The Hubby and I are HUGE Disney fans! I’ve been going since 2000 and was hooked ever since. So Jon and I went together in March 2017 while we were on spring break from law school with a bunch of our friends. Since then, Jon and I have been to Disney World 9 times between 2017 and 2021. Jon and I consider ourselves to be “Disney Pros” at this point! With that being said, I wanted to create a “Necessities For Disney World” list to help seasoned Disney goers or those who are attending the parks for the first time!
Insider tip: If you get reservations for the Be Our Guest Restaurant, you can enter the park BEFORE they drop the rope. Getting into the park before rope drop means you can take photos in front of the castle without anyone else in them!
1) Bring Large Water Bottles:
We always buy the “Smart Water” water bottles and carry one in the park with us. In the Florida heat, you must stay hydrated. It’s so easy to become very distracted by everything that is happening around you. We have always found that by just carrying the bottle, we remembered to drink more! Plus, it is so lovely to have it while you’re waiting in line.
2) Portable Phone Charger
I have the Mophie Powerstation XXL, and it has been a game-changer. It has 3 USB ports for easy and convenient charging. We’ve brought it on all of our trips (Disney and otherwise). The last thing you want to be concerned about while you’re trying to capture the magic is whether or not your device is going to last. The Mophie Powerstation XXL has 73 hours of charging life, and it made all the difference. We were able to play on our phones while in line and take as many photos and videos as we wanted, all without fear that our phone would die.
3) Hand sanitizer or Wipes
Pre-COVID I always had a habit of carrying hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes when we traveled. It made me feel so comfortable to wipe down the ride before I got on and sanitize my hands immediately after (think about it – thousands of people will sit in your exact spot). Disney World has hand sanitizing stations throughout the park, and they are available for use once you get off each ride. I love the convenience of having my own ready when I need it.
4) Rain Jackets
As you know, Florida weather is so temperamental. There were tons of times during our trip that rain threatened to cancel our plans for the day. We’ve learned to pack a lightweight rain jacket and forget ahead. If you forget to pack one, you will always have the option of purchasing a poncho while on the property, but if I remember correctly, those are usually pretty pricy and can range from $15-20 each! It’s better to be safe rather than sorry.
5) Fanny Pack or Backpack
You genuinely can’t go wrong with either bringing a fanny pack or a backpack. Jon is a huge fan of carrying the athletic drawstring backpacks when we go to the park. They’re lightweight, convenient, and easy to stow under your seat in the compartments during the attractions. The only downside is it can take some time to go through security because Disney security has to check the contents. I always opt for a fanny pack. I love something that is hands-free and allows me to access the contents easily. I like being able to wear it around my waist or wear it across my back. Even though it still has to be checked by Disney security, it doesn’t take nearly as long because the pouch, at its nature, is smaller than a backpack.
p.s. In the fanny pack, I usually keep:
- Hand sanitizer
- Mints/gum
- Extra contacts
- Sunglasses + case
- Money – cash and cards
- Phone
- Deodorant
- Tissue
- Girl items (if necessary)
6) Sunscreen
Before we leave for the parks in the morning, we always make sure to throw an aerosol can of sunscreen in Jon’s backpack when we travel to Disney. It’s so important to apply multiple times a day because as you sweat and as the day wears on, your sunscreen weakens and needs to be reapplied.
7) Sunglasses
Jon and I are both huge fans of our Ray-Ban sunglasses! Florida has rightfully earned their nickname of the sunshine state. Since most of the rounds at Disney World are asphalt, I think sometimes it can be easy to forget the fact that not only is the sun shining down on you, but it is also reflecting off the ground. We always found that our eyes felt better throughout the day when we had sunglasses. We didn’t have to stress or strain to see, and we could comfortably walk around the property.
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