What do you really need to bring with you on a Disney day?
While there’s a certain charm to strolling down Main Street with naught but your MagicBand and a pocket full of dreams, many an unprepared Disney guest has found themselves scrambling through gift shops searching for forgotten supplies. Every day, parkgoers lose vacation time and untold amounts of money paying inflated prices for Mickey Mouse ponchos, themed soda cups, fuel rods to rescue their phones, and expensive sundries.
You don’t need Mary Poppins’ carpet bag to solve this issue. We’ve put together a complete list of essentials (and a few cool hacks) for your ultimate Disney Day survival kit—as well as a few things to leave behind!
1. Picking the right bag
Image: André Köster, Flickr (license)
On any given Disney day, we’ve all seen that poor soul huffing and puffing beneath the weight of a bursting backpack worthy of conquering K2. While preparing for Disney can often feel like packing for an excursion into the Everglades, it isn’t necessary for you to blow out your back just to hit the parks like a pro.
The perfect Disney survival kit starts with your bag. What works best will vary between each traveler and the size of their family. The key factors to consider are:
- Comfortability – We’ve talked before about how Disney vacations involve a huge amount of walking. I’ve pulled a shoulder muscle from something as simple as walking with a slightly-heavy purse for too many days in a row on a trip. Make sure your bag of choice has a comfortable strap and a style that makes it easy to carry. Backpacks and well-made messenger bags are ideal. Utilitarian shoulder bags can work if you’re willing to switch sides regularly. For the ultimate light traveler, a fanny pack may even be optimal!
- Size – The goal is to choose a bag that fits everything you need in as compact a space as possible. Leave enough room for small souvenirs, but you don’t need much. Huge bags can make navigating crowds a nightmare and will slow you down at bag checks. If your family needs a lot of supplies, instead of cramming them all into one bag, have everyone in the family carry small backpacks. Don’t rely on your stroller as an excuse to pack heavy non-essentials. Any bag you bring will need to fit with you on rides since strollers must be left outside attraction queues.
- Easy to Use – A well-made bag with several compartments will likely serve you better than a bottomless pit of a knapsack. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to find a quiet bench in a crowded theme park to take every single item out just to locate some moleskin. At the same time, overly-complicated bags could prove just as cumbersome if you can’t remember what goes where. Aim for something in the middle of the road.
Leave Behind: Anything extreme. Gigantic backpacker’s packs and tiny Prada clutches will prove equally useless at Walt Disney World. Find something moderate and comfortable that meets your needs. If it is large enough to fit a kindergartener, it’s probably overkill.
2. The bare essentials
Image: Disney
It goes without saying that every Disney survival kit should include the key items you need to get into the parks and enjoy your day. This means:
- Magic Bands
- Passholder Cards –You’ll need these for discounts and free parking. Your Magic Band won’t cut it, even with a Passholder fob attached.
- ID – You will also need this for Passholder discounts and some credit card purchases
- Credit Cards –If you are picking up your tickets at Will Call, always bring the credit card you bought the tickets with. On one of our first Disneyland trips, a family member bought us tickets online. When we arrived, there was nothing we could do to pick them up without the card. We had to spring for a full set of tickets that same day! Avoid this embarrassing fate.
- Cash, if you prefer
- Gift Cards – This doesn’t just mean Disney gift cards. Walt Disney World is a great place to drain low balance “general purpose” gift cards. While this is a practice best reserved for situations with low crowds, most Disney cashiers can divide a purchase between 2-3 cards. Just don’t count on this too much at restaurants as they sometimes decline cards without a minimum balance to ensure servers will get tipped properly.
Leave Behind: If you’re going to be making all your park purchases on your MagicBand, don’t bring too many other non-essential cards. Just like your bag, keep your wallet as light as possible.
3. Beat the heat – Gear for the Florida sun
Image: Disney
Florida’s sun will likely prove the most formidable foe you’ll face in preparing for your vacation. Throughout the year, the UV index in Florida frequently rises to cook-your-tender-flesh-into-sizzling-chicharrons levels. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are very real dangers even at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
A steady supply of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is essential. While sprays are convenient, creams are more effective. For the most-pasty parkgoers, a sunscreen with zinc or titanium dioxide is a good idea. Lip balm can also prove helpful. After frying my scalp a few times, I would recommend every survival kit include some sort of hat or bandana, particularly for small kids or those with thinning hairlines. Sunglasses are also non-negotiable. You will save quite a bit purchasing a pair at home rather than waiting to locate some in the parks (unless you’re really jonesing for a pair of Ray Bans from Adventureland).
