Want to know what items are must-haves on the Ultimate Disney Packing List? These 11 must-have essentials are what Disney pros always pack and you will use every one of them! 
Going on a Disney vacation is exciting (and expensive) and if you’re anything like me, you start counting down the days weeks ahead of time! As a Disney fan and frequent park-go-er, I am sharing the ultimate Disney packing list I use, and the 11 Disney trip essentials I pack, so that I never forget anything I need to maximize the magic.
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You are going to learn what type of clothes and accessories to bring, as well as other magical must-haves that you never knew you needed to pack.
After checking out the essentials on this Disney packing list, you will be extra prepared for your next trip and all future Disney park trips- on either coast!
This post is all about the Ultimate Disney Packing List items that you need to bring on your upcoming trip, and there is a free printable Ultimate Packing List! Fill out this form to get the PDF direct to your email.
Must-have items for the Ultimate Disney Packing List
1. Clothes to Pack for Disney
- Summer/Spring/Fall- pack light and lightweight clothes. For example, on a 7-day trip, I usually pack
- 1-2 summer dresses (with pockets),
- 1 comfy skirt (with pockets- see a theme here?)
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 1 raincoat (can also be used as an extra layer)
- 1 pair of flip-flops/sandals (I like Crocs, they are waterproof)
- 1 pair of comfy sneakers (NOT new, please test out your shoes before you go),
- 1 wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap, and some socks/underwear/breathable cotton bras/tanks
- Winter- at Walt Disney World it never gets very cold, but at Disneyland, the temps can drop. So if the weather is a bit colder
- I change the above shorts/skirt/dress to 1 pair of jeans, and 1 lightweight pair of pants (you are not sweating as much so you can re-wear bottoms easily)
- I add a light jacket, a cardigan or pullover (it’s a good time to wear a spirit jersey)
- 1 hoodie or long-sleeved button down.
- I still pack comfy sneakers, but I also usually pack some slip-on shoes like Toms that I can wear socks under if it gets cold. And of course the underwear/bras/socks- but longer socks this time.
- In either season I will always pack:
- 1 pair of leggings (short or long depending on the season, with pockets of course)
- 1 pair running shoes so I can work out. All deluxe Disney resorts have awesome gyms, and (depending on the weather), it’s fun to run around the resorts, particularly at the Boardwalk, Old Key West, or any resort with a good path.
- Don’t forget some pj’s or comfy pants/tee shirts to sleep in or lounge around the room in
- Swimsuits- almost year-round you will want to take a dip in your hotel pool in Florida, and most of the year in California, so don’t forget your swimsuit!
Disney packing- suitcases packed for Disney trip
2. Power Bank
Disney is becoming more digitized every year and you can barely function at a Disney park without your phone- and the apps drain your battery fast! For chargers, I like the iWalk type because it’s lightweight and doesn’t involve a charging cord AND it has a digital display to show you how much charge is there. The other lipstick-type charger here is great because it also serves as a flashlight, is lightweight, and packs 5000mAh of charge.
Another option would be to use a FuelRod. I always pack a Fuelrod when I go to Disney (you can get multi-packs on Amazon and they are free to exchange at the parks. See my FuelRod blog for more info on FuelRod locations in the parks). They are cheaper to buy ahead of time but you can absolutely buy them at any of the Disney Park and Resort locations I list in my blog, or exchange them there for a brand new one when you run out of power.
3. Collapsible Refillable Water Bottle
You will need water- it is hot (most of the time) and you are walking a lot! Buying water or other beverages is an option, but the price definitely adds up.
Disney Parks offer free water at any of their quick service locations, and there are some fountains also, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle. We are a family of five so we usually bring a couple of collapsible water bottles plus the Brita filter water bottle, because the water at the Parks is not always the best tasting. We have this exact Brita filter bottle and it’s great, we love it!
4. Blister blockers
We often walk 20,000 plus steps every day on our Disney trips, and no matter how worn in or comfy your shoes are someone in your group is bound to get some blisters. I always pack either one of the options above and some tried and true moleskin pads. I usually always pack a baggie of Epsom salts too in case I need to soak my feet (but usually my whole body) in the bathtub after a long day at the parks.
