Disney World Packing List & What to Wear – List, Tips, Printable PDF

There are lots of items that people miss frequently when packing for any Disney Parks trip which can lead to pricey spur-of-the-moment purchases in the parks! Our Walt Disney World packing list covers everything you'll want to pack for your trip including what to bring in your park bag, what clothes to wear to the parks, and more. 

Over the course of several Walt Disney World trips, we have narrowed down all of the essentials you should pack, as well as some extras that can come in handy during your park day. We've found that these items can really make a difference in keeping our group comfortable and enhancing the overall experience. 

Our comprehensive Walt Disney World packing list will cover everything you will need to bring to Walt Disney World broken down by category. 

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Walt Disney World Packing List Printable

Below, we break down what you'll need to bring on your Walt Disney World trip for both your park days and your hotel room. Beyond the basics, there are several items you might not have even considered that could end up making your vacation that much better. What is in your park bag is going to look a little different from case to case depending on the needs of your family, so you can mix and match from the below list to find what works best for you. 

When you subscribe to Mickey Visit's newsletter, you get access to several FREE printables including our Disney Parks packing list printable, which is a complete checklist of everything you'll need for your trip. This is a helpful tool that you can refer to as you're packing to make sure you don't forget anything!

Let's jump into everything you'll need for your Walt Disney World vacation, starting with…

What Clothes to Wear to Walt Disney World

Choosing the right clothes to bring for your Walt Disney World trip is important so you can stay comfortable in the at times intense and unpredictable Florida weather. In this section of our Walt Disney World packing list, we will discuss everything you'll want to consider to feel and look your best when it comes to deciding what to wear to Walt Disney World. 

Here is our packing list for clothes to wear to Walt Disney World: 

• Comfortable clothing (make sure to pack accordingly based on the weather) 
• Your own ponchos
• Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes
• Extra layers
• Dress-up clothes
• Large hat and sunglasses
• Bathing suit

Comfortable clothing: When it comes to planning your list of clothes, keep in mind that you will be wearing this outfit during a very long day from early morning to late night, so think about what you would want to wear to be comfortable walking for miles in a day. You will easily do 7-8 miles a day if you spend all day at a Walt Disney World park. Avoid clothing with fabric that clings too tightly or irritates your skin, especially if you're visiting on a hotter day. 

But don't completely sacrifice style for comfort! You don't want to look sloppy. Remember that you will be seen by at least 25,000 people and you will be taking photos from your trip that you'll look back on for years. 

Also, be sure to check the weather! You can expect hot and humid weather most of the year with a chance of rain. What type of clothes you bring may vary depending on the time of year you visit. For example, as we discuss in our guide to Walt Disney World weather by month, you'll want to opt for clothes that will keep you cool like athleisure or moisture-wicking fabric, etc. if you're visiting during the summer. You can read that guide for more details on how to prepare for the types of weather you may experience during the month of your visit. 

Your own ponchos: One common thing in Florida: rain, rain, rain! This is especially true if you are visiting during the summer months. Ponchos are the easiest way to keep your clothes dry during rainstorms, and you can also use the poncho to avoid getting overly soaked on the water rides. You can order these on Amazon.

If rain is forecast, DO NOT bring an umbrella so that you are not stuck carrying an umbrella around when you go inside or if the rain stops. You read more about rain at Disney World for what to expect and our best tips.

Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes: Have at least two pairs of comfortable shoes you can switch back and forth with.

One example we love to joke about is Sofia Vergara's character on “Modern Family” who wore high heels to the park and had to resort to squishy bright yellow Minnie Mouse shoes (the video is pretty funny). She should have looked at our Walt Disney World packing list…

Birkenstocks are great walking shoes for summer weather and you can easily pair them with socks at night to stay warm if it gets chilly. If you have hiking or athletic shoes, those are good choices too! See all of our recommendations for the best shoes to wear at Walt Disney World. Having comfortable and supportive shoes is especially important when visiting Disney World while pregnant. 

Extra Layers: With the humidity, the evenings and mornings can be chilly so it's smart to bring layers to the parks every day, especially if you are getting to the parks at opening and staying late into the night. Make sure you bring a jacket or sweatshirt that you can easily put into your backpack or tie around your waist when you're not using it. Or a flannel works just as well!  Especially when it's warmer out, indoor spaces will have heavy air conditioning, so you'll want to be prepared with layers you can easily throw on and take off.

