10 Things You’ll Want to Pack for Your Next Disney Vacation!
There’s nothing quite like a vacation to the Walt Disney World resort, and sometimes it can feel like there are so many things to remember! I am here to help simplify your planning and preparation to provide you with 10 tips for what to pack before your next Disney trip! (Hint: Some of these can be applied to any Disney vacation around the world!)
Mickey ears
No Disney trip is complete without an iconic pair of Mickey ears! While you’ll find no shortage of options within the theme parks themselves, you can also pre-order ears to bring (and sometimes at a bigger discount!) by visiting your local Disney Store or at Shopdisney.com.
Comfortable walking shoes
No matter which Disney resort you’re going to around the world, let’s face it: There will be a lot of walking involved. Sometimes it can be hard to balance comfort with style and fashion, depending on how coordinated you’d like your outfit to be, but some of my most favorite and most comfortable shoes are Rothys and Allbirds. They are seriously SO comfortable, whether you choose flats, sneakers, or sandals!
Magic Bands (exclusive to Walt Disney World)
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Magic Bands are your “keys to the Kingdom” so to speak. Magic Bands are linked to your reservation, credit card, and “My Disney Experience” WDW planning page, and can open your room, house your park tickets, pay for food and merchandise, and be used for in-resort photography as well. They are so convenient and handy that I can’t imagine not having Magic Bands on my WDW vacation!
Ample stash of face masks (Currently specific to 2020 - 2021 trips)
For the indefinite future, face masks are required at all Disney theme parks world-wide. Disney (naturally) sells several options in their parks, and guests will not be allowed on Disney premises (including resort hotels) without wearing one. Since these are not going away any time soon, I recommend choosing options that will keep you cool and comfortable at the same time— and bring plenty! I actually really like the face masks that Disney sells as they are cool and comfortable and do not make my face get irritated or sweaty. We also like cotton face masks that are sold in bulk and bring 50 or more on our trips just to always have a fresh and clean one available at all times. I have ziploc bags labeled “clean” and “dirty” that I store my face masks in each day that we’re out so I can keep track of which ones are used or not. Also, I bring 2-3 per person to the theme parks just in case one falls off, gets dirty or wet, etc.
Ziploc bags (gallon-sized and sandwich-sized)
You’ll thank me later! Sometimes clothes get wet. Sometimes you need to store face masks. Sometimes you just never know when you’ll need them. I like to keep at least one Ziploc bag of each size in whatever travel bag we are taking to the parks or down in the stroller “just in case.”
Portable phone and device charger.
This one is a MUST! Especially with the required use of mobile-ordering right now at most quick service restaurants, you’ll find that you are using your phone A LOT at the parks. Between checking ride times, using the map, playing games, and more, phone batteries seem to drain exponentially at Disney. Disney does sell portable battery chargers for $30, but the unfortunate part is that they can only be refilled and re-charged at Disney parks. If you see yourself using this more than just times when you visit Disney, I’d recommend grabbing one like this or this that can be easily stored in whatever bag you’re bringing to the parks.
Snacks and water bottles.
Kind of a no-brainer, but seriously! Disney snacks are amazing (and sometimes a bit spendy) and if you’re looking to trim costs just a bit, an easy way to do that is to bring your own snacks and water bottles. Instacart can deliver groceries to your hotel room, or you can pack them in your suitcase ahead of time. Our favorites are individual granola bars, trail mix, pirate’s booty, and other easy-to-eat items that won’t melt or spoil in the sun. We just stop at Costco before a vacation and fill our suitcases with all kinds of options to last our trip. Another option is to bring your own filtered water bottle to refill at many of the
Disney-themed shirts for the family.
Because, really. What’s a trip to Disney without matching family shirts? Here is a link to my favorite Etsy shop for this very purpose!
Sun-blocking and moisture-wicking clothing (or rapid dry!).
No matter when you take a trip to a Disney park, chances are you’ll have some sun. Depending on when you go, you might even have some heat (or if you travel in the summer, some humidity!). Because of this, investing in a few pieces of easy breathing, moisture-wicking material will go a long way on your Disney trip. For this purpose, I like anything from lululemon, Zella, and Columbia Sportswear.
Portable Fans and Chilly Towels
Without a doubt, the Frog Togg Chilly Towels will be your best friend when traveling to Disney in times of intense heat (think: summer and fall). Also handy to have is a battery-operated, portable fan (especially good if the batteries can be recharged back at the hotel room) that will last all day. While Disney sells their own versions, this one is my go-to favorite.
Bonus: Ponchos!
Rainy days between May - October are pretty much a guarantee if you’re visiting Walt Disney World. While the thunderstorms are often brief, at times the rain can be so heavy that the only way to stay dry is to duck and cover or throw on a poncho. Again, Disney has you covered (literally) but for a price. I like to order my own ponchos ahead of time and bring them to the parks with us… just in case the inevitable happens. ;-)
For my fellow seasoned Disney travelers: What did I miss? What are your must-pack, most favorite travel items to take on your trip to Disney? Let me know and I’ll add them to my list!