One of the many things that I love about Disney world are the gift shops. I don’t crazy buying souvenirs, but I do enjoy both looking and buying. However, while shopping can be a fun part of your Disney vacation, there are some things that […]
Lately I’ve seen some people in discussion groups saying, “I’ve seen glow sticks listed on Disney World packing lists. I don’t understand … what are they for?” The simple answer is that they’re for fun once it starts to get dark outside. To some extent, […]
When you picture your Disney World vacation, you’re probably imagining a beautiful, sunny, clear day where you can’t wait to ride Splash Mountain to cool off a little bit.
So it may throw you for a loop when you’re about to head out to the park and hear that it’s going to rain — and thunder.
Or worse, that you’re happily roaming about the park in great weather, when, with little warning, you suddenly find yourself in a downpour. You not only have to run for cover, but also figure out how to change your carefully-planned itinerary.
It may not be the ideal situation, but fortunately your Disney vacation doesn’t need to be ruined when it rains.
According to TripSavvy, the wettest months in the Orlando area are:
During the summer months, an afternoon thunderstorm is not at all unusual. The good news is that these storms bring a drop in temperature with them (nature’s way of helping you stay cool at Disney World in the summer).
Basically, you want light clothing that won’t get soggy and heavy. In other words, a cotton hoodie with denim shorts would not be a good choice.
Dressing in layers is a good idea because you can take off your outer layer of clothing if it gets wet.
A baseball cap can help keep the rain off your face.
Mickey Mouse Old Comic Prints Baseball Cap
Disney Girls Princess Characters Cotton Baseball CapDisney Minnie Mouse Bow Ears Baseball HatDisney Mickey Mouse Hibiscus Floral Baseball Cap
And it goes without saying that you should always have some rain ponchos on hand, whether it’s the “rainy season” or not. (Ask me how I know this.)
Of course, if it is the rainy season, or if the forecast looks particularly bad, you might want to be prepared with something more sturdy than a disposable poncho. This a particularly good idea if you’re an “outdoorsy” person in general and could use a good poncho for when you’re going hiking or camping.
Amazon’s Choice
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Basically, you want shoes that will dry quickly. Walking around for hours is soggy socks and shoes is going to make your feet very unhappy and is likely to give you blisters.
If you’re wearing socks, having an extra pair with you is a good idea.
OluKai Men’s Ohana Sandals
These muti-purpose men’s sandals are water resistant, quick drying, and come in 19 different colors.
Several reviewers said these were “the best flip=flops they’d ever owned” and loved the arch support, soft straps, and overall style of the shoe.
Amazon reviewer David J. Winkowski said these shoes “saved his vacation”:
I love these sandals / flip-flops. I paid $64.99 for them and was desperate because I was going to Guam for a 3-week vacation and was recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. When in Guam I wear flip-flops the whole time I am there and my other flip-flops would have caused so much pain that I was that it would have ruined my vacation.
I used these flip-flops for the whole three weeks and I experienced no pain what so ever! They were very comfortable. My son and I even went on a two mile hike after it had rained and I did the hike in these flip-flops. My son also wore flip-flops and he was slipping and sliding all over the place.
These flip-flops gripped so well that I was truly impressed. I used them to walk over lava rocks many times and looking at the soles you can’t even tell. I even used them in the ocean and made a point to throughly clean them after, hoping that the salt water didn’t ruin them. Well after three weeks of use, they look as good as when I bought them.
Even though they were comfortable right out of the box, the soles molded to my feet over the three week and were even more comfortable which is just unbelievable. I will admit that if it wasn’t for being so desperate because of my circumstance I would never had paid $64.99 for a pair of flip-flops, but I now will never buy any other.
Teva Women’s Tirra Sandal
The Teva Tira is Amazon’s Choice in the “Comfort sandal for women” category.
They are a sporty sandal that comes in 28 different colors, so there’s sure to be one to match your favorite outfits.
Reviewers loved how the Tirra sandal:
Amazon reviewer Alex Bougherie loves her Tevas Tirra:
I bought these as a replacement for the pair I’ve had for 4 years and have literally put hundreds of miles through rivers, hiking, swimming, running, and exploring on.
These TEVA’s are beasts and will last you so long. I seriously beat my old pair up and included some pics of my old ones next to these new ones so you can see how they wear in.
These are the most comfortable sandals and don’t slip or rub anywhere. No hot spots! No breaking in!
I’m not sure if they’re meant to get wet as a few small parts are suede, but I did get my old pair wet all the time and they have been completely fine. I live in Florida so I literally wear these almost every single day year round, in the rain, etc.
I have so many problems with my feet and have had reconstructive surgery and I don’t find many shoes in general comfy, but I could sleep in these! If you’re wondering if these are worth the money compared to cheaper brands, they are!
KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Sandal
KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Sandal
The Keen Newport Sandals are a very popular, sporty shoe with 100% polyester webbing and a hydrophobic mesh lining so they can stand up to rain and dry out quickly.