Dress-up clothes: The only places in the parks with a dress code are the signature dining restaurants. Their dress code states, “The dress code for Signature Dining restaurants is Resort casual. Not permitted in dining room: tank tops, swimsuits or swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cutoffs, torn clothing of any kind or T-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.”

Even if you don't plan on dining in a signature dining restaurant, still bring one nice outfit for a nice dinner. It's fun to dress up and look nice, you will feel good, and look good!

Large hat and sunglasses: A hat can help keep the sun off you and prevent sunburns. Sunglasses are a must anytime you'll be outdoors all day.

One great company is Blenders Eyewear. They offer polarized sunglasses and ‘knock off' polarized options for a reasonable price. Shop for sunglasses here.

Put a pair of Croakies on the sunglasses so you can let your sunglasses hang while on attractions and not have to dig for them or risk them breaking…

Bathing suit: You will want a swimming suit to enjoy the hotel pool and that's the best way to take a break in the afternoons to cool off. Don't forget flip-flops for the pool!

Tips for What to Wear to Walt Disney World

Beyond these suggestions, clothing really is a personal preference. When you are deciding what to pack for Walt Disney World, keep these tips in mind!

• Make sure to follow the rules on the Walt Disney World official dress page. Wear shoes at all times and do not show clothing or tattoos inappropriate content, etc. You can see the Walt Disney World dress rules here. 
• You are going to Walt Disney World so don't forget to wear some Disney clothing or accessories! Mickey or Minnie ears, t-shirts, or even matching family shirts can be a great way to make your photos more magical.

When it comes to style, some of us ladies don't like to sacrifice our style to be comfortable. But we also don't want to show up and be uncomfortable all day! Here are some tips from our editor on how to be fashionable yet reasonable for a day at the parks:

• If you want to wear a dress, wear spandex biking shorts under your dress! This way you can climb off and on the rides without worrying about any fashion disasters!
• If it gets hot during the day, rather than putting your hair up in a ponytail, braid it so when it cools down you can unbraid your hair and it will be wavy- not dented.
• Speaking of hair, to keep your curls intact after using a curling wand or curling iron- try Bumble Finish Spray- it always keeps my hair curly throughout the entire day.
• If you want to keep your makeup looking fresh, try Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, I sprayed this on my makeup at the beginning of a 12 hour day at the parks when the weather was 100 degrees.. and my makeup was still nearly perfect by the end. Amazing! It even helped my makeup survive a dip on Splash Mountain!
• If you buy new clothes for your trip, like most people do, make sure to try them on one more time before you pack. More than once, I've found myself not liking things I bought weeks prior when it came to packing time.

What to Bring In Your Walt Disney World Park Bag

Here is everything and anything you might ever need to bring with you on your Walt Disney World trip. These are items that we have found we needed year after year of visiting the parks! 

We've split this part of our Walt Disney World packing list into two categories: essentials that you need to have and extras that you may want to consider bringing. 

Essentials to Bring in Your Park Bag

These are the Walt Disney World essentials that you should always have with you during your park days. Note that this list of essentials is short because we also strongly recommend bringing some of the extras we discuss in the sections below. 

• Good bag or backpack
• Water Bottle
• Device Battery Packs
• Sunscreen
• Cash or credit card
• Prescription medications

Good bag or backpack to carry with you in the park: Ensure you have a comfortable bag or backpack that won't hurt your back after carrying it all day. Just make sure it's not too heavy- you will regret that choice later! Make sure it can fit comfortably between your feet on the rides. One of my favorite purses to bring to the Disney parks is one that switches between a crossbody and handbag style purse. Some prefer fanny packs if they're not carrying that much, which is also a good choice as it won't put strain on your back during a long day of walking. 

Whichever bag or backpack you decide to go with, make sure it is comfortable, has space to store everything you'll need, and ideally has multiple compartments for easy organization. 

Water Bottle: You can easily get dehydrated quickly with all the walking in the hot weather so make sure to bring a water bottle every day! The Hydro Flask or Swell Bottles are great because they are double-layered and will not “sweat” as the ice melts- this way nothing else will get wet.

