Top 10 Things You Might Not Think to Pack for Disney World

Packing for a Walt Disney World vacation is not always easy. You don’t want to overpack, but you also don’t want to leave something at home and need it later. Here are ten things that will come in handy on your trip. Fortunately, none of them will take up too much room in your suitcase.

10 – Phone Charger

While you may hope that you won’t be on your phone all day while visiting Walt Disney World, you may find you drain your battery quicker than you think. You’ll need to be on the My Disney Experience app multiple times a day to manage your Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Single Passes, Mobile Orders, view Disney PhotoPass phones, check wait times, etc. You get the idea. You’ll also probably use it to take many photos of your own during the day. A phone charger is essential to keep your battery recharged so you can use it all day every day in the parks.

9 – Disney Gift Cards

Buy Disney Gift Cards before you leave home, especially if you’re a member of a discount club that sells them for less than face value. When you arrive in Central Florida, use the gift cards to help control your souvenir spending. You can also use them to teach your kids to budget, and your credit card bill won’t end up out of control.

8 – Bandages

You might think that you can skip bandages because they have them at First Aid in the parks. Throw a few in your bag anyway. You never know when someone will scrape a knee, or a blister will start to form. Most mothers carry bandages with them at other times, your Walt Disney World vacation isn’t the time to change that habit.

7 – Snacks

If you’re driving, you’ll want to have snacks in the car. If you’re flying, snacks will keep the little ones quiet in the airport. Snacks will be welcome in your hotel room. One thing that many people don’t realize is that you can also bring snacks with you into the parks, which will save you money. Throw some granola bars, packs of trail mix, or crackers into your carry-on. Your family will thank you when hunger hits.

6 – Address Book and Stamps

While it is enjoyable to brag on social media sites that you’re at Walt Disney World, it’s even more fun to physically send a little bit of the magic to those back home. Bring your address book and some stamps with you so that you can send postcards to friends and family. Mail them from Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom, and your loved ones will end up with a fun postmark. Buy an extra postcard and mail it to your own home so that you will have one as well.

5 – Hand Sanitizer

You will be touching things all day at Walt Disney World that have been touched by other people. You’ll start with the door on the tram, from there it’s the finger scanner at the park entrance, the seat belts on the rides, and so much more. People from all over the planet visit Walt Disney World every day, which means that there are germs from all over the planet that come with them. Wash your hands often, and in between use hand sanitizer. You don’t want to bring home an unwelcome cold.

4 – Zipper Bags

Plastic zipper bags are a great thing to have with you while you’re in the parks. You will be able to keep your electronics dry if there’s a rain shower or if you’re on a water ride. You can use the bags to carry snacks or your leftover brownie from lunch. You can also keep your backpack more organized if you use zipper bags. Bring a few, you’ll find plenty of uses for them.

3 – Ponchos

Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t rain! In the summer, especially there will be a quick storm most days. You can buy ponchos in the parks, but they are a bit on the expensive side, and there are better souvenirs than Disney Park’s ponchos. Hit your local dollar store at home and stock up. Bring them with you, and after the rain passes either roll them up and stick them in zipper bags (see above), or throw them out and bring fresh cheap ponchos the next day.

2 – More Socks Than You Think You’ll Need

Don’t assume that one pair of clean socks a day is going to be enough. Throw in as many extra pairs as you have room for. Your socks will get wet in the rain or on water rides, and you’ll want to change them. Your feet will get sweaty, walking all day in Florida, and clean socks will make you more comfortable. Bring plenty of extra socks on your trip, and bring a clean pair for each family member into the park of the day with you. Carry them in the previously mentioned zipper bags. If your feet get wet, you’ll be glad that you have clean, dry socks.

1 – Recent Pictures of Your Kids

No one wants to think that anything wrong will ever happen on a Walt Disney World vacation, but unfortunately, kids get separated from their parents every single day. Disney has a plan set in place, the Cast Members all know what to do if they find a lost child. You still want to cut down on time it will take to find your child again. Make sure you have recent pictures of your kids that you can show if there is a problem. Know as well what they are wearing each day. While you will probably have photos on your phone, a wallet-sized physical photo might help to show more details. Make sure that your kids know to talk to a Cast Member if they can’t find you, but you need to be prepared as well. A physical picture might cut down on the amount of time it takes to reunite you with your child.