Traveling to Disney World is an experience.
You'll probably be walking around 10 miles in a day.
You'll be dealing with the Florida heat and humidity.
You're probably carting your kids around.
How do you make your trip comfortable while enjoying the Disney magic?
On my first big trip to Disney I knew there were going to be things I needed to buy to keep everyone happy and comfortable. These are the items that I have used and loved over the years. Every item on here is something that I personally own and have used at Disney World. These are the items that will make your vacation more comfortable, cooler, easier.... you get the point.
When you're walking around the parks you might want a place to store some of your extra items. Any food you bring in, your extra phone charger, water bottles, baby essentials... you get the idea.
I love theJanSport backpackbecause it's durable, but light weight. It has a mesh pocket for water bottles. It has tons of inside pockets. You even have your pick of tons of fun designs. It's my pick for an awesome backpack for the parks.
We rely on our phones so heavily at the parks. From park maps and FastPass scheduling, to photos and videos of our trips, we want to make sure our phones have enough battery life to last.
I always carry an extra charger (actually I usually carry a couple) to make sure that I don't run in to any issues during the day.
The Anker Astro Candy Bar charger (named for its size, which is about the size of a candy bar) it will give you about 2 full extra phone charges. And the price is less than the chargers you can get at the parks.
You know what they say about rain at Disney World, right? If you pack a poncho it wont rain.
Ok, that just isn't true. As I have multiple photos of me standing in the rain in a poncho. But they are a great thing to pack. You can buy a bundle of cheap ponchos from Amazon before your trip, and carry a few with you every day to the park. When it starts raining and everyone runs for cover you will be happy you have it as you continue to stroll to your next ride!
Oh boy do I get a lot of controversy regarding my fanny pack. I LOVE my fanny pack. If you look through any of my Disney photos there is a good chance you will see a fanny pack around my waist. I won't hit the parks without it.
I can hold 6 diapers, a travel pack of wipes, stickers, glow sticks, my phone, cash, my ID, and more. It is the most convenient way to carry my stuff.
Haters gonna hate. Wear your fanny pack proudly!
When you order a drink in the parks you'll notice that you either don't get a straw at all, or the straws you do get are not plastic. They are paper.
There is no denying that straws are terrible for the environment. And at parks like Animal Kingdom they are downright dangerous for the animals.
But if you're like me, you love using straws. So what do you do when you don't want to harm the planet or animals, but you also hate paper straws? You bring your own collapsable and reusable straw with you. It's small enough to fit in your bag or fanny pack. It's easy to clean. And you aren't harming the environment. It's a win win!
While people feel strongly one way or another about the look of Crocs, there is no denying that they are extremely comfortable. And you can even get fun Mickey Mouse designed Crocs for the kids!
I personally love flip flops. And my favorite areClarks Arla Flip Flops. They have fabric top, and are soft and light. I have crazy tan lines on my feet because I wear these all the time, and walk literally for miles in these shoes.
For my kids I likeKeen Sandals. They are comfortable. They are waterproof. They are sturdy. All of the things that my kids need.
If you are looking for a fun way to get autographs at the park, you can buy Disney's Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters. The characters can find their pictures in the book and sign that instead of the traditional autograph book. It is a really fun keepsake for the family.
Or you can get the traditional autograph book. Either way it will be a great way to keep memories of your time at the parks.
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad - Cooling Towel
I was recently introduced to these cooling towels, and they are amazing. You wet the towel and ring it out, and magically the towel keeps dry and cool. Wrap it around your neck on a hot day, and you'll stay cool.
Read the amazon reviews for further proof of how amazing these things are.
This is a must. I bought two ofthese stroller fans. One for the baby, and one for me while I was pushing the stroller. I clipped one facing the baby, and I clipped another one on the handle facing me.
My husband thought I was a genius.
Orlando is HOT almost any time of the year, so keeping everyone cool and comfortable will be a high priority. At times we even unclipped the fans and carried them with us to stay cool.
I LOVE this baby carrier. Especially for all of the movement at Disney World. A baby sling just doesn't do the trick. You are doing a ton of walking. In my experience, my little one is squirming and trying to see everything her little eyes can see. This is the carrier that keeps her secure.
Plus my husband doesn't mind wearing it.
It's also awesome because on rides where baby can sit in your lap you don't need to take them out of the carrier. You just sit down, and she is sitting in your lap, but still safe and secure.
I searched long and hard for the right stroller to take to Disney World. I have owned every type of stroller you can think of. Cheap umbrella stroller to ridiculously expensive jogging strollers. I LOVE this stroller for travel. It is light weight. You'll be so grateful for that when you are folding and carrying the stroller at the airport or on the buses at Disney.
This stroller particular stroller is the Summer Infant 3D Lite umbrella Stroller. It has a storage basket on the bottom (which most light weight umbrella strollers don't), and when you are walking around Disney all day you'll be glad you have it.
You can even get this in fun colors. I bought the bright pink one. I could see my stroller from a distance at the stroller parking. If you've never experienced stroller parking, it can be crazy. Think a hundred strollers lined up. And a Cast Member moving your stroller around to make room for more strollers as they come in. It's easy to lose your stroller in the chaos. A bright color will be your life line.
Lastly, this stroller reclines! That was the selling point for me. I knew my little one would be napping here and there. I wanted to be able to recline her stroller and let her pass out as needed.
This was one of the most useful things that I purchased for my trip. This cover folds up easily and can be thrown in the storage under your stroller. It goes on easy. You can use it if your baby needs some shade, or if you want your baby to nap in the dark.
It's also fantastic if it starts raining. While the rest of us were throwing on ponchos, my baby was able to just chill in her stroller without getting a drop of water on her.
You may even want to keep it on your stroller in the stroller parking. I can't tell you how many times I've come off of a ride to find that it had started raining. This will keep your stroller dry while you are off doing other things.
If you are traveling with little ones, you are limited in how you can get around if you are without a car seat. While Disney transportation does not require a car or booster seat, you can't use a ride share service like Lyft or Uber unless you are paying a premium for a Minnie Van.
This inflatable car seat gives you more freedom to use a regular Lyft, Uber, or rental car to get off of Disney property.
Toddler Distraction Items
When you are standing in line with a little one, you will find they aren't as patient as you would hope. There is a ton of squirming. Sometimes complaining. And a lot of "How much longer?" I kept stickers, glow sticks, and bubbles on hand to keep everyone happy while we were waiting.
These headphones are a MUST for toddlers. If you are flying or taking a road trip to Disney World even the best little travels will get fussy and bored. I tried several different types of soft headphones with my daughter. She hated all of them. These were the first (and only) headphones that she wears comfortably.
Before any family trip I will download a few episodes of Mickey Mouse Club House on our family iPad, and have the cozyphones ready to go. As soon as she gets fussy I have my secret weapon handy. Squirmy babies can enjoy their favorite show while you fly or drive.
I am happy to help! Contact me.
See you at the parks,
-Julie
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