Walt Disney World is definitely the happiest place on earth, but sometimes planning a magical adventure there can feel a little bit overwhelming. I grew up taking family vacations to Disney World with my parents, and now that I’m a married adult the magic still hasn’t worn off for me.
I’ve become our family’s “magic coordinator,” making dining reservations, securing FastPasses, and even creating daily itineraries we can reference from our phones in the park. I thought it would be fun to share some of my Disney planning knowledge with a blog series on all of the different things you need to know before you set foot in one of the kingdoms.
So, without further ado, here is the ultimate Disney World packing list full of tips and tricks to make your experience extra magical!
Day Bag Disney Packing List
Before we go over what clothes to bring, the first thing you need to know is that it’s a good idea for at least one person in your family to bring a bag or backpack into the park. Why, you ask?
While there are so many things I love about Disney, prices are not one of them. If you discover you need something while you wander the park, you will have to pay the Disney price tag for that item. Throwing a lightweight, preferably waterproof backpack over your shoulder will save you both time and money.
Here are a few of my favorite options:
This is my own Disney backpack. It’s super lightweight, has tons of space, and includes waterproof lining to protect your stuff from a sudden downpour.
All of the Loungefly Brand backpacks are so cute! They do come with a higher price tag, but you can occasionally find them on sale through Amazon, Shop Disney, or at mall stores like Box Lunch.
Drawstring backpacks are so lightweight, you may barely even notice you have one on your back! These are a great option for families without kids who just need a place to store phones, sunscreen, and other basic essentials.
Once you have a purse or backpack you love, you should prioritize which items you need to bring inside the parks with you. Here are my suggestions.
What to Bring to Disney World: Essentials
- Smartphone
This might seem obvious, but just in case you were planning to have a tech-free day: never leave your smartphone behind in the hotel room. Your smartphone grants access to the My Disney Experience App, where you can reserve FastPasses, check wait times for rides, find restrooms on the map, access your Memory Maker photos, and more.
- Portable Battery & Cable
Since you will be using your smartphone so much to do all of the things mentioned above (and probably to snap some pictures), running out of battery is pretty much inevitable. Use a portable battery like this one to keep your phone functional from your first ride to the fireworks.
- Hand Sanitizer
While the Disney World cast members deserve major kudos for keeping the park so incredibly clean, with such a high volume of visitors you will definitely still encounter lots of germs. Use hand sanitizer before you eat and after rides to minimize the chance you’ll get sick.
- Rain Poncho
If you’ve never been to Disney World, this one probably comes as a surprise. But Florida is only the sunshine state most of the time! Sudden bursts of unexpected downpour are actually pretty common year-round. If you’re caught by surprise when this happens, you’ll have to get drenched, take cover and lose time in the park, or pay for a Disney park poncho. I like to bring my own poncho from Amazon in my bag. It’s weightless compared to a rain jacket or an umbrella, and it keeps you dry as you walk from one attraction to the next. Here are some even cheaper ponchos in several colors.
- Sunscreen
This one needs no explanation. You can pack a travel size sunscreen if your backpack is small.
- Bitbelt
If you’re using Magic Bands on your Disney trip, you might find them difficult to secure on your wrist. These rubber “bitbelts” slide onto your Magic Band and hold the bottom strap in place.
- Autograph Book
If you’re planning to meet lots of Disney characters with your kids, having your own autograph book on hand will save you some money in the parks.
- Reusable Water Bottle
Since you’ll be walking between 10,000 – 20,000 steps throughout the day, it is essential to stay hydrated. Every refreshment stand in the Disney parks will provide you with a cup of ice water for free. Use these to keep refilling your water bottle as needed. Here’s the water bottle I ordered.
- Snacks
This is technically optional because there is lots of great food at Disney World, but if your kids are picky eaters or frequent snackers, you can save lots of money by bringing a little bit of food inside with you. I recommend sticking to something lightweight and portable like Goldfish crackers or granola bars. Disney employees will check your bag when you arrive, but they won’t confiscate your snacks.
- Travel Size Medicines
If you start to get a headache or stomach ache while you’re in the park, you’ll thank yourself for bringing a mini pill box with some Advil or Pepto you can take one the go.
What to Bring to Disney World: Optional
- DSLR Camera
Since I love to take pictures, I always bring my best camera with me to Disney World. If you already own a camera and you don’t mind carrying it around the park, this can actually save you some money too. The PhotoPass employees stationed around the park will take your photo on any device, like a nice camera or even an iPhone. This is a great option for saving family memories without paying for the $170 Memory Maker package. There are definitely perks to Memory Maker though, so research carefully before you decide what is best for your family.
- Glow Sticks
Want to surprise your kids with a little extra magic? Hand out some inexpensive glow stick bracelets right before you watch the nighttime shows or fireworks.
- Extra Toys
If your kids’ eyes are bigger than your wallet when it comes to the Disney toy stores, hide some less expensive, equally fun toys in your suitcase and surprise them in the hotel or the park. If this doesn’t jive with your parenting style, no worries. I just saw it on another Disney blog and thought it was a brilliant money-saving idea!
Suitcase Disney Packing List
Now that you have your day bag packed, let’s talk about clothes. This list will differ depending on the season you visit, because it can be chilly in the parks at night in the winter. But most of the year, shorts and t-shirts are your best bet for packing. Here are my recommendations.
Disney Clothes for Spring or Fall (March, April, May, September, October, November)
- T-Shirts for every park day.
- Two or three pairs of shorts.
- One pair of jeans.
- One lightweight windbreaker jacket.
- One sweatshirt.
- One or more flannel shirts for easy layering.
- At least one pair of comfortable sneakers.
- Mickey or Minnie ears.
Disney Clothes for Summer (June, July, August)
- T-Shirts or tank tops for every park day.
- Two or three pairs of shorts.
- One lightweight windbreaker jacket.
- At least one pair of comfortable sneakers.
- Mickey or Minnie ears.
Disney Clothes for Winter (December, January, February)
- T-Shirts for every park day, some or all long-sleeved.
- Two or three pairs of jeans.
- One lightweight windbreaker jacket.
- Two or three sweatshirts.
- One or more flannel shirts for easy layering.
- At least one pair of comfortable sneakers.
- Mickey or Minnie ears.
The Ultimate Disney World Packing List
I hope these packing tips help make your Disney experience as carefree and magical as possible. Do you have any packing tips I missed? Share them with me in the comments below!
Have more questions about planning a trip to Disney World? Check out a few of the other blogs from my Disney Planning series right here.
6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Vacation
150+ Magical Disney World Instagram Captions
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