks visitors have is all of the walking at Walt Disney World, which can be brutal on your feet. This stuff is a great “insurance policy” that can work miracles, saving your feet significant discomfort and pain.
Parade Mat – This durable blanket is a great alternative to sitting on the ground while you wait for parades at Disney, but it works in a number of scenarios in the parks. This has weighted corners, is pocket-size, and puncture-resistant. It’s also water-resistant, so you can use it as a poncho in a pinch. It’s really versatile!
Life Straw Go Filter Water Bottle – Florida water tastes awful straight from the tap, so it’s key to get a bottle with a filter. This bottle is the best option, hands down. It’s durable, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and uses a 2-stage activated carbon filter reduces odor, chlorine and leaves zero aftertaste!
Brita Filter Water Bottles – If you don’t want to spend as much money, this is the second-best option. It’s inexpensive and durable. Not quite as effective or durable as the above option, but still good. Either way, we highly recommend bringing a water bottle. It’s increasingly difficult to enter counter service restaurants (or find open snack stands) to get cups of water.
Collapsible Water Bottles – These don’t have filters–essential for us given the taste of Florida’s water–but if you’re more concerned with saving space and convenience, they’re a great alternative. Maybe you like the taste of swamp water!
Apple AirTags – We now use AirTags to track our car (good for rental cars that can get lost in the sea of the TTC), checked baggage (good for peace of mind), and much more that isn’t relevant to travel.
The best use of all that we have not tried is tracking strollers. In a recent article about Walt Disney World’s new strollers, several readers complained that Cast Members relocate parked strollers, making them difficult to find. AirTags should offer a great solution to this problem! There are tons of great non-Disney uses for AirTags, or their non-Apple counterpart, Tile Pro Tracker.
Stroller Fan – Technically, this is a clip-on desk fan. If you read the reviews, almost everyone buying it is using it for strollers. It’s great to keep your kids cool, and it’ll last 5-10 hours before the battery needs to be recharged–which can be done via USB with one of the external chargers above. This is perfect for the hottest hours of the day at Walt Disney World!
Glow in the Dark “Stuff” – Okay, this might seem silly or pointless (my initial thought), but these glow-sticks are very useful. They make it easy to find your family (or stroller!) in the crowds at night. Kids love creating cool things to wear out of them–very fun stuff!
Packing Cubes – These are perfect for organizing, and make it easier to to manage your luggage. I love this 4-piece set as they’re the perfect size for organizing a carry-on size suitcase.
Compression Cubes – There are two great options here–I’ve moved on to these compression cubes, as I find they save more space in my luggage, which is huge for me. Below is the cheaper alternative, if you’re simply looking to stay organized.
Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2-Pack – One of us uses handwarmers a lot when traveling anywhere that’s even mildly cold. The upside to this is it’s a reusable device that doesn’t use who-knows-what chemicals to magically work. The downside is it takes up more space. Maybe the fact that they look like mean owls will be what tips the scales towards buying.
Bladeless Personal Neck Fan — Dorky, but shockingly effective. It’s like a nice little breeze that’ll cool you down a bit. Sarah prefers it to the Frogg Toggs due to this being dry, which is better for her long hair. For me, it’s more of a toss-up. While this fan is quiet and effective, it’s also a tad annoying and, again, dorky.
Foldable Handheld Fan – I prefer this fan. Sure, you have to hold it, but it’s less dorky and offers top-notch performance.
Darn Tough Socks – A running theme of this list is “things to make the Florida heat and humidity slightly less miserable.” Well, these socks fit the bill on that front. As a warning, they are expensive, but they’re made in the USA, have a lifetime warranty, and are incredibly high quality. Most importantly, they’re soft and comfortable, as well as sweat-wicking and odor-resisting.
On a similar note, we also highly recommend quick drying underwear to avoid the dreaded swamp bottom. I’ve purchased this pair and am a fan, but the best-value option for both men and women that we’ve found is UNIQLO Airism. That’s our go-to brand.
WetBrush Pro Detangle – This hair brush performs well with wet hair, and your hair will get wet if you’re visiting Walt Disney World. A staple of Sarah’s Disney bag.
Honest Co. Hand Sanitizer Spray – Walt Disney World has removed its in-park hand sanitizer stations, but even if they hadn’t, we’d recommend this instead. It’s higher quality and won’t leave your hands feeling dry after a few days.
