You've been working with your MousePros agent and planning your Disney Parks® vacation for months. Your Advanced Dining Reservations are made, FastPass+ experiences are booked, and you're counting down the days until you can wear your Magic Band outside of your house. Everything is ready, except your suitcase. Aside from the basics of clothes, bathing suits, and good walking shoes, you have no idea what to pack.
(Photo Credit: Magical Pix by Candi)
Before you consult Pinterest, bookmark this list of smart packing ideas from the MousePros agents:
Jared suggests bringing a portable charger for phones and tablets that can charge devices on-the-go. He suggests this as an alternative to using the Portable Phone Charging Systems Kiosks that both Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® offer throughout the parks, which can sometimes not have enough supply to meet demand.
Emily visited Walt Disney World® earlier this month and said the cooling neck towels she brought were a lifesaver in the heat of the day.
If you're concerned there is rain in the forecast during your trip, Pete suggests packing plastic ponchos that you can find at your local big box store. It'll save you both time and money when you're caught in the rain in the middle of a park.
No matter how comfortable your shoes are, blisters happen. Karen suggests putting together a blister kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, and a moleskin roll. Your feet will thank you for packing this. Karen also suggests an anti-chafe balm to put on the bandages and Heather agreed, saying it is also useful for any area you're prone to sweat.
Andrea suggests packing a roll of quarters and pennies for the pressed penny machines that you can find throughout the parks. For added convenience, she suggests putting them inside an M&M candies tube. I guess you'll have to take one for the team and eat the M&Ms to make room for the pennies and quarters.
Jennifer brings hand sanitizer spray and peroxide wipes to clean the rooms and the plane. I can also see wipes being useful at Quick Service restaurants. Cast Members are wonderful at keeping things clean, but they may not be able to wipe that table you've been stalking during the lunch rush before you sit down.
You're going to be spending a lot of time inside attractions and queues, but you're also going to be in the sun a lot, even if you don't have a pool day planned. With that in mind, Sharon wants to make sure you don't forget to pack sunscreen!
Strollers are essential for long park days with little ones, but you can't take them inside the queues for most attractions. There will be designated stroller parking where you'll leave your stroller among the masses. Brandi and Jenna suggest bringing something you can tie onto your stroller to quickly and easily identify it after you've exited. If you rent a stroller at the parks, you'll have a name tag on the back, but this is a really helpful thing to add to your rented stroller, too.
Autumn suggests bringing an over-the-door shoe hanger, the kind that has pockets for shoes. She hangs this over a door in her resort room and uses it to store shoes, toiletries, and other odds and ends. She loves the way the clutter-free counters help her feel organized before she leaves for the park each day. Bonus points if you bring one with clear pockets!
Come nighttime in the parks, Cast Members will push carts full of light-up wands and toys that your kids will beg you to buy. Save yourself some money and a meltdown by following Laura's advice and packing some glow sticks and wands that you buy at your local dollar store.
If you're traveling with anyone who is easily woken by noises, you should consider packing a sound machine as Leah suggests. It's especially helpful for the nights your kiddos need an early bedtime but the neighbors stayed to watch the late Happily Ever After nighttime show at Magic Kingdom Park.
(Photo Credit: Magical Pix by Candi)
A few other ideas:
Markers or pens for autographs. Characters will not have their own pens to sign your books, photo mats, or other items. You can also consider bringing multi-colored markers so that each color signs their name in a designated color!
Gum because they don't sell it in the parks or resorts.
Medicines, especially if you prefer a specific brand. Each resort has a store where toiletries and snacks can be purchased, but the selection is limited and prices are higher than you'd pay at your local grocery store.
Plastic baggies with a zip closure. These are great for storing cell phones or cameras when going on water rides.
Water enhancer and a reusable water bottle. You can fill up your water bottle at a water fountain or visit any Quick Service food location and they'll give you a complimentary cup of ice water. If you don't like the taste of the water, add some flavored water enhancer and save your snack credits for snacks instead of another bottle of water!
What items are on your packing list? Visit our Facebook page and share your must-have items and help the rest of the MousePros community! If you're ready to start chatting about your next Disney Parks vacation, click here to get the conversation started with a MousePros agent!