What To Pack For Disney World? (15 Essential Items)
The anticipation of visiting Walt Disney World is an exciting feeling for children and adults alike.
As with any big trip, knowing what to pack is key to having a good time – it’s important not to bring too much, but there are also necessary items that all guests should consider taking.
Visitors to Disney World should pack 15 essential items to bring to the parks. These items include a phone, external battery bank, waterproof bag, comfortable clothing, cushioned shoes, rain poncho, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, Disney trading pins, lightweight backpack, reusable water bottle, snacks, hand sanitizer, and ibuprofen.
Forgetting to bring one of these things isn’t catastrophic, but it can be inconvenient.
The following guide provides a detailed list of items and accessories parkgoers should pack for a day at Disney World.
Don’t Forget Your Phone
A cell phone is likely the most important item on this list of things to bring to Disney World.
Having a smartphone in the parks makes the trip more organized and convenient.
Guests can communicate with each other, use contactless payment options, use the free park WiFi, and download the My Disney Experience App.
The Disney Experience app helps plan itineraries, find directions, and store park tickets using the Genie Service.
It also makes making, changing, or canceling activity or dining reservations easy.
Parkgoers looking to skip the lines at participating rides can upgrade to Genie+ or purchase Individual Lightning Lane passes using their My Disney Experience account.
In addition to the My Disney Experience App, other phone apps can make a day at Disney’s theme parks enjoyable.
One of these is Play Disney Parks, where visitors can play games, interact with the world of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and earn fun rewards.
Essential Cell Phone Accessories
While a cell phone is an essential item to bring to Disney World, it requires additional accessories to keep it working well.
Using a cell phone throughout the day can drain a battery quickly, so visitors should bring an external battery with a USB cord to avoid having to plug in their phones and wait while they charge.
Another necessary item worth packing is a waterproof or plastic Ziplock bag large enough to fit a cell phone.
Some rides, like Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom and Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, get passengers and their belongings wet, and Orlando has sudden downpours in the summer that can also ruin phones.
Having a safe place to store a device while riding or avoiding a rain storm will save guests the headache of dealing with a waterlogged phone.
Comfort Is Key
Wearing comfortable clothing is definitely essential when visiting Disney theme parks, and parkgoers should dress for Orlando’s subtropical climate.
The weather is typically hot and humid from May to September, but it also rains almost daily during this period.
In the fall and winter, the weather is less humid with less rain, but it can still be quite warm during the day.
During the spring and summer, visitors should wear breathable, lightweight clothing that doesn’t trap sweat against the skin and cause friction or chafing while walking around.
Clothes made of cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics are best and should be loose enough to be comfortable but not too loose as to catch on things or pose a hazard on rides.
When the weather is cooler from October to April, parkgoers should pack layers such as long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, jackets, and pants – it can be mild during the day, but the evenings can be cool and breezy.
Shoes Are Important
Choosing the right shoes for walking around all day at Disney World is crucial.
Visitors usually walk several miles when visiting the parks, so avoiding blisters or sore feet should be a top priority.
Tennis shoes or sneakers with comfortable, cushioned soles appropriate for walking are the perfect footwear for most park visitors.
These shoes can get a little wet from rain or water rides and still hold up well for walking comfortably.
Walking sandals, like Birkenstocks or Tevas, can also provide Disney parkgoers with a fashionable but comfortable choice perfect for the hot summers.
When choosing a sandal, make sure it provides plenty of structure and cushioning sufficient for miles of walking.
Guests should avoid shoes with high heels and those without adequate stability or support.
Protection from the Weather
For several months during the year, it rains in Florida almost every day.
Sometimes it’s a gentle shower, while at other times, it’s a downpour, and violent afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially in summer.
Visitors to Disney World in July through September should pack a plastic poncho (or raincoat) because they will likely need it.
An umbrella would also work, but wind gusts can ruin them, and they are not as compact as ponchos.
Coats or ponchos can also be brought on rides when it’s raining, while umbrellas cannot, and they’re helpful on water rides to prevent riders from getting soaked.
Protection From the Sun
When it’s not raining, the sun is shining, which can lead to other challenges for Disney theme park visitors.
The sun in Florida is quite powerful, and it’s easy to burn without protection.
The best way to enjoy the parks and avoid getting a painful sunburn is to wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often, especially after water rides.
In addition to sunscreen, a hat helps provide sun protection.
Some clothing will even help protect people from UV rays, offering an additional way to prevent sun damage.
Sunglasses help to cut glare, especially when transitioning in and out of buildings.
For some guests, the sun’s brightness can lead to a headache, making the day less enjoyable overall.
Additional Accessories to Make Park Visits Easier
The weather in Orlando can make it challenging when walking around outside all day, so guests need a few things to make their visit easier.
First, a lightweight backpack measuring less than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) is great for carrying essential items without weighing you down.
Second, it’s easy to get dehydrated in Florida’s heat, so visitors should take reusable water bottles or cups and frequently refill them with water or a beverage containing electrolytes.
Lastly, it’s easy to delay or skip meals at Disney World because of long lines or trying to fit as much into the day as possible.
Packing snacks allows visitors to stretch out the time between meals without losing energy or getting irritated.
Disney Trading Pins
Disney pin trading is a fun hobby for people who love all things Disney, and Disney pins are sold in shops and kiosks throughout the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
While visiting the parks at Disney World, visitors can purchase Disney pins and trade them for new ones.
Guests often wear a lanyard with attached trading pins when visiting theme parks or resorts.
They can save money by purchasing discounted Disney trading pins in bulk online before going to the park and trading with others.
In addition, every Cast Member will trade pins with guests, and most theme park and resort shops also have Disney pins available to trade behind the cash registers.
Many people participate in this hobby and organize officially and unofficially to trade pins at specific locations and times.
Visitors should remember to pack their Disney pins if they want to participate in this fun activity.
Health-Related Essential Items
Parkgoers should pack a few items that assist them with health-related matters while at Disney World.
One of the big ones is hand sanitizer, which has become an increasingly important travel item to help guests avoid illness.
When visiting the parks, sometimes the heat, sun, roller coasters, or other activities can have a negative effect on visitors.
Headaches are common and often result from dehydration, overheating, squinting in the sun, or doing things the human body doesn’t usually do.
Excessive walking, particularly with the wrong shoes, can cause soreness in the feet, knees, or lower back, and a bad sunburn can cause skin inflammation.
Parkgoers should bring ibuprofen or a similar medication to help with pain and discomfort when visiting Disney’s theme parks.
Conclusion
Several key items can make all the difference between enjoying a day at a Disney theme park and being uncomfortable.
Visitors to Disney World should pack the following 15 essentials to maximize their experience:
- Cell phone
- External battery bank
- Waterproof bag
- Comfortable clothing
- Cushioned shoes
- Raincoat or plastic poncho
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Disney trading pins with a lanyard
- Lightweight backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Ibuprofen
These park necessities make a trip to Disney World theme parks easy, organized, comfortable, and fun.
