There is a lot of information on what to bring with you to Disney, so many different opinions and ideas and expectations. In fact, you could pack three backpacks and still not have “everything you need.”
While, I am speaking from what I have learned, and what we are planning to use. I am also speaking from experience visiting other theme parks, festivals, and traveling a lot in the last ten years. However, I may revise this sometime in November, depending how my trip in October goes.
The truth is that you need what you would need for any day out. If you don’t plan to return to your hotel halfway through the day, bring it. If you need it regularly at home, at work, at running errands, maybe bring it. If you don’t hardly ever use it, don’t bring it. This will vary on who you are taking with you to Disney, your medical needs, and your specific preferences, but I am a big fan that you should always pack light (believe me I have learned this the hard way).
For my family we will be packing light to make the day more enjoyable and not have to deal with so much junk. My group will be Disney bounding, but in like the most practical way possible.
My stepdaughter will be Minnie Mouse, as will Cousin Ivy. Ivy’s outfit has a denim jacket in case it rains, but I will also be buying dollar store ponchos for them. I will be Disney Bounding as Mulan, with a green rain jacket.
For bags, I will have a large Mulan backpack and my stepdaughter has a small glittery backpack. My stepdaughter should be able to have a water bottle, snack, sunscreen, and a poncho in this bag. I will have enough room in my bag for my stuff, plus any souvenirs we pick up.
We will also be minimizing additional things we’re taking. I will only take my cell phone (IPhone XR) and a mini-cam (similar to GoPro) for the day with only one tripod. My stepdaughter and Aunt will have their cell phones, but that’s it. The less gear we have the better. (I may bring a charger and/or a charger pack).
I won’t bring things we won’t use, but here is our comprehensive list.
| Rebecca’s Bag | Lily’s Bag |
| -Mulan backpack -Rain jacket -Wet wipes -Ibuprofen -Lotion -Sunscreen -Burt’s Bees Lip Balm -Wallet -Charge pack -Cell phone -Water Bottle -Snack/food | -Water bottle -Wallet -Sunscreen -Poncho -Cell phone |
Something I have invested in to make the trip easier are the Magic Bands that you can link your tickets to. I also got a gift card for my stepdaughter to use as her money. This is because she is traveling with my sister, Aunt, and Cousin Ivy on her day at Epcot. The magic band means her ticket is already set up, she just has to scan it when she gets to the park. If I make any fast pass reservations, they will also be on her band. Then my sister or aunt have one less thing to worry about. Her money is on a gift card so she won’t be tempted to buy some random thing at the airport and run out of money for food on her day in Epcot. If you also have kiddos that wants everything they see, give them a gift card and explain that’s their allowance for the trip. That way they will think twice about purchases and extras. I also got a magic band for myself, only because I feel it will be easier to deal with at the parks.
While it’s tempting to take everything “just in case”, know that Disney is also prepared for just about everything. If you need a band aid, go to guest services or a first aid stand. If you need a diaper, they have stations for infants (Baby Care Centers). Most importantly, have enough to have fun, and don’t worry about everything else!