It's always important to stay hydrated at Walt Disney World, but note that if you don't want to bring your own water bottle to the parks, you can ask for a cup of ice water at quick-service locations.

Device Battery Packs: You will definitely want some type of battery pack to charge your phone- you don't want to run out of battery when you need your phone for pictures and calls, and utilizing the My Disney Experience app to book Lightning Lanes, check wait times, place mobile orders, etc. 

One of the highest-recommended battery packs is the Anker PowerCore 1000. This affordable pack holds 3-4 phone charges and doesn't take up much space in your bag. I rely on this battery pack every Disney trip! This is an essential Walt Disney World packing list item as it will allow you to avoid a dead battery.

Also, be sure to bring an extra camera SD card and battery if you intend on snapping pictures all day.

Sunscreen: This is important- no one wants a sunburn on vacation. And sunscreen will cost more in the parks! Carry some with you into the park so you can reapply throughout the day.

Cash or credit card: Make sure you bring your credit or debit card to make purchases throughout the day. Keep in mind that if you are staying at Walt Disney World on-property hotel, you can make charges to your room anywhere on Walt Disney World Resort property. You don't generally need cash at Disney World, but there are ATMs around the resort if you need to withdraw cash. 

Prescription medications: Don't forget to pack any prescription medications you need to take during your park day. Generally, it is best if you bring these in their original labeled containers for security purposes. Consider bringing any medications you may need in case any conditions like migraines, allergies, etc. flare up during your day. 

Extras to Bring in Your Walt Disney World Park Bag

In this next category of our Walt Disney World packing list, we will talk about some extra things you'll want to consider bringing for your Disney World park day that we've found to come in handy during our visits. You won't want to go overboard with these extra items, but make sure you consider what will be most useful for you to bring. See our quick explainer on the Disney bag policy for details on what you can and can't bring to the parks. 

Consider anything that could help keep you comfortable during your park day, like the following:

• Aloe Vera
• Aquaphor
• Gold Bond Powder
• Chapstick or lip balm
• Kleenex
• Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer or wipes
• Moleskin and bandaids or first aid kit
• Pain reliever
• Antiacids
• Portable fans and other cooling items
• Snacks
• Cooler
• Extra socks

Aloe Vera: Alas, if you get sunburnt then make sure you have some aloe vera on hand to help ease the discomfort.

Aquaphor ointment: Any theme park is filled with germs so you should be washing your hands and sanitizing frequently. This can dry out your hands so one thing we use is Aquaphor ointment to keep your hands from drying out.

Gold Bond Powder: All the walking can start to make your legs chafe, if you know this could be a problem for you then try putting on the dry Gold Bond Powder in the morning. It works wonders!

Chapstick or lip balm: Your lips can easily get chapped when you don't drink enough water- make sure you have some on hand. We recommend getting chapstick with sunscreen in it to avoid sunburns. Buy chapstick here.

Small pack of Kleenex: The tissues and toilet paper in the bathrooms can be scratchy so bring your own Kleenex! You can buy travel-sized for your bag. Buy Kleenex travel packs here.

Anti-bacterial gel hand sanitizer or wipes: Don't forget to bring sanitizer and use it before you eat meals!  Buy travel hand sanitizer here. Some prefer to bring antibacterial wipes to clean off hands and surfaces as necessary before dining. 

Moleskin or band-aids for blisters: The amount of walking can cause blisters and they can develop in just one day. Moleskin can help cover them so they don't hurt. Some prefer to go all out and bring a small first-aid kit so that they are equipped with bandaids, cleansing wipes, antibiotic ointment, etc. You can buy a First Aid kit here before your trip.

Pain reliever of your choice: Don't forget to pack your pain reliever of choice, like Advil, Tylenol, etc. Always good to have just in case. It's not usual to experience some muscle aches and pain after all of the walking and activity. This won't take up much space in your bag, and you'll be glad you included this on your Walt Disney World packing lsit so you can easily take it if it's needed. 

Tums or Pepto Bismol: You will be happy you packed these if any of the food disagrees with your stomach! Especially if you are already prone to stomach aches, bringing some form of antiacid is a good idea as you'll be eating out more than you usually do during your vacation. 