Sanitizer Wipes – Same idea here with these alcohol-free sanitizer wipes. Walt Disney World is magical, but not magically clean. Every surface has been touched by countless other hands. These are great to clean your hands, phone, stroller, or literally any surface–an essential item to reduce your chances of getting sick on vacation!
Sun Bum Oil-Free Face Stick Sunscreen – My face sunburns really easily and I’ve tried numerous sunscreens to combat this over the years to no avail. While a bit pricey, this works fantastically. As an added bonus, it smells delicious!
EltaMD Face Sunscreen — Sarah favors this fancier brand of face sunscreen, which is recommended by dermatologists and distinguished scientists from all over the world. (Probably.)
Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel – No matter how diligent I am about applying sunscreen, I invariably end up getting a little (or a lot) too much sun. This offers relief and recovery. Hopefully you won’t need to use it, but the Florida sun can really sneak up on you!
Post-It Notes – On a related note, if you have kids who are afraid of loud toilets (per several commenters, this is a thing), pack some post-it notes to cover the automatic sensor that can otherwise cause “premature” flushing.
Memory Foam Neck Pillow Airplane Travel Kit — This kit also includes a velour cover, sleep mask, and earplugs. Sarah uses the pillow, sleep mask, and above headphones for flights. She looks real cool.
Shout Wipes – Shout Wipes, Tide pens, anything that can clean up stains. I’m an expert at making messes, and these stain treaters are lifesavers.
Downy Wrinkle Releaser – Clothes packed in suitcases can get wrinkled and no one likes ironing. A much better solution than letting wrinkled clothes “air de-wrinkle,” like I do when I forget to pack this.
Discounted Disney Pins – This one isn’t so much a practical thing to pack as a money-saving one. If you’ve read our Disney Pin Trading Tips post, you know that pin trading is a fun, albeit expensive thing to do in the parks. However, by buying pins before your trip online, you can pay ~$1 per pin instead of $8-10. Highly recommended!
Wireless Sleep Mask Headphones — Sarah has used “last gen” variations of this product for years, swearing by both sleep masks for travel and ‘cozy’ headphones for getting rest on flights.
Reusable Straws – A new addition to the list, as both WDW and Disneyland have eliminated plastic straws (and in-park Starbucks use terrible paper straws that disintegrate after about 10 minutes). A good item to throw in your backpack.
Pop-up Hamper – With how much money you pay for a hotel room, you probably don’t want it to look like the perfect habitat for Oscar the Grouch halfway through your trip. We’ve found the biggest issue always (ALWAYS!) is with dirty laundry, and a good way to keep this under control is by bringing a pop-up hamper.
Travel Sunscreen Packets – For your arms, legs, neck, etc., we recommend these sunscreen packets. If you’ve ever had a tube of sunscreen spill in your luggage or backpack (we have…many times), you know how inconvenient it can be. These individual travel packets take care of that problem, and are also much easier to put in your pocket or in a bag. They’re a perfect solution!
Crocs Classic Sandal – If you don’t care about style, Crocs are your best option for staying comfortable when walking around the parks.
SPF Sun Hat – Sarah has several different colors of this cheap and fashionable sun hat, and wears them in the parks to keep the sun off of her face, and to stay cool. They are breathable and lightweight. The only downside is their large size, which makes them difficult to pack (we recommend carrying them on).
Crocs LiteRide Sandal or OluKai Ohana Sandal – Sarah several types sandals (the Crocs listed first are her most recent addition) that perfectly combine comfort and cuteness, and provide enough comfort so your feet won’t hurt after logging miles in the parks.
Aqua Socks for Water Parks & Pools – If you’re planning on visiting Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, or spending time at your hotel’s pool, these are essential. The pavement gets hot–so hot it’s uncomfortable to walk on it without these.
Finally, check out Sarah’s What to Wear to Disney page dedicated to where she shops and ideas for finding cute outfits that are also practical for those humid days in the parks. She also has Tips for Accessorizing for Disney, to give your normal outfits cute ‘dashes of Disney.’