Most importantly, stay hydrated. Resist the temptation to splurge on sodas, even with a refillable cup (which can prove awkward to carry over a long day). Instead, you can either drink free filtered water at any kiosk or restaurant in the parks or purchase a filtered water bottle before your trip, like a Brita or Bobble (if you get the latter, make sure it doesn’t leak). These are especially helpful if you’re concerned about the occasional swampy flavor of Florida’s water. If you get dehydrated easily, bring some electrolyte tablets. You’ll have an easier time staying hydrated, and you’ll save a ton of money!
Leave Behind: Bottled water is cumbersome as you can only carry so much, even if you buy a pack ahead of time. Also leave behind wacky contraptions for dealing with the heat. No one can fault you for bringing a small fan but focus on protecting your skin, wearing lightweight breathable clothing, and staying hydrated.
4. You may get wet – Gear for Florida rains
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega
Daily rainstorms are not uncommon in Florida. These can range from a slight drizzle to full blown tropical storms. We once waited out one under a tiny awning in World Showcase with naught but ponchos to protect us.
Speaking of ponchos, Disney makes a killing on them. The amount you will pay for a plastic trash bag with a Mickey Mouse logo is seriously painful. Instead, swing by your local Walmart or outdoors store and pick up plastic rain ponchos for everyone in your family (usually found in the camping section). They’re small, lightweight, and wonderfully cheap.
Image: Mingo Hagen, Flickr (license)
If you want something a little more durable, bring a light windbreaker or hooded jacket with you. A collapsible one is even better (though, I’ll admit, I’ve never found one that would collapse small enough to be entirely convenient). If you’ll be visiting in the winter from a warm climate, bring some light extra layers with you. There’s no need to pack full changes of clothes (unless you’re planning on riding Kali River Rapids on a cold day), but a pullover or long-sleeved t-shirt can’t hurt. If you’re concerned about items getting wet, bring a few sandwich bags. For the ladies, a scarf is a great item to keep on hand. I’ve used mine to warm up on chilly nights, to cover my head in the rain, and even as a makeshift extra bag.
Leave Behind: Unless you have a seriously tiny umbrella, it’s probably best to leave it behind. Large umbrellas can prove unwieldy in the parks and don’t forget that Florida is the lightning capitol of the country. Also, unless you’re visiting from the surface of the sun, you won’t need a heavy coat.
5. We have the technology – Phone, power, and trip hacks
Image: Mick C, Flickr (license)
While guests can certainly enjoy Walt Disney World without a smartphone, for most, a good phone with the My Disney Experience app is a must-bring item. In bygone years, guests had to carry guidebooks, park maps, still cameras, camcorders, and possibly a very-bulky cellular phone. Now, a good smartphone fills all those roles. Guests with phones can also enjoy interactive park elements like the trivia game in the line for Soarin’ Over the World. Disney offers Wi-Fi throughout the property, so you don’t have to drain your data plan.
The downside is that Disney’s app and constant hopping between Wi-Fi hubs can quickly drain even the most stalwart of cell phone batteries. Electric outlets are extremely difficult to find at the parks (the lobby of the Garden Grill, parts of the old Innoventions Pavilion, and the store connected to Space Mountain are a few rare places to find one), so many guests end up springing to buy “Fuel Rods” in the parks to keep their phones charged. While the idea is clever, there are better uses for your money.
It can’t hurt to bring a small phone charger, and if your phone allows for removable batteries, an extra one can prove a life saver. If not, purchasing a small power bank online will usually prove cheaper than the Fuel Rods option. In a pinch, it’s been reported that Guest Relations can also recharge phones for park guests.
Another great use for a smartphone is as a tool to pass the time in long lines. Before you head to the parks, download some music, a favorite movie, or an unabridged audio book. Pop in some headphones while waiting to listen to your favorite media. You can even use a headphones splitter so others in your party can listen. This is a great trick for families with kids!
Leave behind: Selfie Sticks. While a smartphone photography kit is a good idea, selfie sticks are banned at Walt Disney World, both for safety and atmospheric reasons. Also, laptops and large tablets are probably overkill for a park visit and could easily be damaged in the hustle and bustle.
