Visiting Disney World can be some of the best family memories you will make as a family but figuring out what to bring to Disney World or what to wear can be a bit overwhelming. To help you successfully pack for your trip I am sharing with you my top must have items you should add to your Disney World packing list. You can most certainly set yourself up for a successful family vacation full of magical moments and memories when adding these must have items to your packing list.
Top must have items of what to bring to Disney World
Backpack
You will want a backpack to help keep all your belongings in one place as you go from park to hotel. A backpack is also great for keeping up with any items you buy throughout your day in the park. I also find it convenient to clip the souvenir popcorn bucket to the straps so you have it ready and accessible for the refills and snack time!
Items you will want to bring to Disney World for your backpack are:
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby wipes
- Rain Gear
- Small first aid kit
- Change of socks
- Hand towels
- Glow sticks
- Small toys
- Plastic baggies (to store snacks)
- Extra face mask
- Refillable water bottle (see My Disney Experience App for refill stations)
Comfortable Shoes
You will not believe how important it is to bring shoes you are comfortable walking in. Make sure the shoes you pack are not brand new and are already broken in. The parks at Disney World are rather large and you can find yourself walking and standing for lots of hours each day. A spare pair of socks would be handy in case you get caught in a rainstorm and your feet get soaked. Having a dry pair of socks can help prevent blisters.
Portable Charger
You will find yourself using your phone a lot! From taking cute photos to using the My Disney Experience App to look up wait times, order food, and even check showtimes. Using the App can really cause your battery to drain faster than usual. This is why a portable charger is a must have item to add to your list of what to bring to Disney World.
Small Hand Towels
Throw in a pack of small kitchen towels and pack one a day in your bookbag. You will thank me for this item later! You can use these towels to wipe your own sweat or even strollers out after a rain shower. You can also wet them in a bathroom and clean up a sticky mess.
Rain Gear
Florida has some crazy storms that come and go out of nowhere. Being prepared is the best way to make sure you have those magical moments while inside the park with your family. Be sure to pack rain gear that is lightweight and can be rolled up and easily stored in your backpack.
Sunscreen
It is so important to bring plenty of sunscreen with you because it is a lot cheaper to buy outside of the parks. You will want the aerosol cans so you can easily keep applying throughout your visit. The Florida sun is intense and you do not want sunburn to ruin the fun!
Portable Fans
To help beat the heat rechargeable portable fans are key. These can be used throughout the day while walking or waiting in lines. A portable fan can really help you from being overheated throughout each day. Just be sure you do not forget to recharge each night back in your hotel.
Autograph Book
Autograph books are my favorite way to relive memories from each trip. They do sell these in the park but grabbing a blank journal can help save on the cost and also allow you to make a memory book after your trip. Once you arrive home just print your photos of each character meeting and glue a photo beside the character signature. Just be sure to save the page for your photo!
Snacks
The parks do allow outside food and drink to be brought into the park. You will really want some snacks to help distract the little ones while waiting in lines at Disney.
Pack snacks that are new and fun for your family. Just note that Disney has a no gum policy. Also, keep in mind to bring snacks that do not melt in the hot Florida sun.
Here are some great ideas for what snacks to bring to Disney World:
- Sour Patch Kids
- Airheads
- Dum dum lollipops
- Goldfish
- Gummies
- Pretzels
- Grapes
- Sliced Apples
- Applesauce pouches
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Graham crackers
- Individual bags of chips
Games and Activities
You may be wondering why do you need entertainment when you are bringing your kids to the most magical place on earth? Trust me on this one. You will want something to help entertain the kids while back in the hotel room. You will be unpacking and repacking your bag for your next park day and will need to help keep your kids stay busy.
Think simple toys and games that are small and can easily be packed like:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Uno
- Hot wheel cars
- Matching Games
- Small figure toys
- Electronic device
Glow sticks
Packing glow sticks that can turn into necklaces and bracelets will be a great way to save money and also make your kids happy! When the sun goes down the light-up souvenir carts come out. This is when you will want to pull those glow sticks out of your backpack. It will give your kids something that lights up to play with and saves you money.
What clothes should I bring to Disney World?
It can get very hot in the parks. It is best to pack a lot of lightweight clothes. Most importantly you will want to be comfortable. If you are going during the winter season (January through March) dressing in layers is your best option. You may also want to consider the following clothing items to bring to Disney world:
- Swimsuit
- Swimsuit cover-up
- Flip flops
- Hat
- Light jacket (winter season)
- Mesh water shoes
- Tank tops
- Gym shorts
- Drifit material clothing
- Light colored clothing
What Should I not bring to Disney World?
There are quite a few new rule changes at Disney. Be sure to read up on their park rules before leaving for your vacation but here are a few top items that are prohibited from entering the parks:
- Selfie Stick
- Loose ice in coolers
- Stroller wagons
- Strollers larger than 31” wide
- Plastic Straws (Animal Kingdom)
- Toy weapons
- Weapons
- Costumes for ages 14+ (except for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party)
FAQ about what you are allowed to bring to Disney World:
Yes, you can bring plastic and reusable water bottles, mugs and cups provided they are not breakable (glass) and do not contain alcohol.
Customer service will give you a free cup of water but keep in mind that Florida tap water is gross. If you want to drink it bring some powdered drink crystals to mix so that it tastes better.
You can get a free button from customer service to celebrate your first visit to the park.
No. Strollers must be 31″ wide and 52″ long or smaller.
No dry ice is permitted.
No smoking or vaping is permitted in Disney parks. You must use a designated area outside the park.
Great list!!!