I Spent Weeks Prepping My Disney World Packing List—Here’s What I Brought

With all things packing-related, destination matters—and, as I stated above, Disney World is a place where memories get made, so you want to prepare for that. In fact, a pro tip from Catrina Yohay, executive managing editor at PureWow: “Always, always remember a portable charger (or at minimum a charging cable since there are ports around the parks to plug into if needed.) You’re taking so many pics and using the virtual park maps that your phone’s battery will drain…and fast.”

Also, given Disney World is a major theme park, you’ll want to be sure to read the fine print on what’s allowed inside the various parks and check out what your hotel includes and offers on-site—for example, why pack a hair dryer if you don’t have to? Last, but not least, the weather matters, even in Florida. (Temps can run from chilly to humid—and all in the same afternoon.) To make it even easier, I’ve compiled a list of questions to help you narrow down your Disney World packing list.

• When are you traveling? Yes, Orlando is mostly known for its blue skies and sunny days, but you’ll want to be sure to gauge the weather (or the expected weather) ahead of your trip. A quick Google search can help illuminate the average temperature for time of year. I traveled in mid-March, which typically means temps in the 70s and 80s with minimal humidity. This held, although we did get a couple of cooler afternoons. Like any destination, you’ll want to expect the unexpected. In my book, that’s what layers are for.
• How long are you traveling? Five days? A full week? Disney Resorts (and pretty much any hotel) offers laundry services for a fee, but it’s also helpful to think of layers you can easily mix and match to help cut down the things you carry. If you’re traveling with kids, having extra T-shirts is a good idea since spills are pretty much a given. For myself, I rotated a pair of white jeans and leaned on a pair of versatile, reliable Birkenstock sandals that worked with everything from shorts to sundresses. Bottom line: Try to pack pieces you can wear more than once.
• What will the weather be like? It might sound obvious, but peep the forecast so you know exactly what to expect. Maybe there’s a projected heat wave; or a day with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Pack an umbrella or a Disney-themed poncho so it doesn’t derail your day.
• Where will you be staying? What amenities will you have access to? What’s included at my Airbnb? Or my hotel? Dry cleaning services?  Free Wi-Fi? A hair dryer? At the Polynesian Village Resort, there was easy (and complimentary) access to the monorail, straight off the lobby, as well as a gift shop-turned-general store that had everything from Mickey Mouse-shaped candy to Children’s Tylenol (yep, my kid got a fever while there).  
• What activities will you be doing? A trip to Disney World is mainly about the theme parks, but that could include water rides like Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (bathing suit required) or even a movie night at your resort or an evening watching the fireworks at Magic Kingdom (which may require noise-cancelling headphones for little ears).
• How much space do you have in your luggage? Reader, I am a huge (huge) fan of Away’s brand-new medium-sized luggage ($295). It supplies the perfect amount of space for a week-long trip, but is also designed for efficient packing. (I personally found the depth and top-side zip especially helpful for fitting awkwardly sized items and still having loads of space.) A weekender works if you really are going for a weekend, but with a trip to Disney World, you should anticipate souvenirs—it’s quite hard to leave without them. (My six-year-old left with both a new Donald Duck and Bruce—of Finding Nemo fame—stuffy.) If you’re on the fence about the best luggage to carry, we’ve got you covered.
• Who are you traveling with? Whether you’re Orlando-bound with your kids or going for a reunion, a trip to Disney World is often times a family affair. As a result, you’ll want to think through those details—for example, traveling with kids means you’ll need a lot of added accoutrements and gear (although, pro tip, you can rent a stroller for cheap at the resorts). Whereas traveling with your aging parents might mean you need to request a scooter.

By plotting in advance and consulting friends and Disney World experts, I ended up feeling extra ready for my travels. To make it easier for you, I’ve included my checklist below, broken out into the most important categories.