6. Tired soles – Essential hacks to rescue your feet
Image: Josh Hallett, Flickr (license)
We’ve talked about hacks to save your feet at Walt Disney World before. An average Disney guest takes 10,000 steps a day. Moleskin is an absolute must. It’s cheaper to get outside of the parks, and it can either be used to protect your feet from blisters or can be applied to rough patches inside your shoes. Foot lubricant is another great tool for many guests. Last, changing into an extra pair of socks halfway through the day is like having an extra pair of feet!
Leave behind: Extra shoes probably are not necessary unless you’d like to switch to some flip flops for water rides. Also, most guests don’t realize that everything you need to treat blisters and damaged feet can be found for free at Disney First Aid. They have a full treatment for blisters which includes an application of bandages and soothing Bactine.
7. No kitchen sink required – Key sundries
Speaking of First Aid, there’s actually very little guests need to carry as far as basic sundries and medications. If you have any daily or prescription medications, definitely bring those with you. If they require refrigeration, Disney First Aid can store them for you.
Eye drops are a good idea for contact lens wearers, and hand sanitizer/wet wipes are a must have considering the amount of sick people who visit the parks every day. While Disney offers free mosquito repellent at First Aid and mosquito control stations, carrying a small bottle is definitely wise.
For fans of essential oils, a small travel kit like this one offered by Doterra is a wonderful tool. I find myself reaching for mine regularly on Disney trips: Peppermint oil can give a refreshing energy boost. Rosemary encourages focus and alertness. Jasmine and frankincense can calm anxiety, and lavender is an effective off-the-cuff hand sanitizer. As with all things, do your research and don’t ingest essential oils or put them on your skin without being sure they’re safe or properly diluted.
Leave behind: Over-the-counter medications and random sundries. We can’t gush enough about Disney First Aid. They carry a full range of OTC medications (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) and a wide range of basic items guests would normally purchase at a drug store. Read our full article on everything they offer and feel free to leave those items out of your survival kit unless you use them frequently.
8. The stars of the show – Families with kids
Image: Disney
We’ve talked about survival kit hacks for kids before—particularly the “Magic Backpack”, a trick for parents that involves revealing trip-related gifts and rewards to a child after regular intervals of good behavior during a vacation. Families with kids and especially toddlers will need to pack some extras, and it can help if these items are divided up between family members instead of being thrust entirely onto mom or dad alone. A survival kit for kids can be combined with the Magic Backpack concept to include an autograph book and pen for character greeting, pin lanyards for pin trading, a sippy cup for drinks, and lightweight activities to keep kids busy in long lines.
Bringing babies can prove more challenging but isn’t impossible. Bring a comfortable diaper bag with all the basics you’ll need to take care of your little one (diapers, wipes, bottles, lotion, formula). Disney’s Baby Care Centers include a safe area for nursing moms and lots of great amenities for parents. A lightweight stroller can prove a huge boon for navigating crowds. Families with two small children may have an easier time using two light strollers rather than a huge double-wide. This isn’t possible for every family, but it can certainly prove helpful for some.
Don’t forget snacks! You’ll save money bringing small sandwich bags of healthy snacks kids can enjoy in between meals rather than splurging at kiosks throughout the day.
Leave behind: The bigger the stroller, the more difficult it will be to maneuver through crowds. If possible, go as light as you can and encourage older kids to walk when feasible. Also, limit how many toys and activities kids can bring with them into the parks.
9. Surprisingly useful – Other essentials
Image: Jett Farrell-Vega
Snacks are an obvious choice for all ages, but what else might go into a Walt Disney World survival kit?
If you’re celebrating anything at all, pick up a celebration button from your resort front desk or Guest Relations. This is a great way to get random freebies throughout the parks.
What’s your passion when you visit Disney? A small travel journal is a great tool for keeping track of memories, trip details, or just brushing up on your writing skills. Budding Disneygrammars can bring a small prop (like an action figure or Vinylmation) to use in photographs. Pin traders may want to bring a tiny screwdriver/hex key for unfastening pin locks. Don’t trust your precious pins to the plastic backings Disney offers. Guests concerned about germs might include a stylish pair of gloves in their kit, and budding artists can bring a small pencil kit and sketchpad. Identify and bring key items that really make your trip special.
Leave behind: Avoid bringing knives and Leathermans to Walt Disney World. Snacks like chocolate that can easily melt should also be avoided. Above all, don’t feel the need to bring wacky travel tools and unessential knick-knacks. Be prepared, but don’t sweat it if you miss something. In a pinch, most everything a guest may need can be purchased in the parks or via a quick Uber ride to stores in Orlando.
What else do you include in your Disney survival kit?
