When I’m home in Florida, you can usually find me at Walt Disney World. As a longtime annual passholder, I’ve perfected the art of packing to visit the parks, whether I’m spending the day park-hopping, or just nipping in for a Dole Whip and a spin on the teacups. I’ve visited rain or shine, in winter coats or sundresses, with friends or on my own. Packing for a day at Walt Disney World is second nature by now.
For those new to the game, here’s what I recommend packing for a full day at the parks. This Walt Disney World packing list includes everything you’ll need to enjoy a day at the parks in comfort and style.
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Walt Disney World Packing List
Park Tickets & Wallet
Remember to bring the essentials! Bring your ticket, ID card, and spending money to the park. If you’re staying at an onsite resort and have a Magic Band, you can also link your tickets and charge items to your room, eliminating the need to carry physical tickets or money with you.
Room Key & Car Keys
This may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to forget the basics when you’re trying to herd a family out the door and into the parks. Make sure you have your room key, and if you decide to drive, your car keys as well. Magic Bands come to the rescue again here, as they can be used to unlock and access your hotel room.
Water Bottle
It’s important to keep hydrated throughout the day, especially during the hot Florida summer. Bring a water bottle with you and refill it at free drinking fountains throughout the park. Don’t like the taste of Florida tap water? Me neither. Bring flavoring drops or powdered drink mixes to add to your bottle and make the water more palatable. Of course, you can also purchase bottled water inside the parks, if you truly hate the local water and don’t mind the extra cost.
Sunglasses
Going anywhere in Florida without sunglasses is generally a bad idea. Protect your eyes and keep comfortable with polarized sunglasses. It’s called the Sunshine State for a reason.
Contact Lenses
Trust me on this one. If you normally wear glasses, it’s worth investing in contact lenses for your Disney trip. You’ll be flitting in and out of rides, shops, and restaurants all day, and constantly swapping prescription glasses out for prescription sunglasses will get old very quickly. Save room in your bag by eliminating the need for bulky glasses cases, and opt for contacts instead. With contact lenses, you’ll also be able to enjoy 3D rides and shows in comfort. I have layered prescription glasses under 3D ride glasses on several occasions, and it’s not exactly fun. Not only do I look like an idiot when this happens, but I have to keep my hands glued to my face to keep the 3D glasses from slipping off my nose every ten seconds. Trust me, just wear contacts if you can.
Comfortable Shoes
When I spend a full day in the parks with family, I usually wind up tracking 6-9 miles walked on my pedometer. Comfortable shoes are a must-have for enjoying the parks rather than hobbling around in pain all day. These are my favorite shoes for a day in the park. I’ve worn them sightseeing in Europe, for days at Walt Disney World, and out running errands, and they are super comfortable. Whatever “comfortable shoes” means to you, make sure your chosen pair is well broken-in before your arrival at the resort.
Sunscreen
Bring sunscreen with you to reapply as needed throughout the day, even if it’s cloudy outside. Wearing makeup? Choose a high-SPF setting spray and use that to freshen up your face and your sunscreen every few hours. This mini SPF setting spray from Supergoop! fits the bill and fits perfectly into a small purse or backpack.
Mouse Ears
No Walt Disney World packing list would be complete without this item. Walt Disney World is the place to indulge your inner child with a little bit of dress up magic. In my opinion, the fastest way to switch gears into Disney mode is just to slap on a cute pair of mouse ears. You can buy them in advance at Shop Disney or in person at the parks. You can also buy a ton of Disney-inspired ears on Etsy. Try this classic red sequin Minnie ear headband to start.
Bonus: Wear a fun Disney-themed shirt for a little extra dash of Disney magic. This tee from Ella Canvas is adorable and Insta-ready.
Phone Charger and Portable Power Bank
Between taking photos, using the My Disney Experience app, and updating social media, you’re bound to run through your phone battery quickly. There aren’t always outlets handy to charge your phone, and who wants to spend precious vacation time hooked up to a wall, anyway? Make sure to bring a portable power bank and charger to boost your phone, camera, and any other USB-powered electronics in your bag.
Camera & Tripod
Speaking of cameras…you’ll need a way to capture vacation memories as you enjoy your day in the parks! I usually just shoot with my cell phone, but for special occasions, group shots, or nighttime shots, I bring my bulky camera and tripod to get the very best results. This is the tripod I use. If you’re looking for something a little smaller and lighter, this is a great smart phone tripod with remote.
