What I Pack for a Disney Trip!
One of my favorite parts of any trip, especially a Disney trip, is packing! I know I'm in the minority here :) I just love packing because it means the trip is right around the corner! Today, I'm going to share a list of what I pack for my Disney Trip, and I'll give you some tips on packing for Disney that I've found useful.
The weather is HOT 90% of the time, but in the winter months it's important to pack layers because the weather can really fluctuate. Always check the weather the week before your trip to make sure you have the right kind of layers packed!
This isn't a packing list for people traveling with kids or families, this is just what I, Jill Smith, a 20-something* lady packs in my suitcase. I always look at lists like this before I travel anywhere, so I thought I'd add my Disney packing expertise to the world wide web.
*(that's a lie, but let's pretend I'm still in my twenties)
I hope you love the products I recommend! Just so you know, My Ocean State of Mind may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
The list below is what I would pack for a 6 night 7 day trip, with the expectation that I'll do laundry half way through my trip. FYI, I love doing laundry halfway through the trip because it allows me to pack light. My husband and I actually share one suitcase to keep baggage costs down. I also don't own that many shorts, so laundry is a must-do!
Clothes:
6 T-shirts and/or Tanks
I have too many Disney shirts, and I always pack all of them. Why do I pack so many when I know I'm doing Laundry half-way through the trip? Well, it can be very humid in Florida - especially if you are traveling May through September. I do not do well in the heat, and I sweat a lot and feel gross. We usually take a break halfway through the day to chill by the pool and cool off, and I don't want to put a sweaty t-shirt back on afterwards! Therefore, I like to pack 2 shirts for each day so I have options if I need them. Here are some of my favs:
2-3 Nice Tops or Dresses
Planning a nice dinner or date night? Make sure you check the dress code! Some of the premium dining spots at Disney (Such as California Grill, Flying Fish, Citricos and Narcoossee's) have dress codes. This means you can't wear your standard park attire like t-shirts and shorts, but you don't have to wear fancy dresses and suit jackets or anything like that.
Need some date night ideas? Check out my top 5 picks for Disney Date Night spots!
Business casual attire is expected at these high-end restaurants, but I'd say it's with an emphasis on the casual. We both wore nice jeans to our last dinner at Flying Fish and we were totally fine. Anyway, just make sure you pack some nicer tops or dresses if you plan to visit one of the fancier restaurants! Here are some I love:
4 Shorts/Jeans
I wear shorts every day in the parks. Are you someone who prefers dresses or skirts over shorts? I would rethink that for Disney. I know lots of people recommend wearing casual dresses to Disney because they are easy to pack, but let me tell you from experience: It sucks getting on and off rides in a dress. Don't pack skirts or dresses if you plan to ride Space Mountain, Everest, Rock'n'Roller coaster, etc. It's impossible to get on/off the ride without flashing your underwear to the world!
If you are traveling in the winter months, pack jeans AND shorts. It'll be cooler in the mornings/evenings so you'll want jeans then, but it can get hot in the afternoons!
2 Bathing Suits/Cover Ups
The key to a happy Disney trip is a break in the afternoon. For my husband that means nap time, but for me that means a dip in the pool! That means some cute bathing suits are a must. Below are some cute ones that I don't own, but wish I did. Maybe I'll have to get one or two for my next trip..
Shoes:
Pack the most comfortable shoes you own. You are going to be doing a LOT of walking, so comfort is key! I prefer sneakers, but I know some folks like sandals or flip flops. If you are traveling in the summer or during hurricane season, expect rain. Make sure you wear shoes that can get wet. These are my favorite shoes for the parks:
Toiletries & Essentials:
Other than the obvious (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.) this is what I bring:
Sunblock
Chapstick with SPF
Bug spray (though Disney does have Zika stations in each park with great bug spray)
Gum or Mints (they don't sell gum in the parks! We like to bring energy mints!!)
Hand Sanitizer
Deodorant Wipes (for those super hot days. I like Pacifica brand - trust me, you'll want them)
Laundry Detergent
Excedrin
Tums
Protein Bars (quick & easy to grab on your way out the door to the bus or monorail)
Shoe Care Products (Waterproof spray, deodorizer, etc.)
Invisibobbles (put your hair up in the heat, but don't get that hair elastic dent!)
Clorox Wipes (I clean the remote, tables & hair dryer in the hotel room as soon as I get there)
Accessories:
Hat
Sunglasses
Backpack
Cool Towel
Lifestraw Water Bottle (it filters the water for you, so you can get filter from anywhere!)
Mickey Ears! (or Minnie!)
Rain Coat/Poncho
Laundry Bag (for dirty clothes)
Camera
Tips:
- Traveling with kids? Pack an outfit for each day in a reusable bag, and label it with the child's name and the date the outfit is for. Hand each child their labeled bag in the morning! This makes getting ready and out the door with kids a little bit quicker and easier. Honestly, I do this for myself too. It's much easier to get up and go in the morning if I don't have to think about what I'm wearing that day.
- Going for a week or more? To cut down on how much you have to pack, plan to do laundry half way through the week. All Disney Resorts have on-site laundry areas that only cost a small fee (about $6 total to wash & dry one load.) You can buy detergent there, or pick up travel size detergent from Target or Amazon! Plan some time mid-week to do a load or two. Perhaps mid-afternoon while your family is taking a nap or a swim? It might not be the most fun thing to do on vacation, but it makes packing much easier!
-Pack a Laundry bag! We use this to collect all our dirty clothes throughout the week. It makes it easy to lug them to and from the washing machines if we do laundry. It also makes it easy to pack and bring home the remainder of our dirty clothes at the end of the trip.
- Staying at a Disney Resort and taking advantage of Magical Express? Have Disney collect your bags for you from your flight! You won't have to wait at bag check - just head straight to the Magical Express, and your bags will magically show up at your room a few hours later! Read more about it here.
Ok, now I want to go to Disney. Am I missing anything? Do you have any must-have items that you can't travel without? Let me know in the comments below!
