*Please note that this list is intended to cover every possible scenario. Please edit down or add items to suit your needs, the time of year you are traveling, and the type of trip you are taking.
For a free printable PDF of this list, click here!
CLOTHING
For each adult: one outfit per day, plus one extra, including undergarments
Bathing suit, or 2 if you love to swim or plan on going to the water parks. The pools are heated, so swimming is available year-round.
California Grill, Monsieur Paul, Victoria & Albert’s, Artist Point, Citricos, Flying Fish, Jiko, Narcoossee’s, and Yachtsman Steakhouse have a dress code. It is as follows:
“At this signature dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code. Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional. Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.
Not permitted are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.” So be sure to pack appropriately!
All Disney attire: shirts, hats, ears
Sweatshirt (if traveling in winter, or if you get cold easily in air conditioning)
Pajamas
Halloween costumes
ACCESSORIES
The most comfortable shoes you own for the parks (never a new pair)
Socks, one pair per day plus one extra
Flip Flops for the pool, or for the end of a long day
Sunglasses
Hat to keep the sun off your face
Warm hat and scarf (winter)
Hairbands or hairties
Belt
Watch
Spray antiperspirant- for your feet! It helps prevent blisters. Put it on in the morning before you head to the parks.
Bag or bucket to collect candy (a small plastic bag is provided when you check in for the Halloween party, but you may want more candy than that)
FOR THE PARK
Backpack
Spray mister fan or Frogg Toggs chilly towels (summer)
Hand sanitizer
Pins and lanyards, for pin trading
Softsided cooler, if you are bringing food that needs to stay cool
Disposable poncho or small folding umbrella for each person
Touring plans, reservation numbers
Mini first aid kit: Bandaids, pain reliever, stomach relief like Tums or Pepto, antibiotic ointment, moleskin for blisters, cough drops
Empty Ziploc bags, for dirty or wet clothing, or to keep valuables dry on water rides
Sunscreen
Light-up toys and accessories, glowsticks
Autograph book and pen (if collecting character autographs). The big Sharpies with the click-top work the best.
Lipbalm
Packet of travel Kleenex
Anti-chafing powder or cream
Pennies and quarters for pressed penny machines, and the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
FOR THE HOTEL ROOM
Stain stick or small travel detergent for stains. Disney’s hotels have laundry facilities for guests (travel detergent, dryer sheets).
Pop up hamper to collect dirty clothes, or large garbage bag
Corkscrew, if you plan on drinking wine in your room
All electronic chargers, and travel cases for electronics
Bottled water (optional)
Snacks (optional)
Clorox cleaning wipes
Over-the-door organizer or holder- to help contain some of the chaos
Power strip, if you have a lot of people with a lot of devices to charge
Travel dishsoap and sponge (to throw away at the end of the trip) if you plan on using refillable mugs. They can get yucky.
All your usual toiletries
Clothespins (good for holding your towel to your lounge chair at the pool, or hanging wet bathing suits in your bathroom)
OTHER
Extra batteries and memory cards for photo devices, portable cell phone charger or power pack, if applicable
Headphones to use with devices while traveling
Small scissors
Magic Bands, tickets, photo ID, cash, credit cards, travel papers, insurance cards
Cell phone
Any prescription medications
Batteries for anything that uses them, and possibly one of those tiny screwdrivers
Any gift cards
One extra empty bag for going to the pool, taking extra souvenirs home, etc.
If you wear glasses and/or contact lenses, bring a back-up pair of each.
If you plan on mailing postcards while you are there, addresses and stamps
Gum, if you are a gum chewer. It is not sold anywhere on Disney property.
Books or magazines for traveling, sitting by the pool
Safety pins
Baby wipes or hand wipes- useful for so many things
IF TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN (in addition to all of the above)
For each child: 2 outfits per day, including undergarments
Costumes (princess, pirate, Star Wars, etc.)
Socks, one pair per day plus one extra (children may want 2 pairs per day)
Goggles if you plan on doing a lot of swimming. The pools are highly chlorinated. Also, floaties if needed.
Stroller. Bring a stroller for every child in your group, even the older children who have outgrown stroller days. You do so much walking in Disney World, that even if you take the stroller in, park it in Stroller parking (which by the way is everywhere) then use the stroller to ride back to your hotel/car, you will be thankful.
Stroller identification (sign, ribbon, scarf, etc.)
Foam fan for stroller (summer)
Playing cards, bubbles, handheld games for waiting in lines
Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones for fireworks, if needed
Souvenirs or “surprises from Mickey or Tinkerbell” that appear in the morning or evening in your hotel room
Nightlight, sound machine, stuffed animal or anything else your child needs to sleep comfortably
Travel games and activities for the kids, for the plane or car ride
Birth certificate for each child, if flying
IF TRAVELING WITH A BABY (in addition to all of the above)
Bottles, formula
Baby food
Sippy cups
Portable high chair (optional)
Bibs
Diapers
Swim diapers
Baby carrier
Pacifiers
Car seat
Blankets, toys
Outlet covers or painter’s tape to put over electrical outlets
Noise-cancelling headphones for fireworks
Diaper bag with all the usuals
ITEMS YOU WANT TO LEAVE AT HOME:
Wagons
Skateboards
Scooters
Drones
Remote control toys
Inline skates
Shoes with built-in wheels
Strollers larger than 36″ x 52″ (92 x 132 cm)
Suitcases, coolers or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24″ (61 cm) long x 15″ (38 cm) wide x 18″ (46 cm) high. Coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations.
Any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV, wheelchair or stroller
Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels and devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted.
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind or object that appear to be weapons (toy guns, toy blasters, squirt guns, etc.)
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals, defined as any dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability)
Balloons and straws are not permitted in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park for the safety of our animals
Tripod stands or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack
Wrapped gifts (all gifts must be able to be unwrapped for inspection)
Selfie sticks (hand-held extension poles for cameras and mobile devices)
For a free printable PDF of this list, click here!
And for a more personalized vacation planning experience, contact me or schedule a Personal Vacation Profile Session.
Sara Mahjoub, Middle of the Magic Travel 