What Should You Bring (or Wear) to Walt Disney World?
Whether you’ve just scheduled your first Disney trip or are still mulling it over, if you’re wondering what to bring to Disney, you’re not alone. As a travel advisor, a mom, and someone who has logged many magical miles with a stroller in tow, I’ve learned exactly what families really need—and what ends up staying buried at the bottom of the backpack.
So before you zip up that suitcase, let me share a few of my favorite “why didn’t I think of that?” items to avoid mid-bag-check breakdowns.
1. Ponchos: With Florida’s unpredictable weather, you should absolutely bring rain ponchos. Yes, you can buy ponchos at Disney World, but they cost an arm and a leg at $12 per poncho. They’re reusable, but that means that you’ll have to fold up a wet poncho and carry it around the park once it stops raining. You’re much better off buying a bunch of cheap ponchos from the Dollar Store or Amazon that you can discard. Get a bunch! They’re great for putting on a wet bench or draping over your stroller.
2. Portable Phone Charger: You’ll be using the Disney Parks app and other Disney apps throughout the day, and you won’t want to worry about accessing an outlet when you need to capture picture-perfect moments (or figure out where the bathrooms are)! Just remember to charge the charger when you’re back in your hotel room—we’ve all made that mistake!
3. An extra pair of shoes: Whether it’s water rides or rain, there’s always a chance you’ll find your shoes soaked. You’re not going to want to put on wet shoes the next day you go to Disney, so it’s best to have an extra pair of shoes just in case!
4. Ziploc bags: Never underestimate the power of a good ziploc bag! Ziploc bags didn’t used to be on my “what to bring to Disney” list, but I’ve found that they always come in handy! They can hold anything you don’t want touching anything else in your bag, from wet shoes to buffet food. Plus, they make great impromptu trash bags, and are quite handy for protecting your camera or phone from getting wet on rides or in the rain. If you have enough, you can even pack each kid’s outfit into a separate Ziploc bag for easy access.
5. Cheap Sunglasses: With so much walking around, things are bound to get lost. Even if you don’t “lose” your glasses when they’re on your head, I’d recommend bringing an extra pair of sunglasses (or two!) and wearing ones that you don’t mind losing.
The answer to what to bring to Disney doesn’t have to be a complicated one—with just a few smart additions to your park bag, your Disney days can feel lighter, easier, and so much more magical—no meltdowns, no frantic searches for chargers, and no soggy-shoe surprises.
If you want even more mom-tested packing tips, check out my guide on packing for a Disney vacation! And if you’re ready for help planning a vacation that feels stress-free all the way from packing to airport pick-up, I’d love to support you. Book a call and together we’ll create a Disney experience that lets you truly take a break from the busy!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
