So what should you bring into Walt Disney World? Now that the kids are older and I don’t need to bring along all.the.stuff. I like to travel light when I visit. I can’t quite make it without carrying anything (I have a food allergy so have to have an EpiPen on hand), but I’ve pared it down to a small wristlet. So what should you pack to keep the weight down but still have everything you need?
The Basic Items to Bring to Disney World for the Day
For me, these include the must-haves:
- My EpiPen and a few Benedryl tabs.
- Advil
- Money, ID, one credit card, annual passholder card, DVC card, AAA card
- Cell phone
- Sunglasses
- Phone charger
- Reading glasses (a sad new addition …)
The Extra Items to Pack
These are the nice to have items, but I usually squeeze them in:
- Hair tie or clip
- A bandaid (although you can get these at first aid in each park).
- Pen
- A few essential oils (typically DiGize for stomach aches and Deep Relief for muscle pain)
- Hand sanitizer
- Chapstick
And that’s it, although I might transfer the DiGize to a tiny bottle and throw in a sunscreen stick if it’s a hot day. I use my cell phone as a camera (and it’s usually in my hand or back pocket). I’ve found it’s so freeing to be able to bring so little into the park and yet still have everything I might need throughout the day!
My favorite bag to use is a Vera Bradley Wristlet. They have a variety of patterns (someday I’m getting a Disney themed one) and last quite a long time.
If you prefer a backpack, the one I sometimes use (if we are trading pins, want to pack a few snacks or something like that and I need a little more room) is super lightweight and folds up into a little package for easy packing: Vera Bradley packable backpack
This is pretty similar to what I bring along when we go to Vegas, a show or any other place I don’t want to bring a big bag. PLUS, with such a small purse I no longer have to carry everyone else’s stuff! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve emptied my purse to find all kinds of odd things (bouncy balls, small toys, gum wrappers, headbands, jewelry, etc.) that aren’t mine!
Looking for more Disney tips? Check out these posts:
5 FREE Things to Do At Walt Disney World
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This is a great list. We travel with little ones so we also carry a travel pack of wet wipes of some sort. Good for all kinds of messes. We even find that we adults need them at times.
We always used to carry those too! Now I have them in my carryon for the room, but I no longer take them to the parks.
Ah the power of having wipes on hand… for all ages and all occasions
So true!
We always have rain gear with us as well! And wipes and so much hand sanitizer!
If there is a chance of rain, everyone will throw one of those tiny disposable ponchos in their pocket – I agree it’s smart to have!
That’s cool to be able to travel so light. I need reading glasses these days too. I don’t always carry them as I use the light on my phone or my daughter can read very small print. It’s hard for me to not to bring my camera along.
I can see where the camera would be tough to leave behind, but I just hate the weight if I’m out all day, so I get by with my phone. Dang reading glasses!
We love Disney. We are going back in April. Thanks for sharing these ideas.
We are too! Hope this helps you pack.
Nice! And this is a very compact list! Great resource. I always like to carry as little as possible anywhere really! 🙂
I agree – I’m trying to use this method more in my everyday life too!
Great tips to condense what you bring to the most important essentials in a convenient way!
Thanks! It’s been years of trips to get it down to the essentials!
I prefer to keep my hands free, and I also bring my digital point and shoot camera, so I use a small cross-body camera bag and it fits all of my essentials into it. It has been EVERYWHERE with me. I’m pretty impressed that you are able to keep it all in that little wristlet.
If I had a camera I couldn’t do it!
Packing smart for theme parks is an absolute necessity! Great guide! <3
Thanks!
You did good if you got it down to a wristlet! We have food allergies too, but there’s 3 of us in our family with it, so I end up carrying a backpack with multiple EpiPens, Benadryl, and a water bottle or 2. I’m trying to teach my 11 yr old to carry his own EpiPen, so he’s used to it when he gets older and isn’t around me all the time! We also carry our YL essential oils! They have been a lifesaver at the parks various times. Great tips.
I can see where you’d need a bigger bag with extra EpiPens – they take up quite a bit of room!
If I have a stroller I like to bring more but once your kids get older that is a little harder!
Yes, I was sad when the kids no longer needed a stroller but still needed a lot of stuff! Those were the backpack years.
Wow, you’re good. I still bring in my Disney JanSport backpack, but U guess it’s not jam-packed. I also still bring my Hyrdroflask in it. I know I can get free water, but the Hydroflask just keeps it so cold, and we go to Disney in the summer. I also still bring in Wet-ones. We like sticky snacks–lol. I throw in cheap ponchos and phone batteries, too. But my phone doesn’t hold a charge like it once did. We also still have the autograph book.
Good additions! And you’d definitely need the backpack for the autograph book – those were fun days!
Your list looks a lot like mine! I don’t bring essential oils, but I do bring a patch of moleskin for blisters. And a poncho from the dollar store.
Good idea on the moleskin – if there is a chance of rain we add those ponchos too – but I make everyone carry their own so I only have to squeeze one in.
Great list. Wish I would have had this list last time I went to Disney
Thanks. There is always next time!
I hate packing and like to travel light, especially walking around all day. You hit all the essentials, and indeed the the Advil for a Disney, lol
Ha! Thanks!
I forgot my charger the last time we were there. Not fun. Hand sanitizer is a big thing for me. This is a great list of things to bring into Walt Disney World.
Thanks! I agree, that a charger is SO needed – that Disney app really hurts the battery life and you need to be on it so often.
I gotta get better at this! I pack too light lol. Then wish I had xyz with me half way through the day!
I’m usually the best prepared by day 4!
Good information, especially since this just might be the year that I take my 5 year old granddaughter to Disney! Bookmarking for future travel planning.
Taking your granddaughter will be wonderful!
I agree with packing light. Going on rides would not be so easy if one was to pull around a suitcase.
So true!