10 Items I always pack for a Disney trip
Plus, three new things I'm bringing in May!
Happy Wednesday, readers! The countdown to my next Disney trip is quickly dwindling, and I’m currently deep in the weeds of the three Ps: planning, packing, and preparation. So today, we’re talking about our must-have items for this type of vacation.
These are the things that if they were forgotten or — heaven forbid — my luggage got lost, I would have them ordered and delivered to the resort. They’re tried-and-true necessities that make the days a lil’ easier so that I can focus on what really matters — soaking up all the magic.
Since I’ve only vacationed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, this list was largely created with that property in mind. However, most — if not all — of these items could easily apply to any other theme park.
Alright — let’s dive in!
Sound machine
I’m a sensitive sleeper, especially when I’m in a different environment. I started bringing this lil’ sound machine on trips and boy, is it a game changer. Not only does it mask any weird hotel noises but it helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. Like most sound machines, this one comes retrofitted with multiple white noise options but I almost always choose the thunderstorm sound. We’re in Florida, after all.
Small fan
You’ve heard it before so I’ll be the one to say it again: Florida is hot. Unless you’re traveling during one of the few milder months, it might be worth investing in a small, rechargeable fan. I own this one, which has a larger fan face but packs a punch and can be adjusted so that it can sit upright on a table, nightstand, countertop, etc.
You might not use a fan every day of your trip, but it sure does come in handy for those moments when the air is stagnant and you — or someone else in your party — are one minute away from having an overstimulation meltdown. I’m certainly not speaking from experience. Nope! Not me…
Portable battery charger
On any given trip, I’m typically spending quite a bit of time in the parks. Between capturing memories and pulling up the Disney World app every few minutes, my phone battery starts gasping for air after lunchtime. You could always find an outlet to charge up, but my favorite way to do so is with a portable battery charger. Depending on the one you get, a fully-charged power bank can usually charge a phone up to a few times. It’s nice to just plug it in, not think about it, and enjoy your time in the parks.
I also own and recommend FuelRods, which can be found at specific locations across Disney property. These are incredibly convenient because, 1.) they’re small and compact and 2.) once you charge up your device, you can swap out the used FuelRod for a fully-charged one at a kiosk for free! It’s all included in the initial price of purchasing one. While they usually don’t give my phone a full charge, they’re still a great option. If you choose to buy one, I’d strongly encourage purchasing it on Amazon rather than in the parks or at your resort. They’re currently priced at $38 each on property, but you can get two for the price of one on Amazon. Booyah!
If you take a larger battery charger (like the one mentioned above) into the parks, you might get flagged and searched at security. It’s happened to us multiple times, so…just be aware.
Charging block
Listen — we can’t predict the future, but one thing that’s almost sure to occur during your Disney World vacation? Rain. Another thing to be certain of is that you’re going to be charging all the things, many of which at the same time. From portable fans to MagicBands to that aforementioned power bank, these puppies need to be juiced up at some point during your day. That’s why I love bringing a charging block. I can just plug it into a wall outlet and charge up to seven devices at once. Pretty cool, huh?
This is a must-have item if you’re going to be sharing a room (read: battling it out for outlets) with one or more people. Just do yourself a favor and add it to your cart. Your future self will thank you!
At least two pairs of park shoes
Despite the significant role they play in keeping us upright and moving, feet can often be overlooked when preparing for a Disney vacation. Trust me; I’ve learned my lesson the hard way over the years, so one way I keep my feet happy on longer trips is by bringing at least two pairs of comfortable, supportive shoes for park days. While I’m wearing one pair, the other can “rest” (this is a real thing!) so that they’re ready to go the following day.
Based on my experience, it’s important to understand not just your feet but also your ankles and lower legs when choosing footwear. I have hypermobile feet and ankles, so I know that I’ll need a shoe with extra support and stability. Your needs will vary, so I would do some research a few months beforehand to allow yourself time to explore your options, get properly fitted, and break them in before your next trip.
I’ve been loving the New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo sneakers, and I’ve heard rave reviews about the Brooks Adrenaline GTS line. My alternative shoe is almost always the Oofos OOriginal Recovery Sandal. They’re like pillows for your feet while still being pretty darn supportive. If you’ve got a favorite sneaker that can handle the mileage, let us know below!
Crossbody bag
I like my park bag how Goldilocks likes her porridge — not too hot (big) and not too cold (small). For me, the perfect park bag is a medium-sized crossbody bag. It has just enough room for the necessities, and won’t cause shoulder aches or make my back even sweatier than it already will be by simply walking around in the Florida sun.
I used the BEIS Sport Pack on my last trip and it was a dream. The bag is spacious, lightweight, and easy to handle, and I also loved how I could keep it strapped to my waist or chest while riding attractions. I’m tempted to give the Vera Bradley Disney Lorman Sling Backpack a go during my next trip. It looks like it would check all the boxes, and bonus! It has super cute embroidered Mickey heads all over it.
Need some pixie dust for organizing your next vacation? Check out my free digital trip planning spreadsheet! In it you’ll find sections for a mapping out your days, plotting Lightning Lane selections, choosing outfits, and arranging a packing list. You can access it from almost any device, and it makes planning for a Disney trip that much easier.
