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.
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!
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 usually apply to grocery delivery.
With that said, 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!
2026 Packing List Additions
INIU 45W 10000 mAh Powerbank – We already own a lot of battery packs, as they’re a necessary evil at the parks given all of the screen time required. We didn’t need to add another to our bags, but wanted to test out INIU because we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from friends, and these are often deeply-discounted.
So far, so good! One thing we’d note with INIU is that they often have “hidden” sales that only apply at checkout. For instance, the above powerbank had a $21 price tag on the product page when we bought it…but a 50% off coupon applied in the cart (this might be targeted?). That’s why we bought it in the first place–it was a great deal at ~$10, but not so much at double that price. Worth checking out for yourself to see if there’s a hidden coupon in your account.
Philips GoZero Insulated Water Bottle — This insulated metal GoZero bottle by Philips has great reviews–it’s durable, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and uses a 2-stage activated carbon filter reduces odor, chlorine and leaves zero aftertaste. We bought this as a Lightning Deal over Cyber Monday but haven’t yet had the chance to test it. Oddly enough, it’s now even cheaper as part of post-holiday sales (46% off).
Inflatable Toddler Airplane Bed – Our daughter has outgrown flying in her car seat, so we recently switched this inflatable mattress that fits economy seats. I’ll admit to being skeptical at first, but this has been an absolute game-changer on longer flights, which is all of them for us–we pretty much only do 4-16 hour flights. (Update: flight attendants on two recent domestic flights have told us this can’t be used; we’ve had no issues on other flights, so consider this YMMV.)
Travel Toddler Toys – For flights and getting ready in the morning, we also have a selection of travel toys. Our daughter is screen-free, so we opt for a mix of LEGO DUPLO sets, sticker books, regular books, and Montessori toys. These items are mostly random and not travel-specific (although I will say that Little Golden Books are great for travel since they’re slim), but two specific items we like a lot are the following:
For the most part, we have not added baby or toddler products to this list since they’re more niche. We’re debating whether to add a section (or perhaps a new guide to traveling with toddlers?), as we’ve tested/used/returned a ton of products for long haul flights and trips and learned a lot in the process. Not really sure how much interest there is in this, though, since most people either don’t have toddlers or aren’t doing 4+ hour flights with regularity.
Travel White Noise Machine – We actually bought this for traveling with our baby as it was recommended by countless parenting blogs. As it turns out, this is just great for traveling in general. That’s doubly true at Walt Disney World, where I swear that even Deluxe Resorts have paper-thin walls.
FuelRod MAX10 – The newest swappable power bank from FuelRod is not a rod at all, but rather, a brick. This is their biggest and fastest charger, and also the most expensive. The MAX10 is not for us. But you might find this device to be a better option than the traditional FuelRods, especially if you’re a regular at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, where it’s currently being rolled out.
Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 Breathable Rain Poncho – We’re big fans of Frogg Toggs (see the cooling towels below), and this is the best poncho we’ve found for Walt Disney World. It’s also inexpensive at 41% off!
Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 Breathable Rain Jacket – Made with Frogg Toggs breathable, non-woven fabric that is waterproof, wind resistant, and extremely lightweight. In our view, the jacket is the better option for taking on and off at Walt Disney World–but it’s more expensive.
With the post-holiday updates for 2026 out of the way, let’s turn to the tried & true list of unique things to pack for Walt Disney World!
Smart Stuff to Pack
FuelRod 2-Pack – If you’re on the fence about FuelRods, we recommend giving them a try–and buying this 2-for-1 deal as opposed to a single charger. It’s really convenient to have two FuelRods as opposed to just one. If you have a larger family, consider the NEW FuelRod 3-Pack (or the MAX10 above).
We didn’t used to be fans of FuelRods, but the devices got a major update last year, and the new model has higher capacity and faster charging, which alone is a gamechanger. Add to that the ubiquity of FuelRod kiosks around Walt Disney World, and it’s now a great option for diehard Disney fans. First-timers and infrequent visitors should still look elsewhere, as FuelRods are as much a service as a device. Read our new review of FuelRods for more info.
