Planning a trip to Disney World can be a lot. From picking your resort to trying to snag dining reservations to planning out your park days, it can be a little overwhelming! In this post, we’re trying to take a little of the stress off you by letting you know everything to put on your Disney World Packing List. Kayla has been over 20 times, so she has become an expert on what to bring!
This is a family-friendly packing list, so it includes all the items adults and children should bring as well as things that can make the trip more fun, but that aren’t necessarily a necessity.
You can use the jump menu below to easily jump to the section that interests you most:
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Packing Setup
We’ve moved into trying to pack minimally for trips and typically only travel with a carry-on these days. However, Kayla makes an exception for Disney trips. On her most recent trip, she fit all of her family’s clothing and toiletries into her Large 28″ Samsonite Winfield Suitcase.
If you prefer to travel on the lighter side or will only have 2 people in your party, Kayla’s favorite carry-on bags are the Samsonite SoLyte Softside Carry-On and its matching smaller underseater bag. These bags can stack on top of each other to make for extra easy transport or be wheeled separately.
Packing Cubes are always on our Lists of Travel Must Haves. You can fit so much more into your suitcase with them, and they make organization so much easier!
We both use a hanging toiletry bag for all of our toiletry items. They pack up compactly and hold a surprising amount of items! Kayla also uses this jewelry organizer to hold her jewelry for every trip to Disney.
Oddly shaped things (like snacks, the many Disney character plushes Kayla’s 3 year old daughter wanted to bring, and their Disney ears) were placed into an IKEA bag.
Whether flying or driving, Kayla always has her ErgoBaby Metro Plus Stroller on her Disney packing list (pictured above). It folds up to a compact size, has a surprisingly large storage basket, and has a great sun shade. She’s been using this stroller for her daughter for 3 years, and it’s still holding up great!
Don’t forget a park bag! Kayla prefers to use a backpack with stroller clips.
Electronics
Phone Charger – Kayla likes using a 10 foot charger. It’s great for when outlets aren’t conveniently located in your room.
Power Bank – You’ll likely be using the Disney App frequently during your trip and taking lots of pics, both of which can drain your battery quickly. Kayla LOVES her Magsafe power bank, because it simply snaps onto the back of her phone without having to worry with phone cords.
If you don’t have a Magsafe compatible phone, Amanda has used this one all over the world and says it charges quickly, plus its slim and lightweight.
The parks do offer power banks you can purchase, but they’ll cost you around $40 and aren’t the best.
Portable Fans – Florida is sweltering HOT during the summer and even well into fall. Come prepared, especially if you aren’t use to high temps.
Kayla uses the Amacool Rechargeable Fan for her daughter. It has flexible tripod legs, making it super easy to attach to her stroller or to standup on tables during food breaks.
For herself, Kayla likes using the O2Cool fan that comes with a lanyard and blows vertically so you can walk around wearing the fan like a necklace and it blows straight up on your face, freeing up your hands!
Airpods – If you’re staying in a Disney resort, odds are your accommodations will be 2 beds in one room. Having Airpods will allow you to watch or listen to whatever you want without disturbing the other people in your room.
Airfly – If you’ll be flying, you definitely want to invest in an Airfly! This nifty device lets you listen to in flight entertainment with your Airpods instead of the cheap corded headphones they give out on flights.
It really makes a difference when traveling with others and you are the unlucky soul in the middle or aisle seats having to get up when the window and middle seat people need to use the restroom or stretch their legs. No more pausing your show or getting headphones tangled!
Magic Bands – Not a necessity by any means, but they keep you from having to pull your phone and credit card out a million times during your trip. Magic Bands can be linked to your theme park tickets, room key, credit card, lightning lanes, and Disney PhotoPass. You just hold up your magic band when you’re ready to use it, and they work with the scanners on property.
Amazon Fire 10 Kids Tablet – This is mainly to help entertain your kids for the drive or flight to Orlando. But if you know the day you’ll be visiting the parks will be extra busy, it can also help keep your child entertained if you experience long lines for rides.
Need more ideas for how to keep your kids entertained during the journey to Disney World? Check out our list of The Best Road Trip Items for Children!
Clothing
The amount of clothing you bring on your trip of course depends on the length of your stay. Kayla dresses differently on park days than she would a resort day. She likes to try and strike a balance between comfort and cuteness on park days with comfort being the top priority. She packs a nicer outfit or two for resort days, especially if she’s scheduled nicer restaurant reservations.
Park Days
Shoes – It is imperative that you wear comfy shoes on park days that you’ve already broken in. On Kayla’s last visit to Epcot, she walked 27,000 steps. You can’t put in that sort of mileage in if you aren’t wearing the right shoes.
Kayla LOVES her Cole Haan Grandpro Topspin Sneakers. They are lightweight and have a Grandfoam midsole for extra comfort. One pair has lasted her through multiple trips to Disney World, a trip to Peppa Pig Theme Park in Orlando, two European trips, plus normal everyday wear.
When Amanda knows she will be doing a lot of walking, she likes to wear her Allbirds Women’s Tree Runners Everyday Sneakers. This versatile style has an enhanced cushioned foam midsole for all day comfort. They are also machine washable and made from all natural materials, cutting their carbon footprint in half.
You can read more about why we love these sneakers so much in our post 15 of Our Favorite Items for Travel.
