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!
I would like to get a packing list for dw and I would like to get a brochure and some maps do you accept backpack for the trip.
After our recent trip, I thought it would be great if you could write about how to breeze brought bag check. You must have tips so that others avoid our experience.
My dad kept getting pulled aside for secondary screening. We finally figured out that it was his sunglasses case with a magnetic closure that was the problem. On of the security staff told him to hold it in his hand as he went through, and sure enough, that worked.
But we didn’t figure it out until after many (5? 6?) times that he’d been pulled aside.
What has been the best and economical transportation for Orlando Airport to Disney resorts.
Thanks for the awesome tips. Very interested in any updates to your Ultimate Photography guide too, whenever time permits.
Also, I’ve an upcoming trip which may be only/last trip for a while due to $$$ and circumstance and I want to make sure I don’t miss the key shots (beyond the weenies, which I’m already thinking about) for a family memory book. Are there any Disney photos on the must-do list?
If traveling with a baby/toddler, puppy pads. Puppy pad can go under diaper changing pad.
When our kids were little, I used to purchase Disney themed things at home and packed them as gifts each day. It saved us loads of money and the kids were excited every morning to see what Tinkerbell left them.
Thank you for the Mount Hagen recommendation! We just got back from our trip (Mar 2022), and LOVED these packets! The coffee tastes so much better than anything available to purchase at the resorts, and we could use hot or cold water depending on what we wanted to drink. Also, definitely agree with the Tourit cooler backpack recommendations – that worked better for our family than any other similar option we’ve tried.
Hi Tom Bricker, You are doing a great job! I know how much hard work needs to publish an article like this. Keep it up…!!!
This idea might sound crazy but even with my teenagers I bring a stroller. Load it with fans,change of clothes,different drinks water and Gatorade. And if course umbrellas and ponchos. We leave it in each area we go so when we need something it’s there. Just a small umbrella stroller with a bottom compartment.
Hey Deborah,
Was all your stuff safe just parked in a stroller area?
Hi Deborah. Was all your stuff safe just parked in a stroller area?
Yes! We make sure not to leave purchases in the cart like large toys (small ones haven’t been a problem) and tie something colorful to the handle in case it is moved by staff for easy spotting. We’ve never had an issue walking away from a stroller. Just don’t leave valuables like your wallet (and downsize your wallet to only carry the essentials before your trip to make it easier to carry.) A rain cover is a light and inexpensive investment that can protect the contents of your stroller against pop up showers too!
Not sure if these were mentioned, but these are some essentials our family brings for the hotel room:
Clothes Pins- close up curtains, use as a chip clip, use to hang up bathing suits to air dry, etc
Nightlight- don’t wake everyone up finding your way to the bathroom in the dark
Folding cubes (the kind that go in shelf cubbie spaces, you can even get cheap ones at Dollar Tree- These pack flat but are great for each family member to have one to hold small items in the room or on nightstand- keys, chargers, phone, watch, magic band, glasses, etc.
Hanging Pocket Organizer- this is a great way to keep things more organized in the room. I usually bring two. One to hold toiletries & one to hold snacks. The snack one is very convenient for each family member to easily grab their own snacks, breakfast bars, drink mix, etc to bring to the parks.
Your packing lists have been really helpful and I’ve used them in the past to see if I was missing anything I might need. A few extra things I’ve found helpful over the years: if you travel carry on only, consider pre-cutting some of the moleskin tape into roughly 2 inchx1inch strips and storing in a ziplock bag. Because if you don’t have scissors you’re stuck. Injinji or toe socks have worked great for me. They are very expensive so maybe try one or two pair first on walks in your neighbourhood to see if for you. But really cut down on chafing and blisters esp if apply both moleskin to obvious chafe spots like back of heal, baby toe and ball of foot then a skin sports lube for the toes before pulling on. Definitely also bring some regular non-cotton sports socks as well because if the blisters really get bad, and you have to pile on the moleskin or blister plasters, you may struggle to even get those toe socks on once it gets to that point. Pack some good quality sports sandals like teva or chaco because when it rains hard or you have a full rain day, you don’t need your feet cooked in wet socks and runners. I like those two brands because they have aggressive teethy lugs that offer more grip on slippery cobblestones and concrete esp in the morning after the ground has been sprayed with the soap cleaner. Definitely get the sandals months in advance and walk hard in them to see if they work for you. A park bag like a crossbody bag with a dedicated outside water bottle pocket. I’ve tried to carry the bottle in the bag – and condensation soaked everything even with a ziplock bag – and also tried to attach with a carabiner but it bounced and annoyed me all day. As well as instant coffee, a few packets of instant oatmeal for when you’re running late in the morning and just need something on your stomach before heading out to the parks. Tap water in hotel rooms runs very hot and is hot enough to make some oatmeal in a room cup. I’ve also found a do it yourself small minimalist first aid kit in a snack size ziplock bag to be a lifesaver. A bandage or two, safety pin, basic tummy meds, advil or tylenol, benadryl pill, extra precut moleskin squares and a travel sz deoderant to be really handy. I also pack a cold meds ziplock bag with cold pills that work for me, some cough drops/lozenges and mini tissue packs. I hide it in the corner of my luggage and hope to never use it. But with all the kids and germy surfaces, I’ve had to use it more than I had hoped. No point in paying through the nose for gift store meds that either don’t work well for you or may be contra-indicated for pre-existing health issues like blood pressure, etc. Thanks again for your hard work. These practical lists really help so many.
