Have you ever heard someone talk about being in the Disney Bubble? I'm not going to lie; it's one of my favorite places to be. When you are at Walt Disney World, you can see character-theming everywhere, the lawns are perfect, and somehow you will swear there is magic in the air. Once you enter this little bubble, you really don't want to leave, so be sure to grab these 12 Disney theme park essentials before you leave the house!
12 Disney Theme Park Essentials You Need
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HAND-HELD FAN: DISNEY THEME PARK ESSENTIALS
By: HandFan
These are a must in Florida! Hot days pop up even in the "winter" months, and this fan is the BEST to combat the heat and humidity! With three speeds, personal mister, and USB charging, you will be cool as Frozeone.
SUPPORTIVE SHOES: Disney Theme Park Essentials
By: Vionic
You can easily walk 30,000 steps a day at Disney World, and there's nothing worse than sore feet to ruin your trip. I swear by Vionic shoes in the parks and love that they have tennis shoes and sandals to alternate between. These sneakers are my favorite! In the summer months, I only wear this pair of sandals and this fun, colorful pair. And their beach line is great for having supportive low-top sneakers. Be sure to pack two pairs and break them in at least two weeks before your trip so that you hopefully won't need the next item on the list.
BANDAIDS: Disney Theme Park Essentials
And even with the best shoes, bandaids will be needed. Especially if you didn't break them in like I mentioned above (which I am totally guilty of). My personal foot kit includes waterproof bandaids, second skin, moleskin, and friction glide. Even the most seasoned pro is thankful to have these, so an epic park day isn't ruined.
SUNSCREEN:Disney Theme Park Essentials
By: ThinkBaby & Suntegrity
This is easy to forget but absolutely necessary year-round in Florida. Living in a similar climate, I can attest to sunburns happening even on cloudy and cool days. We love using Think Baby on the little one and Suntegrity on myself. They are UVA & UVB blocking, mineral-based, reef safe, and my favorite sunscreens! Perfect for the theme parks or a day by the pool.
One thing you can always count on in Florida is rain. But these typically aren't ruin your day rain storms but rather a shower that moves in and out quickly. So having an umbrella or poncho in your bag will help keep the party going strong. These ponchos are adorable with a cinched waistband and zipper! Much better than those plastic ones you have seen in the past. And a lightweight umbrella is excellent when the rain isn't quite hard enough to pull out the whole poncho. P.S. They are also UV resistant perfect for those sunny days when you can't find shade!
BACKPACK: Disney Theme Park Essentials
By: Loungefly
Backpacks are the easiest way to keep everything you need at your fingertips. I prefer the mini backpacks...and Loungefly makes the most adorable ones! There are ones to fit every Disney's fans favorite character. But if you have trouble picking, I love THIS ONE, THIS ONE, and THIS ONE. And for a more affordable option, check out this awesome Mickey one which is a great dupe!
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE: Disney Theme Park Essentials
By: Tervis
This is a great way to save money in the parks! You can ask for free ice water at each quick-service dining location and fill them at the water refill stations. Purchasing bottled water daily can cost you $10-15 extra per person. I would much rather spend that on snacks, so we bring these great water bottles. And if you are short on space, these collapsable ones are great too!
SUNGLASSES + CABLE CROAKIES: Disney Theme Park Essentials
Sunglasses are a must year-round at the Disney theme parks. I personally love DIFF sunglasses. I have a small face, so I lean towards the Cruz and the Lennox (polarized versions), but my sister, who is also a massive fan, grabs the Bellas and the Becky II. And they have a collaboration with Star Wars and Harry Potter that I can't wait to try! This brand is some of my all-time favorite sunglasses.
One more note about the sunglasses... get a pair of croakies. TRUST ME! It's the easiest way to keep your sunglasses safe at theme parks. Instead of losing them off your shirt or head or having them crushed in your bag, you simply slide them down around your neck, ready to go when you need them. And since you have to take them on and off so much while riding rides, this just makes sense!
MINNIE EARS: Disney Theme Park Essential
Ok, these may not be a must-pack for everyone, but for me, I never leave home without them. There's just something magical about getting dressed in your favorite Disney theme to explore the parks. I love shopping on Etsy and have some of my favorite ears from there. Shop Disney also has some great options if you want officially licensed ears.
SNACKS: Disney Theme Park Essentials
Disney snacks are excellent, and we definitely budget some extra for a treat each day. But stopping every time we need a quick bite really eats our day and wallet. And I still haven't figured out how my toddler can eat so much when at Walt Disney World - ha! Having things like pretzels, cereal or nut bars, popcorn, and peanut butter crackers are great. They can stand up to the Florida heat (stay away from chocolates and gummies for this reason) and don't require an extra cold bag.
BACKUP PHONE BATTERY: Disney Theme Park Essentials
It's no secret that your entire theme park day will revolve around the My Disney Experience App on your phone. Between Genie+, checking ride times, placing mobile orders, and taking pictures, your battery will die fast. I highly recommend bringing in an extra battery pack. If you have an iPhone, this MagSafe charger and case are remarkable. The battery pack magnetizes directly to your phone for easy charging. If you prefer a traditional power bank, check out this Belkin charger which is fast and light! EXTRA TIP: Be sure to take out your extra batteries and place them with your phone when going through security!
HAND SANITIZER: Disney Theme Park Essentials
Disney does provide hand sanitizer stations around its theme parks; however, having travel sizes with you is so much more convenient. And I can't tell you the number of times the Disney dispensers have been out! I love keeping these easily accessible in my bag so that after a high-touch ride or before a quick-service meal, I know I can kill those germs quickly!
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Thanks for the Disney theme park packing tips! Can't wait to use these.