Important Items to Pack for Your Next Disney Trip

I am so excited that Disney World is starting to get back to normal! Disney is part of my self-care routine and I’m enjoying it being open for longer hours, having park hoping again, and starting up the special tours! Now, hopefully, they will be adding back Disney Dining Plans soon!

I have been lucky enough to be able to travel with just one kid at a time.

Not only do I get to travel with one kid at a time, but I also get to travel with my husband and grandkids!

However, some of my favorite trips are when it’s just me and my husband. During those trips, we tend to just wander around and see what sounds good to see, do, and eat those days. He’s not so much into riding rides, but we still have a great time.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to go a few times a year for the last few years and I’ve gotten good with knowing that to pack. I know the items I use frequently and what items I can do without.

My typical backpack items have not changed much, besides adding masks and finding the importance of a personal neck fan! I never thought I would use one, but I love it and take it with me every trip now!

Mask/Face Coverings

Face coverings are currently only required for Disney transportation, if you are fully vaccinated, so they still need to be on the packing list!

Disney has their own masks available and their newest ones are my favorite! The material is very breathable and comfortable. However, be aware that they tend to run small, so choose a size larger than you typically wear!

I love clothing made out of bamboo!! It’s always so soft and I definitely believe the cloth face masks need to be soft if you are going to wear them outside in the heat and humidity all day long!

There’s also the disposable variety! These tend to be a bit more lightweight, but they are not as easily reusable so you will have to pack more of them!

My suggestion is to take a variety of masks with you! If you have a variety (shapes, textures, cloth, disposable….), then you have extras if one starts to bother you or if it gets wet or too sweaty (and smelly)!!

Carribeaner for Masks

Carribeaners are great for keeping things attached to your or your backpack!

Masks are small and most of us are not completely used to wearing them yet, so they are easily misplaced.

Attaching them to a carabiner and then attaching that carabiner to your belt loop or backpack makes it much easier to keep track of!!

My suggestion is to take a few of them. They always come in handy! If you have a stroller, get one of the HUGE clips to hang off your handle. It’s great for holding Disney Resort Mugs and Disney Popcorn Buckets!!

Gum/Breath Mints

It’s never good to have bad breath….but it’s worse when you are stuck smelling your own breath inside of a MASK at Disney World!!

**INSIDER TIP** If you want gum, bring it with you! Disney does not sell gum on property!

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer has always been a must-have for me when I travel. Having a variety of small, travel-size hand sanitizers makes it easy.

Bonus, the ones with carabiners make it easy to find them because you can simply clip the hand sanitizer to the outside of your backpack!

Sanitizing Wipes

Again, another necessity for me! They can be used to wipe tables off before you eat or wipe hands with instead of hand sanitizer. The ones below are great because they have aloe in them as well!

Water Bottle

It’s Florida. It’s hot. Drink water! LOTS of water!

I always have a reusable water bottle on me (at home, work, vacation, etc…), but this will definitely be beneficial for the Parks.

Disney Quick-Service restaurants always give out free ice water, but having your own with you allows you to get a drink whenever you need to with no standing in line needed!

Here is a great kids bottle!

This is a great bottle for adults when the parks reopen, especially since it has a straw to make it easy to get a drink while wearing your mask!!

Sun Screen and Aloe

Next, we can’t forget some of the most important items! It’s Florida, so sunscreen and aloe are necessary all the time (especially those of us from the North)!

The travel-size bottles are perfect for backpacks in the Parks or carry-ons on airplanes!

Items to Help You Keep Cool

You want to make sure that you and your kids stay hydrated and as cool as possible! Hot and miserable kids are cranky and no one wants cranky kids on vacation!! Hot miserable adults are cranky too and you don’t want to be one of those!

Fans

If you have a stroller, then stroller fans are a MUST for your little ones especially if you are going to Florida during the summer months!!

I like the fans you can recharge with a USB! This way you don’t need to worry about packing batteries with you. You already have your charger!

AND…tiny fans you can plug directly into your phone!! (You have your phone on your anyway…might as well use it to keep cool!!)

However, this is my favorite one and the one I own! It can be charged with my portable charger and fits comfortably on my neck. It truly makes a HUGE difference in the summer and I will never go to Disney (or any other warm-weather vacation) without it!

Cooling Towels

Cooling towels are great and here we are with the carabiners again! Have you noticed I really like the carabiners?!?!?

Spray Bottle

I like the ones that are a combination spray bottle and fan! Plus, they can make fun entertainment for the kids and adults too!!

Poncho

It’s Florida! Yes, it will rain!

Be prepared for it!

This is the exact poncho I have, but mine is in all black. I LOVE it because with shorts on I am completely covered, even with my backpack on under the poncho! It is truly the best poncho I have ever owned and it’s traveled to several countries with me (and not just the EPCOT countries)!!

The plus to this is that it also comes with an umbrella and tote bag!

Disney Pins

We can’t forget my FAVORITE…Disney trading pins! (Yes, there will be pin trading at Disney during the reopening phases!)

If you are like me, you always need just one or two more pins!!

And you can’t forget the lanyard!!

Not only do I love to travel, but I also love being active with my family! Check out my new parenting book. I’m a mom of seven and a clinical psychologist, so I have lots of great tips to share!

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