Visiting the Walt Disney World Parks is quite a memorable experience. Many guests bring bags with essential items to make their long day in the park run smoothly. Here are ten items you should take with you into the Disney World Parks.
10. Snacks
If you don’t have a dining plan, snacks can get extremely pricey. Bringing in snacks is a great way to cut costs on dining. A typical snack will run you about $5 per person (not including a beverage). For an average family of four, that can be $20 1-3 times during the day. Instead of spending that kind of money on snacks, you can put it towards a nice meal at a sit down restaurant.
9. Poncho
Florida weather is extremely unpredictable. One minute the sun is brightly shining, and the next it appears there is a hurricane coming your way. After about 5 minutes of this terrible weather, the sun is shining again (I know, very strange). Having a poncho handy is a great way to continue walking around the parks without having to get soaked. If you don’t bring a poncho with you, you can always purchase one at the park gift shops for a whopping $10 each. Bringing the poncho with you is a great way to save money and not have to dip into your wallet for an unexpected expense.
8. Cash and Credit Cards
Speaking of unexpected expenses, there are a few areas in the parks that do not allow you to pay with your MagicBand. Kiosks that offer silhouette paintings, unique umbrellas, and caricatures all require credit cards or cash for payment. There have been several times that guests only bring their MagicBand into the park for payment and then cannot purchase their souvenirs at these kiosks. It is important to have an alternative method of payment for expenses. You will also want to make sure you bring your ID.
7. Water
Florida heat is unlike any other you will ever feel. The humidity is killer and you are guaranteed to be sweating most of the day. Winters are short here, so chances are you will be experiencing Florida heat when you visit. It is so important to stay hydrated throughout the parks. Bringing a water bottle helps with staying hydrated without having to dish out $3.00 each time you want a water from the parks. I have saved well over $100 (based on a 2-4 night stay) just on bringing my own water to the parks. You will be surprised as to how much water you will consume when hanging out at the happiest place on earth!
6. Sun Protective Gear
The sun is bright in the sunshine state, so if you burn easily, you will want to protect your skin. Bringing a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm is a great way to protect you from the sun. Since it I also hot, bringing in a small mister is a fantastic way to stay refreshed throughout the day.
5. Backpacks
Packing too many items for the park can make your bags really heavy. Be sure to have everyone in your party wear a light backpack. You can distribute all of your needed items amongst everyone so that one person isn’t left carrying everything. This also helps with avoiding locker rentals. Instead of spending money on a locker rental, you can have you own ‘portable locker’ with everyone in your party carrying essential items.
4. Light Jacket
If you get cold easily in auditoriums, you will want to bring a light jacket. Most shows are housed in air-conditioned theaters and some rides have guests wait in line in air-conditioned buildings. It may be best to bring a light jacket if you know you get cold easily in these places. If you are visiting the parks during the short winter months, bring a heavier jacket or sweater. Just be sure to check the weather before your departure so that you know what would be appropriate to bring with you.
Bonus Tip!
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3. Gum
If you are an avid gum chewer, you will need to purchase it before even arriving on the Walt Disney World property. Gum is not sold anywhere on the property, so be sure to pack it with you.
2. Camera
With so many magical moments, you will want to make sure you capture them all in pictures. Bringing in a nice camera will ensure your pictures are top-notch quality! Cell phones these days have great picture quality as well, so if you don’t want to carry around a bulky camera use your phone instead!
1. Cell Phone and Charger
Speaking of phones, most of us use our cell phones to chat and take pictures, but the main reason you should bring your cell phone into the parks is to use the My Disney Experience app. Gone are the days of having to carry around a park map! With the My Disney Experience app, you will be able to see the entire park on your phone, check wait times, locate character meet and greets, and schedule your fastpasses. You will also be able to see the hours of operation for the parks and rides and locate restaurants. This is the best app for making the most of your day at the parks. Since you may use your phone most of the day, you may want to invest in a portable cell phone charger to keep you powered up throughout the day.
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
