Disney Travel Packing Tips

Once you’ve booked your Disney travel arrangements with Just Add Magic Travel®, it’s time to prepare and pack. Whether packing is a source of excitement or stress, as Tiana would say, you’re “Almost There!” By spending time thinking about what to pack for your Walt Disney World trip, you’ll be able to save money and time at the theme parks. While there could be an endless amount of items you could bring, we wanted to narrow it down to a few things you may not think about. Here are our top tips for what to pack for your Disney trip.

Attire

Walking shoes 
There’s no doubt that you will do a lot of walking at Disney. We’re talking upwards of ten miles per day. Doing that much walking without the proper footwear will lead to achy feet and cranky family members by the end of the day. Treat your feet well and invest in a good pair of cooling, sweat-reducing walking shoes for everyone in the family. Your feet will thank you!

A note on dressing children in costumes: choose practicality over theming and let them wear sneakers underneath. Keep the princess shoes for playtime at home. 

I recommend bringing two pairs of shoes per person and rotating daily to decrease the risk of blisters.

Attractive rain gear
Even though Florida is known as the Sunshine State, it can be pretty rainy, especially if your Disney travel plans have you visiting during the summer. Pack rain gear accordingly so you don’t have to purchase ponchos during your trip. Another tip: bring attractive rain gear. If you visit during the summer, you will likely be using this gear at least once a day, and a Photopass photographer may capture the perfect family mantle photo just after a storm. Opt for a uniquely patterned or Disney-inspired poncho for family photos that are fun and functional! If you’d prefer to pack more lightly, you can purchase ponchos at the theme parks once rain rolls in. These even come with a replacement guarantee in the event that they tear. 

Strollers & car seats ​

Here are some tips for Disney travel with strollers and car seats:
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Strollers 
First, Disney has limitations to stroller sizes in the parks. Strollers must be less than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long (many double joggings strollers fit into this category). Stroller wagons are not permitted. Since strollers can go through a lot of wear and tear while traveling (especially if you gate-check it), we recommend arranging to rent a stroller during your trip. Just Add Magic Travel partners with several stroller rental companies in the Orlando area and will arrange reservations for you. Contact us to learn more about this option! 

In addition to the actual stroller, there are a few accessories you’ll want to bring to make it more enjoyable. The first is a stroller tag. There are large stroller parking areas throughout various areas in the parks. After leaving your stroller for a few minutes, you may lose your stroller in a sea of similar-looking ones. In addition, a Cast Member may move your stroller to accommodate more guests. Bring a bright marker that will make your stroller stand out from others. You can DIY your own or have one custom-made from small businesses that offer Disney-themed stroller tags. You’ll want a stroller fan, especially for Florida’s hot and humid days. 

Car seats
 If you stay at a Disney Resort and plan to take advantage of Disney’s complimentary transportation system, you will not need a car seat. Car seats are not permitted on Disney’s transportation systems, such as buses, monorails, and ferryboats. Typically a shuttle company will not allow car seats, while a private transfer company (which is Just Add Magic Travel’s recommendation) has car seats available that can be reserved prior to your trip. Before deciding whether to bring your car seat, feel free to reach out! We’ll discuss the various options and help arrange the best travel option for your family.

Food & drinks ​

Disney lets you bring outside food and drinks into the parks, as long as they aren’t in glass containers (except for jarred baby food) and don’t require refrigeration or heating (there are no public microwaves or refrigerators). We suggest keeping some simple snacks like granola bars on hand to act as a quick meal replacement to give you a boost of energy throughout the day. You will also want to bring refillable cups/water bottles and straws, as adult-sized fountain drinks do not come with lids or straws (kid-sized beverages and coffee do have lids).

Extras

Here are a few other items we recommend packing for when planning for Disney travel: 

• Luggage/packing cubes—These soft-sided zippered cubes are my number one packing item for traveling with a family. Each family member’s clothing can go in their own cube before being put in a suitcase. It makes for more organized packing and unpacking.
  
• Sanitizing / baby wipes—No matter the age of your family, baby wipes are incredibly useful! 
  
• Sunscreen & bug spray—We recommend packing this in your in-park backpack. You will need to reapply often throughout the day! (Make sure that whatever your bringing complies with TSA guidelines)
  
• Wet bags—These bags are designed to keep wet clothing contained without getting everything else around it wet. Usage possibilities are endless!
  
• Mobile charger—Phone batteries drain fast between taking pictures, using GPS settings for My Disney Experience, and connecting to Disney wifi. Portable chargers allow you to use a rechargeable brick to mobile charge your phone. There are kiosks at the parks where you can purchase a charger if you don’t have one! ​
  

Disney travel with less stress with Just Add Magic Travel ​

There are so many more items that could make your vacation to Disney less stressful! If you have questions or are overwhelmed about how to start planning for your trip, we can help! For more Disney travel tips, sign up for our email newsletter and check out our blog!