Hello, travelers!
With Ryan being a former cast member, and Lillian being a Disney park enthusiast, we’ve both been to Walt Disney World in Orlando plenty of times. Whether it’s experiencing rain, extreme heat, packed festival crowds, or hour-long waits, we’ve seen and done it all at Disney World. Because of this, we feel like we’ve mastered packing for a Disney World trip! Here’s our perfect packing list for when you’re about to embark on a trip to the most magical place on earth.
SPF
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to take care of your skin! At Walt Disney World, there will probably be plenty of days where you’re out in the sun for hours, so make sure your skin is protected. We usually pack a travel size sunscreen that is TSA friendly, SPF lip balm, and also a sunscreen stick or moisturizer to use on the face, neck, ears, and scalp. If you want to learn about which SPF products we love and use the most, you can read that here.
COMFORTABLE, BROKEN IN SHOES
This is a must. When at Walt Disney World, you are on your feet, walking around, and standing in lines basically all day. It’s just part of the game when you visit the four parks at Walt Disney World! Because of this, wear the shoes that are most comfortable to you. Trust us: it doesn’t matter if they don’t go perfectly with your outfit! What matters more is that your feet are supported throughout the day.
A CROSSBODY BAG
We both love a good crossbody bag to carry all our needs throughout our park days! They don’t have to be massive bags either; usually a smaller crossbody is perfect for walking around the parks and stuffing under the seat before a ride. If you are like us and aren’t traveling with little ones who require more things to carry, we definitely prefer a crossbody bag over a backpack or tote.
A SLIM/SMALL WALLET
Sometimes our day to day wallets can get cluttered with things like multiple credit cards, cash, library cards, or certificates to restaurants and stores. Realistically, on a Disney trip you’ll probably only need your ID, some cash, a credit/debit card, and a Disney gift card (if you have one!). Having a smaller wallet to carry these few things will free up some space in your bag and is easier for managing your payment methods at dinner, quick service locations, or merchandise spots.
HAND SANITIZER
Whether you hold a hand railing on a ride, use a public restroom, or tap a screen on a kiosk, your hands are bound to be touching a lot around the Disney parks. Having a small hand sanitizer in your bag becomes super handy throughout the day. One of our favorite brands to use are the spray hand sanitizers from touchland which we’ll link here. (And they have a collaboration with Disney, too!)
SUNGLASSES
Florida is bound to be sunny at least one of the days you’re visiting (if not all the days). You are in the Sunshine State, after all! Having a trusty pair of sunglasses is a must when traveling to Walt Disney World. If they can easily fit in your crossbody bag for when you’re about to ride an attraction, even better! (And a reminder to all of us who wear glasses and don’t have transition shades . . . don’t forget to pack contacts!)
RAIN PONCHOS (JUST IN CASE)
You know how Murphy’s law works: if you bring ponchos, it won’t rain! But, in all seriousness, if you see some raindrops in your forecast for your Walt Disney World vacation, don’t wait to buy ponchos once you’re there and already soaked. Roll up a few in your suitcase to bring with you! Also, try to find ones that are reusable and aren’t disposable at the end of a rainy day so that you can ensure you have them for future trips.
A SWIMSUIT
If manifestation is more your speed and you see rain in your vacation forecast, bring a swimsuit! We’re obviously kidding, but packing a swimsuit is always a good move on a Walt Disney World vacation just in case you want to spend any time at a resort pool.
A HANDHELD FAN
For those of you who get too warm waiting in lines or are visiting Walt Disney World during a particularly hot time of year, a handheld fan can be a lifesaver. Ryan’s last trip to Walt Disney World was in June and it was during a heat wave. He wrote a review on the fan he used that he absolutely loved! We’ll link that review here.
PHONE CHARGER
This is something you definitely don’t want to forget. A lot of time spent in the parks is on the My Disney Experience app since that mobile app tracks ride wait times, allows you to mobile order food, and is your key to using lightning lane passes. Packing a phone charger to recharge your device at night or a portable charger to have on you during the day is a must!
CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE YOU GO
We mentioned that we’ve experienced the parks during all kinds of weather, and it is so important to look at the forecast before you travel so you know what clothes to bring. Raining buckets one day? Pack some quick-dry socks. Boiling hot? Tank tops and shorts all the way! Might be chilly at night? A jacket or crewneck is good to have on hand. Florida weather can change or shift throughout the year, so make sure you check your weather app when planning out your Disney World wardrobe.
AND, OF COURSE, MICKEY EARS!
Is it really a Disney trip if you don’t have some fabulous headwear? Having Mickey/Minnie ears or Disney-themed baseball hats complete a Disney outfit in our book. And don’t worry if you don’t own any! There’s many creative people on sites like Etsy crafting some awesome ears, and plenty of merchandise you can buy at the parks once you’re there.
We hope that this list of must-haves is helpful when you’re planning and packing for your Walt Disney World vacation. Want to read more about planning, preparing, and other helpful packing tips? Visit the Pack & Prepare section for more! If you’re new here, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on our socials to stay updated on all our latest travel content.
Happy travels,