Clothing and Accessories

• T-Shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Sweatshirts
• Pants
• Sundresses
• Raincoat/Poncho
• Belts
• Undergarments
• Athleisure/Workout Clothes
• Socks
• Sneakers
• Sandals
• Pajamas
• Hat

Toiletries

• Glasses
• Contacts
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Razor/Shaving Cream
• Deodorant
• Floss
• Moisturizers
• Lip balm
• Makeup/Makeup remover
• Nail Clippers/Nail File
• Tweezers
• Brush/Comb
• Hair Dryer
• Hair Straightener or Curling Iron
• Ponytail Holders
• Feminine Hygiene (if needed)
• Hand sanitizer

Electronics

• Tablet
• Tablet Charger
• Phone
• Phone Charger
• Genie+ Magic Bands
• Genie+ Magic Band Chargers
• Headphones
• Laptop
• Cameras
• SD Cards
• Portable Chargers/Battery Packs

Beach and Pool Essentials

• Bathing suits
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Pool cover-ups
• Water shoes
• Goggles
• Floatation device (if your hotel/resort doesn’t offer them)
• Sunhats

Kid-Related Essentials

• Bottles/Sippy Cups
• Pacifiers
• Formula/Food
• Bib
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Changing Pad
• Baby Sunscreen
• Lovey
• Crayons and Coloring Book
• Sticker Book
• Travel Crib (if needed)
• Stroller (if needed)
• Stroller rain cover (if needed)
• Car seat (if needed)
• Baby carrier
• Stroller fan
• Diaper bag

Medications

• Prescriptions
• Cough Drops
• Dayquil
• Benadryl
• Children’s Tylenol/Motrin
• Thermometer
• Antacids
• Supplements
• Pain/Fever Relievers
• Necessary Medical Devices and Supplies (EpiPens, insulin, inhaler, medical bracelet)

Disney-Themed Extras

• Mickey/Minnie Mouse Ears
• Disney Sweatshirts
• Disney T-Shirts
• Autograph Book
• Sharpie for signing autographs

Miscellaneous Items

• Compact umbrella
• Belt bag
• Travel pillow
• Books
• Snacks
• Bug spray
• Band-Aids
• Ear plugs
• Disinfectant wipes
• Packing cubes
• Reusable water bottle (empty)
• Airtags
• Waterproof bag
• Playing cards
• Portable fan
• Extra duffle bag for souvenirs (empty)
• Backpack for park days
• Noise cancelling headphones

Like I said, the medium-sized Away suitcase is the way to go for a week-long trip. But packing cubes make all the difference as you navigate the day. You can organize them by category (think PJs in one; shorts and pants in another) or you can organize by day and theme park (my son wore an on-theme animal shirt for Animal Kingdom, so I sorted that day’s outfit and essentials into a packing cube I could easily grab). The process of sorting into cubes not only helps you edit your load, it will help you anticipate your travel needs before you depart.

2. Choose a backpack with plenty of compartments

I was so happy that I grabbed a backpack (like this one from Jansport) with a lot of separate spaces for carrying all the things. Keep in mind: Disney World restricts certain sizes, so you want to be sure what you carry fits within those measurements. (It’s also another reason to keep things organized: You’ll save time at security screenings.) Overall, it was helpful to have a pocket for sunscreen and Band-Aids and a separate pocket for my cell phone charger and extended life battery pack. A roomier design is also key if you’re aiming to stay at the park for hours on end—you’ll need space for sweatshirts, since it tends to get chilly at night. Or if there’s any water activities on deck. (For example, at Epcot, the new Moana-themed Journey of Water experience could result in a misty splash.)

3. Save money by buying Disney-themed merchandise in advance

Yohay’s best advice before heading to Disney World is to check out online offerings for Disney-themed merch. “I love to check out Target for any cute new shirts or tank tops,” she says. “They often have really cute—and not cheesy—options for a fraction of the price.” I agree. I was happy to pre-purchase everything from Mouse ears to a character autograph book. It also meant that I could throw together a welcome basket in the hotel room for my son, which created a lovely “surprise and delight” moment ahead of our first day at the Magic Kingdom.

4. An oversize white-button down is your Disney World outfit savior

I swear, this was the item that I was most happy I packed. The one I chose was a one-size-fits all from Frank & Eileen, and I wore it to the parks and the pools as a swimsuit cover-up on repeat and found that it kept me cool and comfortable. There’s not a ton of shade, so it’s nice to have long sleeves that you can roll up when it gets warm.

5. The Magic Bands are worth it

A trip to Disney World is about packing smart, not hard. Yohay can attest: Investing ahead of time in the Magic Bands makes managing park tickets and paying and maneuvering through lightning lanes a cinch. “They can also be your hotel key if you’re staying on property and you can even use them to pay at the gift shops,” she explains. “For kids, a Magic Band lock is also a must since it helps keep the band in place so it doesn’t fall off.”