What to pack for summer in Walt Disney World? 

Undoubtedly, you’ll have heard that summer in Orlando is often hot and humid and there is always a chance of rain, so it’s best to prepare for all eventualities! 

We would suggest you pack: 

• An outfit for each day; bring light clothing (both in colour and weight). 
• Packing cubes can help you organise everyone’s clothes. 
• Shorts – loose and comfortable. 
• Tee Shirts; consider having some gym-style moisture-wicking tee shirts, as they are more comfortable when it is humid.  
• Dresses – lightweight and comfortable dresses. 
• Underwear, preferably quick drying. 
• Socks designed for walking, especially in the heat. 
• Nicer outfits, including shoes, for meals out (though WDW is very casual, so you don’t need to dress up too much, but check the dress code for any dining reservations you have). 

• Thin jacket or hoodie. 
• PJs.  
• Walking shoes and/or trainers such as Crocs Literide 360 or Sketchers, for all the family. You want something comfortable and quick drying. 
• Sandals; again these need to be practical and comfortable. 
• Ponchos; they cost $10 each in the Parks, so save money by getting reusable ones before you arrive and keeping them in your bag (TIP: wear a baseball cap underneath as it means you can see better and your head stays drier). You can use them on the water rides, too! 
• Swimsuits, cover ups and any swim aids. 
• Water shoes, as the pavements get hot in the Water Parks. 
• If children want to dress up, take outfits with you, as it’s a lot cheaper than buying them in the Parks. Alternatively, visit Target when you arrive, but keep a change of clothes handy for them too, for when they want to get comfy! 
• Workout gear. 

What to pack for winter in Walt Disney World?

Winter in Orlando can be pleasant as it is mild, with lower humidity and less rainfall than the summer months. The temperature can vary considerably and there may be a wind chill factor. Early mornings and evenings in particular can be cooler.

• Pack more layers: jeans, tee shirts and long-sleeved tops for daytime and a heavier jacket or sweatshirt for the mornings and evenings. 
• Trousers. 
• Take a proper raincoat and, if needed, a hat and gloves. 
• Take your swimsuits, if staying in a Disney resort, as the water is heated in Disney pools. 
• If you are attending one of the parties (Halloween or Christmas), you may have a special outfit to pack!

All year round

Bring all your usual toiletries, medications, hair accessories and cosmetics  

A few extras you might find useful:  

• Chafing stick. 
• Insect repellent, although Disney works hard not to have mosquitos in the Parks. 
• Foot odour spray. 
• Aloe Vera – good for sunburn and skin irritations. 
• Blister kits, such as Compeed. Moleskin is also great for healing blisters. 
• A first aid kit, though there are First Aid Centres at all the Parks. 
• Pain relief suitable for your family.   
• Use high-factor sunscreen and take small travel-size bottles to the Parks to reapply. The sun is intense in Florida. 
• Lip Balm (with SPF). 
• Biodegradable wet wipes. 
• Remedies for motion sickness sufferers. 
• Allergy medication including eye drops.
• US plug adaptors and check whether your electrical devices will work due to the different voltage (US: 110-120V vs. UK 230-240V). 
• If you are in a US Supermarket, pick up some antibiotic cream (no prescription needed) – very handy to have in your first aid kit! 

Laundry Supplies 

• Bring some of your preferred laundry detergent from home. 
• Stain remover. 
• Quarters for machines. 

Food Essentials (if you have space) 

• Teabags. 
• Coffee pods, if you know what machine will be in your accommodation. 
• Sweetener. 
• Snacks/Breakfast items. 
• Any non-perishable favourite food. 
• Travel salt & pepper. 
• Ziplock bags. 
• Reusable straws. 
• Corkscrew/wine stop. 
• Gum – no chewing gum is sold in WDW. 

What to take with you to the Parks in Walt Disney World? 

