Those with kids know traveling to a theme park like Walt Disney World can be a bit of an ordeal. I will be traveling with two small children in a couple of weeks, and there are so many important items we need to pack for our trip. You can make your next trip to Disney (or any theme park) easier by making sure you pack these 8 items.
Stroller Cover and Ponchos
First, if there is even a slight chance your child will need a stroller during your trip, BRING IT OR RENT IT. There is no tired like Disney tired, and even if your child is used to walking a lot at home, they may still become exhausted after walking around the parks. If you know anything about Florida weather, you know it is likely to rain at least a little during your trip, especially if you travel during the summer months. Be sure to bring a stroller cover and place it on your stroller when you park it in the stroller parking. If it rains, your stroller and any belongings on it will be protected. Along with this advice, it is also a good idea to have ponchos. Don’t let the rain stop you from having fun. Kids are sure to love playing in the rain anyway.
Comfortable Masks and Mask Lanyards
At Walt Disney World and Disneyland, masks are required indoors, on all transportation, and on indoor attractions for all guests ages 2 and up. The best mask for your child is the mask they can comfortably wear when required. Make sure to bring masks that your child is okay wearing, and make sure to bring some backups as they can get sweaty or dirty throughout the day. Another great item to utilize is a mask lanyard. These clip onto your mask and hold them around your neck when you are not wearing them. This is perfect as you are likely to be taking your masks off and putting them back on frequently.
Buy souvenirs ahead of time
Save some money! There are several popular souvenir items at the parks that you can find cheaper prior to your trip. Bubble wands, ears, plushies, light wands, and pins are just a few items that you can find easily that are much more expensive in the parks. If you’re heading to Universal Studios during your trip and your child doesn’t have their heart set on a wand from Ollivander’s, you may want to think about purchasing one ahead of time.
A “Busy Bag”
Be sure to bring a busy bag or activity bag, you can call it whatever you want. This is a bag of items and activities to keep your children occupied during a long car ride, flight, or anytime you might have to wait at the parks. My bag includes coloring books, fidget toys, and card games. You could also bring a tablet if that is suitable for your family.
Extra Clothes
Even if your children are potty trained, always bring extra clothes. Accidents happen, whether they are potty related, due to rain, food, etc. It is always a good idea to bring a backup because replacing a whole outfit from the gift shop will likely cost you upwards of $50 or more.
Plastic Bags
There are so many uses for plastic bags in the parks. Bring a few different sizes. You can bring grocery bags, disposable zip bags, or silicone reusable bags. Not only are they great for when accidents happen and you need a place for dirty clothes, but you can place leaking bubble wands in them or protect electronics when you go on water rides. I have even heard of people using them for leftover food.
Snacks
Speaking of food, do not waste money on food your child will not eat. You can bring food into any of the Disney or Universal parks. Food in the parks can be expensive, so if you know your child isn’t going to like any of the food on the menus, bring their favorite snacks or sandwiches to the park with you. You can bring food from home when you travel, or have it delivered to your resort.
Extra Magic
The last item on the list is extra magic. These are any items that you might want to bring to add a little extra magic to your child’s trip. You can bring glitter or confetti to use as a little pixie dust (just be mindful of making a mess), gems that you “catch” during PhilharMagic, a letter from their favorite character welcoming them to Walt Disney World, or goodies for them to share with cast members who make their day more special. It is only limited to what you come up with.