They come in over 40 color combinations, including:
This is a great shoe for you if you enjoy hiking, kayaking, camping, and other similar sports.
Amazon reviewer Nicole says her Keen Newports held up great during her very rainy Disney trip:
I bought these for our trip to Disney. We did 5 full (10-12hr) days walking the parks in a row and not one blister. I had no pain and my feet and legs felt great! I absolutely LOVE these shoes!
It downpoured for 3 straight days while in the parks…walking through puddles, standing in water, wet feet…dried out mostly by the next morning…no wrinkly feet, still no blisters. Would recommend to anyone. These are amazing shoes!!
Native Kid’s Jefferson Slip-On Sneaker
Native Unisex Kid’s Jefferson Slip-On Sneaker
The Native Slip-On Sneaker is waterproof and comes in a range of kids’ sizes, for toddler to “big kid” (approximately 12 years old).
Parents love how:
Kids, meanwhile, love how the shoes look and feel.
Amazon reviewer Wife says these shoes are practical no matter what the weather:
Natives are my kids go-to shoe for my toddlers year round. My daughter loves the Hollywood pink color and always wants to wear them. My son has the navy blue which goes with everything.
They both wear them daily and they hold up perfectly. Rain or shine these are wonderful! Look great and very practical. Love that they have arch support too!
Stride Rite Water Shoe
Stride Rite Sneaker Sandal Water Shoe
Amazon reviewer John Meissner says:
This is the second pair I’ve gotten for my son. These are great! Especially at Disney World where getting wet or playing is splash pad areas is on the agenda … Hold up great to the abuse that my 6 year old puts his shoes through and he outgrows them before they wear out.
Yeah, I would, especially if you have a child under the age of 2.
They aren’t very expensive and it’s one of those things you might kick yourself about not when you get stuck in a sudden downpour. Plus you can use it again in “real life.”
The Bemece Universal Stroller Rain Cover pictured below is a Best Seller with high ratings on Amazon.
It has:
Reviewers liked how the Bemece was easy to use and goes all the way down to the stroller wheels. Some also mentioned that putting the stroller cover on helped their baby sleep, which can certainly be another plus.
Best Seller
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Amazon Reviewer Cassandra posted a photo of her rain cover and says she highly recommends it:
So I was super excited to go to Disneyland for the Food and Wine Festival. It’s an outside event, and you walk through one of the parks picking up food and drinks.
So when I found out it was going to pour, I knew I needed a cover for my daughter’s stroller. We bought this cover, and I didn’t have the highest expectations. I just needed it to keep her dry. That was all. I was STUNNED at how much I ended up loving this product!
So it was definitely pouring when we were there. I had to wear a poncho, and that barely kept me dry.
My daughter, however? She was completely dry and loving the rain! She sat in her stroller under her cover, and just watched the rain fall down around her. We would take her out of the stroller by unzipping the front panel. We gave her a little extra fresh air by opening the mesh sections in the upper corners.
This cover never came close to falling off the stroller, as there was Velcro that kept it attached to the stroller. (I have a Graco Modes Stroller, and it was a perfect fit)
On the other hand, if you’re both handy and frugal, you want to try putting something together yourself.
Kaismahma from the Disboards had good results with her makeshift stroller cover:
We bought a clear shower curtain liner from Ikea and a couple larger clips (bigger than a clothes pins) from the dollar store. It rolled up nicely and we could cover the entire stroller very easily and we tossed it when we left.
With the canopy and the curtain over the stroller our dd had plenty of breathing room and did not feel as encased as she would have with the actual stroller cover.
We used it every day we were in Disney. When hot in use we rolled it up and clipped it too the stroller.
It depends on the show.
Wishes in Magic Kingdom and Epcot Forever are both very very unlikely to be canceled. Delayed due to lightning, maybe, but almost never outright canceled.
Fantasmic in Hollywood Studios, on the other hand, sometimes will be canceled due to heavy rain, sometimes at the last minute. This is partly for the safety of the Cast Members.
And Animal Kingdom’s River of Lights is unlikely to cancel due to rain, but may delay or cancel the performance due to lightning.
According to WDW Magic:
According to Theme Park Tourist, here’s the list of ride closings in each park:
Closed for Rain:
Closed for Lightning:
Special entertainment When it Rains:
Closed for Rain:
Test Track
Closed for Rain:
Closed for Lightning:
Alien Swirling Saucers
Closed for rain:
Closed for Lightning:
Opinions on this obviously differ, and there is no one right answer.
But personally, I would say that it’s a tie between Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Epcot is good on a rainy day because:
The downside to Epcot is that there’s a lot of walking between attractions.
Magic Kingdom is a good on a rainy day because:
The downside to Magic Kingdom is that a lot of rides close, especially if there is thunder and lightning.
