When visiting a Disney theme park, there are a few essential items that always need to be in your bag or on your person.
Some of these items will protect you from the sun, many will save you money, and others will ensure that you have to best time on your Disney vacation.
Below are the 10 items we believe are essential to having the best Walt Disney World vacation. Make sure you keep these items on your Disney packing checklist!
- Sunnies – Sunglasses are essential to surviving a sunny Disney day. We cannot count the number of times we’ve forgotten sunnies when visiting the parks. Forgetting sunglasses could mean that your eyes will be closed in every single photo. It also means that you’ll be wandering around the park with your eyes squinted the entire day… no fun.
- Sunscreen – OK, we know this seems like common sense, BUT do not forget to put on sunscreen. It is so easy to burn at Disney and we know you get so busy and are having so much fun that you forget to put it on. Even on a cloudy day, you can burn to a crisp without sunscreen. This is another essential item to bring. Yes, you can buy sunscreen in a Disney shop, but who wants to pay those outrageous prices? Not us!
Which Would You Pick? - Gum – If you are a gum chewer, make sure you bring your own because you can’t buy it at Disney World. Disney World shops do not sell gum in an attempt to keep the parks clean. They don’t want gum on the ground, stuck under tables and benches, or on ride seats. It makes total sense! But… if you love your gum and need it, bring it! Just be thoughtful when you dispose of it.
- Umbrella, poncho, raincoat – You never know when it’s going to rain in Florida. The skies will become dark and cloudy in an instant, especially in the summer. The rain doesn’t usually last long, but getting soaked can put a huge damper — literally — on anyone’s day. Disney does sell these items but at a price. So, before visiting the parks hit up the local dollar store or Target and grab a few cheap ponchos or umbrellas for the family!
Pull out those ponchos - Camera – Don’t worry, your iPhone totally counts. Just make sure you have some way to capture all of the magical memories you’re going to make with your family. Yes, Disney has PhotoPass Cast Members throughout the park. The nice thing is that Cast Members will take photos on Disney’s cameras, but they don’t mind using your personal camera/phone as well. If you want both, Disney’s photos and your own, which is what most people want, make sure to check out PhotoPass and Memory Maker here.
- Mickey Ears – Pack your favorite pair, because what Disney look is complete without ears? The answer is none. Mickey ears are a must-have Disney staple. Bring a pair of Potion Purple ears, or buy a pair of Briar Rose Gold ears — it’s up to you as long as you have some to rock. If it is your first time visiting the parks, we recommend a classic pair of Mickey ears that you and the family can get personalized at The Chapeau on Main Street! Then, you not only have ears but you have a lovely souvenir as well.
Minnie ears - A bag to put all this junk in – We recommend bringing a backpack or fanny pack. Disney sells the perfect Loungefly backpacks — check out a few new options here! They’re a good size — small enough that you won’t put so much in them that they’re like giant bricks on your back. Still, they’ll fit all of the essentials. Disney also has some adorable fanny packs in the parks as well.
- Autograph Book – This is essential if you plan on meeting the characters. The characters will sign the book and will even leave a sweet note from time to time. Autograph books are a fun way to rack up memories. The autographs can be placed next to pictures and will allow you to remember the special moments for years to come. The autograph books are also pretty inexpensive, so it is a cheap souvenir as well!
Hugs and autographs are back! - MagicBand – MagicBands have become an essential accessory for many Disney World visitors. They can be the key to your resort room. They allow you to scan in for your Genie+ Lightning Lanes without having to pull out a million cards or your phone. You can store your credit/debit card on the band and use it when checking out at food and merchandise locations. MagicBand and MagicBand+ can be purchased inside the park and linked to your My Disney Experience account. Disney sells a ton of cute designs and colors. The prices will range based on whether you purchase a solid-color MagicBand, one with a design or customization, or even a limited-edition MagicBand.
MagicBand+ - Comfy Shoes – We’ll be the first to say that shoes complete an outfit. Your day will be loads better by choosing comfy shoes over style. If you don’t like the look, just make sure your feet don’t show in the photos! If you are going to wear sandals or flip-flops to the park, we recommend bringing a pair of comfy shoes in your bag. Then, when your feet can’t take it anymore, you have relief!
For the Kiddos
There are a few additional things I recommend bringing for your little ones.
- Baby wipes – This is an obvious item. Bring wipes not only for potty time but to clean your baby’s hands and face as well. Little ones have the tendency to want to touch things. After they touch everything, they want to put those sweet hands into their mouths. Baby wipes will help keep their hands clean so they don’t eat all of the germs at Disney World!
- Snacks – If you do not want your children to inhale massive amounts of sugar for the week, pack a few healthy snacks for each day. Disney does sell fruit and a few other healthier choices at some locations around the parks, but it is much easier to bring your own. Bringing your own snacks will also save tons of money!
Character meet and greets - A hat – Protect those little heads from the intense sun by packing a hat. If we burn easily, you know their delicate young skin is burning even faster. Sometimes it is hard to keep up with reapplying sunscreen, so a hat will at least protect their head and face from the sun!
- An extra pair of shoes – We cannot tell you the number of odd shoes we see left around the parks. It is so easy for kids in strollers to kick off their shoes without you even noticing. Also, between the wet rides like Kali River Rapids and some of the other water play areas (Casey Jr. Splash ‘n Soak Station, the splash pads in EPCOT), it’s easy to get soggy shoes. It is helpful to have a dry backup pair just in case you need them!
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What are the Disney park essentials that you always have with you? Let us know in the comments below!
Chapstick and hand lotion. I work outdoors all year round and I always need chapstick and hand lotion reapplied several times a day. Chapstick with an SPF and (because we’re washing our hands so often) a good hand cream. I also prefer to bring a long sleeved shirt (a thin one) to put on when going indoors to eat.These are my 3 MUST HAVE essentials when visiting any theme park.
Floss picks. We love popcorn but hate having it between our teeth.
I wish I had a dollar for every goofball that I see wearing stiletto heels around the parks. It amazes me how much attention some girls need. I don’t think they realize that at a theme park, you don’t look cute or sexy in heels, you look stupid and thirsty. Oh we’re ALL looking at you, but not because you’re hot sister. lol The best one was at Universal in December during a cold snap. There was a girl with short shorts a tank top and high heels walking around holding her arms because she was freezing in the 40 degree weather. The rest of us were wearing coats, hats and gloves, but nope…she had to be cute for her man! lol
Lol you are so right sister!!! I just look at the girls/women walking in heels and just say ouch! Ouch! every time they take a step. Go comfy girls, it is so worth it!
It blows me away lol! It’s always the same type of girl too. Very attractive, always with her buff boyfriend, and always always in a full face of pancake make-up. They want to make darn sure no one else is going to capture their mans attention. lol
In the 90’s there was a rash of stroller thieves. So our “essential” was a diaper and a can of coke. We poured a little coke on the diaper and put it on the seat of the stroller whenever we left it unattended. I don’t have to tell you what it looked like. And we never had our stroller touched. And at the end of the day, I just rung out the diaper in a cup of ice and enjoyed a cold coke.