Whether you’re headed to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or one of the international Disney parks (we see you, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai), a solid Disney packing list is a must. However, this isn’t an ordinary vacation. As soon as you’re within a mile of one of the resorts you start noticing visitors decked out in everything Disney.
Seriously, everything you might normally pack for a lot of time in the sun in amplified in a Disney way. To help prepare your Disney packing list, we’ve compiled some of our favorite deals on vacation must-haves. This way you can be decked out in Disney without paying theme park prices. We also have a more comprehensive list with a packing printable that will help for the duration of your stay.
Text HACKS to 57299 for more smart shopping tips and savings hacks to help you prep for your next trip and beyond.
Disney Packing List Must-Haves
From the necessities to the nice-to-haves, this is what we’re packing for our next Disney vacation.
For Getting There
Whether you’re traveling by planes, trains, or automobiles, these items will help you on your way. And, seriously, packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to organizing everything in your luggage.
Looking Good
It’s no secret that Disney fans aren’t afraid to show their love for Mickey and friends. Get yourself outfitted in some gear for those memorable visits to the parks.
RELATED: 31 Disney Cruise Tips & Discounts That’ll Cast Away Their High Prices
Staying Cool
Traipsing around the theme parks is fun and all, but dang can it get hot out there. Keep cool and hydrated with water slings and handheld fans. Stopping for a dip in your hotel’s pool? A Disney towel will help you dry off.
Surviving the Parks
Arrived to your Disney park of choice prepared. Moreover, arrive prepared Disney-style. Tuck an umbrella in your tote bag in case of rain (ducking and dodging a poncho purchase). And a stroller tag will help when you’re trying to spot yours in a sea of strollers. Plus, a Disney autograph book is a great keepsake if you or your kids want to collect the signatures of beloved characters.
Print the Ultimate Disney Packing List for free here!
Disney Packing List: Park Bag
Portable charger and cords
You’ll want a portable charger so your phone is available to help you navigate the park, take pictures, and post to social media during the day.
If you go with a Fuel Rod, you can exchange it at a portable charging station inside Disney World. But really, any portable charger and cord will work!
Rain ponchos
Buy disposable rain ponchos before you get to the park and make sure it’s in your park bag.
Water bottle
Pack a water bottle with filtration and add a water bottle strap if you like. Just be sure to bring one per person. Disney offers free glasses of water at every counter, but you won’t want to wait in line for it.
Disney Park Bag packing list:
- Portable charger and cords
- Rain ponchos
- Water bottles
- Cell phones
- MagicBands (or park tickets)
- Disney ears
- Driver’s licenses for adults
- Membership cards (DVC, AAA)
- Guidebooks
- Park maps
- Cooling towels
- Camera
- Lanyards for masks, sunglasses, room key
- Snacks
- Mini first-aid kit
- Mister fan with batteries
- Blister pads
- Pain medication
- Motion sickness medication
- Allergy medication
- Insect repellant
- Anti-chafing stick
- Kids ID tags
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Hats
- Pennies for pressing
- Glow sticks or glow paint
- Gum (not sold inside the parks)
Disney Packing List: Water Park Bag
Waterproof camera
Pack a small, waterproof camera so you can keep your cell phone away from any splashing that happens at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Children’s cameras are ideal for this because they’re inexpensive.
See all camera deals.
Collapsible cooler
You can bring food into Disney parks, and I recommend a soft, collapsible cooler instead of a hard side cooler. Pack only what you’ll eat that day, and after lunch you can fold it up and put it in your park bag.
Waterproof pouch
Bring a waterproof pouch with you to the Disney water parks. Then you’re guaranteed your phone, keys, wallet, and anything else you don’t want wet stays dry.
