10 Must Haves When Planning a Trip To Disney World
Are you really planning a trip to Disney?! Can I come too? Y’all, Disney is one of our favorite trips to take as a family. Here are 10 must-haves we’ve learned from our Disney World Adventures. Let’s start planning and packing together!
- Disney World App
This is your App for planning all the things! You can see useful real time park information like how long the lines are at the rides, order counter service food, and photos cast members have taken of you in the park or on rides. We use the app to check how long the lines are on rides to determine how we will walk through the parks.
- A portable phone charger
If you are using the Disney World App (see #1 and taking ALL the pictures and videos, chances are you will drain your phone battery. Grab a portable phone charger and keep it in your stroller or backpack to guarantee you’ll always be able to capture that magical moment.
- Water Bottles
Did you know that you can get a cup of ice water from any counter service restaurant for free? We bring water bottles for each of the kids and refill them as we walk through the parks.
- Magic Bands
Our Magic Bands are linked to our hotel room and credit cards so that we can easily open the doors (or the kids can open them) and we can pay for things with a swipe of our wrists. Worried about putting your credit card on them? You can add a code to your Magic Band for an additional security measure!
- A portable fan
This really depends on the time of year you go. We typically visit in December/January and the temperatures are normally in the 80’s, which to us Texans is beautiful, but a portable fan for your stroller or one around your neck in case you get hot is always a breath of fresh air!
- Kid-Friendly Snacks
We always pack snacks! Per Disney’s website, guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers and do not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or temperature control and do not have pungent odors. So, grab your applesauce pouches, granola bars, and fruit snacks because your kids will get hungry…or just bored walking…which almost always results in needing a snack!
- Ponchos
This is another “just in case” kind of item. We’ve been to Disney numerous times and never needed ours, but “just in case” grab your ponchos while you’re at home to avoid paying more than you need to for that $0.97 poncho. Florida weather is notorious for a sunny day rain shower and it’s better to be prepared! Unless you plan on riding a river rafting ride, then you’ll want to wear one just for that ride alone.
- Autograph Book or Wooden Letter and Sharpies
One day, some day, I hope to be able to get character autographs again. We just got back from New Years 2022 at Disney World and unfortunately did not get to experience character autographs. One day…and when that one day comes I highly suggest bringing a wooden letter of your kids name “K” for Katie and sharpies. Characters can sign the kiddos wooden letter and you can hang it in their rooms or somewhere special when you get home.
- Baby Wipes
I’ll also add to this hand sanitizer! After eating those delicious Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars you know someone is going to need a wipe! Having them handy to keep hands/faces clean is a must!
- Stroller Clips/Stroller Tag
Stroller clips can help you hang any and all the things onto your stroller so that you do not have to carry them. Purchase something in the park? Hang it on a clip! Stroller Tags help you easily identify your stroller. Disney has stroller parking for when you’re on rides, and when you leave that stroller, it might not be exactly where you once left it. Imagine you drop your stroller, stand for 65 minutes in a line, get off the ride and return to stroller parking..that’s 65 minutes that other strollers have come and gone. Disney Castmembers shift strollers around to make room and keep up with the flow of traffic, so that tag is an awesome way to spot your stroller and grab it quickly!
In case you didn’t already know, YOU are going to have SO much fun at Disney! Admire the giant light strands above your head as you stroll through Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, dance with the musicians playing in Animal Kingdom, and make sure you check out the Aquarium at Epcot (it has air conditioning too!)
