Disney Packing List: Don’t Forget These Items!

Updated May 1, 2023
About the Author: Denise Cruz has lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After her second sabbatical, she began sharing travel advice at Wander Her Way.

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Disney Packing List

Disney Packing List: Commonly Forgotten Items

Looking for a Disney packing list of commonly forgotten items?

I’ve got you covered! If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you won’t want to forget to pack these commonly overlooked items for your trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!

There are a lot of Disney packing lists out there that only cover the most obvious items, like comfortable walking shoes, t-shirts, and shorts. But what about the items that most people forget?

As someone who visits Disney World multiple times per year, I put this list together to help you avoid making any packing mistakes for your next trip to Disney World.

These are the most commonly forgotten items that should be on your Disney packing list!

Disney World Packing List

Other Useful Disney World Planning Tips

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For finding the absolute cheapest flights to Orlando, be sure to check Skyscanner. If you’re flexible on dates, use their advanced search feature to find the cheapest travel days.

Need groceries? You can get groceries delivered directly to your hotel using Amazon Fresh (that link will give you a free 30-day trial if you’re not already a Prime member!)

Essential Disney Packing List

Without further ado, here’s my Disney packing list of commonly forgotten items:

1. Portable charger

I don’t go anywhere without this portable cell phone charger. It has been an absolute lifesaver when I travel, especially at Disney World.

The last thing you want is for your phone battery to die in the midst of taking a photo of Cinderella’s Castle or checking wait times for a ride.

Disney now sells “FuelRod” portable batteries at kiosks around the park, but for $30, they are really not a good deal at all.

You’re much better off bringing your own portable charger that can charge your phone fully two or more times for a fraction of the price.

2. Water bottle

This is definitely a must-have for Disney World. Why waste $3.50 paying for bottled water inside the parks when you can bring your own water bottle and fill it up for free instead?

I recommend bringing a filtered water bottle with you because you can fill it up at water fountains throughout the park and avoid the weird taste of Florida water.

Florida water is full of sulfur, which gives it a strange flavor. It doesn’t bother some people, but I know it bothers me!

3. Rain poncho

It rains all the time in Orlando. All. The. Time. Especially in the spring and summer months.

The happiest place on Earth won’t feel so happy when your clothes are soaking wet, and the AC is blasting inside the rides. Even on what looks like a sunny day, there’s usually at least one short afternoon shower.

So don’t forget to bring a lightweight rain poncho! You’ll avoid getting wet or having to overpay for a poncho inside the parks.

These ponchos are also great to wear on water rides like Splash Mountain if you don’t want to get thoroughly soaked!

Pro tip: Don’t get the cheap, disposable ponchos. Not only they’re bad for the environment, but they will stick to your sweaty arms and legs like cling film in Florida’s humidity.

4. Water-resistant or waterproof backpack

This 20L water-resistant backpack is the perfect backpack for a trip to Disney World. Between the unpredictable rain and all the water rides, you will want a bag where you can safely store your valuables without worrying about them getting wet.

This backpack is a great choice because it’s extremely lightweight, durable, and folds up into a little pouch when you aren’t using it, so it takes up almost no space when packing.

It also comes in several fun colors, so it’s super easy to spot your friends in the crowd!

5. Waterproof pouch for your valuables

If you don’t want an entire waterproof backpack, you can also consider just bringing a small waterproof pouch to store valuables like your cell phone, camera, wallet, keys, etc.

6. Blister bandages

You probably already have comfortable walking shoes on your Disney packing list, but a commonly overlooked item is blister bandages.

You can easily end up walking an average of 10+ miles a day at Disney World!

If you do get a blister, you can put a blister bandage over it, and you won’t feel a thing!

7. Handheld fan

If you’re visiting Disney World in the summer months, a handheld fan is a must! It can get extremely hot and humid in Orlando, with the average temperature well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) during summer.

A small handheld fan will keep you cool while waiting in line or walking around the parks.

This handheld fan is very small and portable but kicks up a nice breeze. I’ve actually found many occasions to use this, not just at Disney World!

8. Sunscreen

If you are visiting Disney World during the warmer, sunnier months, don’t forget to add sunscreen to your packing list!

There’s a reason they call Florida the Sunshine State. It’s important to reapply sunscreen every few hours while you’re at Disney World, especially during the hottest times of the day, from around 10 AM to 4 PM.

I like this SPF 40 sunscreen by Supergoop! for my face because it dries quickly, is non-greasy, and is water-resistant!

9. Hand sanitizer

Even before COVID, Disney World is a theme park for germs as well as people. The last thing you want is to get sick during your trip.

Keep the germs away by packing some travel-size hand sanitizer in your day bag! Keep this with you and use it throughout the day, especially after going on rides and touching public surfaces!

These come with a little loop that you can tie to your backpack for easy access.

10. Picnic blanket

Many people like to stake out a good spot for the parades and nighttime fireworks or show at Disney World. In order to get a good viewing spot, you will probably want to arrive pretty early.

There are limited places to sit for things like the fireworks, and most people just stand or sit on the ground. But bring a lightweight picnic blanket, and you will be able to sit and watch the show comfortably.

The blanket is extremely lightweight and folds up to fit in a tiny storage bag when you aren’t using it. It will fit easily in your backpack to bring to the parks.

11. Glow Accessories

If you have kids (even some over 21), they are definitely going to want glow sticks and other light-up accessories and toys once the sun goes down!

During all the parades and other nighttime festivities, vendors walk around selling glow sticks and light-up toys at extremely high prices.

To save a ton of money, stock up on some cheap glow sticks BEFORE your trip so you won’t have to break out your wallet once you get to the parks!

12. Cooling towel

Cooling towels are an awesome way to beat the heat at Disney World. Just wet these compact towels with water, and through the process of evaporation, they instantly provide hours of coolness.

On a hot Orlando day where you just can’t seem to escape the heat, you will be extremely glad to have one of these with you while waiting in line or walking around!

13. Disney MagicBands

Disney MagicBands are comfortable, waterproof wristbands you can buy and link to your Disney World park tickets, FastPasses, and PhotoPass.

If you are staying at an on-property hotel, your MagicBand can even function as your room key and a charge card too.

They are under $15 and worth every penny because you don’t have to worry about keeping up with a theme park ticket, room key, etc, while on your trip. You can reuse them for every future trip too.

You can buy them on Amazon, but the Disney Store has a lot more colors and style options.

Pro Tip: If you have an annual pass or are staying at an on-property hotel, they will give your Disney MagicBands for free!

14. Sun hat

This is useful for both kids and adults, especially if you’ll be at Disney World from April until September, when the weather is at its hottest and sunniest!

A sun hat like this will keep you feeling much cooler and protect you from the sun.

Many of the parks lack much natural shade, and the last thing you want is to be walking around under the midday sun or waiting in an outdoor line while your face burns!

Related: Best Sun Hats for Women

15. Mouse Ears

You cannot go to Disney World and not bring your Minnie Mouse Ears A-game!

There are a lot of options that you can buy online for much cheaper than at the parks. Get yourself a few different sets of sequin-covered Minnie Mouse ears like these to rock at the parks!

So that’s it for my essential Disney packing list of items that people tend to forget. Did I miss anything?

Looking for more Disney World tips? Be sure to check out these posts:

Planning a trip to Disney World? Don’t miss these other helpful posts…

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Disney Packing List

Denise, travel blogger at Wander Her Way

About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.