The general consensus is that Animal Kingdom is the worst park in the rain since:
However, some people have had great experiences on a rainy day in Animal Kingdom. WhitneyAnne on the DisBoards describes her rainy day experience there:
We’ve been at Animal Kingdom in the pouring rain. We had a great time. We were able to ride Kali River Rapids for 3 or 4 times in a row without getting off. It didn’t matter if we got wet because we were already soaked.
And ktml had this to say:
We’ve been there in the pouring cold rain. The park was empty. There was no one on Safari. The cast members were just letting you stay on and ride again as many times as you wanted. The people coming up to get in the vehicles were just directed to whatever row was empty. The animals were all out enjoying or playing in the rain. It was great!
While a lot of rides can be closed due to weather in the Magic Kingdom, there are a lot that remain open, and the good news is that you don’t have to walk very far to get to one of them.
Tomorrowland:
* Carousel of Progress
* Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland (one of Disney’s most underrated attractions, in my opinion)
* Space Mountain
* Buzz Lightyear’s Space Rangers Spin
Fantasyland:
* Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
* Mickey’s PhilharMagic
* Enchanted Tales with Belle
* It’s a Small World
* Peter Pan’s Flight
* The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Liberty Square:
* Haunted Mansion
* Hall of Presidents
Frontierland:
* Splash Mountain (if it isn’t thundering, and if “embracing the wet” sound like fun to you)
* Country Bear Jamboree
Adventureland:
* Pirates of the Caribbean
* The Enchanted Tiki Room
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re on or near Main Street when the rain hits, you can travel through the entire Emporium window shopping (or actual shopping) while staying indoors.
And here’s a fun and interesting alternative, especially if you’re near the front of the park:
Hop on the monorail and go visit one or more of the resorts. (I also think it’s fun to explore or eat at the Deluxe Resorts even though we can’t afford to stay there.)
I would particularly recommend the Grand Floridian, which often has live music in the lobby and a great soap shop called Basin that my daughters and I had a lot of fun in on our last trip.
It’s also beautiful.
If you visit the Polynesian, consider stopping at Pineapple Lanai, just outside the Ceremonial House, and getting a Dole Whip.
The really nice thing about this monorail resort excursion is that, when the rain eventually clears, it doesn’t take long at all to get back to the Magic Kingdom — and hopefully the crowd will have thinned out some.
Anal Annie on Disboards had these tips for Magic Kingdom in the rain:
The one ride I will say is NOT good in the rain is Astro Orbiter. We rode that once in a downpour and had a LAP FULL of rain in our ponchos by the time that thing finished. It was miserable.
Likewise I would say the Grand Prix cars are not good as they’re so slow.
Laugh Floor, Small World, Philharmagic, People Mover, Space, Pirates & Haunted Mansion are particularly good with extensive indoor time.
The biggest problem with Epcot in the rain is that Epcot usually involves a lot of walking. My best advice would be to find a nearby indoor area where you can hang out for a while.
For example, The Land pavilion offers two rides (Soarin’ and Living with the Land), plus Sunshine Seasons, a great quick service restaurant with a lot of options for meals or snacks.
If you’re near the Mexico pavilion when it starts to pour, duck inside and shop, maybe grab something to eat at San Angel Inn, and ride The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (which wins the award for Best Disney World Ride you Never Heard Of).
If you have toddlers or preschoolers, Journey into the Imagination with Figment is a good choice. The interactive “What If” Labs after the ride will keep them happily busy for a while.
And, of course, depending on where you are in the World Showcase when it starts raining, you can see one of the shows:
As I mentioned earlier, Animal Kingdom is generally considered the worst Disney park for a rainy day, but there are some good options.
Some people love riding Kali River Rapids in the rain, if there’s no thunder. There’s hardly any line, and they figure they’re wet anyway and might as well go all-out.
If getting completely drenched isn’t your idea of a good time, you might prefer to take in one of Animal Kingdom’s shows:
If there’s no thunder, you might want to consider riding Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa. The animals are both more visible and more active when it’s raining.
The Points Guy has a unique and clever idea for when you get caught in the rain at Animal Kingdom:
If your entire day at Animal Kingdom is washed out, I’d take the bus, an Uber or a Minnie Van to nearby Animal Kingdom Lodge.
A Mommy Points favorite, Animal Kingdom Lodge has many diverse and entertaining ways to spend a day, even if you aren’t staying there as an overnight guest.
In the space of three hours, recently my daughter and I matched the feces to the species (you read that right), decorated giraffe and elephant cookies, learned how to say elephant in Swahili (tembo), played bingo and caught some zebras taking a nap.
Total cost? Zero! They also offer drum lessons, face painting and a whole host of (often free) activities.
The bad news is that most of the stroller parking is outdoors. So if you’re heading to Hollywood Studios on a rainy day and your child is “borderline stroller age,” you might want to leave the stroller at the hotel.
The other bad news is that this is the second hardest park to find somewhere to eat when it’s raining. (The worst park is the aforementioned Animal Kingdom.)
