The Practically Perfect Packing List for Disney

Packing is tricky for any vacation. Determining what to bring and what to leave behind can be difficult. In order to help ensure you have the most important items for your trip, we are going to share the perfect packing list.

This is a big-picture overview of packing for Walt Disney World. Check out our deep dives into packing at How to Disney.  Once you have the big picture figured out, you can more successfully get into the details of what to bring with you to Walt Disney World.

Clothes

The first step to thinking through when it comes to packing for Disney is what you are going to wear. You will want comfort and breathability when it comes to what to wear in the Parks.

For those that prefer dresses or skirts, make sure that you bring slip shorts or chafing shorts to wear underneath. This will not only keep you comfortable but also modest getting in and out of rides.

Light colors are also a great option to help keep everyone cool. When traveling during the hot summer months we also recommend multiple outfits per day. You will be surprised how much you sweat. Having a fresh outfit can make a huge difference.

Think through what everyone will be the most comfortable in when visiting the Parks. This is what you will want to pack.

Shoes

After figuring out what everyone is going to wear when at Walt Disney World, make sure that you figure out what shoes everyone is going to bring with you. Guests typically walk ten or more miles per day when in Disney. Because of this, you will want to make sure everyone has comfortable shoes.

Think about those shoes that have good cushion and will provide comfort to your feet. We also suggest having a couple of comfortable pairs of shoes for everyone. Even the best shoes can cause blisters in the Florida heat so being able to switch out shoes can provide some relief to tired feet.

Weather

No matter when you go, you will probably face some sort of weather. This might be hot, cold, or rainy. As you pack for your trip, know what weather could arise during your vacation and pack accordingly.

At How to Disney we have a lot of tips about managing rain, cold, and heat at Walt Disney World. Read those articles so you can pack what will be helpful to have. 

No matter when you are traveling to Walt Disney World, we recommend having rain gear. This means bringing your umbrellas, rain jackets, ponchos, and extra shoes. Keep in mind that it will rain in Disney. If you are prepared for it, you can keep on enjoying the magic.

Don’t assume that just because the ten-day weather forecast says no rain that this will remain true throughout your trip. Florida rain storms come and go quickly. Be ready with your rain gear.

Medicine

We never want to have to think about not feeling the best while in Walt Disney World, but it does happen. Although Disney does have First Aid Stations throughout the four Parks as well as an over-the-counter medicine for Guests, we like to make sure we have our own medicine with us.

Think about what medicine your family takes daily. Are there specific vitamins, daily medicines, or allergy medications that everyone takes? You won’t want to skip out on these during your trip. We also recommend thinking about what medicine might be helpful when traveling. Traveling can put a lot of strain on our bodies. We eat, sleep, and overall are in a very different environment than our regular days. This means that our bodies can have some strange reactions. Having some Pepto, Dramamine, or allergy medicine can be extremely helpful.

You will also want to make sure that you have enough of any and all of your prescription medicine. Take time to process what might be helpful to have on hand when it comes to medication in Walt Disney World.

Electronics

Guests that visit Walt Disney World will rely greatly on Disney’s official app: My Disney Experience. This app is essential for mobile ordering, booking Genie+, and finding your way around the Parks. Because of how important this app is to a magical trip to Disney, you will want to ensure that all cell phones remain charged throughout the trip.

Having portable chargers for everyone is extremely important. Not only does it keep everyone happy to have a fully charged phone, but it is also good for keeping connected to one another and Disney throughout the vacation.

Extra Bag

You will probably go home with more than you arrived at Walt Disney World. Souvenirs are something that you have to consider when packing, even before you leave home.

If you stuff your suitcases completely when leaving for Walt Disney World, there won’t be any room for souvenirs on the way home. To help with this, consider tossing in an extra small duffle bag to transport items home.

Snacks and Water Bottle

Staying hydrated and avoiding meltdowns from hunger is important to a successful Disney trip. Even though Disney offers many different dining options throughout the Parks, it is also nice to save money and time by having your own.

Disney allows Guests to bring both water and snacks into the Parks. Don’t forget to take advantage of this during your trip.

Packing for a Walt Disney World trip can be stressful. By providing you with this big-picture packing list, we hope that you feel less overwhelmed. Now that you have the main ideas of packing for Disney, head to How to Disney’ to find out more details on what we bring to Walt Disney World.