Planning a Disney vacation and wondering what are the best things to pack for Disney World? Check out the 13 things I always have when I travel to Disney World!

13 Best Things to Pack for Disney World!

Preparing for a Walt Disney World vacation is part excitement, part strategy—and smart packing is where the magic really starts. Whether you’re tackling rope drop at Magic Kingdom, trekking through Animal Kingdom, or traveling the world at EPCOT, having the right gear can make or break your day.

Ready to pack like a pro? Here’s your Pixie-approved packing list, filled with must-haves, clever tricks, and my favorite Amazon finds (yep, I have tested all of these) to help you save time, save money, and sprinkle a little extra pixie dust on your trip.

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1. Packing Cubes = Your Magical Suitcase Sorters

🧳 Why you’ll love them: Think of packing cubes as mini dressers inside your suitcase. Use one per family member or one per park day outfit to save time digging for outfits when everyone’s itching to hit the parks.  When I pack for my family of 5, I use color-coded packing cubes to help keep everyone’s stuff straight.  

💡Pixie Tip: Choose colorful, labeled cubes for kids so they can dress themselves each morning—no more suitcase scavenger hunts!

I’ll include some of my favorites here, but I also have an entire blog dedicated to the best packing cubes for Disney World.

I personally love LeanTravel packing cubes (the only negative is the double zipper can sometimes get stuck on the clothes, honestly I have not found a set of compression packing cubes where this doesnt happen).  Compression packing cubes are always my preferred type, as we travel light and usually pack just one carry-on bag for all five of us. 

Another favorite of mine is the hanging carry-on organizer by Pack Gear.  This packing system allows you to pack clothes onto different “shelves”, compress the shelves, then hang them using the hooks attached to the organizer so you can easily move all your clothes from your suitcase to your hotel room closet- all while staying organized, and saving lots of space in your carry-on bag!

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2. The Perfect Park Bag 

🎒 Whether you’re a backpack devotee, a crossbody queen, or a fanny pack revivalist, the key is lightweight, comfy, and organized.  And, of course, if you can have all of the above and some Disney flare then why not??

💡Pixie Tip:

• If you love mini backpacks like Loungefly (so cute, but not exactly spacious), clip on a water bottle holder so your drink doesn’t take up all the room inside.

• Carrying a larger backpack? Add a carabiner clip or Minnie ear holder on the outside so you’re not constantly digging or squishing your ears into the main compartment.

• And always leave space for your portable charger, sunglasses, cooling towel, and a few just-in-case snacks.

Here are some of my favorites, and to dive deeper, check out my Ultimate Park Bag Blog!

Looking for ideas for a larger park bag?

Look for one with padded straps, as larger backpacks can get heavy on long park days.  You can also get very sweaty so breathable nylon or mesh straps can be much more comfortable.

This style was super handy when my kids were little and I had to lug all their gear. 

Or maybe you prefer a mid-size themed Loungefly type bag?

There are SOOO many cute picks for when it comes to Loungefly- they have every character, park, and movie covered.  But keep in mind that these bags are smaller backpacks and don’t have very comfortable straps.  They can definitely handle most essentials, but you will want to practice pack before you plan to use one of these. 

And the Pixie Tip above really is important- use a clip-on water bottle, better yet, a collapsible option to save space.  Here’s a Loungefly backpack that I absolutely love!

Ok, so maybe you want to travel light on your Disney World days? 

Then maybe you want to consider a fanny pack or a cross-body bag.  There are plenty of great choices in this category, too!  Check out these fun pics:

Just make sure you have room for what you consider essential.  For me, if I’m not having to carry anyone else’s stuff (the benefit of my kids being teenagers now), my essentials are sunglasses, spf lip balm, mini sunscreen, band-aids or a very mini first aid kit, my ID, and a portable charger.  I usually will still clip on a light, collapsible water bottle and a cooling towel, and I use my Magic Band or Google Wallet for payment so I don’t have to carry a wallet.

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3. Disney-Themed Gear (for Less!)

🎀 Skip the overpriced Disney park (well at least some of it) merch and arrive with your own adorable Disney gear. From matching shirts to light-up bubble wands to plushies for the kiddos, you’ll save a ton and still look like you shopped Main Street.

💡Pixie Tip: Grab an autograph book ahead of time and surprise the kids with it when they spot their first character! And keep a light-up bubble wand in your bag and hand it over to your little one while waiting for the fireworks. 

I’ll include here some cute examples of things you can get ahead of time to save you money in the parks!

 

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4. Lightweight Layers for the Win

☀️🌧️ Florida is… a weather wild card – well, kind of. At least 9 months of the year, you can count on heat, but it’s often rainy and windy too, even when your weather app doesn’t warn you about it.  An oversized white button-down or breathable UV hoodie = instant sun protection, extra layer for windy mornings or evenings, or chill-blocker in air-conditioned restaurants or shows.  Or you can opt for a light rain jacket as your extra layer, not as comfortable but can pull double duty on stormy days (or basically every day in the summer).

💡Pixie Tip: Opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics so you stay photo-ready—even after a thunderstorm.