According to Dining at Disney, your best bets are:
Indoor attractions at Hollywood Studios include:
Here are a few final thoughts on a rainy day at Disney World:
While there’s no guarantee, there’s a good chance that the rain will be over within about 30-60. So don’t be too quick to flee the park and call it a day.
If you don’t already have a good microfiber towel, consider getting the one below from Rainleaf.
They come in several different sizes and colors, and also work great as a gym or beach towel.
Amazon’s Choice
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So what about you?
Let us know below in the comments!
I’ll show you the first step to planning a magical Disney vacation
— even if you have no idea what the heck you’re doing!
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I will always have special memories of our very first Disney World vacation as a family. My girls were ages 2 and 4, and my son didn’t exist yet. It was my parents idea, and the six of us all went down and stayed together. […]
Quick! What is everything you need to pack for your family’s Walt Disney World vacation?
The question is enough to make your head spin, especially if you have little people in your family that you need to “pack” for just to drive 3 miles around the corner.
Honestly, this was a challenging post for me to write. I have enough trouble writing my own packing lists, let alone coming up with a universal one that will meet all kinds of families’ needs.
Please feel free to let me know in the comments if I left something out (I’m sure I did), or something unique item you’ve found to be a lifesaver at Disney.
At the bottom of the post I’ve included a printable packing list, where I tried to trim it down to the most essential items.
1. Good Walking Shoes
I have a separate post that has reviews of the best shoes for Disney World.
For now, let’s just say that you want to do your research and get shoes that are:
Bringing 2 pairs of shoes is a good idea so you can switch them out. This is more of an issue if you wear sneakers (which I don’t), because they take a lot longer to dry out if when they get wet.
Below I have links to:
The Most Popular Shoe Among Readers
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The Shoes I Wear to Disney World
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2. Moisture-Wick Socks
Don’t wear cotton socks — they may it more likely that you’ll get blisters, especially if they get wet (which they will).
3. Sun Hats
A sun hat with UV protection is great for keeping the sun off your face and out of your eyes — and they can look really cute, too!
Amazon’s Choice
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Cute Dresses and Accessories
My main go-to outfit for our last 4 Disney trips (I wish I had starting doing it sooner) is a casual sundress with sandals, adorned with some sort of Disney accessories.
I get loads of compliments on this rose gold Mickey Mouse pendant, either when I’m at Disney World or just living my normal life.)
The One I Wear
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You can read my post about what to wear to Disney World for more details and suggestions.
In that post I include several photos from my last couple of trips with links to the exact dress I’m wearing.
Floral Printed Swing Dress Sundress with PocketsBoho Sleeveless Embroidered Casual Tank DressCasual Tank Dress with PocketsWomen’s Summer DressShort Sleeve Tunic Loose Swing Casual T Shirt DressCasual Sleeveless Pleated Sun Dress
Bathing Suits
Even if you’re not going to any of the water parks, you’ll almost certainly want to go swimming at your hotel pool. Yes, pack a bathing suit even in the middle of winter, just in case.
Swim Shirts
These are great sun protection for kids (especially boys), but I’ve been wearing a swim shirt over my bathing suit for years now. It’s nice to not have to worry about putting sunscreen on your back and shoulders.
Swim Diapers and “Swimmies” for babies and toddlers
You can save packing space by ordering these in advance and having them shipped straight to your hotel.
Amazon’s Choice
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Whether you have ADRs at some of the best Disney World restaurants, or you’re going to do the money-saving hack of packing your own lunch each day, you’re going to want to pack plenty of food and drinks.
Actually, what you’re really going to want to do is use Amazon Prime Pantry to place a grocery order that will be waiting at your hotel when you arrive.
We did this on our last trip, and it was a beautiful thing. No more running to Publix as soon as we checked in.
In addition to placing an order through Prime Pantry, I would also, of course, suggest that you bring some food to have with you in the car or plane.
What you pack depends, of course, on not only your personal food preferences, but how much you plan to eat the food at the parks and resorts. Here’s a list to at least get you going.
Depending on how big your family is and how much food you plan on bringing into the parks, you might want to invest in either some grocery bags and/or a backpack cooler:
Amazon’s Choice
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Best Value
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I’ve taken Disney trips where I did laundry, and trips where I did not do laundry. Not surprisingly, the “no-laundry” option is better. However, it’s not always possible, especially if you’re trip is a long one and you have little kids.
Stain Remover Sticks
Travel Size Wrinkle-Release Spray
Honestly, I don’t use this very often, but always keep it in my suitcase. It does come in handy at times.
PopUp Hamper
This is a must-have for your trip, even if you don’t plan on needing to do laundry. Otherwise you’ll find dirty clothes all over your hotel room.
Best Seller
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Dryer Sheets
We haven’t used these for years because one of my children has severe eczema. (Interestingly, I have missed them one bit.) But if you use these normally, make a note to include them on your lise.