Anker Zolo 10,000mAh 30W Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C Cable for Travel – This charger is the top pick for iPhone 15 (and above) or Samsung phones–or anything with a USB-C connector instead of the Lightning connector. Everything about this looks perfect to us, from the built in cable to the size and speed. And the price is certainly right, too! Also available in 20k capacity with faster-charging capabilities.
Anker 24,000mAh Power Bank 3-Port Portable Charger with 140W Output – For those who really go hard playing the Lightning Lane refresh game. This is massive and more than most people will need, but if you have a large family, are addicted to device, or have a niche use case, it could be a good fit.
Anker 3-Port 140W Charging Block – This is a niche product, but it’s another game-changer for me. 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. I just upgraded to this during Prime Day from the prior generation–I’ve been very happy with both.
Anker 47W Nano 3 USB-C Charger – This is what Sarah uses, and it’s perfect for her–or the average person. It’ll charge your devices faster than the standard charger (and lightyears quicker than in-wall ports at WDW hotels).
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.
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.
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!)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 – These are the headphones I use. They’re compact and noise-cancelling, making them perfect for travel. I tried the AirPods Max, but the form factor, weight and size was just too much for me. They’re also absurdly expensive, but they look great!
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones — Sarah has owned two pairs of Bose QuietComfort headphones, which should speak volumes about what she thinks of them. They are spectacular, worth every penny, and way better than Beats or Sony headphones. The noise cancelling is perfect for flights, public transit, or just trying to work and maintain focus. The only downside is the large size.
Fire 8 Kids Tablet – Even if you strive to be screen-free, this can be a lifesaver on flights or in other meltdown scenarios. An educational and entertainment tool for kids with parental controls, goal-setting, time limits, plus 1 FREE year of Amazon Kids+ with access to over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, audiobooks, and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more.
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 is tracking strollers. Cast Members relocate parked strollers, making them difficult to find. AirTags 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.
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
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 chafing. 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! Especially good now that Magic Kingdom has two daily parades between Festival of Fantasy during the day and Starlight at night!
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.
16-Pack Roll-Up Compression Travel Bags for Packing – We have never used these as we prefer something more durable since we travel frequently, but they’re a good option. Save even more space, but for that you give up reusability.
Lightweight Packable Backpack — Simplicity is best when it comes to backpacks to wear in the parks. This takes up minimal room in your suitcase and more importantly is super lightweight. That minimizes the amount of back-sweat you’ll have to endure from the Florida heat and humidity. It also works as a diaper bag, and thanks to having fewer compartments, it’ll get you through bagcheck faster–and is less likely to get you flagged for secondary screening.
Inflatable Neck Pillow Airplane Travel Kit — This being inflatable makes it more travel-friendly, and it’s more comfortable than you might expect (and also customizable by fully or under-inflating it). 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.
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. 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.
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.
EltaMD Face Sunscreen — Sarah swears by this fancier brand of face sunscreen, which is recommended by dermatologists and distinguished scientists from all over the world. (Probably.) It’s very nice, but I try not to use it so as to not “waste” the good stuff on my man-face.
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air with 3D Mesh – If you’re considering babywearing at Walt Disney World, this is our favorite carrier by a wide margin. The lightweight, breathable 3D mesh fabric keeps both baby and parent cool, even outside on hot days. The combination of comfortable padded straps and supports along with ergonomic design makes this perfect for extended periods of use. Weight distribution meant no soreness or back pain even after carrying a 20+ pound baby on all-day outings for over 20,000 steps.
Stokke YOYO3 Stroller – Formerly known as the Babyzen YoYo, this is the Cadillac of strollers…or would be if Cadillacs were known as lightweight and nimble travel vehicles. Seriously, believe the hype. This stroller is worth every penny, with great handling and ease of use. Most importantly, it’s incredibly light, easy to use, and folds down incredibly compact–small enough to fit in an overhead bin. We’ve tried a lot of strollers, but this is the only one we love.
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!
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!
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.
Honest Sanitizer Wet 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 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!
Tide To-Go 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
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.
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).
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.
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.
Knockoff Loungefly Bag – Calling a spade a spade, this is basically a bootleg Loungefly bag. Now, I am definitely NOT the target audience for such a product, but this is a superior option if you want something that looks cute to wear to the park without breaking the bank. (Personally, I’d stick with the more practical packable backpack.)