Food & Drinks for Disney
Although not packing per se, we’d strongly recommend making a grocery run upon arrival or having food delivered to your hotel at Walt Disney World. At a minimum, get breakfast items so you’re not wasting precious time in the morning. Read our Guide to Grocery Delivery at Walt Disney World for our tips on that, and why breakfast is (mostly) a waste of money at Walt Disney World restaurants.
If you opt against grocery delivery for whatever reason–or want to supplement it with items from Amazon–here’s what we recommending order to fuel you during a day in the parks…
Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee – We each “need” 3-4 servings of caffeine per day to function. Buying coffee in the parks would add up quickly and cost us a lot of time. Cutting coffee from our travel budget saves us a ton of money, and is worth it even if we look like cheapskates making coffee in the parks.
Caffeine Mints – Each one of these mints has about as much caffeine as coffee or an energy drink, so they will give you the energy to get through evening Extra Magic Hours, but won’t give you coffee breath or make you have to run to the restroom while in line for Toy Story Mania. Win-win!
Clif Bar Energy Bars – An excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamins, Clif Bars are a nice, healthy snack for between trips to Aloha Isle. Feel a little less guilty about having 3 Dole Whips per day by balancing with these.
Lenny & Larry’s Complete Protein Cookie – Want something even healthy? These cookies have a ton of protein and fiber, but have no high fructose corn syrup, no sugar alcohols, no artificial sweeteners. Plus, they’re vegan.
Chomps Beef Sticks – These are now our go-to beef jerky for the parks–they’re also available at Trader Joe’s and a variety of other grocery stores. (We like every flavor except the cranberry one.)
If you are considering a purchase of any of these items or any other supplies for your vacation, we would greatly appreciate it if you use the links to Amazon in this post to make your purchase. It benefits the site, doesn’t cost you anything, and help us to keep providing you with useful content.
Alright, as promised, here’s our Disney packing checklist…
This Walt Disney World packing checklist includes a bunch of the above unique items that we recommend to improve your Disney trip, plus more common things that you won’t want to forget, too. Once again, you should NOT pack everything on this list for Walt Disney World. It simply covers all of the important stuff that you might need. No one is going to need all of this stuff.
With this list, we tried to skip things that are unnecessary (like shampoo, conditioner, a first aid kit, etc.) because you can find them in your hotel room or in the parks, or because they aren’t realistically necessary for most people. There’s the temptation to over-pack (especially with all the clever ideas on this list), and that should be resisted. There’s no need for 3 suitcases per person on a weeklong trip to Walt Disney World! 😉
Finally, this Walt Disney World packing guide was not tailored towards any specific season. If you’re visiting between April and late October, consult our Summer Packing Tips for Disney post for suggestions on beating the heat and handling humidity. This summer has been brutal pretty much everywhere, including Central Florida. There are a couple of items on this list that’ll help you keep cool, but we’d also recommend dressing practically. Looking stylish for photos can be fun…but not at the expense of comfort.
Temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up, as the heart of hurricane season starts this month. Storm season brings heat, humidity, and spontaneous downpours. The triple weather whammy! On rare occasion, the parks can also close due to hurricanes–that has happened on a few occasions in the last several years. So be prepared for that if you’re visiting this summer or early fall. See our Guide to Storm Season at Walt Disney World for an updated forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season, historical info about past storms that caused closures, and more.
Those heading to the parks between November and February, supplement this with our Winter Packing Tips for Disney post instead. True winter weather is exceedingly rare in Central Florida, but due to the humidity and big swings in daytime highs versus nighttime lows, it can feel cold during a few months of the year. Orlando weather can be like a roller coaster, and unlike the Walt Disney World variety, it’s not always fun. Basically, there are about 3 weeks per year when Central Florida weather is predictably temperate and mild!
Need Disney trip planning tips and comprehensive advice? Make sure to read Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guides, where you can find comprehensive guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond! For Disney updates, discount information, a free download of our Walt Disney World eBook, and much more, sign up for our free monthly newsletter!