Quarters for machines
I’m including this because it’s good to be prepared, but it’s very unlikely that you’re going to need these, especially if you’re staying on Disney property.
According to Touring Plans, most washers, dryers, and detergent vending machines take credit and debit cards.
Each wash and each dry cost $3.00 each, and single-use packets of soap and fabric softener are available in single-used packets are sold at both the laundry room vending machines and in the resort gift shops for approximately $1.00 each.
Disney laundry rooms are usually adjacent to the resort pools.
This is the boring but important stuff that could potentially lead to heated arguments with your spouse if they get forgotten. Even if you have all this info on your phone, it’s a good idea to have a physical copy as well.
Best Seller
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I consider myself lucky that I never took a bona fide baby, that was nursing or in diapers, to Disney World, so I’m not an expert on this area.
However, I have had 3 babies, so I do know a thing or two about them and what they need. Here are some things you might want to add to your packing list if a baby will be joining your on your trip.
Keep in mind that the Baby Care Centers located at each park are not only well-stocked with supplies, but also a great, air conditioned spot to feed a baby.
Here are the things that you’ll want to either wear into the park or pack in your park bag. You can read about the best backpacks and crossbody purses for Disney in a separate post.
Magic Bands
These are critical for everything — they are your Disney hotel key, park ticket, Fastpass, and an easy way to pay for meals and souvenirs, if you choose.
If you’re worried about your Magic Bands falling off, you might want to consider getting this BitBelt.
Filtered Water Bottle
Yes, you can get free ice water at any counter service restaurant. But if you
then you might want to consider bringing something like this:
Amazon’s Choice
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Disposable Rain Ponchos
An adult-sized rain poncho at Disney World costs $12, which means that if there are 5 people in your family and it suddenly starts to rain pretty hard … well, you’re going to wish you had brought your own cheap ponchos. (Ask me how I know, cough, cough.)
It’s also not a bad idea to wear these when you ride Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom, where you may possibly get drenched.
I actually do this myself. Do people make fun of me? I don’t care.
The One I Use
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Travel Umbrella
If you prefer umbrellas to ponchos, or if you just want to be super-prepared against rain, this is an option to consider as well.
Tylenol
Yes, they have it at the First Aid centers, but I never like to be without my Tylenol, and I don’t want to have to stop what we’re doing and wander around to get some if I need it. You may have another favorite drug of choice that you never like to be without.
Mini First Aid Kit
This is probably overkill for most people, but if you like being super organized and prepared, this is something to consider. It contains adhesive bandages, tweezers, and medical scissors, among other things. It’s lightweight, compact, and can easily clip to your park backpack.
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Cooling Towel
These are a must-have for our family. Not only do they keep you cool, but they protect your neck and shoulders from the sun. Rob pointed out a hidden benefit — having that extra bit of cooling for a couple hours keeps you from getting fatigued, and you have more energy and stamina to last throughout the day.
Sunglasses
These are pretty much a necessity for all ages and all genders. One of my daughters forgot hers on our last trip, and we had to stop and buy some for her.the minute we entered the park on our first day. It wouldn’t hurt to have 2 pairs, if you’re like me and lose your sunglasses all the time.
Best Seller
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Sunscreen
This is another absolute must. These are the two brands we use, which were both recommended by my dermatologist:
Blue Lizard Sunscreen – Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+ Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB ProtectionEltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 50,
Flavored Lip Balm with SPF
You gotta protect your lips too!
Noxzema
If someone in your family ends up with a sunburn, Noxzema is the best way to treat it.
Stickers
I love keeping Disney stickers in my purse.
Whenever I see a little kids who looks like they “expired,” whether it’s standing in the line in the heat or riding the bus back at the end of the day, I’ll smile and offer them a few stickers. (I sometimes give them to kids who are just happily sitting there, too.)
It makes things more fun for me and has probably made a couple parents weep inwardly with joy.
Glow Sticks
You can get a bunch of these cheap at the Dollar Store, or you get some higher-quality and more interesting sticks and light-up wands for not much more money. (See the link in the yellow box below.)
Not only are they fun to have at the parks at night and pass the time while you’re waiting for the nightly parade or fireworks, not only are but it helps you keep track of your kids when they’re glowing.
This is another fun and very inexpensive item that’s great for bringing extras so you can brighten another kid’s day (literally).
Bubble Wands
These can be fun when you’re waiting in line. Again, if you bring some extras, you can make someone else’s kid happy too.
Amazon’s Choice
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Small Containers of Play-Doh
Another helpful item to occupy little ones when you’re on line for a ride or sitting forever on the bus.
Souvenirs/stuffed animals
We’ve never this ourselves, but some people swear by buying their souvenirs before they go. The two main advantages are saving money and saving time. Thankfully, in this day and age, you can ship it all to your hotel. You could easily even make the whole thing a surprise for the kids, which is always fun.