5. Packable Snacks
You can absolutely bring food (except no glass, knives, or coolers) into the Disney Parks, and my family almost always has some snacks in one of our bags. You can pack them in your carry-on bags or order them when you get to your resort.
I try to make the snacks I bring to the park packed with as much protein and fiber as I can so it will give us all some good fuel, but still taste good so my kids will eat them. Then, I hand them one when we are waiting in line in the hot sun for Slinky Dog Dash or Big Thunder Railroad, or baking in the sun trying to figure out what we want to do next. Hangri-ness averted!
6. Crossbody bag or small backpack, and a fanny/hip pack
You may think- do I really need both? Yes, it’s good to have different options for different days. This is especially true if you are going to Universal and/or riding Tron. On Tron, they will make you put anything other than a fanny/hip pack in a locker.
At Universal, if you want to ride Velocicoaster, you will need to put all belongings in a locker so a small sized bag is best to fit into the lockers here and at many of the their other attractions. Large bags require paid lockers and who wants to pay more than they have to?
And on days you don’t need to use a locker, then pack your medium-sized bag or backpack so you will have plenty of room for snacks, sunscreen, chargers, etc.
7. Air Tags
Throw one of these in your car to remember where you parked, or one in your luggage and park bag so you don’t lose them.
If you are traveling with small children, it’s a good idea to have one attached to your child too (you can use a wristband)- Disney Parks are crowded places, and knowing your child has that extra layer of protection is totally worth it!
Throw one of these in your car to remember where you parked, or one in your luggage and park bag so you don’t lose them. It’s a good idea to have one attached to your child too (you can use a wristband)- Disney Parks are crowded places!
8. Fan, spray fan, or cooling towels
![HonHey Handheld Fan Misting Fan, 3 in 1 Hand Fan, Portable Mini Fan with Rechargeable Battery Operated and 3 Adjustable Speed[6-13-20 Working Hours], Foldable Personal Fan for Girls Women Travelling](https://www.pixiepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/31tlFhbniXL._SL500_.webp)
In Florida, it will be very hot and humid most months of the year, and I personally like to pack both a fan and a cooling towel. A mist fan provides cooling with the water and the fan, and these cooling towels can clip onto any bag, don’t need a battery, and can double as a wipe or napkin!
9. Body glide
Disney Parks can get hot- can you see a theme here? To avoid chafing I like to use Body Glide on my thighs and armpits, and even in between my toes if I am wearing flip-flops or sandals. Enough said, right?
10. Sink Suds
We usually stay in a small studio or hotel room-sized resort room, without a washer and dryer, and who wants to go wash laundry? So I always pack something like Sink Suds just in case. These come in handy if I need to wash a sweaty shirt and hang it to dry in our room. They are TSA-compliant and don’t take up much room in your bag!
11. Raingear
There is no question if it will rain when you are at a Disney park- it will, it’s just a matter of how long it will last.
I usually pack both a raincoat (I like to use it as an extra layer when the AC is cranked up inside) and a small umbrella. Others prefer ponchos as they have more coverage and are great for water rides. I have used the poncho listed below and I love the drawstring, and it fits well over my bags.
The smaller the umbrella the better as you don’t want to carry too big of a bag. The small handheld one I show below is perfect, I have it in two different colors and pack one in my kids bag and one in my bag.
Whether you prefer a poncho, raincoat, umbrella, or all of the above, be sure to pack them as the Disney shops options are very expensive- you don’t want to add another $50 or more to buy Disney ponchos for the whole family!
This post was all about 11 essential must-have items on the Ultimate Disney Packing List. Let me know in the comments what your must-have Clothes for Disney, shoes, accessories- whatever you want to share!
You may also want to check out:
- 5 Super Tips: What to Pack for Disney World in April
- 7 Best Shoes for Disney
- The Best Bag to Carry at Disney
Shelley has been going on Walt Disney World trips since she was a toddler growing up in South Florida. Since then, she has expanded her interests and passion to include Disneyland and runDisney trips. She is a Disney College of Knowledge-certified Travel Planner, runner, Physician, mom of three, and all-around Disney fan. She believes the magic is in the details of any Disney or runDisney trip!
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