Your Thoughts
What unique items do you recommend packing for a Disney trip? What clever items do you pack to improve your experience? Any ‘smart’ items you’d add to this list? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Love your blog but why must you recommend people buy counterfeit pin lots on Amazon which are just as fake as those on eBay? You can get affordable pin lots elsewhere… granted maybe not that cheap, maybe closer to just under $2 each plus shipping, but at least they’d be authentic. Joining pin trading groups on Facebook is a good start to finding trusted sellers who sell these but one who also has a website is Pinderella. I’ve never bought from her but she’s very trusted in the community. There are others. I know must people who start trading at the parks just do it for fun and don’t care that their pins are fake, but many of us would appreciate a bit of effort to keep cast members’ boards free of fakes, if it’s not to much to ask.
i’ve been buying pin lots off ebay for years an never once had a problem with any fake pins. check the seller’s feedback, if there is a problem, someone will have noted it with negative reviews.
I would definitely stay away from sellers with bad reviews, but 100% positive reviews do not guarantee that the seller sells authentic pins. Most people can’t tell the difference and just give a positive review. I have also bought pins off eBay, but never cheap pin lots and never without first getting a reference check (not just reading reviews on eBay). It’s usually not too hard to tell who are the sellers selling fakes. There are a few tell-tell signs: they are based abroad (usually China), they sell many of the usually faked pins, they say they sell “Disney trading pins” but don’t use the word “authentic.” Then when the pins arrive they’re usually, though not always, in individual small ziplock bags. I’d love to check the seller who you’ve used in the past. Care to share the username?
Hey Tom, just reading through the updated list to look for any new ideas for our long weekend trip down to WDW this coming weekend. We’ve been using packing cubes for our last few trips the last couple years or so since my wife bought them at your suggestion – likely in this article.
I’m particularly intrigued now about the update adding the compression packing cubes. With all of your traveling, I’m curious if you’ve tried the other Gonex ones (not the mesh ones, but the water resistant ones) and if they’re essentially the same except for the material.
Moreover, I’m trying to figure out how much more space they save than the regular packing cubes and whether you pack them differently? In other words, we roll the clothes for the packing cubes – have you found that is still the best way for the compression ones or does it work out better packed flat? Since we’re only bringing carry-ons this trip, I like the idea of additional space-saving.
I have not tried the other ones. These Gonex ones were an Amazon Prime Day find, which is the only reason we have them. If paying full price, I’m not sure I would’ve splurged on these over normal packing cubes.
I’ve found that folding like normal works just fine for these–which is part of why I like them. (With that said, rolling is probably ideal if you’re looking to avoid wrinkles, but I hang all of my clothes in the shower before wearing the.)
Hope that helps!
Very helpful – thank you. I won’t have the mesh ones to compare with, but I’ll try to report on the other ones. For the price, I decided to go with them having 4 cubes (for $27, vs. 3 for $21 or 5 for $36 on the other style). I’ve done the rolling with the regular packing cubes at my wife’s direction, but honestly I don’t find it helps that much with wrinkles. It definitely helps for packing stuff into the regular cubes though. I usually bring a couple nicer shirts, so I do the same thing with hanging them in the bathroom.
Thanks for the reply!
I have read the trading pins need to be authentic for trading with Cast Members. How can I tell which are authentic? There seem to be mixed reviews from the link in the blog.
Thank you for all the valuable tips! I’m having so much fun planning!
just go on ebay and look for pin sellers with 100% positive feedback. any negative feedback is probably your first clue because surely peopelwill report via feedback and selling of fake pins. i’ve been doing this for years and never once had a problem with a single pin being fake from any lot i’ve ever purchased.
Please do not buy from trading pins lots from eBay. Positive reviews does not guarantee you authentic pins. Telling fakes from authentics can sometimes be hard and most people can’t tell the difference so they just leave a positive review. Most cast members can’t tell the difference either, which is why so many pin boards at the parks are full of fake pins. So, I guess, if you just want to trade for fun and don’t care that you’re buying and trading fake pins and supporting the industry behind it, then sure, buy pin lots from Amazon and eBay. There is a very small chance that a cast member will refuse to trade with you because they just can’t refuse. It wouldn’t be very magical if a cast member refused to trade with a small child even if they noticed their pin was faked. But in my mind, just because you can, does’t mean you should. If you wanted to get an authentic pin lot, I would Google Pinderella shop and buy from her, or if you’d like to get your own references then I’d join a Facebook pin trading group (my favorite is Disney King Pins, but there are plenty!) and get recommendations from other traders. Happy trading!