Disney Pluto PlushDisney Mickey and Minnie Plush DollsDisney Dumbo Plush
Character Costumes and Princess Dresses
Our kids never wore costumes at Disney World because:
However, if your kids are going to want costumes, I highly recommend you buy them beforehand and have them shipped to your hotel. You’ll say a lot of money not buying them at the parks, and it will make packing less of a hassle.
Belle Costume for GirlsMinnie Mouse Girls’ Costume
Mickey Mouse Ears
I didn’t wear mouse ears to Disney trip until our most recent trip, and honestly, it makes the trip so much more fun that I’ll never go without mouse ears again.
I bought two pairs from Rachel Wallace’s Etsy shop, The Mouse Project. I received multiple comments every day of our trip — like, people would actually make a point to walk up to me just to tell me they loved my ears.
It was actually kind of sad when I had to come back to my normal life and couldn’t wear them anymore.
Autograph Album and Pen
If you have kids (and maybe even if you don’t), you’re going to want to meet Disney characters, and the kids will probably want something to collect autographs.
There are all kinds of ways you can do this. We were pretty un-creative and just bought the autograph albums that were in the parks. Some people make their own albums. Others have characters sign a shirt or a tote bag. There are a lot of cute personalized autograph books on Etsy.
If you have my printable travel journal for kids, it includes pages for character autographs and photos.
Disney Trading Pins and a Pin Lanyard
My daughter Rebecca got really into pin trading during one of our trips in particular. We bought this pin starter set on Amazon and she spent the entire trip going up to cast members and looking at pin boards to find pins she wanted to trade for.
This is much cheaper (and more fun, I think) that just buying pins at the park.
Mickey Mouse Lanyard 2 PackMickey and Minnie Mouse Lanyards with Detachable Coin Purse
Toddler Ear Protection
The very first time our family went to Disney World, both our girls (who were ages 2 and 4 at the time) started screaming at the top of their lungs when the fireworks began.
We made a mad dash for the closest building we could find and suddenly found ourselves in a surreal situation where we were being sung to by an animatronic alien lounge singer.
If you think your kids might have a similar reaction to the fireworks, you might want to get apair of these:
Baby Banz Earmuffs Infant Hearing Protection – Ages 0-2+ Years
BodyGlide
This is one of the most popular items among my readers. You can apply it anywhere you think chafing might be a problem. We like to rub it on our feet before we put our sandals or sneakers on.
Most Popular
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Relying on your phones at Disney World has pretty much become a must these days, whether you’re using them to take photos, check wait times on rides, or get another FastPass reservation. Here are some items that make it easier to keep everybody’s phones juiced up at all times.
Portable charger
This is a must for me. My phone is old and would never make it an entire day without a portable charger.
Amazon’s Choice
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USB Wall Charger
As soon as we get back to hotel, the first thing everybody wants to do is charge their devices. This makes it easier.
Mini USB Power Strip
Another handy tool to have in your hotel room when you have 5 people with phones and tablets and things.
There are several things that are not allowed in the parks, including:
If you’re going to Disney any time in June, July, or August, it’s going to be hot. Like, really hot. And humid. So there are a few additional packing considerations you want to keep in mind during the summer, especially regarding clothing.
First, make doubly sure that you bring the above-mentioned Frogg Togg Chill Pad, preferably one for each member of the family. Trust me, it makes a big difference.
Second, you might want to consider getting a couple of these misting fans.
There are different schools of thought about the best clothing to wear to Disney during the super-hot summer months. A lot of people love wearing workout clothes, like sports bras and bike shorts. This makes total sense, since you will be walking for miles and sweating profusely.
Others say they like light capri pants with a loose-fitting shirt.
I, of course, prefer to wear sundresses with these slipshorts.
Some good rules of thumb are:
Ladies’ Travel Dress (Teal Combo)
Going to Disney World in the winter is a lot more fun than going in the summer, in my opinion, especially if you’re lucky enough to be going during the Christmas season, but not during the actual week of Christmas, when the crowd level is insane.
We were caught slightly off-guard on year when we went to Disney World in November. We had been smart enough to pack long pants and jackets ,,, but we were still cold — uncomfortably cold — the night we were watching the fireworks in Epcot.
So yea, it can get downright cold during the winter months, particularly at night. It could get as low as 40 degrees at night — on the same day where it might have been in the 80s in the midle of the day.
So if you’re traveling to Disney any time between November and February, you’ll want to be prepared to dress in layers.
Thermal shirts for women and men are good items to pack because they aren’t bulky, keep you warm, and are good for wearing underneath something else.
Here are a few other things you should pack if you don’t want to risk leaving the park early due to everybody feeling miserable:
Touch Screen Gloves
Your hands can stay nice and warm and you can still take photos or get your next Fastpass reservation.
Copper Infused Touch Screen Gloves – Compatible with iPhones, Androids, Ipads, Tablets & More
Beanie Hats
Not only does a lot of your body heat escape through your head (I remember this from 8th grade science), but these can also help in keeping your ears warm.