Travel Hand Sanitizer
It’s always smart to have hand sanitizer on hand (pun intended). Think of all the doors, menus, merchandise, and ride restraints you’ll come in contact with throughout the day. There are plenty of bathrooms throughout the park where you can wash your hands, but hand sanitizer can be a lifesaver if you’re stuck in a line, in a rush, or simply don’t want to seek out a bathroom right away.
Snacks and Meals
Listen, there are a ton of delicious and beautiful snacks at Walt Disney World. I’m partial to the corn dog nuggets from Casey’s Corner, and the Epcot Food & Wine Festival always serves up Insta-ready treats. My advice? Bring some snacks of your own to help keep hunger at bay throughout the day.
If you’re on a budget, feel free to bring your own meals as well and reserve dining out for special occasions. If you don’t want to lug your meals around all day, rent a large locker at the front of the park and go grab your bag when lunchtime rolls around.
Painkillers
There are several first aid stations within Walt Disney World, so there’s no need to bring a full pharmacy with you to the parks. I do recommend bringing your own painkillers in case of headache or achy feet, however, as the first aid locations may not be convenient to your location within the park. My go-to is Excedrin.
Blister Prevention & Defense
Blisters are bound to happen when you spend a full day walking around a theme park. Plan ahead and bring products to both prevent and alleviate blister pain. This blister tape is waterproof and sweat-resistant, and can be applied in small spots or large swathes as needed. Already have a blister? Use a blister bandage to keep the pain and swelling at bay. These blister Band-Aids cushion the area around the blister to minimize rubbing against your shoes.
Dramamine
If you’re prone to motion sickness, you’ll definitely want to bring some Dramamine to help defend against nausea and dizziness. Don’t skip out on rides because you’re nervous about how you might feel afterwards. Enjoy your day to its fullest by riding whatever you like, and bring motion sickness pills to save the day if needed.
Umbrella
Orlando has notoriously unpredictable weather, especially if you visit in late summer or early fall. Hurricane season typically begins in June and runs through early fall, with the majority of its storms falling in August and September. Intense afternoon thunderstorms are also common in the spring, so come prepared with an umbrella! It’s completely normal for the skies to storm like mad for twenty minutes and then clear up as though nothing happened. You might also want to bring a poncho in case of severe rain, so that you can keep yourself and your electronics dry while you run for cover.
Bonus: the umbrella doubles as shade from the sun when it’s hot outside. I regularly use an umbrella to keep the sun off my head while waiting in theme park lines.
Sandals
So you wore your most comfortable walking shoes, and now it’s raining. Don’t let them get soaked and smelly for the rest of the trip! Pack some waterproof sandals or cheap flip-flops to throw on while it’s pouring outside, and then change back into your walking shoes later in the day. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this tip if you ever get caught in one of our crazy Florida storms. These are my all-time favorite sandals for rainy days. I bought my first pair for our honeymoon on Hilton Head Island, and I always buy a new pair when my current one starts to wear down. They are perfect for wading through rising waters and still looking cute.
Ziploc Bags
Use Ziploc bags to keep your electronics and paper documents safe from water damage. If you’re going on a water ride or braving a downpour, be sure to protect your things! You can also use small zip-top bags to portion out snacks, sandwiches, and other food from home throughout the day.
Portable Electric Fan
Keep cool on hot, humid days with your own handheld electric fan. For me, nothing ruins a good Disney day like the oppressive summer heat. It’s more than just uncomfortable. People often pass out from the intense high temperature and humidity levels. Keep safe and sane and carry on with your day by carrying your very own cool breeze around the parks. This handheld electric fan has a convenient wrist strap and a USB charging port so you can boost the battery as needed throughout the day.
A Fun Bag to Stow Everything
Finally, choose a fun bag to keep your stuff stowed safely away. This backpack keeps food cool for up to 16 hours, perfect for packing full meals and healthy snacks. If you’re in the mood for something playful and Disney-themed, why not pick out a fun themed bag? Loungefly carries a ton of cute, well-made, Disney-themed bags to carry your essentials in style, whether you love Baby Yoda or Beauty and the Beast. Browse Loungefly bags here.
Free Printable Packing List
Did you enjoy this Walt Disney World packing list? What else would you recommend bringing in a day bag?
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