Reusable straws. Amazon has several types, some collapsible with tiny cases. Disney seems to be moving to paper straws (yucky!) or at AK, no straws. Also, hit up the Dollar Store, and grab a handful of the compact washcloths that expand when they get wet. They have tons of Disney and Marvel designs. These are great to use on sticky faces and hands, or just to cool-down with. Walmart and Amazon both have power strips that have a couple of USB ports on them- great if you have multiple devices (like C-Paps, sound machines, etc) but still have several phones to charge.
I don’t like trying to fit my backpack under my poncho on water rides so I always bring a new kitchen size plastic garbage bag to put it in during the ride.
We have used most of ideas but the one thing we changed was the ponchos. We did the dollar store ones and the ones on Amazon and they were too cheap and didn’t keep us protected. I use a power wheelchair and I have to make sure my controller is covered and dry. We have the Disney ones we purchased years ago to replace the cheaper ones and we are still using them.
A pad of sticky notes. My children still make me go in a stall with them when they come across self-flushing toilets. Since Disney is full of them, I place the sticky note over the sensor and my kids are back on their own.
This is genius!
On our first Disney trip I found my 5 year old daughter and I spent a lot of time arguing over “Can I get this?” every time a ride exit dumped us in a gift shop. The next year, I went to Walmart and bought a couple dolls, a t-shirt and some nightgowns (which she needed anyway). As we left our room each morning, I left something on the bed for our return. Any time she started to beg, I’d remind her there was a surprise waiting for her. It worked, plus I could control the cost and pick out some useful items. Now I always put “room surprises” on my packing list. (Glow sticks or light up toys are always good.)
Clever! what my parents did was set us a budget. It taught us about money, budgeting and we learned to really pick what we wanted. So we still got a Disney souvenir but we were not spoiled either and given anything we asked for. My parents were definitely both fair and strict. 🙂
We booked our first trip in early January and gave my kids a souvenir jar (an empty dishwasher tablet container with a cutout on top). I told them that all spare silver change could go in the jar and that would be their only souvenir money. About once a month I take it to the bank to exchange it for bills and put those in a jar. So far they are up to $80 with a little over 60 days left. It’s been a fun way for the family to work together looking for spare change and teaching them the value of saving for something and they’ll learn to stick to a budget with what they have.
That’s a great idea!! I read on another blog a lady did the same thing, but called them Tinkerbell surprises, and if the kids were good, then TInk would leave them a little surprise (gifts from Walmart, Dollar Tree and Target Dollar Spot).
Once again your ideas are a Life Saver. The Frog towels kept us Cool, Refreshed & protected the shoulders from Sunburn, while standing in lines in Mid July ! The Ponchos & waterproof Backpack cover kept EVERYTHING DRY…Even the socks & sneakers we changed into after the Water rides & rain was over !
Beef Jerkey is a favorite easy-to-tote snack that my husband and youngest child greatly enjoy … but it’s SO expensive! Instead of buying whatever brand you just mentioned, Tom, consider making your own homemade jerkey. For a fraction of the price and 15 minutes’ hands-on work, you can have a whole ziplock bag of the stuff.
We find moleskin useless, but we always bring a gross of Johnson and Johnson hydro-seal blister band-aids in assorted sizes. They are brilliant. You put it right on over the blister or hot spot and thats it. They stay on for days, you can even put another one on top. They have saved us past 2 trips and we never come with out them.
Hands down this is the best back pack to use – light weight, similar to parachute material, and it folds up into a tiny pouch. We used it on a hiking trip out west when we had to shed 4 jackets that we were able to roll up and put inside this thing! We’ve traveled with it everywhere!! https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Clark-ElectroLight-Multipurpose-Lightweight/dp/B00004SRCS
Don’t know why my email is on my post? How do I delete that?
Leigh, I can’t see your email address so I guess you can only see it on your end.
I removed it.
It is unusually hot here in Florida. Just came back from Disney and could only spend two hours in Epcot due to 95 degree temp and so much concrete. Went back in the evening time. MK the next day. Spent most of my time by the resort pool so this trip was disappointing due to the heat. We had 102 yesterday which was close to the record set of 104 a century ago. Sunscreen, water, hat, everything, but just too much to bear for too long at a time.