Portable fans and other cooling items: Especially during the summer at Walt Disney World, you'll want to consider buying some items to help keep yourself cool like a handheld fan, neck fan, misting fan, stroller fan, or cooling towel on Amazon in advance. 

Snacks: I highly recommend bringing your own snacks to the parks with you each day this way you always have something to eat in case you get hungry while in line or not within close reach of a snack stand.

You can bring items like granola bars, trail mix, etc. into the bars to tide you over between meals. You can order these on Amazon and have them sent to your hotel. It is also nice to have a healthier alternative to the heavier snacks and treats you'll find in the parks that are easy to fill up on. See our guide to the best snacks to pack for Disney for more snack ideas! 

Cooler: A great way to save money on your Disney World trip is to bring your own food into the parks to eat. If you do this and have some sandwiches or other snack items you'd like to keep cool, you can bring in a small cooler (make sure it is less than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high and does not contain loose or dry ice—you can use reusable ice packs). 

Extra socks: The worst thing to get wet on a water ride is your socks. They never seem to dry. You could throw an extra pair in your backpack if it's a colder day and want to enjoy the water rides.

Also in this category of “extras,” we're including some other smart things that you may want to consider bringing that will make your park day that much better. In this part of your Disney World packing list, we'll also include some items to consider bringing if you're traveling with younger kids. 

• Camera
• Ziploc Bags
• Lanyards
• Pocket Blanket
• AirTag
• Autograph book
• Glow sticks/other toys
• Pins for trading
• Makeup for touch-ups
• Stroller and stroller cover
• Activities/games for waiting in line

Camera: If your phone camera takes great pictures, this will often do just fine. But if you have a professional camera, decide whether you want to bring it along. Keep in mind that you will have to carry it all day and risk it getting wet. Either way, make sure you know your camera well.

Ziploc bags of all sizes: Bring a variety of Ziploc bags for leftover food, things to keep dry on water rides, pins, or anything else you want to keep separate. They will come in handy, I promise!

Lanyards: Lanyards work great for holding trading pins or your park tickets. There are plenty Disney Disney-themed ones to buy in the parks too!

Pocket blanket: A pocket blanket can be useful to keep comfortable and help clearly mark your space when waiting for nighttime spectaculars or parades. A pocket blanket like this one works well as it won't take up much space in your bag.  

AirTag: AirTags can come in handy for several areas of your Walt Disney World trip. In the parks, it's a good idea to use AirTags to prevent lost strollers or attach one to your child's favorite stuffed animal if they're bringing it with them. 

Autograph book: Don't forget an autograph book for your kids (or you!) to collect character autographs! Bring a fat pen so that the characters can grip it more easily and their signature can be more legible. I like the clickable Sharpies!

Your own glow sticks/other toys: Before the nighttime entertainment, you'll see Cast Members selling glow-in-the-dark toys. These fun items are always a big temptation to the kids when they see them, but they are pricier in the parks, so it's helpful to have a pre-purchased glow stick or necklace to give to your child right when they see the toys. You can order these here. If you're looking to minimize your spending on in-park souvenirs, you also may want to consider any other items you can buy ahead of time like bubble wands, plushies, etc. for cheaper.

Pins for trading: If you're interested in pin trading at Walt Disney World, we recommend purchasing pins before your trip. You can get much cheaper pins in bulk to trade this way. 

Extra makeup for touch-ups: If you're wearing makeup, you may want to consider bringing some extra items for quick touch-ups throughout the day, as well as hair ties! The days in the parks are long and your makeup may need a little help to stay looking fresh. 

Stroller: If possible, it's best to bring your own stroller or rent one from a third party instead of renting one through Disney. The biggest drawback of renting a stroller through Disney, besides the high prices, is that you can't bring the stroller back to your hotel. When you're looking at the stroller selection, make sure you choose one that is easy to travel with. You can also rent a stroller from a nearby company so you don't have to travel with your own stroller.

If you're visiting during a time when a lot of rain is expected, you may also want to consider bringing a stroller rain cover. 

Kids' activities/games for waiting in line: Waiting in line is inevitable during any Disney trip. To combat boredom, consider bringing some fun games or activities to keep your kids busy. You can get this fun Disney Princess coloring book activity set, or your kids can play a game on a mobile device. Families can also download gaming apps to play in line together, like “Heads Up!” for example. 