Plus they can be kind of cute. The hat below comes in a bunch of different colors.
Amazon’s Choice
Check Price on Amazon
Down Jackets
If you’re going to bring a jacket — which I would highly recommend — a down jacket is a great choice. It will keep you warm, but won’t take up a ton of room in your suitcase.
Columbia Women’s JacketWomen’s Lightweight Water-Resistant Hooded Down JacketWomen’s Lightweight Water-Resistant Hooded Puffer JacketTommy Hilfiger Men’s Down JacketGirls’ Lightweight Water-Resistant Puffer JacketKid’s Winter Lightweight Puffer Jackett
I am not a packing expert, but here are a few things I’ve learned over the years, and/or heard about from other people.
Begin packing early.
I can picture the look Robr would give me if he saw me typing this, because I am not very good at this myself. But I’m getting better! Ideally, have a spot to set up the suitcases a few days before you leave and start packing what you can.
Over-pack a little.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s good to have an extra shirt or pair of underwear in case someone either makes a huge mess or you want to change out of sweat-soaked clothes.
Pack entire outfits in Ziploc bags for the kids.
Okay, I’m really sorry that I didn’t discover this when my kids were younger, because it is totally brilliant.
Use gallon Ziploc bags to pack an entire outfit for each kid for each day, including things like hair bands and underwear. Label them with the day and kid’s name. When it’s time to get dressed in the morning, they just grab their bag.
Use Packing Cubes
We got these about a year ago after hearing so many rave reviews.
The idea is that you can organize and segregate your things (for example, pajamas in one cube, underwear in another, etc. It makes it easier to unpack because you just throw the cubes into drawers, as opposed to taking out every single item.
Amazon reviewer Erin Burke posted some photos and says she wishes she had found them sooner:
Wonderful! Totally my new favorite way to pack! I don’t know how I lived without these!
The 6 piece set fit amazingly in my luggage with room to add 4 pairs of shoes! It’s crazy how much stuff actually fits in these. (I fit 26 tank tops in the large one).
Rolling clothing and stuffing them into these cubes made my bag organized and I was able to bring so much more! I went on to buy the 4 piece set from the same company because I wanted more size options. Equally as amazing!
Make a packing list for each child
My kids are old enough now that they do all their packing completely on their own, but when they were younger, I would tell them exactly how many of what to pack, and they would put pile them next to their suitcase. (Having them pack things into the suitcase themselves usually led to interesting results.)
Bring a reading light
I always like to read at bedtime, or when we’re on the road after dark and Rob is the one driving. It’s also helpful to have if you need some light in the hotel room, but other people in your family are still sleeping.
Pack some plastic grocery bags inside your luggage
These come in handy for things like storing wet clothes or trash.
Make sure your liquids are in bags
If something can spill, make sure it’s in a separate bag. (We use clear Ziploc bags.) That last thing you want is for your shampoo or lotion to get all over your clothes and the inside of your suitcase.
Bring a big huge purse on the airplane
You’re allowed one carry-on item and one personal item on a plane. I like to use my big, tote-bag-like purses for my personal item so I have room to pack a few extra things.
Just click the link to download your printable checklist!
Disney World Printable Packing Checlist from Jen
What are your must-have items for a Disney World vacation? Do you have any packing tips you want to share? Let us know below in the comments!
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According to Wikipedia, the Apple Watch was released in April if 2015 and quickly became the best-selling wearable device, with 4.2 million of them sold in the second quarter of 2015.
You maybe already own an Apple Watch, but maybe you never thought about how to make it a “Disney device.”
Not only are their apps you can use on it to make your Disney vacation easier, but you can get a Mickey to tell time for you, make a hybrid out of your Apple Watch and Magic Band, or just show off your love for your favorite Disney character by getting a replacement watch band.
There are several reasons why an Apple Watch is great to have with you on a Disney trip:
Most people who wear an Apple watch to Disney World tend to wear their watch on one arm and their Magic Band on the other. However, there is a way you can make a hybrid out of the two, which we’ll talk next.
The My Disney Experience app is currently not compatible with the Apple Watch. So there is no way to, say, use your FastPasses with your watch.
However you can buy this product that creates a sort of watch/Magic Band hybrid which some people find very convenient.
Watch Adapter Compatible with Disney Magic Bands
Luke3DP creates a few different adapters, or “sliders,” for your Disney Magic Band, depending on what size watch band you have.
This model is compatible with most traditional watchbands, including:
It comes in 22 colors, including pink, 3 different shades of red, blue, orange, purple, and “glow in the dark.”
One nice little plus is that it comes with a screw driver to take the puck out of your magic band. (I don’t know about you, but I always hate having to stop what I’m doing to run down to the basement and try to find a screwdriver.)
