Theme Park Packing Plan & List

Preparing for Travel

1-2 Weeks in Advance

  • Retrieve luggage from storage.

  • If driving, service your vehicle and finalize route 1-2 weeks in advance. If you plan to split your day into 2 days I do recommend reserving a hotel room in advance as well.

  • Refill any medications.

  • Make a grocery list or an order for your return - you will thank yourself for this!

  • Order groceries & provisions 2 before departure to be delivered to your resort on arrival day. This saves time and money on breakfast, especially if you plan to take advantage of Early Park Entry! I like to order through Instacart. Be sure to enter your Disney confirmation number on the order notes in case it is delivered and you are not at the hotel. The delivery will be held at Bell Services until you either retrieve it or call for them to deliver it to your room (don’t forget to tip Bell Services!) Tip: Don’t worry about ordering plastic spoons, forks, etc. You can get those from your hotel’s quick service location.

  • Make a grocery list or order for your return - you will thank yourself for this!

    Departure Day

  • Be sure to stay hydrated! I always drink more water 1 day before I fly. Avoid too much caffeine today.

  • Do not put medications or Magic Bands in your checked luggage.

  • Tip: Did you know a CPAP machine, medical equipment, and a baby bag do not count as your carry-on? You can bring these items AND a carry-on bag onto your flight.

  • Gather snacks & travel entertainment/activities for kids. Download movies on your devices for travel days.

  • Keep all electronic chargers and Magic Bands in your carry-on.

Carry-On Packing

What is a carry-on? A piece of luggage that is small enough to fit in the overhead bins on the airplane. A personal item is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, such as a purse or small backpack. Most airlines allow you to bring a carry-on and personal item onto the plane. Unsure about how much you can bring? Bag sizes? Find your airline below for baggage rules:

Packing List

Clothing based on a 7 day vacation. Orlando is warm year-round, but you should always check the weather forecast before packing - do not assume you know the weather! Hot temps tend to mean I cannot wear clothing more than once, so plan accordingly. The list below is for a traveler using a carry-on only.

Designate outfits for each day. You will thank yourself for doing this step! You can assign them for a day of the week or outfits for specific parks. This is especially helpful if you are sharing a room with sleeping children and have to dress in the dark! This way you don't have to rummage through your suitcase. Laying your clothes out the night before is also very helpful - those mornings at Disney come early and fast!

  • 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes

  • 1 rainproof jacket or poncho. A small umbrella is also useful to keep cool on those sunny days.

  • 1-2 hats to keep the sun off your face

  • Sunglasses

  • 5 pairs of shorts or skorts

  • 1-2 pairs of leggings or jeans

  • 5 t-shirts for casual/park wear. (You can pack fewer t-shirts and repeat wear in cooler months).

  • 1-2 tops/blouses

  • 2 sets of pajamas

  • Socks & underwear

  • 1 light sweater or cardigan to wear while traveling.

  • A formal outfit if you are eating somewhere with a dress code. (All dining within the parks is informal, no matter the price tag. Some resort hotel restaurants have a dress code.

  • Swimsuits & cover-ups. Flip flops for the pool.

  • Each Disney hotel has an iron & ironing board in room.

Toiletries & Medical

  • To save space I use Disney’s body wash, shampoo, & conditioner provided in the rooms.

  • Hair brush

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste

  • Contacts, glasses, contact solution

  • Sunscreen

  • Over the counter medications such as antacids, pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, band aid, etc.

  • Razor

  • Feminine products

  • Deodorant

  • Nail clippers & tweezers

  • Lip balm/chap stick with spf

  • Anti-chafe stick

  • Each Disney hotel has a hair dryer in room.

Your Park Bag

-My go-to bag is this Fjallraven Hip Pack. For years I wore a small backpack to the parks, but my back would hurt after a long day of walking with the added weight. I made the switch to this belt back and I’m never looking back! Plus, I am able to keep it on during most rides.

-Your park bag should hold essentials only. Avoid bringing too much into the parks - you will be glad you aren’t weighed down, especially on really hot days!

-My park bag includes:

  • Portable phone charger. You will be on your phone A LOT. Tip: Put your phone on low battery mode each morning to conserve power.

  • Chapstick

  • Money & ID

  • Small sunscreen

  • Sunglasses

  • Wet wipes

  • Mints/chewing gum (avoid mints in a metal container).

  • Small portable fan. I love this one!

  • If you have someone who may be sensitive to loud sounds such as fireworks I recommend noise cancelling headphones as well.