Disney Water Park Bag packing list:
- Waterproof camera
- Collapsible cooler
- Waterproof pouch
- Water park tickets
- Cell phone
- Driver’s licenses for adults
- Cash and credit cards
- Lanyards
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles
- Snacks
- Swimsuits
- Beach towels
- Earplugs and goggles
- Kids ID tags
- Floatation and other water toys
- Books
- Mister fan and batteries
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Lip balm with SPF
- Mini first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Hats
- Waterproof watch
- Water shoes or flip flops
- Gallon Ziploc bags
- Dry change of clothes
Clothing
Athletic shoes
For starters, you’ll need a comfortable pair of shoes like Adidas runners that you could walk in all day. It’s a must.
What happens when those get wet thanks to rain or Splash Mountain? I promise this will happen at Disney World (and Disneyland if you’re going on water rides or it’s wintertime), but I’ve got a solution…
Water shoes or sandals
Bring a pair of Chacos, Tevas, or any other sandal that can get wet during your Disney World vacation. Flip-flops can work, as long as you’re sure they’ll be comfy for a lot of walking.
When your runners get too wet, go back to the hotel or resort and set them out to dry so they’re ready the next morning. Put on your comfy water shoes for the remainder of the day. Alternate your shoes like this during the whole trip.
See all shoe deals.
Disney shirts
You’ll want some sort of Disney shirts to wear at the park. If you don’t bring your own or buy them on Amazon, you might be tempted to overpay for the shirts inside the park. Go for the family themed ones, or keep it simple and let your people pick out their own.
Clothing packing list (AKA What to wear to Disney World!)
- Athletic shoes
- Water shoes or sandals
- Disney shirts
- T-shirts
- Face masks (See the Disney mask policy)
- Shorts
- Pants
- Underwear
- Socks
- Bras
- Pajamas
- Hats
- Swimsuits
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket (if you’re going during winter months)
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Look for water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen to wear inside the Disney parks if you’d like it to withstand rain showers and wet rides. Re-apply all the livelong day!
See sunscreen deals.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Sure, your hotel will probably have this for you, but I’d call ahead to be sure. If you’re picky about your brand or you like to use your own, keep and eye on CVS deals or Walgreens deals. You can usually get shampoo for a fraction of the regular price using coupons at drugstores.
See shampoo and conditioner deals.
Hand sanitizer
Pack multiple travel-size hand sanitizers so you always have some with you. Go for themed Mickey hand sanitizer or the more affordable (and reusable!) hand sanitizers.
See hand sanitizer deals.
Toiletries packing list:
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Kids shampoo
- Kids toothbrush and toothpaste
- Kids bath soap
- Kids comb
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Shower gel
- Contacts
- Eyeglasses
- Contact solution
- Lip balm (with SPF)
- Makeup
- Makeup remover
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Tampons and pads
- Foot spray/powder
- Razors
- Shave gel
- Hairbrush
- Hair products (gel/mousse)
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Perfume
- Kleenex
Laundry Supplies
Laundry soap
Pack Tide Pods if you’re planning to do a load of laundry on your Disney vacation. Tide Pods are easy to manage, less messy, and you can often find Tide coupons to save money.
See all laundry deals.
Dryer sheets
Ditto dryer sheets. Look for Downy coupons and pull out only what you need and transfer them to a Ziploc bag to save space in your bag.
Another way to save money on laundry soap and dryer sheets is through Amazon Subscribe & Save. You’ll get a 15% discount when you set up an auto-shipment of these.
Laundry bags
The object here is to keep clean clothes separate from dirty clothes. Especially if you have kids who lose track of what’s clean and what’s not. You can go with a basic laundry bag for super cheap. Or you could get a pop-up laundry bag and hamper to use in your hotel room.
Laundry Supplies packing list:
- Laundry soap
- Dryer sheets
- Laundry bags
- Stain remover
- Quarters for laundry machines
Print the complete Disney Packing List here.
Medicine
Motion sickness medication
If you’re prone to it, you’ll probably already bring motion sickness patches along for your flight or road trip to Disney. But did you know you can use it to combat motion sickness on roller coasters too?
See all Dramamine deals.
Blister care
Stock up on blister care patches or moleskin to treat blisters as they show up. This is especially crucial if you bought new shoes for your Disney vacation!