Amazon reviewer Stephen Donaldson is a DVC member who is thrilled to have found this product:
I thought Disney trips couldn’t be more magical, then I found this product. As DVC Members, we frequent Orlando several times a year. I have often commented that I do not like wearing my watch and magic band on both wrists. I just don’t like it so I was really excited when I saw this product.
Full disclosure, I have not used this at the park yet, but I cannot wait to do so on our upcoming trip.
It’s a little snug on my ultra wide (.8in) silicone band … and it’s a little wider than my wife’s iWatch band but both fit nicely.
I was worried it might be cumbersome to wear on the inside of my wrist, but I don’t even feel it.
I was also concerned about the puck falling out, but there is no movement at all; it is very secure.
I was expecting the material to be sort of gooey and stretchy based on the pictures. I was surprised at how solid it is. The material does move some, but I would describe it as pliable and not necessarily stretchy …
… I have already recommended this product to several friends who also make frequent trips to Orlando and, at least as of right now, I will continue to recommend this product to everyone thinking about making a Disney trip.
There were very few negative reviews about these adaptors, although most negative reviewers had a problem with the screwdriver stripping the screws.
You can read all the 1-star reviews here.
Click here and here to see customer photos of them wearing this on their watches.
If you didn’t already know, there are many different faces you can choose to display on your Apple watch, including a few Mickey and Minnie Mouse options.
SolveYourTech gives these directions for setting Mickey up as your timekeeper:
Maybe you’re not interested in investing in an Apple Watch, but you find yourself repeatedly “checking the time” on your Magic Band during your Disney vacation? Is there a way to have your Magic Band also work as a simple time-telling device?
The Main Street Mouse has a cheap and easy way to do that:
Sea Turtle Slap Bracelets for KidsSilicone Slap on WatchGreen Geckos Elastic Fabric Strap Watch
If you’re like me, you might be wondering if covering up the puck of the Magic Band with a watch face will impact its functionality.
Fortunately, the answer is “no.” The magic Radio Frequency (RF) technology inside the band is pretty strong and won’t be hindered by something like a cheap children’s watch face.
You’d think that Disney would make Apple-compatible bands decorated with their characters, but they don’t. (Yet.)
However, you can get some cute “Disney-inspired” watch bands on both Amazon and Etsy.
Here are several that I personally liked that got good reviews.
https://amzn.to/2tdoWwg
Mickey Leather Band for Apple Watch
This cartoon leather band is compatible with:
The band fits for 6.5 inches to 8.3 inches wrists, making it a nice choice for girls, boys, and women.
Reviewers liked how this watch band was soft and comfortable, nice quality, and not overly feminine.
Click here to see photos on this watch band on a happy customer’s wrist/in use
Replacement Band Strap Compatible with Apple Watch 42-44mm or 38-40mm Band
This band is compatible with Apple Watch (Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 4) and fits wrist sizes between 6 and 8 inches.
It is made of genuine calf leather, and a pair of metal connectors are included for assembly.
Reviewers particularly loved how this band matches these Dooney & Bourke products:
Disney Sketch Dooney & Bourke PurseDisney Parks Sketch Dooney & Bourke Zip Wristlet
https://amzn.to/2ZDnIq4
Mouse Ears Silicone Bands for iWatch 38mm/42mm/40mm/44mm
This colorful band is made from eco-friendly soft silicone. The purchase includes a one year unconditional warranty, plus lifetime customer service.
Reviewers said the silicone band was very comfortable and were impressed by the vibrant colors and durability.
Polka Dot Apple Watch Band 38mm for women
This product is Amazon’s Choice for the category “Disney Apple watch band.”
If you’re a Minnie Mouse fan, you’ll love this band, which is red with white polka dots on one side and black with a red bow on the other side.
It also comes in a pink version.
The band is compatible with:
Soft Silicone Protective Frame with Minnie Mouse Bow
Another way to Disney-fy your Apple watch — while also protecting it from scratches — is to get a case like this one.
Be aware that this case does NOT come with a band.
Amazon reviewer Nicole says this case is “perfect”:
I love this case! It fits my series 4 44mm watch perfectly and will be perfect for my upcoming Disney World trip.
I would suggest leaving the bands on when putting it on though as it makes it easier.
Keep in mind that if you are like me and wear your watch on your left wrist with the dial on the bottom left side, you’ll have to switch it because it’s cut specifically for the dial being on the upper right side.
Other than that, which is super minor, it’s perfect.
Mykola at ArtCaseDesingSHOP has over 70 watch band designs, including these two Beauty and the Beast bands:
Both bands are:
Mykola’s shop also has this really cute band for people who know (or are) a Star Wars fan.
Courtney at BowsGlitzandMore has a shop full of Disney products, including matching family shirts, 3D mouse ears, and Disney cheer bows.
Her Ariel Apple Watch Band is made of polyester leather and comes in two sizes to fit both Apple 38/40mm and 42/44mm.
Courtney’s shop also has these two adorable bands featuring characters from The Lion King.
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