I’m preparing for my family’s first trip to WDW and this blog has been insanely helpful, but there’s one thing missing from this list for me: Does anyone have good shoe recommendations for children? I have a 10 y.o. son who will absolutely not wear crocs, so I’m looking for something similar to the Rykas (quick drying & lightweight, but still supportive) for his little boy feet? Any ideas would be appreciated! 🙂
We just got my soon to be 7 year old a pair of Columbia Spinner Shoes. They are soon light weight! He loves them, and they dry really quickly if they get wet. They make them in little kids that velcro and big kids with ties. Super cute shoes for boys, IMP, but they have other options also. https://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/ColumbiaSportswear2/1826901_025_f2?wid=767&hei=767&fmt=jpeg&qlt=80,1&op_sharpen=0&resMode=sharp2&op_usm=1,1,6,0&iccEmbed=0
Awesome! Thank you so much
Nike Rifts are really comfy and light weight, we go this August and I have just got my 10 year old son Crocs Unisex Kids’ SwftwtrMeshSndK Gladiator Sandals, (Cerulean Blue/Smoke), 3 Child UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HUVQUPA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_kb5.Cb907XGNS
But all black and he’s been ok about them as he usually wears Nike Sunrays which as so very alike…
Elise – also check out LL Bean as they have a nice selection of kids water sandals and shoes.
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/503575?page=kids-sandals-and-water-shoes
I will definitely check that out! Thank you!!
Natives. Keens are not as lightweight but much more supportive. Various styles in each brand
Should be noted that at Pop Century and potentially other value resorts that last time I ordered items from Amazon for delivery to my hotel they charged me $5 for each package, which isn’t bad except amazon sent everything separately so I had like 10 packages. Which would’ve covered my checked bag fee. So I’d recommend choosing the “send in as few boxes as possible” option on Amazon checkout.
You can’t forget your external charger.
I love her outfits.
Such a helpful post.
This list is very useful – Thank you!!
I’ve seen many “what-to-pack” lists, but what I really want to know now is recommendations on good bags to pack stuff in to bring into the park. Something big enough to bring the essentials, comfortable to wear, great organizer (pockets), convenient, etc.
I’m not fond of backpacks b/c they make my back sweaty and are so cumbersome and hard to go in & out of all day, so some kind of shoulder bag would be ideal….if anyone has suggestions 🙂
I just bought a fanny pack for my trip next week. Not very fashion forward, but super practical.
I bought one of these for myself and both of my daughters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GCJ15QU/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It’s small enough that it doesn’t bother anyone to carry but big enough to fit cellphones, small autograph books, small “snack packs” that I make up for them, plus a bottle of water. And it has a secret pocket for money. It is not waterproof but we put everything in ziplock bags to prevent water damage. My daughters also loaded the front up with pins and had no issues with losing them in the parks.
Oh and as it is a sling bag, you can wear it in the front, back, or on the side. I prefer the front so I can get to things easier but my one daughter wears hers like a backpack and my other daughter carries hers like a purse.
Thanks Lauren!! I love this a lot and put it on my want list – I think I’ll give it a try 🙂
Can you wear it on rides?
Im not sure if you are looking for a crossbody type bag, but Kavus are great options. I use mine at WDW , and it is great!
I love my cross body bag. Mine is designed like a Kavu bag but I researched and found the lightest bag I could. I like it because I can wear it in back or twist it around to the front and it makes a great arm rest. Sometimes I wear it in front if I feel my belongings are safer. I never feel weighted down in my back or shoulders. I think mine is an Eastport. I also had vinyl initials put on it for easy identification and well I’ll admit it, I like monograms. Lol.
I always use a smallish cross body bag for amusement parks because I don’t have to take it off or leave it on the table for rides; it fits on my side beneath the restraints, lap bars, etc. Mine fits my phone, mobile charger, hand-sized umbrella, antibacterial hand cleanser, wipes, vape, phone, collapsible water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, wallet, aspirin and chap-stick.
I use a crossbody slingpack backpack. I bought it on amazon and it was awesome in the parks last year,
I use Lily Bloom, especially the crossbodies. They are lightweight, lots of pockets/zippered areas, and many styles to choose from in several sizes.
do you recomend swimsuits or do you recomend normal clothing for the water rides? ( I mean the ones you won’t be swimming in)
do you recomend swimsuits or normal clothing for the water rides?