The things you need to pack for a great trip, plus the things you really don’t need!
We have made many trips to Disney World and Disneyland over the years with kids and after a lot of trial and error, I finally feel like we have our Disney packing list down to a science! Every family has different needs, but hopefully seeing our packing list will help you put together your own perfect list and avoid over or under-packing.
1. A good suit case
This is not at all specific to Disney, but a having a good suit case matters! We have been through a lot of suitcases, partly because our cat pees in them if we leave them open and partly because we are rough on them! My most favorite durable suitcase that isn’t overpriced is the Samsonite Winfield 2. It’s hardsided, has 4 spinner wheels that don’t get stuck, the retractable handle doesn’t get stuck, it has a lock, the interior is large and easy to organize, and it’s lightweight. This one really holds up!
2. A good bag to carry into the parks
You will want a bag to carry into the park with you. I recommend carrying the smallest and most comforable bag that will fit all the things you need to take with you. Even if you will be using a stroller and can put the bag in the stroller, you will often be parking the stroller and leaving it for a while and you’ll probably want your bag with you. If you can get away with a fanny pack or cross body bag – great! That will be the easiest on your shoulders. If you have younger kids you will probably have more to carry so you’ll want a good backpack. If you can get away with a small backpack, many people like carrying Disney-themed Lougefly backpacks. As your kids get older and they want to carry their own bag, Lougeflys or fanny packs are a good option.
Disney allows you to keep your bag with you on most attractions. There aren’t often places to put your bag to the side while you ride something like there are at other amusement parks. Having a smaller bag makes it easier to take with you on attractions and is easier on you who is carrying it around while walking miles.
You can often find more affordable Lougefly backpacks at Hot Topic.
3. A stroller if you have kids under age 7
Even if your kids don’t use a stroller any more at home, they may want one at Disney! You will literally walk MILES each day at a Disney park. You can either bring your own stroller or rent one. We recommend getting one that reclines in case kids want to lay back and nap, has a compartment for storing things, has a canopy, and folds easily so you can easily bring it on a bus or pack it in your car.
If you don’t have smaller compact stroller already, it is sometimes cheaper to buy one than to rent for multiple days. These are my favorite of the cheap but good quality lighweight strollers:
Single: Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Baby Stroller
Double: Baby Joy Double Lightweight Stroller
4. Good shoes
Disney is not the time for cute shoes, even if they’re Disney-themed. You will walk MILES at Disney and your feet will get hot and swell and you need good shoes! Make sure everyone in the family has a good pair of walking shoes and a back-up pair.
My current favorite walking shoe is the Nike Motiva. The unique curved shape propels you forward and feels like you’re walking on air. View on Amazon >
If you’re visiting during hot times of year and plan to get wet a lot, you may want to wear a sporty sandal on some days. My favorite women’s sport sandal for lots of walking is the Teva Tirra. For kids I like a closed-toe sandal like KEENS Newport sandal.
5. Disney-themed clothing
This is not at all necessary but it is fun! You can find Disney-themed clothing at multiple retailers. If you want to do some matching family Disney shirts, check out Etsy! There are many Etsy sellers that make matching and customized Disney shirts.
6. External Phone Chargers
You will be using your phone quite a lot during a Disney trip. You can use your phone to check wait times, mobile order food, purchase and select Lightning Lanes, you can use it as your park ticket, and of course you’ll want to take photos, and possibly entertain yourself in lines. That’s a lot of phone time! Your phone battery will drain long before you want to leave the park so you’ll need an external phone charger and the correct cord to plugin your phone into the charger. Or try one of the ones with built-in chords so you’re never without one.
Something like this photo charger with built-in cables would work well >
To be continued…