What to Bring to Walt Disney World Each Day

Now that we've covered a long list of what you'll want to consider bringing into the parks, let's look at an example of what you could find in a Walt Disney World park bag with all of the essentials plus some extras!

• Your park tickets if printed (purchase your discount Walt Disney World tickets)
• Backpack (see our description of the best Walt Disney World backpack in the section above)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat
• Jacket and poncho
• Pocket blanket
• Advil and first-aid kit
• Wallet
• Snacks
• Phone battery pack (see our recommended battery pack above)
• Water Bottle (see our water bottle recommendations in our list above)

What to Bring for Your Walt Disney World Hotel Room

Now that we've covered everything you'll want to consider bringing into the parks in our Walt Disney World packing list, we'll talk about what you'll need to pack for your Walt Disney World hotel stay. We will also discuss in more detail the food that you'll want to consider stocking up on for your hotel room in the section below. 

• Atmosphere items – night light, sound machine, etc.
• Travel documents
• Extra room in your suitcase
• Ear plugs
• Power Strip
• Toiletries (see the more detailed list below!)
• Vitamins and supplements
• Laundry items

Atmosphere items: Anything that can create a relaxing sleep environment, like a night light for your child or their favorite stuffed animal, sound machines, etc. can be helpful to bring along for your Walt Disney World hotel room. Buy a a white noise machine like this one which is great for providing some relaxing noise and drowning out any sounds that may be distracting from sleep. 

Travel documents: Make sure you have all of the essentials like your driver's license or I.D., proof of car insurance, health insurance card, plane tickets, etc. with you during your travels. 

Extra room in your suitcase: Leave extra room in your suitcase so you can fit all your souvenirs! Make sure you have a suitcase that has extra room in it to carry back your purchases.

Earplugs: If you're jammed in a hotel room with others, bringing earplugs can be a great choice. This way you can sleep even if others are still awake or watching TV.

Power strip: Bringing a travel strip can be great if you're traveling with a big group. This way there are plenty of outlets for everyone. See this power strip that includes both plugs and USB ports. 

Toiletries: Don't forget any essential toiletries! Make sure that as you're packing, check the following items off the list:

• Toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, and retainer
• Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel 
• Skincare (face wash, body lotion, facial moisturizer, lip balm, etc.)
• Deodorant
• Makeup and makeup wipes
• Hairbrush and other hair products (hair spray, dry shampoo, shower cap, hair ties, etc.)
• Shaving gel/razors
• Nail file or nail clippers, tweezers
• Contact lenses/contact lens solution, general eye drops

Vitamins and supplements: Make sure you bring any vitamins or supplements you usually take. It's usually easiest to take these in the mornings and evenings so you don't have to worry about taking them while you're having fun in the parks. 

Laundry items: If you're planning on doing laundry during your stay, it's worthwhile to bring some laundry supplies so you can avoid the higher prices you'll encounter buying these onsite. Consider bringing some items like laundry-sized detergent, dryer sheets, and a laundry bag. 

Food for Your Walt Disney World Hotel Room

It's helpful to order grocery delivery to your hotel to stock up on some food items that will come in useful during your Walt Disney World vacation. This is also a great way to save money if you're ordering items like snacks, water, etc. that cost more in the parks. You can see our full guide to grocery delivery at Walt Disney World for more tips. These are some of the items we recommend…

Breakfast: If you do not have breakfast provided at your hotel, having some breakfast foods will come in handy so you can enjoy an easy meal in your room. You can get some items like muffins or pastries, yogurt, fruit, etc. as part of your grocery delivery. We never recommend going out to breakfast if it means you will be late for rope drop, as this is an extremely valuable time to get on rides with shorter wait times.

Case of water: Consider picking up a jug of water or a case of water bottles to stay hydrated during the time in your hotel room. 

Chewing gum: Walt Disney World does not sell gum, so if you need to chew gum, you'll need to come prepared by bringing your own. 

Via Powdered Starbucks Coffee: If you'd prefer to have your coffee first thing in the morning when you wake up, you can bring your own powdered coffee with you and combine it with hot water from your hotel. You can order this on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions