Top 10 Essentials to Make Your Disney World Trip a Success

Hotel booked – check! Park tickets purchased – check! Dining reservations made – check! Now the most important question of all…what the heck do I pack? What you decide to put in your suitcase is solely dependent on the needs of your family. However, after several trips to Disney World, and at various times of the year, there are a few items that I feel are “must-haves”. Read more to learn about what I think are the top 10 essential items you need for a successful day at Disney!

1. Rain Jacket or Poncho

Lets face it…while Florida is nicknamed the “Sunshine State” for obvious reasons, it also comes with infamous afternoon storms. No trip to Disney World should be taken without planning for at least a little bit of rain, regardless the time of year (although summer is known for the heavy downpours). And no, you cannot trust those weather apps. It is possible to wake up with very little chance of rain to finding yourself under storm clouds later in the day. We have experienced this on several occasions! If you manage to see no rain during your Disney World adventure, consider yourself lucky! If you forget this important item, the Disney Parks sell reusable ponchos, in both adult and kids sizes, which could then double as a souvenir!

2. Waterproof Tote Bag

Along the same lines as protecting yourself from rain, you will likely want to protect some of your items as well. When our boys were toddlers, I used a waterproof tote as a diaper bag. It was certainly beneficial when caught outside in a rainstorm. It has since turned into our go-to bag when we are out and about or on vacation. These bags are not 100% waterproof because of the zipper, but it has saved a lot of our belongings from getting soaked in a downpour. My absolute favorite is the Day Tripper tote from the Aloha Collection. There are also many options for waterproof backpacks, as well.

3. Water-Friendly Shoes

Lastly in the “waterproof section” are water-friendly shoes or sandals. You will be grateful to not have squishy shoes if caught in a downpour. There are times where so much rain accumulates in such a short period of time that it feels like you are practically wading in water. You will thank me later on this advice! It is also nice to have water-friendly shoes or sandals for the few water-rides that Disney World has. My go-to is the Reef Water Vista Sandals. I also see travelers rocking Crocs quite often, too.

Just a tidbit: Another good option would be to bring a pair of sandals to change into should your shoes need to dry out. This can also give your feet a useful break from shoes, if it is needed.

4. Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is essential to maintain your energy for the day. Those hot and humid summer days in Florida can be blistering. Having a reusable water bottle will save money in the pocketbook for those extra souvenirs. I also suggest an insulated water bottle to keep your liquids cool (unless warm water is your jam!).

Just a tidbit: Disney World does not have refill stations available for personal water bottle use. You must purchase a Disney World refillable mug if you would like to utilize their soda fountains. They do, however, have filtered tap water stations spread through the parks. But, if you are familiar with Florida water, you know it is very much an acquired taste. Fortunately, if you ask any quick serve restaurant in the park for an ice-cold cup of water, they will be happy to give you one. This is where the reusable water bottle comes in handy!

5. portable Fan

Another useful item if visiting Florida during any time when the sun is shining bright. Even the winter rays can bring a lot of heat. Having a portable fan available could do wonders for your park days. It is amazing what a little air movement does when you are feeling hot and fatigued. There are many options of portable fans out there, so pick one that you feel will not be cumbersome when traveling. Our family likes the handheld fans as it allows you to cool various body parts down.

6. Non-Perishable Snacks

Whether or not you will be purchasing all your meals at the parks, or packing them in, having snacks handy can be a lifesaver. Especially for the little ones. Let’s face it, days at the Disney Parks are LONG, and stopping for a meal when you are trying to make it to your next ride can be a tough decision. This is where our family relies heavily on snacking. If we are choosing to prioritize the fun of a ride instead of the fun filling our bellies, we take along snacks while waiting in line. Having little bites available helps to minimize any hangry behavior, with both the kiddos and the adults! Snacks that are packed with protein and vitamins are the best for sustaining your hunger. We love nut bars and the Belvita Breakfast Biscuits.

7. First-Aid Kit

Packing a first-aid kit is not generally an item that makes the top of the list. But it can be a godsend if ever you need it. I am grateful to have a husband who would never leave the house without one as a first-aid kit is something I certainly don’t think about! The kit does not have to be something big and fancy as you will likely not need everything in it. We put together our own kit at home, utilizing just a sandwich size ziploc bag! Ours usually has band-aids of various sizes, antibiotic ointment, first aid tape, bug bite anti-itch cream, and ibuprofen. Build the kit based on the needs of your family.

Just a tidbit: If you don’t have a first-aid kit on hand, it is no problem. We found out in an unlucky way that all Disney Parks have a First Aid station, with each having a registered nurse on staff. During one of our trips to Epcot, our oldest son developed a swollen ankle from a little ant bite. A quick trip to the “nurses office” was imperative for him to enjoy the rest of his day. The staff were very helpful, and it was a painless process (pun intended!).

8. Portable Power Bank

Between planning your day with the My Disney Experience App and taking hundreds of pictures, your cell phone battery life will likely dwindle quickly. Having a portable power bank on hand is an easy way to charge your phone on-the-go without having to look for a charging station. The power bank we use has various input options, meeting the needs of most devices in our family.

9. Sunscreen and Aloe Vera

No explanation needed other than Florida sun can be brutal, even in the dead of winter. Having a painful sunburn can really take the magic out of your Disney World vacation. If you or your family does manage to get a little crispy, lather up on the aloe vera. The coolness on burnt skin can be very soothing, and it helps speed up the healing process.

10. Disney Swag

For the kiddos, of course this is a given. But, where else in the world can you, as an adult, get away with decking out in Disney gear? Grab a Mickey and Friends t-shirt, put on your Mickey or Minnie ears, and have fun with it! Dressing to impress will be sure to add that extra pixie dust magic to your Disney World adventure.

Honorable Mentions

There are a couple additional items that we have found to be very useful on our Disney Park vacations, but are more geared to families with strollers:

• Stroller Rain Cover – It doesn’t take long for your entire stroller-mobile to be sopping wet from a Florida down pour. Unfortunately, covered stroller parking is quite hard to come by in the parks. To save your kiddos the grief of having to sit in a wet seat, be sure to bring a rain cover for your stroller. If suitcase space does not allow you to bring it along (some of these covers can be bulky), a poncho can work just as well.
• Fanny Pack or Small Crossbody Bag – Before heading in line for a ride, you must park your stroller in a designated stroller lot. Depending on the time of year, standby lines can be an immensely long wait. The last thing you want is to realize you need something from the stroller while you are deep in line. Those side-eyes you get from leaving the line and coming back in can sear a steak! I will usually bring with me a small bag to keep any essentials I think I may need while in line. Don’t worry about what to do with your bag while on the ride. If the ride requires personal items to be secured, there will be a designated area to place them in.

I hope these suggestions prove useful for you on your next Disney World adventure! Feel free to comment below if you have any “must-haves” to add to the list!