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Congrats on planning a Disney trip! Now, do you really need another Disney packing list with “t-shirt, walking shoes, band-aids” on it? No! (By the way, you can get band-aids at first aid if you forget them.)
Rather than a full, ultimate Disney World packing list, we want to get to the meat of the issue. This list is 10+ essential items you might not have thought of yet. These are items that, if you don’t have them, you should go ahead and order them, because they’re going to help make your trip even better.
One last thing before we start. Once you’re within 30 days of the end of your Disney trip, go ahead and grab a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime. Use it to save on shipping these items AND take the chance to see if their library of movies, e-books, and music can keep the kids entertained during downtime on the trip.
Note: The Amazon links throughout this post are affiliate links, which means we may receive compensation for purchases you make through them. To remind you of this fact, we will note “affiliate link” at each of the header links. However, you should keep in mind that all other links to Amazon products are also affiliate links.
Flip Belt (Affiliate Link)
Okay fanny packs seem to be making a comeback. But we’re still fans of the new, sleek alternative: the Flip Belt.
For runners, the flip belt is a necessity. But as travelers, both of Disney and the world, we’ve found our Flip Belt invaluable. It keeps your most important items close to you without the bulk and awkwardness of the fanny pack.
Also consider: A drawstring backpack. Don't overthink it. As long as you're responsible and don't leave it at the restaurant with your wallet and passports, like we did in Shanghai, a durable drawstring bag is a great place to keep your things.
ID Bracelet for Kids (Affiliate Link)
Magic Bands do not have GPS. Disney does not have a magic wand to wave and find your child if she gets lost. Luckily, if your child is found, a Magic Band will have some information for Disney to help match them to you.
That said, Magic Bands easily come off. Even if it stays on, the information it linked to might not be 100% accurate. If a travel agent booked the trip, Disney might think to call (or worse, email) them about the lost child. Save yourself this hassle.
Get your child an ID bracelet so you can immediately be contacted directly if your little one gets lost. There are cheaper, disposable versions as well.
Also consider: Unfortunately, GPS trackers still aren't super small, but we get why some parents might consider them.
Cell Phone Charger (Affiliate Link)
We highly recommend you have some charging solution for your days at the parks.
I bought this portable cell phone charger when Fuel Rods were rumored to be on the way out, and I do not regret my purchase. Honestly, if your phone isn't dying at Walt Disney World, you aren't tapping and grabbing enough or taking enough photos. Refreshing the Genie tip board destroys phone batteries. You'll need to be charging.
Also consider: A low-cost lightning cable and wall charger. There are outlets throughout the Disney parks, so if you can sit by one for a while, you'll be able to give your phone a needed boost.
Finally, I actually carry both the Anker portable charger and a FuelRod, which I find essential at Disney parks.
Waterproof Cell Phone Pouch (Affiliate Link)
Another item we always regret leaving at home. The waterproof cell phone pouch is good for making sure you phone stays dry on water rides, but it's also great for keeping your phone near you and grabbing some pictures while you swim in your hotel pool.
Always test your pouch at home (with something other than your phone), but you can trust these to work. We've swum miles (literally) with our phones in these pouches. These are especially good if you’re visiting the water parks—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Also consider: Waterproof cell phone case. This is a more durable option, but the lightning cable port makes us a bit nervous (the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, though). Also worth considering, but more for beaches and adventuring than pools, is a dry bag.
Collapsible Water Bottle (Affiliate Link)
There are several varieties of collapsible water bottles, but all represent an upgrade from traditional, bulky water bottles. Carrying a full-size bottle around all day will get tiring, so stick with a collapsible one that might even fit in a pocket or fanny pack when you’re not using it.
Chase Disney Visa Card
No annual fee. 10% off select dining and merchandise (most merchandise at the parks). And somehow, we actually have forgotten this card a few times (we do have a lot of cards, to be fair). You don't need to use this card for anything other than the great perks, but it’s definitely worth a spot in your wallet for those. They even have some great Disney themed card designs.
A Mobile Entertainment System (Affiliate LinkS)
It's really easy to make the mistake of just throwing your iPad or Amazon Kindle Fire into your bag at the last minute, figuring it will keep you entertained. But the truth is, once your flight is delayed, or your destination is hit with a day of pouring rain, you're going to notice the things you forgot.