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
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!
Great ideas! I always wear my red Mickey Mouse Crocs.
New Trent is the best battery source in the parks!
I always have taken hand sanitizer and wet wipes but I found in the 5 years I have been going to Disney World that most parks do have hand washing / sanitizing stations all throughout the parks. So this year I do not plan on taking hand sanitizer, however I will take wet wipes just in case. They always are needed when you are taking smaller kids with you [this year my whole family is going together total of 25 people]
good tip for people traveling with kids…when we travel i put each days clothes in its own big ziploc bag. like shirt shorts socks and underwear(/diaper for little ones) in a gallon size bag then in the suitcase. takes a little longer packing but when its time to get dressed or get little ones dressed its super easy. this way i know how many outifts i have and i can throw a spare set in the backpack if we get soaked on a water ride.
This is a great idea! Definitely going to do this!
Additionally, I would add that for my two girls, 5 and 7, I usually pack only rompers for them to wear. It’s so easy to have only one article of clothing a day and easy to throw one in park bag for emergencies.
Like these:
http://www.carters.com/carters-kid-girl-rompers?navID=header
Great tips – thanks so much!
Here is a tip for anyone travelling with children who are uncomfortable with automatic flush toilets (everywhere in the parks). Pack a pad of “post-it” notes. Peel a couple of pages off the pad and stick over the red “electronic eye”. The toilet will not flush as long as the eye is covered. Your child can use it without concern and you can removed the paper to flush and toss in the trash. These were life savers with my daughter!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! We just started PTing my daughter, so when we go this will be a MUST!!! I always kicked myself for not having it with my boys, but for a GIRL this is critical!!! I think I am going to get a snack ziplock baggie to put them in & tape it to the Clorox wipes bottle!
We take “magic stickers” everywhere we go to take care of the auto-flushers! I’m saving the Disney ones that come in the movie club things we get in the mail for our trip this fall 🙂
Hamster bags are a great alternative to a bulky backpack/ diaper bag. They are designed for use with an umbrella stroller but we use them with our double stroller as well. They come as a pair and allow for weight distribution so the stroller won’t tip over if unoccupied. They velcro on the sides of any stroller and also have clips that allow for easy removal and easy reattachment of the bags. They are a sling bag and surprisingly hold a lot of “stuff”.
Another to add are Wet Wipes. You can buy them as a travel pack or invidual packs. I like the indivdual packs. Small single use. They tend not to dry out as fast. Great to use to wipe down messy hands and faces or to clean hands before eating.
Wet Wipes are a great tip! We tend to bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer, but Wet Wipes would work, too!
We have a timeshare, so instead of a hotel room we stay in a full condo, sometimes two joined ones. We have a kitchen, laundry, everything. I am a couponer so I always have samples of anything we’d need and you better believe I bring them! Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach wipes/pens, dishwasher detergent, liquid dish/hand soap, etc. I also bring whatever food won’t spoil because I can get better deals at home than grocery shopping somewhere foreign. Nuts, peanut butter packets, popcorn, dried fruit, candy bars, gummies, crackers, coffee packets, mio/crystal light, etc. I also bring ziploc baggies (a MUST) for everything from snacks in the park to saving electronics on wet rides. Whatever food we don’t bring, we buy at the grocery store there. We always pack snacks for inside the park to save a LOT of money. Apples, carrots, snap peas, pretzels and hummus, candy, etc. And of course, a water bottle. It’s easier if you have a stroller to tote everything around in, but the younger person in our family is 19 so that is kind of out of the question. A cross-body purse is very useful, and a centralized locker can be a reasonable option. Sorry, got a little off topic there at the end! I’ve been doing this for a while, ha.
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One thing that we have found useful to take is from the dollar store. It’s a blow up bath pillow. We use them to sit on the hard ground while waiting for parades or shows to start, and since they deflate they take up almost no room in a bookbag/purse/stroller. Because they are only $1 or so, we usually bring extra incase one pops. Also, if you do go in the summer it’s a great idea to pre-buy one of those fan water bottles. They are next to nothing at Wal-mart while $15+ inside the parks. We also bring our own glow sticks from the dollar store also, then the kids don’t feel so left out but we’re not spending extra $$ on the ones in the park since they only last for a few hours anyway.
