While there are Disney theme parks worldwide, we’ll primarily be discussing things relative to the Disney Parks in Florida. They, however, could be applied to the Disney Parks in California.
Having gone to the parks at Walt Disney World since I was a child with my family and the parks in California a few times, I like to believe that I know a lot about the essentials to bring to the Disney theme parks.
The parks at Walt Disney World are brutal, with the heat, the wait times, and everything else that comes along with Florida. Florida doesn’t have seasons in the same way that many other states across the country do. It’s always hot, humid, and buggy.
The exception, however, is around late October throughout January, where if you’re lucky, it won’t be in the high 80s and 90s, but in the low 80s and sometimes mid-70s. Planning a trip to the parks around the weather is almost impossible. It’s just a preference of having a hot trip versus taking a chance that it’ll be a little cooler later in the year but with a significant chance that the weather will be extremely hot.
I’m not saying this to dissuade you from going to the parks or lessen your excitement because, despite the heat and all the downsides to Florida weather, it’s definitely worth it!
Disney is one of my favorite places. The Magic Kingdom is my absolute favorite. A lot is happening at the other 3 parks, but the energy in the Magic Kingdom is my favorite. You can experience such different things, going on Pirates of the Caribbean and then hopping on the Little Mermaid ride. It’s an absolute dream. Unless you’re a major Star Wars fan, Hollywood Studios is right up your alley!
To be perfectly honest, I enjoy Animal Kingdom because of Pandora, but with the Florida weather, it always feels slightly more stifling paired with the humidity.
Epcot, on the other hand, is one of my favorites. Growing up, we always loved visiting the countries and watching their water shows. It was always so fun. We’re also major fans of the ride at Mexico. It’s a little more popular now, but years ago, it was a little bit of a hidden treasure, with wait times under 5 minutes, which is an amazing wait time.
In addition, the ride at Norway was always a favorite, and when they rebranded it so it was Frozen-centric, we were so excited to see the changes they would make. The ride was essentially the same, but it was fun seeing the familiar faces of the Frozen characters. I could probably ride it all day, but the wait time is brutal.
I’ll stop there because the rides at Walt Disney World (and Disneyland) will have its own post. Let’s focus on the essentials you’ll need for the theme park.
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Top 10 Essentials to Bring to the Walt Disney World Parks
Sunscreen is an absolute must! I tend to opt for the highest level of SPF so I have the best coverage. These three sunblocks are amazing and should last throughout the day, but if you can, bring some with you to reapply during the day. Especially if you’re going on any of the water rides!
Bug bands, or citronella bands, are essential for Florida parks. These bands are best suited for the summer, but we use them whenever we hit the parks. For a while, we just put one on each wrist, so then we felt fully protected, but we were still getting bites on our lower legs, so we opted to wear one on one of our wrists and one on one of our ankles. The value packs are the best way to get the bands because you’ll definitely want more than one, and depending on how many people you’re with and how long you’ll be at the theme parks, it’s always good to be prepared!
3. Backpack
A backpack is an obvious essential, but depending on your load and what items you carry, I highly recommend a drawstring backpack. Ones that are on the cheaper side but are also good quality are my preference because then I can throw them out at the end of the trip if I need too. I know that probably sounds a little crazy, but the amount of germs that the bag will accumulate after hitting the theme parks, the monorail, being set on the ground, and everything else that comes with being at a theme park can be a little gross at the end of the trip. It’s totally dependent on how the bag was used, though.
The Mickey Mouse backpack is an exception. The Mickey Mouse backpack is made by a company called Loungefly, which is one of my absolute favorites! When we were passholders years ago and could go to the parks more regularly, I bought my first Loungefly bag with a discount and have been hooked ever since. These bags can hold a lot of items, but mainly for a single person, so if you’re going with a group of people and are expected to carry a lot of items for others, it’s not the best bag for you. The bags are fantastic for Disney bounding and adding extra fun to your park wear. I’ve whipped all of my bags down after using them at the theme park, and since they’re technically a mini backpack, they’re not as large, so they’re easy to swing around to the front and go through the bag without having to set it down.
4. Portable Charger & Backup Battery
Portable chargers are probably one of the most essential items to bring to the theme park. Honestly, I usually bring 2 with me. The apps you need to navigate the Disney Parks and hotels drain your battery so quickly, and if you’re planning on taking pictures or videos, your battery could be almost dead within a few hours. So, having this on hand with a full charge can help keep your day going without any battery hiccups.
With the most important things you need for Disney being on your phone, you could risk not getting into your hotel room or making the most of your day.
A portable charger is really a make-it-or-break-it item.
5. Wet Ones & Hand Sanitizer
We’re big fans of having hand sanitizer with the travel holder and the individual wet ones for the parks. Hanging the hand sanitizer on the strap of your bag makes it convenient and easy to quickly get rid of some of those germs. The individual hand wipes are especially great because you don’t need to bring the whole pack. They’re also my preferred choice if I get popcorn or any other snack. That way, you can wipe the germs away, and if you touch anything sticky or anything like that, you can quickly get it off if you can’t make it to a bathroom.
6. Cold Towel
The Florida heat is dangerous and not something to take lightly. The parks sell these cooling towels, so if you don’t want to get them beforehand, they should be available in the parks.
They can help you from overheating by cooling your body temperature down because the heat, paired with the humidity, is a dangerous mix. So, with these towels and water, you’ll get some solid relief from the heat.
7. First Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is always a must on my list because I always want to be prepared. The last thing you want to do is head to the medical center at the theme park because you need a band-aid or Neosporin. It may seem unnecessary, but speaking from experience, it really comes in handy.
8. Poncho
If you’re visiting Disney parks in the summer, a poncho is a must! The sporadic rain that could be a light sun-shower or an absolute downpour will keep you dry throughout the day. The parks sell these, but there could be a big markup depending on where you’re buying them.
I recommend the reusable ponchos with a carrying case because they’re easy to pack and come in handy outside the theme parks.
9. Lanyard
While many of the tools you need for the park are on your phone, it never hurts to have the physical copy if you can get it. If you don’t want to bring your wallet, you could just slip one of your credit cards, ID, or any other card into it. When doing that, though, I highly recommend putting something on the side of the lanyard to prevent anyone from getting a flash of your personal information.
10. Water
This one doesn’t warrant a picture or a recommendation because you must hydrate throughout the day. Take water breaks to ensure you and anyone else you’re with are hydrated. Like the cooling towel, it can prevent your body from overheating and decrease the chance of severe sun-related health issues. Water can be found throughout the park at the stores or booths. Wherever you turn, you’ll be sure to find water.
I would highly recommend bringing a bottle of water with you because of the price mark-up in the parks. If possible, you can also carry a reusable cup with you that you can refill at different stations or, if you can’t find one, the water fountain. I’m not a fan of the water fountain option because of the germs that can accumulate, but whatever you’re the most comfortable with! Just make sure you STAY HYDRATED!!! I cannot stress this enough.
Final Thoughts
I hope these top 10 essentials for hitting the Disney Parks helped, and make sure to check out the articles about Disney Bounding and the fun Walt Disney World secrets you can find around the park!
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