You’ve booked your Disney World trip, you’ve made your park pass reservations, and you’ve made your advance dining reservations, so what’s next? Well, you probably need to start thinking about what you need for your trip!
But where to even begin? Well, we’ve tackled visiting the parks a zillion and one times and we’ve put together a list of must-have items that you’ll want to put in your suitcase when you start packing. These are all tried and true items, too, and you’ll thank us for making sure that you’re as prepared as possible to have a magical trip!
Technology
Mobile Phone Charger
The one thing you will need more than anything else is a mobile phone charger. Because trust us — you will be using your phone A LOT at Disney World. You’ll need to access the My Disney Experience app for just about everything nowadays: from unlocking your hotel room to ordering food to scanning into the parks. And that takes a lot of battery power.
Check out this portable charger power bank! It has high speed charging, as well as 5 simultaneous charging outputs. We’re big fans of this charger by RAVPower. It’s easy to throw into your bag with your phone when you need to get to charging, too. This power bank is $31.95. And trust us, having the peace of mind that anywhere you go you’ve got a battery is NICE.
Shop For This Mobile Charger Now
Power Strip
Let’s face it — we travel with a lot of electronics and things that need to be plugged in now. And Disney World hotels just often don’t have enough places to plug everyone’s devices in. (Ever do that awkward fight to claim the outlets closest to the beds with your family?) So bringing your own extra Power Strip is a must! This Anker Power Strip is perfect for traveling — and it’s easy to pack, too!
You can grab it now for $19.99. You’ll have everything you need to plug all your stuff into. It’s got both extra outlets AND USB plugs, so you’ll be all set.
Shop For This Power Strip Now
Travel Alarm Clock
Disney World hotels no longer have alarm clocks, and well, you don’t want to miss rope drop, do you? But how will you wake up? If you’re kickin’ it old school and not a fan of checking your phone for the time, a travel clock is perfect. This basic Digital Alarm Clock is all you need.
It’s small enough to throw into your bag, and it’s got a nice loud alarm that will get you and your family up on time every morning. And it’s only $12.97. Yes, we realize many people also use their smartphones for alarm clocks, but call us old-fashioned — we like a real alarm clock.
Shop For This Alarm Clock
Staying Hydrated And Planning For The Weather
Cooling Towels
Okay, so Florida weather can be extreme. Downpours in the middle of the day, even when the forecast calls for clear skies, are common. And the heat and humidity can get downright unbearable in the summer. For the latter, we like the cooling towels by Frogg Toggs — in the summer, we won’t leave our hotel room without one.
These come in a variety of colors, too, so you can match your cooling towel to your outfit. Toss one in your bag, run it under some water in the parks, wave it around for a sec, and you’ll have cool comfort all day. This particular towel is $12.99.
Shop For This Cooling Towel
Portable Fan
Another way to stay cool in the Florida heat is to bring your own personal portable fan. And although we’ve seen some cute Disney ones, they’re not always that great. We recommend this one on Amazon that is tried and true.
What’s great about this $12.99 mini fan is that it’s rechargeable via USB, so you can totally use your mobile charger to keep it powered all day.
Shop For Your Own Personal Mini Fan Here
Sunscreen
The Florida sun isn’t just hot, it also gets a LOT of UV rays. If you’re going to be out in the sun most of the day, we ask that you PLEASE wear sunscreen to protect your skin. We’re fans of Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Oxide because it’s great for sensitive skin and is SPF 50 and waterproof.
This sunscreen also doesn’t leave you feeling greasy like some other sunscreens. You can grab it now for $10.99.
Shop For Sunscreen Now!
Collapsible Water Bottle
Y’all know us — we’re the first to tell you not to pay for bottled water at Disney World. Not only can you get free cups of water almost everywhere in the parks, but you can also bring your own water bottle in and fill it at refilling stations located in the parks. And that’s where a Collapsible Water Bottle comes in handy because you can just collapse it down pretty small and throw it into your bag when you’re not using it.
We like this Special Made Collapsible Water Bottle because it collapses down super small and doesn’t take up hardly any space in your bag! And it’s only $11.99.
Shop For This Water Bottle Now
Raingear
Remember those random rain showers we mentioned? Well, they happen a lot, and you need to be prepared. Even if you think it might not rain, the chances that there will be a 10-minute downpour at Disney World are high nearly every day. So bringing along raingear that packs easily into your bag is a no-brainer.
We like this Windbreaker because it’s lightweight (perfect for summer), waterproof, and fits inside a little pouch that you can just throw in your day bag when you’re not using it (read: your other park bag stuff won’t get soggy after that mid-day shower!). You can get it now for $27.95.
Buy This Windbreaker Now
Sunglasses
When it IS sunny out, though, it’s VERY SUNNY. They don’t call Florida “The Sunshine State” for nothing. And you’ll want to protect your eyes as much as possible. Yes, Ray-Bans are expensive, but the $151 Wayfarers are classic for style AND these sunglasses hold up (and yes, we HAVE accidentally sat on them and they didn’t break).
They come in a variety of colors, too, so you can match just about any outfit. AND they come in various sizes so you can get the best fit for your face.
Click Here To Buy Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Hat
If sunglasses aren’t your thing, or you want to shade your eyes and face even further from the brutal Florida sign, why not consider a hat? And the cool thing is, it doesn’t have to be a plain old hat — it can be a Disney hat, like this Mickey Mouse Baseball Cap that comes in a variety of colors.
This classic cap is $21.05.
Click Here To Buy The Mickey Mouse Baseball Cap
Current Must-Haves
Masks
The health and safety guidelines at the parks are changing rapidly, and we’re doing our best to make sure you’re aware of any changes that happen. Right now, face masks aren’t required anywhere in Disney World, but you can still wear them to stay safe! So one of the things we’ll recommend is to bring extra masks. And although there are some cute Disney ones, it’s good to have some Disposable Masks on hand, too.
These Disposable Masks come in black, which means they’re a little more stylish than the medical blue ones. And you can get a pack of 25 for $6.99.
Click Here To Shop These Disposable Masks
Mask Chains
If you’re going to wear a mask in Disney World, we highly recommend a mask chain to keep you from losing your mask. This is basically a lanyard that you attach to your mask so that when it’s off, it can just hang around your neck. You can get a Pack of 10 Mask Lanyards that comes in a variety of colors.
This has been one of our go-to items over the past two years, so we highly recommend it! This pack is $9.99.
Click Here To Buy Mask Chains
Sanitizing Wipes
You’ll also need sanitizing wipes for your hands and pretty much everything you touch. You might also want to keep your phone wiped down, but you can also use them to wipe down tables before you sit down to eat. These Purell Sanitizing Wipes packs are travel-sized, so they’re easy to carry around in your day bag.
You can get six packs now on Amazon for $9.
Shop For These Sanitizing Wipes
Clothing
One thing we are always going to recommend is bringing more than one pair of shoes with you when you visit Disney World. You might find the shoes that are the comfiest for you at home aren’t necessarily as comfy when on your feet all day at theme parks. Trust us — we’ve worn our favorite shoes for hours on end walking around back home only to learn too late they just don’t quite cut it at Disney World! And here’s the thing — different shoes work for different people. For sneakers, we like Skechers GoWalks because that memory foam insole makes a HUGE difference when you’re on your feet all day.
They come in a variety of styles, colors, and price points.
Click Here To Shop Skechers GoWalks
If you’re more of a sandals person, you can’t go wrong with Birkenstocks. These sandals were literally made for walking.
They come in a variety of styles and range in price from $45 and up. Be sure to give these some time to break in before your trip though, then your feet will last all day!
Check Out Amazon’s Full Line of Birkenstocks
Slip Shorts or Bike Shorts
We’re big fans of wearing skirts, especially in the summer, because they’re just a lot cooler than pants and even shorts. But when things get hot and sweaty, wearing skirts can be an issue. That’s where these Bestena Slip Shorts come in. And the best part? You don’t have to worry about what happens when the wind picks up and you pull a Marilyn Monroe (or as you do the awkward roll/fumble out of your car to exit Space Mountain and inadvertently flash the exiting guests!).
Bike shorts also work in a pinch, although slip shorts do occasionally tend to be lighter. These are $13.99. Your not-so-tender thighs will thank you!
Click Here To Shop For These Slip Shorts
How to carry park essentials
Loungefly Mini Backpacks
There is a Loungefly Mini Backpack for almost every Disney character, movie, and attraction. And these bags make great park bags because you can fit a lot into them. Take a look at this Loungefly Minnie Mouse Dress Mini Backpack — it’s PERFECT for a trip to Disney World, right?
This bag is $85.
Click Here To Buy This Loungefly Bag
If you want a bag on a budget, you can still get something like this Mickey Mouse Sketch Cinch Sack. There’s plenty of room for all your stuff!
This bag is available now for $12.98.
Click Here To Buy The Mickey Mouse Sketch Cinch Sack
And in case you hadn’t noticed, fanny packs have made a huge comeback! They’re so handy to wear and keep you hands-free, so yeah, we get it! And you can even get a Spider-Man Belt Bag now.
This fanny pack, AKA belt bag, is available for $39.99.