Powdered laundry detergent
I’ve never regretted bringing a bag of powdered Tide along in my suitcase. It’s simple as that. You just never know when you might need to wash an item or two of clothing in the sink or throw a load of laundry in the in-room or self-service resort washing machine.
Before my trip, I’ll measure out detergent for a couple loads of laundry and add it to a bag that’s labeled with the measured amount. Even if I don’t end up using it, it always makes my suitcase smell great. It’s a win-win.
My “walking pharmacy”
Speaking from experience, there’s few things that are worse than feeling physical pain and discomfort while on vacation. Our bodies are complex and sometimes completely unpredictable, and being in a different environment with a different schedule and different eating habits can trigger some not-so nice side effects at times. If I can’t prevent something from occurring, I at least want the tools I would need to take care of it while it’s happening.
Enter: the “walking pharmacy”. This is a small, compact container that holds any kind of medicine that I — or someone in my party — might need during our trip. We’re talkin’ ibuprofen, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Tums, Gas-X, Imodium, peppermint oil (great for post-meal nausea), Sudafed, Pepcid AC, Claritin, Benadryl, you name it. If you have a medicine at home and think it might be a good idea to bring it, go ahead and toss some in the container.
Tip: If the name of the medicine isn’t printed on the pill or packaging, be sure to add a label to the container (if able to) or use your phone to take a photo of it alongside the box.
As far as containers go, I’ve used this one and this one. Both are great because they have a slim profile and they’re dishwasher safe! But there’s lots of options nowadays, so it should be fairly easy to find one that suits your needs.
Electrolyte packets
While we’re chatting about the human body, let’s talk hydration. You’re in Florida; it’s hot, humid, and sunny most months of the year. Not only is it important to be drinking water, but it’s also a good idea to replenish those electrolytes.
I recommend trying out some different brands of electrolyte drinks based on your own preferences and health needs prior to your trip, but here are a few portable crowd favorites: Liquid I.V., LMNT, and Nuun. I prefer cane sugar over other sweeteners (i.e. stevia), and I highly recommend Skratch Labs. I’ve been using their products for years and love them. I grab a handful of the single-serving packets in advance and bring one or two with me to the park each day. Simply add a packet to a bottle or cup of water, and voilà! Your on your way to hydration.
If you want $10 off your first Skratch Labs order of $30 or more, feel free to use my referral link! No pressure, though.
Hand + dish soap
This was always something that slipped my mind before taking a longer trip, but best believe I don’t leave home without a bottle of hand or dish soap anymore. It’s a luxury that hotel rooms don’t offer, and it sure beats using a slimy bar of “facial soap” every time you need to wash your hands or your refillable resort mug.
Tip: Be sure to grab a new bottle so that the pump is still locked, or simply lock the pump of a bottle you already own. Seal it up in a Ziploc bag so that if things get messy during travel, the soap doesn’t end up on your belongings. If you don’t need a standard-sized bottle of soap, add some to a travel squeeze bottle instead. I’ve done this many times with dish soap!
If we need groceries or some other things that we don’t want to haul to Florida ourselves, we’ll usually add hand and/or dish soap to an InstaCart or Whole Foods (through Amazon) order and have it delivered to our resort. Easy peasy!
A few new things I’m bringing
Travel dining utensils
There’s almost always a festival going on at Epcot and with that comes food. So much food. With many options to enjoy, it’s expected for park guests to hop around from food booth to food booth and explore the various offerings. We love doing this but unfortunately, it produces a lot of plastic waste. In the past, we would grab new disposable forks, spoons, and/or knives each time we ordered from a booth but this time around, we’re curbing that habit and using stainless steel utensils instead.
I’m going to try different methods of cleaning (i.e. water wipes, dish soap, etc.) the utensils between uses, so I’ll let y’all know what ends up being the better approach.
Stainless steel straw
Along with reusable utensils, I purchased a collapsable, stainless steel straw that I can use (and reuse) throughout my trip. The height of the straw can be customized for any size drink, and it comes with a protective case and cleaning brush so that it stays nice and hygienic. I foresee my straw getting to know many, many Starbucks beverages…
Collapsible clothes hamper
We stayed in a room with a washing machine and dryer during our previous trip and by the second day, I was wishing for a way to congregate our dirty laundry that didn’t involve tossing everything on the floor. I purchased a collapsible clothes hamper to use during our upcoming trip and even though it’s a rather insignificant item, I think it’ll make all the difference for our living space.
Whew — that’s all, folks. It can be overwhelming preparing for a Disney trip, so I hope this post was helpful in some way. Now, it’s your turn! Do you have any must-have items that you always pack for a Disney trip? Leave a comment and let us know.
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Excellent list! I agree with all of these. You absolutely need to bring multiple pairs of comfortable tennis shoes. I swapped between two pairs but ended up buying a pair of Crocs from a garden festival tent as my recovery shoes. Two things I'm grateful we packed for our trip in late May: packable ponchos and cooling towels. It stormed every afternoon around 4 and the ponchos helped us exit the parks comfortably. I run really hot and the cooling towels provided instant relief.