We always buy our glow sticks at the $ store. I hate to say no to my little guy but the prices for these at disney are crazy. Love the water bottle fan idea. Thanks!
Just said to my husband about taking the water bottle fan although we are going in Mid-November.
Tom: what can we expect for weather at that time of year? Thank you.
Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Walt Disney World is totally unpredictable. You’ll want to pack summer clothes plus jeans and light jackets. We’ve experienced 90 degree weather in November, and 50 degree weather.
Disneyland is more predictable–it’ll be fairly temperate during the day and chillier at night.
I always bring ziplock bags. work great for snacks, left overs from a meal, wet clothes – I put a handful of ziplock bags inside one ziplock bag when I pack the suitcase.
I also found laundry detergent that comes in sheets (it looks like a bounce sheet) I bring a few of those (in a ziplock baggie) in the suitcase – we usually do a load or two of laundry at our resort – this detergent takes up virtually no space and no worry of spills in the suitcase.
Anyone traveling with a family member in diapers – I learned the hard way that during hurricane season there is terrential rain – and the backpack holding the diapers was drenched all the way through – including every diaper and the back up clothes – now I throw a few plastic grocery bags in the luggage and everything in the diaper bag is in a grocery bag. Also sometimes you need something of your own to lay your child on when changing, in the absence of a changing pd – a grocery bag works and you can toss it when done. I also get extra cheapie ponchos to cover the gear and one for going over the wheel chair (or if you have a stroller) so that your child doesn’t have to sit in a wet seat when you remove thier poncho.
We take stainless steel bottles and fill them up in our resort with plain old water (filtered?) and use our Disney mugs (hooked to backpack with a big Caribbeaner) to make the little packets of lemonade if we need a change from water, since my son doesn’t drink soda. It seems that the only lemonade availble at Disney restaurants is “lite” and it contains aspertame (nutra sweet) – my son has seizures from aspertame!!! so I bring these packets from home, they take up very little space.
I agree a power strip is a good idea. I had to charge our cell phones in the bathroom last visit 🙁
I am not a seasoned traveller, so I feel a little dumb not understanding some of the tips. Could someone please clarify how to go about ordering sundries from Amazon and having them shipped directly to Disney to wait for us? I’m not clear how this works, unless you are paying for overnight shipping/next day air how do you know when your items will arrive? If they arrive before you do, then what? I’m sorry if these questions seem dumb, this seems like a good idea and I really just want to understand.
Thanks.
Amazon gives you a delivery estimate prior to ordering, so make sure you order when that estimate is on or around your arrival date. If the package arrives before you, they will hold it. A lot of people do this and I’ve never heard of Disney losing anyone’s package. Just don’t order months or weeks in advance!
You can also ship to yourself; just write “Hold for Guest [NAME] – Arrival [DATE]” on the top of the package.
Thank you 🙂
I was worried what would happen to it if it arrived before we did. Thanks for the clarification.
We used Garden Grocer on our last trip and were very happy with the service. You order groceries and other items and they will bring them to your resort. There’s a small delivery fee, but it was well worth it. I don’t know how GG compares price-wise to Amazon, but it might be worth a look. 🙂
I always bring a big plastic bag such as hefty or ziplock that closes tightly so that when I go on water rides I can put all electronics or things I don’t want to get to wet in it. It works great on Grizzly River. I even had people I didn’t know putting their stuff in my bag. Then when you get off take every thing and you can wrap it up and its small enough to put in my back pack. I also always bring a pair of flip flops so I can switch out my shoes for the water rides as well. Its nice to change foot wear throughout the day. I know my feet like it! ha ha
I love me some camelback. Camelbacks are gfreat for hiking and carrying stuff through the parks. I have upgraded to a larger one with a 3 liter bladder, but it is nice to stand in line and just take a sip from the hose that is inches away from your mouth. It is also great to store your camera in or a rain jacket or a hat after the sun has gone down. I hate fanny packs and will forever more take some sort of camleback into the parks with me.
In addition to the hydration, the size of the Camelbak is just about perfect for carrying a few things at Walt Disney World!