Awesome list! Read this for our last visit and purchased the pop-up hamper. It was a game changer, esp. in a smaller Disney Hotel room!
Whhhhhhhyyyyyy did no one ever mention the sticky note trick! Wish I would have thought of that one when my littles were little. The drama it could have saved!!!!
Just wondering…. is that a stock image, or your real pet? That could be my cat in that suitcase! :D!
That is our cat, Yossarian.
While that’s a posed photo, it’s based on his very real behavior of constantly sleeping in our luggage. A more recent example: https://twitter.com/Tom_Bricker/status/1475213445507207172/photo/1
what sticky note trick? I find no mention on this page.
This is very random, but when traveling with small kids, post-it notes can cover the toilet sensor for kids who are convinced the toilet is going to swallow them!
I use visa gift cards instead of my credit card. That way if I get pickpocketed, I won’t lose everything and they can’t steal my identity also!
Tracking devices are awesome .. especially for someone as forgetful as me !
BUT please be aware they can be used to track people without their knowledge or consent. Recent news stories in US about tags being placed on cars and such to stalk and victimize women.
Just thought I would suggest to load the app that makes you aware you are being followed (Could the tech savvy help me out to direct people to the right app and advise if there is an Android equivalent. )
As a woman who has travelled alone and with friends – I have been followed (at least) twice. Thankfully we were able to confront the one guy after an hour when we could not ditch him. The second time was on the train to Disneyland Paris and the guy put his hands on my (bare) legs . I chose not to fight back and just stared back .. there was only me, my female cousin and that guy on that section of the train. I was concerned fighting might escalate to more dangerous and harmful situation. And I was not sure if this guy was completely in his right mind. If his actions had gotten more aggressive I would have fought back voraciously. The violator did get off the train before Disneyland, at which time my cousin ran over to me and said, “Next time do you want me to punch him.” She and I were both calculating the scenario the same way as we were isolated and were trying to make sure we would get out in the safest manner possible. I honestly thought there is no way I could have communicated to a crazed Francopone with my poor French.
So just saying … make sure no one follows you around and back to your room… or car etc.
apparently, that hack was about Apple Airtags, and only applies to them. No mention of the security vulnerability for Android smarttags and such.
I am so glad that you added Apple AirTags to the list. We took our daughter for her first visit in January and made the last minute decision to throw our AirTag into a pocket on our stroller. It was a huge time and frustration saver when Cast Members rearranged stroller parking, which happened way more frequently than I expected.
This list saved our first ever trip last December! Thank you, Tom and Sarah.
The weather was in the 80s the whole time and the first day we wore sandles. Upon returning to the hotel after the first day at EPCOT and walking some 24k steps, my wife says she is starting to get blisters. The next morning out comes the Moleskin Padding Role and Swiss Army knife (you need something with you to cut the Moleskin to the correct size) and then on goes the Body Glide all over the bottom of her feet. Worked like a charm! No painful blisters and good to go each morning. When she got a pedicure back home weeks later, she was told she had some spots of dead skin on the bottom of her toes that looked like she had bad blisters. Moleskin to the rescue.
We bought many of the other items on this list, but if you buy nothing else on this list, I highly recommend getting the Moleskin Padding Role and a Body Glide stick. Think of it as trip insurance. It could literally save your trip like it did mine.
Just to clarify, was it Moleskin on first and then the Body Glide? Or the Body Glide on the feet and Moleskin on top of that? (those 2 items are in my Amazon cart BTW)
Wonderful list, we have taken you advice on many of these items and you have yet to steer us wrong.
Since many families will be using car transportation (ride sharing or rental) with the end of Magical Express, I recommend the Mifold Grab n Go booster seat. This is the smallest most compact booster I have seen. Note that like all car seats/boosters, it needs to be used properly.
I have no affiliation, just a parent who uses this when I travel. Don’t know if you want to get into the car safety recommendation space, I’m it comes with baggage 🙂
Excellent–that looks like a great item for travel!
Convenient kids stuff is a bit of a blind spot for me, so I welcome any other recommendations from you or other readers. Thanks! 🙂
Just wanted to say that we used the Mifold car booster seats on our Orlando trip as well and it was quite possibly the best purchase we made that trip. Soooo much nicer than lugging ridiculously big and bulky carseats through airports, hotels, taxis. I highly recommend them for travel especially if you have more than one in a booster seat!
As a parent of a young child, I like to bring a foldable stool. The bathroom counters in the rooms are quite high, and I learned my lesson quickly that she would need something to stand on during tooth brushing time.
Discounted Disney pins are NOT genuine, Tom. Don’t encourage people to buy them for trading!
Discounted pins are great! Those who are true enthusiasts know how to spot a “scrapper”, so no harm. They’re not going to pick these. I’m not paying $15-$18 a pin for my child to trade a pin for what most likely are “scrappers”. They can’t tell the difference and only care about the characters or color. It’s a fun part of visiting the parks for them. While we do buy the expensive pins, they are for our home collection only and we’d never trade them knowing what you’ll likely get is far less in value. That is part of the trading process is understanding the value of the items you are trading.