Tailor this list to suit your needs: 

• Tickets, cash/credit cards – if you plan to drink alcohol you may be expected to show your passport as ID. 
• Meal confirmations (screen shot reservations, in case there are any glitches with the app). 
• Tours or special experience bookings, again screen shot these. 
• Baseball or sun hat (even better if you can attach your hat to a bag so you don’t lose it on rides). Amazon have some good options e.g. Yatinkim Travel Hat Clips.  
• Sunglasses for everyone (and maybe have some spares for the kids!). 
• Bum bags, sling bags, cross-body bags, or mini backpacks, such as Loungefly, a popular choice for Disney fans, are recommended for everyone; we found these invaluable, as they allowed everyone to carry what they needed while keeping their hands free. 
• If you need to take a backpack, make sure it is no bigger than 24” long x 15” wide and 18” high (61cm x 38 cm x 46cm). You will want something lightweight, breathable and water-resistant. 
• Consider bringing a spare tote bag to carry any purchases or souvenirs.
• Reusable water bottles and straps (or attach to your bum bag); consider a filtered thermos one, as Florida’s water doesn’t taste great. Fill them with ice and water in the morning at your accommodation and you can refill them for free at any service counter restaurant or water refill station. It is very important to keep hydrated throughout the day in the Florida heat. If suitable for your family, consider adding electrolyte powders to the water, which can make it taste better whilst also providing essential minerals and helping sustain energy levels.  
• If you like drinking through a straw, bring your own reusable one. Disney has eliminated plastic straws and the paper ones provided disintegrate quickly.  
• Portable charger for phones/electronic devices; ideally, bring one with built-in connectors to save you carrying (and possibly losing) extra leads. If your family has multiple devices, consider getting one each or one large, multi-charger. N.B. These must be packed in your hand luggage when flying.    
• Waterproof cases for any phones. 
• Consider getting a Cool Snap Ice Towel, Frogg Togg Cooling Towel, or similar. Many people use these in the Parks, usually placing them on the back of the neck. Some of them also offer SPF protection. 
• A handheld, neck or misting USB rechargeable fan can help beat the heat. 
• Ear defenders for anyone sensitive to noise. 
• Apple Airtags: handy in luggage when travelling and on children when out and about! 
• Snacks. 
• Zip-lock bags to hold wet clothes or to store leftover food for later! 
• Include your wet wipes and some tissues. 
• Spare clothes/socks, if needed. 
• Pack your ponchos, regardless of the forecast. 
• Pop in your first aid kit but remove any scissors. 
• Sun cream; it’s recommended you reapply every 2 hours in the Florida sun. 
• Antibacterial hand gel 
• You might want to take some Mouse Ears.  
• If you plan to meet characters, bring an autograph book and a big (fat) pen (it’s easier for them to grip!).  
• Glow sticks/necklaces. 
• A ‘Hidden Mickey’ Guidebook. 
• Kids ID tags. 
• If you plan on collecting pin badges, bring a lanyard to attach them to (you can buy these at the parks).  

What to pack in your WDW Water Park Bag? 

• Tickets. 
• Cash/credit card. 
• Waterproof camera. 
• Sunglasses/hats. 
• Water bottle. 
• Snacks. 
• Swim suits, covers ups, googles and water shoes. 
• Ear Plugs. 
• Beach Bag. 
• Water resistant sunscreen. 
• Waterproof case for mobile phones. 
• Zip-lock bag for wet clothes. 
• Beach towels are optional, as they are complimentary at Disney Water Parks (but not at Universal’s Volcano Bay).
• Swim aids if approved by US Coastguard (though life jackets are available). 

What documents do you need to bring to Walt Disney World?  

• All accommodation/car/transport reservations, confirmations, etc. 
• Driver licence (if hiring a car). 
• Park tickets; these may be on your phone but bring your reference numbers in case you need them. 
• Passports. 
• All boarding passes & copies of ESTAs. 
• Credit cards; check you can use yours in the US without being charged?  Barclaycard is an alternative currently with no fee, be sure to apply in good time. 
• Cash in small denominations to be used for tipping/tolls if driving.  

Add any other essentials

Let us know any of your top packing tips #fabparkdays  

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