Must-Pack Items for Walt Disney World

Hello All,

First off… I must apologize for a lack of posts lately. I really had planned to make this a WEEKLY blog but I have been overwhelmed with work, school, running my Instagram, and preparing for my upcoming trip. But I PROMISE that The Disney World Diaries is going to be much more active and I have some seriously awesome things planned for this page and the growing of my blog. I am SO excited to say that this is the first trip that my fiancé and I are going to be VLOGGING! We will be traveling to WDW this week from November 2^nd-9^th and we are so excited. We will be watching two of our best friends get married at the Swan and Dolphin, PLUS attending the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

So, since I am running around like a crazy woman this week trying to get ready for my trip, I figured this would be the perfect time for me to write for you my Must-Pack list. These are essentials for Walt Disney World that you may not think of that will be lifesavers (I promise). So I’m not going to share the obvious things you should pack like clothes and shoes, these are the top 8 items you CANNOT forget to pack in your suitcase and bring with you to WDW!

1. Cooling Rag (Chilly Pad).

-No matter what brand or whatever you want to call these things, they are a game changer. If you’re a WDW first timer, one thing you should know is that it is HOT (ESPECIALLY during the summer). So if you’re planning on traveling to WDW any time it is relatively warm (basically every time of year except January and February), you should pack one of these and bring it to the parks with you. You rinse it under cool water, hang it over your shoulders, and I promise it will make you feel amazing! I’ve seen so many people sick and not feeling well in WDW from the heat, so save yourself that struggle and purchase one of these. You can find them on amazon, or in store at places like five below, Walmart, or Target (and they are actually pretty inexpensive).

2. Poncho

-So this is one thing that I NEVER used to bring and I always regretted it. After getting caught in insane Florida downpours, I decided that I needed to stop being too cool for a poncho and buy one. We used to bring ponchos from the dollar tree (or whatever dollar store we could get them at)  but got really tired of them being so cheap and ripping. After like a minute of rain I would be soaked and it was just a waste. Last year, we actually got caught in Magic Kingdom in a really bad thunder storm and we caved and bought the Disney Ponchos that they sell anywhere they sell merchandise. These ponchos (while obviously more than a dollar) are amazing! The plastic is really thick and durable, they keep you super dry, and it was well worth spending the extra money (I believe they were around $16 each).

3. Backup batteries/portable charger.

-If you’re spending a long day in the parks, chances are your phone or camera is going to die if you are using it a lot and/or taking a lot of pictures. I know personally I use my phone for pictures, and I also like to play games like Disney Charades (or heads up) on my phone. Because of this, my electronics tend to die very quickly, and having a backup portable charger makes my life so much easier. I also have extra charged batteries for my camera that I keep with me in case that dies as well. You wouldn’t want to miss out on some precious photos because your electronics are dead!

4. Medication/First Aid Kit (Tylenol, Tums, Pepto, Excedrin, Cream for Chafing, Band-Aids for blisters etc.)

-This is one thing that I ALWAYS used to forget to pack when I traveled to WDW. You never know when you are going to not feel well or have a huge blister on your foot that makes it super painful to walk. I have gotten very sick from food poisoning before at WDW, and had to send my fiancé out to the small shop in the hotel to buy me some medication. Disney charges a TON for these medications, so you’re better off just packing some from home. There are first-aid stands in the front of each park, but in my opinion it is much easier to just carry your own in your bag than to walk all the way there. For example, I’d rather have a Band-Aid on me then have to walk in pain to the front of the park.  It definitely helps to be prepared, but definitely take advantage of the first-aid stands if you need something you don’t have. 

5. Comfortable Shoes

-Speaking of blisters… there is NOTHING worse than wearing a new pair of shoes or sandals on the first day of your trip and then having monster blisters and throbbing feet for the rest of your vacation. If I’m not going to be walking far or know I’ll only be in the park for a few hours, then I may decide to wear something other than sneakers. On the average day in Disney, I walk well over 20,000 steps, so take my advice and wear comfortable shoes (walking/running sneakers). Keep in mind Disney World is HUGE; you will be doing a ton of walking. Wearing sneakers will save your feet from a lot of pain and make your vacation much more pleasant.

6. Ziploc Bag or Waterproof Phone Case

-This is one thing that I still to this day tend to forget to pack. Having a Ziploc baggie or one of those waterproof plastic phone holders can be super helpful. It is very handy to bring if you are going to be going on a water ride (think Splash Mountain… you WILL get wet. And so will all of your belongings). It’s super convenient to have a little baggie to put anything inside that you don’t want getting wet like your phone, camera, or even cash. Also, keep in mind that it rains a lot in Florida, and often will little to no warning. To be safe, it’s nice to have something to put your things in in case it starts pouring out of nowhere.

7. Refillable Water Bottle.

-It’s very hot in Florida, and it’s safe to say that you WILL be sweating. Staying hydrated is very important, so be sure to drink plenty of water in WDW. Soft drinks can be very expensive, so I’d recommend packing a refillable water bottle. It sure beats spending $4 for a bottle of Dasani every time you’re thirsty. Tap water is available and FREE at most quick service stands around the parks, and there are water fountains as well. So you’d be saving yourself a ton of money by bringing a bottle from home and refilling it around the parks. I drink a ton of water a day so buying water bottles would put a huge dent in my wallet.

8. Backpack, drawstring bag, fanny pack, etc.

-Finally, bring a bag to the parks to carry your things in! This can be as small as a fanny pack or as large as a backpack depending on what you plan on bringing in the parks. I personally use a backpack, because I like to be able to be prepared and bring a lot with me. Disney is great because you are allowed to bring your bag on rides, unlike many other theme parks which require you to purchase a locker. I used to not bring a bag at all to completely avoid waiting in a bag check line, but to me it is worth the wait.

I hope this helps, as always feel free to email me here or reach out to me on Instagram @TheDisneyWorldDiaries if you have any comments or questions!

Now.. I better get packing, I leave for WDW in SIX HOURS!

See Ya Real Soon,

Katie