Shirts – Kayla likes to match her daughter on Disney trips, and she always lets her daughter pick the theme of their park day outfits. Below are some of the shirts and accessories Kayla has bought for Disney trips:
- Captain Hook Eat Local Shirt – For the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Worn with matching Captain Hook Earrings
- Haunted Mansion Shirt and Earrings – For the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Little Mermaid Shirt and mermaid earrings
Shorts – Kayla likes to wear bike shorts at Disney, because they are so comfy. Her favorite pair is the 11 inch Signature Waist Bike Shorts with Pockets from Torrid.
Ears – Did you even go to Disney if you didn’t wear mouse ears or a Goofy hat with floppy ears? These Minnie Mouse scrunchies are great for little girls who might have trouble keeping the ear headbands on.
Resort Days
Resort days are all about relaxation and good eating. These are the types of outfits Kayla wears on resort days:
- 2 piece cropped smock top and high waisted skirt – It comes in so many fun colors and patterns and is great for all body types! The floral pattern is a super cute option for the Ohana Character Breakfast at the Polynesian Resort or you can get the solid black one and have your mini me dress in this Minnie Mouse inspired dress.
- GAP Easy Pants and a Basic Tee for maximum comfort
Shoes – We recommend bringing a different pair of shoes for your resort days to give your feet a rest. Kayla wears these Sketchers Desert Kiss Sandals on resort days. They are extremely comfy, cute, and go with most outfits.
Swimsuit – like this one piece or this bikini. Amanda really loves the Cupshe brand. Every swimsuit she’s gotten from them lasts for years. We recommend packing at least 2 swimsuits, so that one can be drying while you use the second. Kayla always packs her daughter a Disney themed swimsuit.
Ponchos – Afternoon showers are common in Orlando, but they typically don’t last long. Ponchos are lightweight and don’t take up much room. Add them to your Disney World packing list so you stay dry during your visit! If you’ll have a little one in a stroller, consider getting a universal stroller cover to keep them and the stroller dry.
Pajamas – Of course, Disney pajamas are the way to go. Kayla’s daughter LOVES these Disney princess nightgowns. If you are staying in a royal room at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, the princess nightgowns really add to the magic!
Check out our Guide to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for recommendations on how to plan your day at the festival and reviews of the food we ate there!
Toiletries
Hair Care – Not Your Mothers Travel Set (This is one of Amanda’s fav hair product brands so traveling with these little items really makes or breaks a good hair day), scrunchies, elastic hair ties, claw clips, bobby pins, hairbrush.
Makeup – Tower 28 Tinted Sunscreen, Fenty Contour Stick, NYX Blush Duo, Gxve Beauty Mascara, your fav eyeshadow palette, Benefit Setting Spray, ELF Cleansing Balm. This of course should be customized to what you prefer to use, but we like to keep it very basic and minimal & don’t typically use too many makeup products.
Skincare Face Mask – Not necessarily a necessity, but this is a fun and inexpensive activity to do with kids in the evenings while you’re unwinding in your hotel room.
Gold Bond Friction Defense – A must have if you will be wearing shorts
Mini First Aid Kit – For any small scrapes you may get. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it! Each theme park also has first aid stations and the resorts typically have basic supplies in the gift shops.
Poo-Pourri – Disney Resort rooms are small and typically only have 1 bathroom. Be kind to your travel buddies.
Travel Size Perfume – If you want to travel with your favorite perfume, check to see if they make a travel size one like this one or you can buy a refillable perfume spritzer to take with you.
Medications – Don’t forget to bring whatever medication you normally take, and we recommend bringing some Advil too!
Wipes – If traveling with young children (and diapers if your kids aren’t potty trained yet!).
Don’t forget your toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, and razor!
Miscellaneous
Sunscreen – You’ll be outside in the sun for the majority of the day – protect your skin!
Neutrogena Sun Rescue – To help with your sunburn if you are unlucky enough to get one.
SPF Chapstick – Your lips deserve protection too!
Insect Repellant – Kayla typically doesn’t have an issue with mosquitos on her Disney trips, but on her last trip she somehow ended up with 15 mosquito bites on one foot! It was awful!
Hand Sanitizer – Theme parks are filled with germs. Sanitize and wash your hands often!
Wet Ones – To wipe down hands and sticky surfaces.
Large Ziploc Bags – These can really come in handy, especially with younger children. If your kids clothing gets wet, put them in a Ziploc Bag. If your kid is being a slow eater and you’re ready to get back on the move, put their food in a Ziploc bag for easy transport. Have trash but you’re not near a trash can? Ziploc bag.
Snacks – If you’re driving, we recommend adding snacks to your Disney packing list to avoid paying elevated prices at the resort and theme parks. Kayla always takes a few snack packs and a case of water on trips.
Refillable Water Bottle – Save money by packing a refillable water bottle for yourself and your kids. Kayla usually packs this Disney themed one for her daughter. She likes that it has a lid and a handle for easy carrying.
Liquid IV Drink Mix – This will help you stay hydrated, especially in the hotter months.
Did we forget anything on our Disney World Packing List? Let us know in the comments below!
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Other Posts You May Enjoy
- The Ultimate Disney World Packing List
- Epcot Food and Wine Festival Guide
- Is Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida Worth It?
- 10 Things to Know For Visiting Disneyland Paris
- A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle
- Staying at Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Disney World
Great advice..esp for items like ponchos you can get locally for far cheaper than inside the park.
I wrote a similar post but focused on packing the least amount of stuff and still having everything you need! I love reading other bloggers take on the same things I’ve written about, it always makes me think about what I may have missed!
This is a very inclusive list, great work!