OMG! I can’t tell how much I love the disney and it’s products. Thank you for sharing such great ideas about products.
Sarah – Please let us know how you bring your hats? I’ve been struggling with this for the last three years, as my vacation uniform is like yours. Do you wear it on the plane or carefully pack around it? Thanks.
She typically wears/carries them onto the plane. They get smashed in suitcases.
Look for crushable hats. Bought one a few years ago to take to the beach and it has held up well.
Diaper cream! Even if you don’t have little ones, and we don’t, this is a must have in your medicine cabinet. You can use it for chafing and also put it on your hands at night in the winter when they start getting dry.
Like this hat? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007MV6QI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007MV6QI&linkCode=as2&tag=distoublo-20
Some of the reviews say it’s crushable, but I’ve never really heard of a crushable hat before, so I’m not sure whether that’s what you mean.
instead of candles we use that orange room spray -the real concentrated orange scent, not the usual brands like Glade. Love that Florida orange smell !
Tom, the day you re-posted this was actually our return from Disney! We had a great trip and want to send mad thanks to you for all of the pointers.
The moleskin and Merrell’s were a great idea (though no matter what, after a week at the parks you’re going to have some sore tootsies).
We LOVED the water bottles. I don’t think we paid for any non-alcoholic beverages throughout our trip (we’re both water drinkers) I swear by my sweet Brita bottle now, which I cart to work daily.
I didn’t acquire the Body Glide, but my best friend found a Monistat anti-chafing cream that worked really well with skirts and legs that rub together.
The hats were also a great idea! I don’t think the sun even came close to me. Not a hint of color on my pale Irish skin.
Some things that we brought not on your list–
Clorox Wipes (the maid didn’t always clean our table off, and there were days that we told her not to come.)
I had a tiny credit card sized wristlet with a clip hook that I hung from my lanyard, which was perfect for easily accessible tickets, cards, and money.
Gas X strips: Great for people with digestive issues, these puppies relieve that overwhelming feeling after eating quickly, and they’re TINY. They slide in anywhere.
A Small Dispenser of Foaming Soft Soap: As much as I love the Disney soaps; we’re big fans of liquid/foam soap. It helped us keep the sink free from a slippy slidy bar of soap.
Thanks again Tom!
We love disney and visit different park in Mainland US and international. Le sport sac bags are awesome.( outlets have great discounts) I put everything I need in them and look fashionable papaya enzyme tablets work awesome for heartburn ,digestive issues and great for your skin too. ( GNC are my favorite)
Bath and body hand sanitizer is good to have as well.( small 1 oz bottle)
May seem like a stupid question, but are Clorox wipes permitted on airplanes? I was looking at the TSA guidelines on the website for the airline I’m using and while it’s very clear on some items, it’s not clear whether cleaning wipes are permitted (in carry-on or checked baggage).
Nice suggestions. Love the grid-it, that’ll come in handy for electronics items. I’ve heard Anti-Monkey Butt products are great for chafing and “swamp arse” You can purchase them here http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ I’ve never though to bring Jerkey but that’s pretty smart, especially if you’re on a budget.
I love the idea of a collapsable water bottle, I just wish they made one with a filter. Even using flavorings like MiO is sometimes hard to mask the gross florida water taste.
Thanks for so many great ideas. I’ve found two websites that have really worked well for me.
For the toiletries and small food items, I use http://www.minimus.biz. They have a wonderful selection of travel-sized items.
For some of the electronic adapters and chargers, I have found http://www.monoprice.com to be favorable in pricing.
Can’t wait for my next trip!
Thanks for the tips–I love monoprice for HDMI cables!
for your charging needs – http://www.amazon.com/i-Sound-Portable-Power-iPhone-BlackBerry/dp/B00439G3WS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347983321&sr=8-1&keywords=isound+power
a 5 in 1 charger with 480 hours of backup battery.
what kind of tripod do you use? i have a fold up which doesnt really do it for the fireworks at the magic kingdom with the crowds – i also have a sunpak ultra 7500m but it seems that it wont fit in the disney lockers,
For those who have young ones, I suggest stuffing a few disposable straws in your bag. Not all vendors around the parks have straws and not all little ones can drink from a bottle of water without drenching themselves. I learned this the hard way!