The Travel ResourceDisney World trip planning can be stressful. Lucky for you we are here to help! We have compiled some of our favorite tips to pack for Disney as well as an easy to use Amazon shopping list with links to some of our favorite products to bring to Disney.
Maximize your luggage space
There is a lot of buzz in travel about packing cubes in the travel world and for good reason. I’m here to tell you the hype is well justified. Many years ago I started using travel cubes and they are fantastic for keeping everything organized, but the new compression cubes available right now take things up a notch. Below is the specific brand I use. For a recent trip, I was able to pack our family of five’s clothes for Saint Martin into one carry on. That’s right clothes for five people one carry on all thanks to these guys.
Another feature I love about these is the mesh on the front that allows you to see what is packed inside. This is a sanity saver especially when you are packing for multiple family members. If you are a Marie Kondo fan, her folding method + these compression bags is pure packing gold.
Mesh travel bags
There is an endless amount of uses for these see through mesh bags when it comes to packing. Using these to organize your luggage can make it a breeze to quickly see and grab whatever you need. The last thing you want to do is have to pull over at the side of the airport or hotel and dig through a huge bag while trying to wrangle little ones. Don’t let this happen to you! We use these bags for both travel and to keep things organized in our playroom so you will be sure to find uses for them even after your trip.
For children traveling to Disney this hard shell carry on is as cute as it is durable. Your little ones will have so much fun spinning this one around the airport and it can actually hold a decent amount of stuff. Most airlines will allow passengers one personal item and one carry on (check your specific airline before your flight to make sure you are following their guidelines and do not get charged any extra fees). We recommend using a hard shell suitcase like this for your child’s clothes and other things you will not need to access during the flight. If they are big enough to carry a small backpack that would be the perfect bag to use for their inflight entertainment items.
Keep your travel documents close (and your hands free)
You are going to need your travel documents to be easily accessible and that can be a challenge when you are carrying identification for you and your children. This fanny pack is what I use to store IDs, travel size hand sanitizer and anything else I need to keep close at hand.
Be organized for the parks
You are going to need a dedicated park bag so consider having one of your carry on bags be your park day bag. This bag from Amazon is perfect for just that. It’s a great size that wont be too bulky to carry around in the crowded parks all day but still big enough to carry all the essentials. In your park day bag you will want to have your magic bands, sun screen, band aids or other blister treatments aids, snacks, water bottles, travel fans/misters/cool blankets and Mickey Mouse ears along other things. It’s a great idea to use some of the smaller mesh bags listed above in your Disney park bag to keep things organized and easy to reach.
Buy (some) souvenirs in advance
There is a lot of advice out there about buying souvenirs in advance and for good reason. Items in the park can be very expensive and you can save some money by picking up the same or similar items in advance. While we think it makes sense buying some things ahead of time, we know our little ones will still be begging to buy some things from the parks so I would not recommend purchasing a lot of merchandise in advance. One thing you will see all over the parks though are bubble wands. They can be a lifesaver for entertaining kids in long wait lines. At the parks you will pay about $30 (!) for one of these. If you grab one in advance you will spend about half that. This one is super cute especially for any princess fans.
Mickey ears is another great thing to pickup before leaving for the parks so you don’t end up spending $$$ getting these in the parks. Amazon has lots of great options that are a fraction of the price you will pay for similar options in the parks.
Be Prepared for the weather
The weather in Orlando can of course be extreme so plan head to beat the heat. Cold towels are a fan favorite at the parks for good reason. They are reusable and easy to pack in your park day bag. A portable fan that can attach to your stroller will also be a lifesaver in the heat.
Stay hydrated
On my most recent trip to the Disney parks I saw someone with these and I thought it was SO brilliant. You can easily spot which water bottle belongs to which family member and keep them easily accessible with the attached carabiner. You can also freeze these and pack them in a small cooler to bring with you into the parks or to just keep cool.
Another option I really like for water bottles are these silicone ones that fold down great when traveling. Because these are silicone you can throw them in the freezer the night before so your water stays cold. They can also be used when frozen inside a cooler to keep other food/snacks cold.
A Small Cooler
Having the freedom to bring your own beverages and food can save you tons at Disney World. This small cooler isnt too bulky but gives you just enough space to pack a few things to bring in with you to the parks. Since it is collapsible it will fit great into your luggage as well.
Protect yourself
Personally I love being able to have sunglasses available everywhere and these are a great his or hers pack that you wont have to sweat too much over if you leave them on that quick service counter. Not speaking from experience here of course.
For Men:
For Women:
Multi-Port Charger
There is nothing worse than running out of battery because you forgot to charge a phone, camera or other device (okay first world problems but still). Do yourself a favor and bring one of these to make a central charging station so you can make sure all the things are charged and ready to go.ady to go.
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