Click Here To Buy The Spider-Man Belt Bag
What to pack IN your day bag
In addition to the usual — wallet, sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes, IDs, tickets, etc — you’ll want to make sure your day bag is stocked with things you need. And we always bring Ziploc Bags because sometimes we can’t eat a whole snack and we’re not about to throw out perfectly good food we can eat later. Don’t even get us started on their usefulness saving your phone and wallet from water rides! Plus, if you tote around sanitizer like we often do, sometimes those bottles love to leak. Toss one in to save your goodies!
We like the slider lock bags, too, because they’re a little easier to seal (because you also don’t want food getting into your bag and making a mess!).
Click Here To Buy Ziplock Bags
Chapstick
It’s important to keep your lips moisturized and protected from the hot sun. And with face masks, your lips are even more prone to drying out! So you’ll want to put Chapstick on your lips as much as you can.
We highly recommend getting the kind with SPF protection! We found a three-pack on Amazon with SPF 15 for $3.07. That’s about as cheap as you’ll find it!
Click Here To Buy a 3-Pack of Chapstick
Hand Cream
Your hands are going to get super dry, too, especially if you’re still using a lot of hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes — the alcohol in sanitizers can do a number on your skin. We recommend something like Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream, which will keep your hands hydrated and soft.
You can grab a 3 oz. bottle of this hand cream for $3.70.
Click Here To Buy Gold Bond Hand Cream
Hand Sanitizer
Although Disney World has hand sanitizing stations all over the parks, their sanitizer tends to dry your hands out and it feels sticky. And sticky hand sanitizer is no fun. Wish Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E is not sticky AND it makes your hands feel soft when you use it.
We like to get the big bottle for $6.75 and then put it into small travel-sized bottles to carry around with us in our day bag.
Click Here To Buy This Hand Sanitizer
First Aid
Okay, so here’s the thing: accidents — and blisters — happen. And rather than having to take time out of your day to go to each park’s first aid station, why not have what you need on hand? And one of the things we recommend the most is Anti-Blister Balm. Because even your most comfy shoes can cause blisters (especially on hot days when your feet sweat).
We like the Body Glide balm for $8.99Â that you just glide over your heels and anywhere else you tend to get blisters. Believe us — this stuff really works to prevent blisters!
Click Here To Buy Anti-Blister Balm
Sometimes, though, blisters will still happen. And that’s when you’ll need Moleskin to cover and protect that sensitive skin. Dr. Scholl’s has a Moleskin padding roll that you can cut into various sizes depending on what you need.
This stuff is a real lifesaver! A little bit can get you back on your feet in no time! You can grab it on Amazon for $6.63.
Click Here To Buy the Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Roll
Finally, you might have the occasional cut or scrape you need to treat with a Band-Aid, so yes, bring some Band-Aids with you. You can get a massive box of Bandaids in multiple sizes (including some fun Disney ones!) that should treat just about any kind of wound.
This box is $9.47 on Amazon, and you might be surprised how much you need it!
Click Here To Buy Bandaids
We’re at the parks almost every day, and these are the things we make sure to always pack for our trips! We’ve tried just about everything, so we hope this list is helpful to you when you start making your own Disney World packing list.
Check Out This EASY Disney World Packing Tip That Will Save You Both Money AND Suitcase Space!
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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Did we miss anything? What else do you pack when you’re going to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Where is the printable version of your packing list ? Can’t find it anywhere !
M, we keep our PDFs on this page.
I’ve searched that database and don’t see the Ultimate packing list pdf?
M, looks like we didn’t create a PDF of this list. You’d have to jot it down.
My number one piece of advice for people doing full days at Disney is to wear different shoes on alternate days. Shoes tend to wear on two or three places on your foot, so I might wear Nikes one day and Pumas the next, just to give those spots on my feet a day to rest.
Other than that, it’s pretty much exactly what my list in Trello looks like.
No thanks! Majority of these products are tested on animals.
The skechers go walk sneakers are the best
Oh wow, I didn’t realize there was a page of all the PDFs you’ve made. Thanks!
Is it too late to order a 2021 DW guide? Our trip is December 1 through December 6? I would sure love to get one if I can!
Thank you!
Trudi, you will receive the 2021 Guide via email even if you’re technically purchasing the 2022 version. Then when the 2022 Guide is ready (early January, typically), you’ll get that one, too.
Cooling towels are very worth it
If you wear sandals. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Burned feet are miserable.
That is so true, Diane! Feet and ears have to be the most overlooked when it comes to sunscreen.
I also include Neo to Go (spray Neosporin) in my bag. A little spritz on those booboos and you don’t have to worry about dirty hands touching the cream or ointment.