Packing for Walt Disney World ranks at the top of the list of activities I thoroughly enjoy. I mean, who doesn’t love to pack for a magical trip to Orlando? Mouse ears, light up toys, glow sticks, clothes for Disney bounding, and even a princess dress or two. And while those are “necessities” for your trip, you don’t want to forget the actual essentials. This week, we are going to talk about the five items you should not leave home without when you are on your next Walt Disney World trip!
Essential Item #1: Food. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, that is awesome. Most, if not all of your food, will be accounted for during your stay. However, you still want to pack some food for your trip. You’ll want to have snacks and easy breakfast items handy for those early bus rides to the parks, waiting in line for attractions, or while waiting for Festival of Fantasy to pass by at Magic Kingdom. Pack dry foods, such as Goldfish, granola bars, little cups of dry cereal, and bagels. These are all easy, handy snacks and you’ll be glad! Don’t pack any sort of fruit snacks since they get yucky in your park bag in the Florida heat. Even if you are flying, you can fit these in here and there in your luggage. Or, you can easily ship them to yourself via Amazon Prime or a website such as WalMart.
Essential Item #2: Water bottles and flavor packets. We like to take the Brita Water Bottles with the filters in them. They clip nicely onto our stroller or park bag, and we keep them filled with the free ice water from the parks. Get free ice water, mix a flavor packet in it, and have a yummy, flavored ice cold beverage while you wait in line. Sometimes the Florida water can taste kind of funny, so having the water bottles with the filters in them is really nice.
Essential Item #3: Ponchos. I know, Florida is the “Sunshine State”. However, it also rains daily in Florida. That being said, we don’t let rain stop us at Disney! We take our ponchos and throw them in our park bags. They don’t take up a lot of room, and they are right there when we need them. They are also great to wear on something like Kali River Rapids, where you will get soaked. And, I have even been known to cover our stroller with one while we ride a few attractions. You never know if it will be raining when you exit a ride.
Essential Item #4: Laundry detergent. I like to throw in a few laundry soap pods, or a small travel size of laundry powder. I do NOT like doing laundry on vacation. However, when you are traveling with kids, it’s a good idea to be prepared! Laundry detergent doesn’t take up a lot of room. And it is one of those things I’d rather have and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Essential Item #5: A bag of bags. Before we leave home, I get a gallon size plastic bag and fill it with smaller bags. I fill it with a few plastic grocery bags, quart size zip bags, and snack size bags, as well as a few more gallon ones. These come in handy ALL the time. Whether it is to put dirty shoes in for the ride home, or to store extra clothes in your park bag for your little one, I never leave home without them. We also divide up snacks into the snack size bags for the parks. I am always glad I bring my bag of bags, no matter what.
What is on your “must pack” list? Let us know what essential items you will not leave home without!
A night light from Dollar Tree is a “Necessity” on my pack list. My daughter and son both sleep with a night light in their room. Bringing a night light saves us all of the hassle of trying to crack a bathroom door just enough to give off some light without lighting up the entire room. Lol, don’t even get me started if someone needs to use the restroom and then closes the door (insert crying toddlers). For $1.00 the problem is solved. :-)
I always pack zip local bags (the 2 gallon ones)they are perfect size to throw a small purse or a camera in when it starts to rain.