A day at the Disney Parks is always an exciting adventure, but a little advance planning and preparation can maximize your fun. Here are the six items that you should pack for a day at the Disney Parks. These items are all lightweight and they will save you time or money and maximize your comfort so you can make the happiest possible memories.
That iLite Express from American Tourister is perhaps the happiest looking suitcase that I’ve ever seen. American Tourister kindly sent it to us to make sure we get all our items to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. We will use it as a carry on and are putting all of our park essentials inside.
My daughter likes to sing “Be Prepared” from The Lion King when we’re packing. She and my husband will have a day together in the parks while I’m at the conference, so I wanted to make sure they have everything they need. Our list of items to take for a day at the Disney Parks includes:
1. Poncho
It rains in Florida, but that doesn’t mean Disney closes. It does mean that a lot of people run for cover, leave the parks, or pay a lot of money for a Mickey poncho. You can stay dry as well as save time and money if you pack your own poncho. They’re also much lighter than an umbrella.
2. Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is really important at any time of year, but especially so in the summer. You don’t know hot until you’ve done Disney on a humid summer day. By bringing your own water bottle, you can save money by not buying the bottled water. Fill up at a water fountain or ask for a cup of ice water at a quick service restaurant – no charge.
3. Hand Wipes (or hand sanitizer)
I’m not a total germaphobe, but there are a lot of people at the Disney Parks on any given day and cleaning your hands on occasion is not a bad idea.
4. Sunscreen
Did you know that you should reapply sunscreen every few hours? If you want to ruin your vacation quickly, forget the sunscreen and get a bad burn. Instead, pack the travel size sunscreen and reapply frequently. Do it while you’re waiting for a ride or a character. The small size sunscreen also saves having to lug a big bottle around.
5. Band-Aids
Nothing wipes a smile off someone’s face faster than a bad blister. And little ones in their excitement might take a spill. Band-Aids are always good to have on hand. (If you forget, head to the First Aid station where they can help you out, but bringing your own saves you time and valuable steps. Walking a ways on a blister is simply not fun.)
6. Dry Socks
Water rides are a ton of fun, but I have yet to exit any of them without getting soaked. Don’t even talk to me about the Kali River Rapids. (Water logged is an understatement. Also, why do I get soaked every single time and the rest of my family escapes merely damp?)
Put a clean, dry pair of socks in a plastic bag. That will protect them and when you’ve soak your first pair, change them out. Your feet will thank you, I promise, because walking around in soggy socks isn’t fun. It’s nice to have the plastic bag to put your sopping wet socks in, too.
You may also want to consider snacks though I have to say that we never eat as many as I take. A few bags of goldfish or a bag of Skittles, though, can stave off some hungry behavior. Just make sure it’s not anything that melts.
What would you add to this list?
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