What to Pack for a Day at Disney

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Let your inner Disney Adult shine. Wear the ears, buy the matching t-shirts, and belt out your favorite Disney tune knowing you have everything you need with my “What to Pack for a Day at Disney” list.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To Disney We Go

Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, is one of my favorite places to visit. I first visited when I was five years old, and although my memories of the trip are minimal, I do remember the excitement that came with it. My favorite characters were there to greet me, they had every treat imaginable and many entertaining rides.

There is something to be said about the magic that brings out the child in every person who enters the park. No matter your age, gender, or level of love for Disney, I promise you will be clicking your heels with joy from sunup to sundown at the park.

That has been my experience every time I’m at a Disney park. Since my first trip, I have been there multiple times during all seasons and holidays. I may be a little biased about the best time to visit, but I will share my secrets for what to pack for any time of year.

I only list items you may need while in the park, so for general packing, visit my other posts related to your needs, whether it be Versatile Clothing or Can’t Forget Toiletries.

The Things Inside: What’s In My Bag?

General Disney Essentials

Backpack: a little backpack or crossbody bag is perfect for storing your wallet, water bottle, phone, and any other items you may need while in the park, while keeping them safe on rides. If you are looking for a stylish, Disney-themed bag, Loungefly has the perfect backpack for you!
Water Bottles: I like to bring my own reusable water bottle into the park so I can fill it at any water-filling station to stay hydrated.

First Aid Essentials
Band-Aids: scraped knees and pinched fingers happen, so keep yourself and your family covered with band-aids.
Hand Sanitizer: I love Disney, but I will be the first to tell you that you are walking into a living petri dish. Carry hand sanitizer to keep the germs at bay.
Blister Pads: with lots of walking, you may get blisters. Blister pads prevent blisters and reduce the pain they cause.
Pain Reliever: headaches, achy feet, and arm pain from Toy Story Mania may occur, but pain relief medication will keep you going.
Motion Sickness Reliever: some of the rides at Disney can make you dizzy and nauseous. Motion sickness relief will keep you feeling well for the remainder of your day.
DayQuil: with all the germs in the park, you may get sick; DayQuil keeps you ready for your next ride.

Seasonal Essentials

Sunscreen: you will be outside, so protect your skin year-round with this sunscreen.
Portable Fan: during the warmer months, a portable fan will keep you cool while waiting in line.
Rain Jacket: this is only essential during rainy seasons, but you will be grateful you brought it.
Puffer Jacket/Sweater: early mornings and late evenings, especially during winter, can be chilly, so bring along a light puffer jacket or pullover sweater to keep you warm.
Costume: Disney is the perfect place to celebrate your favorite character, especially during the holiday seasons, but be mindful of Disney’s Dress Policy.

Clothing Essentials
Walking Shoes: a good pair of tennis shoes is important, since most days at Disney involve a lot of walking. For maximum comfort, make sure they are broken in before going on your trip. My Adidas Cloudfoam shoes never let me down on long Disney days.
Sandals: you can toss these in your backpack if you need a break from your tennis shoes or if they get soaked. My Pali Hawaii Jandals are flexible, comfortable, and perfect for any water ride.
Moisture-Wicking Shirts: shirts that dry quickly are crucial if you are going during warmer months or plan to ride wet rides.
Comfortable Pants: I try to avoid jeans when I am planning to be at the park all day, so I typically wear biker shorts, leggings, or linen pants for comfort.
Wool Socks: wool socks prevent blisters, especially when wet. SmartWool is my favorite brand and comes in a variety of designs to match your outfit best.

woman wearing a disney top with biker shorts, walking shoes, and a MagicBand — adventure is out there

Important Items
Disney has an app that helps keep some of the things in this section organized and all in one place. It also comes in handy for tracking ride wait times.
Identification: this is important on your first day in case anything goes awry with your park reservation, but it is also necessary if you’re looking to purchase any alcoholic beverages in the participating parks.
Form of Payment: if you are staying on Disney property, you can link your credit card to your MagicBand. However, if you are not staying on property, you will need to bring your credit card with you or link it in the app to make any purchases within the park.
Park Tickets: these can be paper, card, in the app, or on your MagicBand.
Reservation Confirmation(s): if you have a dining reservation, make sure that you have the information with you in case something goes wrong, whether it is a printout or in the app.

Miscellaneous Essentials
MagicBands: these make entering the park and using Lightning Lane Passes convenient. Link everything to your MagicBand, tap, and go! Additionally, if you are staying on property, you can also use it as your room key.
Battery Pack: you will be using your phone quite often at the park, whether it be to order quick-service foods, reserve your Lightning Lane rides, or check ride wait times; keep your phone fully charged with a portable battery pack.
Ziploc Bag: bring along a Ziploc bag to keep your important items dry on wet rides.
Poncho: if you want to ride a water ride while staying dry, a rain poncho will keep you protected.
Ear Holders: keep your magic ears secure on rides with ear holders that attach to your backpack.
Stroller: if you are traveling with children, a stroller makes life a little easier, but be mindful of the size restrictions, or rent directly from Disney for convenience.

Know Before You Go

Check the Weather Conditions
The weather can be moderate at both Disneyland and Disney World, but can vary by season. To ensure the best experience, check the weather before your trip so you are best prepared.

My Top Disney Tips

Download the app. Trust me when I tell you the app will be your saving grace. If you have meal reservations, plan to use the Lightning Lane Pass, mobile order food, or simply want to see wait times for rides, you will need the app. It keeps everything in one spot and is user-friendly.
Stay hydrated. It is easy to forget to drink water while in an amusement park, so keep some electrolytes handy to stay hydrated.
Don’t forget snacks. Disney is known for their snacks, and believe me when I tell you I am first in line at the churro stand, but if you’re looking to stay within budget or need a snack in a pinch, especially with kiddos, keep some in your bag.
Use packing cubes. Make packing simple and organized with packing cubes. I like to sort mine by item (i.e., shirts in one, pants in another, undergarments in a different one, etc). These also give you additional space for those souvenirs you know you’re inevitably going to buy.

Below are free printable lists you can use to prepare for your day at Disney. And, if you are looking for more travel resources, visit my resource page for more items that might suit your travel needs.

Hakuna Matata, friends!

What to Pack for a Day at Disney Prefilled PDF Download

What to Pack for a Day at Disney Blank PDF Download