15 Things to Buy Before You Go on Your Disney World Vacation

You can save a lot of time and money if you put in a little bit of upfront planning and shopping before leaving to go on your Walt Disney World vacation.  Here is our list of the top fifteen things we recommend that you buy before you go on your Disney World vacation.

15 – Disney Gift Cards

If you have a Target card, membership to Costco/Sam’s Club, or other loyalty programs, you can often get Disney gift cards at a discount.  These savings add up when it comes to paying for a vacation, and you can use Disney gift cards to pay for just about everything on property. This is also a great way to use contactless payment while at Disney World. Warning: be sure you purchase gift cards from a reputable seller and check for signs of tampering. Unfortunately, gift card scams are rampant, so do what you can to protect yourself from scams.

14 – Princess Dresses / Costumes

Kids that are 12 and under can wear costumes around Walt Disney World, and it is definitely much cheaper to bring them with you.  The costumes and accessories are quite expensive if you wait and buy them there.

13 – Hand Sanitizer

You will definitely want hand sanitizer around to help keep your hands clean after touching all the different public areas.  It is much cheaper for you to bring it yourself instead of buying it there. Hand sanitizer is now even more important to have with you and use frequently.

12 – Child Care Items

You will be able to buy a variety of child care products on property, but it will be cheaper, and you can ensure you get your usual brand if you bring it with you.  This includes diapers, formula, swim diapers, etc.  Don’t worry, though.  If you run out, you will be able to buy something that will do the job.

11 – Pins for Trading

If you like to do pin trading while on your vacation, then it is definitely a good idea to buy some trader pins before you go.  You can typically pick up pins from eBay or other online boards for a discounted price and then use those to trade for some of your most desired pins.

10 – Memory Maker

Memory Maker is the add-on that allows unlimited downloads of PhotoPass and attraction photos.  It is cheaper to add it to your package before you go on your vacation.

9 – Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a much-needed item when you are spending a lot of time in the Florida sun.  It is much more expensive if you wait and buy it on property and you aren’t guaranteed to find the brand or type that you want.

8 – Comfortable Shoes and Clothes

I can’t stress this one enough.  You need to make sure that you have comfortable, breathable clothes and comfortable shoes for your trip.  You will want to test it out before your trip to ensure it won’t cause any issues.

7 – Reusable Water Bottles

It is a great idea to bring reusable water bottles with you so that you can refill at water fountains or locations where you can get free ice water to add to your bottle.  Purchasing bottled water can get quite expensive and it is important to stay hydrated.

6 – Disney Dining Plan

You have to add the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation prior to your stay, and you will definitely want to consider doing that.  It gives your vacation an all-inclusive feel and helps you to better budget your meals in advance by pre-paying for the plan.

5 – Glow Sticks

It is no secret that kiddos love glow jewelry and toys.  They sell these items at Disney, but they are much more expensive.  We always like to bring some glow sticks and toys with us so that the kids still get glow stuff to play with, and we save a ton of money!

4 – Sunglasses

You will most likely want sunglasses when you are on your vacation, and they are much cheaper to bring with you.  Plus, you can make sure that you get the type you want with the right level of coverage and fit.

3 – Ponchos

You may or may not end up needing one during your stay, but if you do, you will be glad to have brought one.  Ponchos and umbrellas at the parks are expensive when you can get them for $1 or $2 before your trip.

2 – Theme Park Tickets

You will waste so much time if you wait to purchase your park tickets from the ticket windows at the parks.  Those lines can get awfully long.  If you purchase your tickets in advance, you can bypass those lines and go right to the entry points for the park. You’ll also need a park ticket in order to make a park reservation, and you want to make those as early as possible. So purchase those tickets!

1 – Portable Phone Charger

We live in a cell phone and electronic device society, especially since many of us use cameras on our devices in order to capture various moments and memories.  It is a good idea to bring a portable phone charger with you so that you have options if your phone starts to die while in the parks.