Allergy medication
Make sure your Allegra, Flonase, or Claritin makes it into your bag, especially if your Disney trip coincides with your seasonal allergies.
Download the Ibotta app to get savings on allergy meds the easy way. Just scan your receipt and you’ll receive cash to your PayPal account. In the past, I’ve seen offers like $3 back when you buy Allegra.
See all allergy medication deals.
Medicine packing list:
- Motion sickness medication
- Blister care
- Allergy medication
- Prescription medication
- Anti-chafing stick
- Band-Aids
- Aloe vera
- Antacids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Insect repellant
- Birth control
- Pain medication
- Midol
- Kids pain medication
- Eyedrops
- Vitamins
Baby Supplies
Diapers and wipes
Get the best savings on diapers and baby wipes for your trip through Amazon Subscribe & Save.
Another idea is to call ahead to your hotel a week or so before and see if you can ship a box of diapers straight from Amazon to the hotel to avoid packing them on the airplane.
See all diaper deals.
Baby monitor
If your baby needs to nap in the hotel room but you don’t want to sit there in silence, consider bringing a basic audio baby monitor.
Stroller
You can get a Disney stroller rental in the park for $15 per day (single stroller) or $31 per day (double stroller). Or you can hang on to that money and spend it on Dole Whips in Adventureland instead when you bring your own stroller.
Pack a cheap umbrella stroller to save space.
See all stroller deals.
Baby Supplies packing list:
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Baby monitor
- Stroller
- Stroller rain cover
- Stroller clips
- Swim diapers
- Bottles
- Formula
- Baby food
- Sippy cups
- Pacifiers
- Bibs
- Portable high chair
- Diaper bag
- Pack N Play
- Car seat
- Blankets and toys
- Kids ID tags
- Outlet covers
Food and Kitchen Supplies
Instant soup mix
Even if you don’t have access to a kitchen, you may want to pack a few groceries and snacks for the hotel room. You can do a lot with a microwave! Make instant soup, for example.
Another option is using a grocery delivery service like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, or Shipt if you don’t want the bulk of packing groceries.
See all soup deals.
Instant oatmeal
Cheap breakfast in the hotel room, anyone? You’d be surprised how many hotels don’t offer a warm or filling complimentary breakfast. Make instant oatmeal instead.
See all oatmeal deals.
K-Cups
Call your hotel ahead of time to find out if they have a Keurig in the room. If so, pack extra K-Cups so you aren’t tempted to buy coffee inside the parks. If not, pack a French press and ground coffee instead of K-Cups.
See all coffee deals.
Food and Kitchen Supplies packing list:
- Instant soup mix
- Instant oatmeal
- K-Cups or other coffee products
- Tea bags
- Sugar
- Non-dairy creamer
- Bottled water
- Hot cocoa
- Juice boxes
- Microwave popcorn
- Granola or protein bars
- Chips
- Crackers
- Mini cereal boxes
- Peanut butter
- Bread
- Salt & pepper
- Corkscrew
- Dish soap
- Dish sponge
- Trash bags
- Ziploc bags
- Paper plates and bowls
- Paper towels
- Straws
Important Documents and Paperwork
Even though a lot of your travel paperwork will be digital, some people prefer to print things out. And if you keep it all digital, create a folder inside your email inbox and double-check that against this list.
Important Documents and Paperwork packing list:
- Theme park tickets
- Airplane boarding passes
- Hotel confirmation
- Cash and credit cards
- Smaller bills for road tolls and mousekeeping tips
- Driver’s license or ID
- Proof of insurance
- Guidebooks
Disney Cruise packing list add-ons:
Going on a Disney Cruise? Lucky you. Here are a few extra items you’ll need that I didn’t mention above:
- Passport
- Suit for men
- Semi-formal for women
- Dress shoes
- Binoculars
- Winter weather gear (if needed, based on your itinerary)
Print the complete Disney Packing List here.
UP NEXT: The Best Disney Deals Available Now
Tell us what you think