Sure, all the Disney hotel rooms have TV, but we all know how limited hotel TV content can be. Plus, many airlines are cutting entertainment systems to save on costs.
Here's how to build your mobile entertainment system:
iPad or Amazon Kindle Fire. The Amazon Kindle Fire is a great way to give the kids their own cheap tablet (they start at $49.99).
A low-cost lightning cable (or non-lightning charger for Kindle Fire) and wall charger. Usually we try not to waste our portable charger on our iPad, saving it instead for our phones.
Headphones. We're not headphone snobs, we stick to our Apple earbuds and try to keep an extra pair floating around as a backup. (Update: These days I’m actually loving my Mickey Beats)
Headphone Splitter. The most underrated item we travel with. The splitter lets us watch on the same device (usually our one iPad), keeping our other devices free to use.
And finally, the most important part of the mobile entertainment system...CONTENT! The worst thing is popping into airplane mode and finding out you don't have any content saved! Avoid that with...
Amazon Prime and Netflix both allow you to download some content for offline viewing.
Amazon has a large library of Disney movies for purchase/rental.
And remember, you can go ahead and grab a free, 30-day trial of Amazon Prime 30 days before the end of your trip. That way you'll get free shipping and the ability to test out Amazon's content library during your trip! Amazon loves free trials, which also means
Autograph Book & Fat Pen (Affiliate Links)
Okay, maybe you don’t forget this every time. Maybe you just plan to buy it at the theme park. That's fine, but know that by planning ahead you can save money or choose from a wider variety of designs. You’ll find stylish autograph books, princess autograph books, and traditional Disney autograph books. Be sure to get a fat pen for characters with bigger hands.
Also consider: Take it a step further and get a customized autograph book through Etsy.
Guidebook (or Another Book) (Affiliate Link)
Who packs books anymore?? Yes, you've got your phone. But it isn't a perfect substitute for paper products. For example, I bet you still use the park map every so often. Guidebooks are a great way to keep from being buried in your phone (and to avoid your battery dying). Pass the guidebook around at lunch to pick a dinner spot, or just to give everyone a chance to learn a little something about the park.
Also consider: We like guidebooks since they'll contain practical information, but we've also got a list of books for Disney fans and historians.
Ziploc Bags (Affiliate Link)
You maybe don't want to carry around your waterproof pouch just for the occasional ride on Kali River Rapids. And either way, when you're on those rides, you're going to need to keep other things dry (cash, credit cards, ID). Grab some sandwich size ziploc bags so the whole family has one to toss their things into before hopping on the ride.
P.S. We don’t recommend these for water-sensitive items or anytime you’re going to get drenched (like swimming), that’s what waterproof pouches are for.
Hand Sanitizer (Affiliate Link)
Disney parks are probably more of a resort destination for germs than for humans. Germs from kindergarten classrooms all over the world gather together and swap stories before hopping on some unsuspecting visitor and heading home with them. Yea, that's a gross visual. It’s a good idea to get yourself some travel size hand sanitizer.
Also consider: Wet Ones. Good alternative because they'll also come in handy wiping down the occasional dirty table at Pecos Bill's.
Everything Else
There are some other creative items we see pop up. Much of what makes packing for a Disney vacation special is you really want to avoid spending extra money at Disney World.
Bring a rain jacket because it’ll cause as much to buy a new one before leaving as to buy a poncho in the parks. Bring some glow sticks because they’ll entertain kids just as much as the $30+ light-up things at the park for $1 instead.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.
All Your Other Disneyland Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disneyland planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Disneyland Planning Guide. If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disneyland crowd calendars.
When it comes to hotels, we’ve got reviews of all three Disney hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. As for tickets, check out where to find discount Disneyland tickets.
Know what to ride with our: Disneyland Rides Guide and Disney California Adventure Rides Guide. And just as important, know how to get on the best rides without the wait with our Disneyland and Disney California Adventure FASTPASS and MaxPass Strategy! For the complete guides to a day at the park, we have a One Day Disneyland Itinerary and a One Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary.
We always recommend arriving at the parks early. If you can get access to Extra Magic Hour at Disney California Adventure or Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning at Disneyland, you’ll have the most time in the parks. Even without those bonus hours, you’ll need to know Rope Drop Strategy at Disneyland and Rope Drop Strategy at Disney California Adventure.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.