Check out these practical and fun layers:

 

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5. MagicBands or Smart Devices

🎫 Link park tickets, room keys, and ride reservations with a flick of the wrist. MagicBands make everything easier, especially with kids in tow.   You don’t necessarily need them as much as you did before everything could be loaded onto the My Disney Experience app- but I still find them much easier then changing screens on my phone every time I want to tap into a ride, or pay for something. 

💡Pixie Tip: Bring a small carabiner clip to attach bands to your bag when not in use so they don’t get lost in the room shuffle.

Or here’s a fun way to add your magic band reader to your smart watch- so much easier than wearing two different things around your wrist!

 

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6. “Wait Time” Activity Bags (Secret Sanity Saver)

📚 For long lines or downtime, keep kiddos occupied with mini entertainment kits. Think: mess-free coloring, fidget toys, and Disney trivia cards.  As your kids get older you won’t have to pack these as you can play things like Heads Up on your phone.  Of course, there are devices to rely on during these times, but it’s better to have non-screen time activities available. 

💡Pixie Tip: Use pencil pouches or snack-size ziplocks to sort by type of activity or child.

I used to use packs like these when my kids were little and they were super helpful, particularly at table service dining restaurants after they got bored of the kids menu activities! 

 

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7. Park Bag MVPs: Don’t Leave the Resort Without These

Pack these every single park day, even when you think you might not need them:

• ✅ Hand sanitizer

• ✅ Travel sunscreen (Florida sun is no joke!)

• ✅ Collapsible water bottle

• ✅ Mini cooling towel

• ✅ Bandaids (for that one blister that always shows up!)

• ✅ Reusable poncho

• ✅ Portable fan (for stroller naps or midday melts)

💡Pixie Tip: Keep a tiny “refresh kit” with facial wipes, gum, and SPF lip balm. You’ll feel way more magical after that 3 pm parade heat.

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8. Disneybounding: Show Your Character Love (Without Breaking the Rules)

👗 Channel your fave characters using everyday fashion in character color schemes.  I love bounding- it’s so fun to mix and match colors- and many colors can be used for different colors.  Solid colors from athleisure brands like Halara, Athleta, and Quince can be great foundations for your Disney bounding.  Think of staple pieces like tennis skirts, tanks, fanny packs, solid color comfy pants, and tennis/tank dresses to build your bounds around!

💡Pixie Tip: Planning a family photo day? Coordinate your bounding colors for a subtle themed group look.

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9. Mini First Aid Kit (Pixie-Sized but Powerful)

🩹 Don’t waste time searching for a bandaid in the middle of Fantasyland. Stash a mini kit in your bag with:

• Chafing balm (Megababe = lifesaver)

• Motion sickness tablets (I like Dramamine classic or the natural option, or ginger chews)

• Pain relief meds (I usually pack a small trial sized pack of ibuprofen just in case)

• Blister patches (when you have a blister it can ruin your day- these patches can make a huge difference).  Check out this blister-busting blog for Disney park-going blister prevention tips!

• Allergy tabs (you never know when allergies are going to hit you, it’s best to be prepared)

• Bandaids

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10. Shoes Made for Walking (and Standing, and Walking Again…)

👟 A good pair of shoes is everything. You’ll walk 8-10 miles a day, easily, and often more! Break in your shoes, and make sure that you have worn them all day prior to your Disney park day and that you are comfortable wearing them all day.  It’s also very hot, as mentioned before…many times, so be sure your footware is breathable too! 

💡Pixie Tip: Bring two pairs and rotate. And don’t forget blister balm and moisture-wicking socks!

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11. Park-Perfect Snacks (Save $$ and Stay Fueled)

🍎 Disney lets you bring snacks! The only banned items are knives, or anything glass.  You also can’t bring in ice. 

Avoid hangry moments with:

• Protein bars

• Trail Mix

• Nut butter packets

• Apple chips

• Individual popcorn bags or cracker packs

• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches or Peanut Butter and Crackers

💡Pixie Tip: I always bring surprise treats (and sometimes sweets like cookie pack) to pull out when spirits dip in a long line—instant morale boost.

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12. Rainy Day Rescue Kit

🌧️ Florida = sunny mornings, stormy afternoons. A lightweight poncho, umbrella, or raincoat and waterproof shoes = your best line-jumping, land-crossing allies!  I usually pack some waterproof flip flops or Teva sandals in case of sudden downpours. 

💡Pixie Tip: Bring a packable stroller cover too if you’re visiting with little ones. Wet strollers = instant meltdown.

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13. Hotel Charging Station Hero

🔌 Between phones, fans, tablets, smartwatches, and MagicBand+ charging, outlets vanish fast. Bring a compact multi-port charger so everyone’s devices are park-ready by sunrise.  

💡Pixie Tip: Pack an extension cord or travel surge protector if you’re a family of 4+.

Check out my favorite multi-port charging option:

 

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The Wrap Up

Smart packing = smoother Disney days and fewer “oops, I forgot…” moments. You don’t need to bring everything, but having these smart essentials can really make a long Disney day much better!

🎀 Want the complete checklist?
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✨Happy planning, packing, and strategizing! Want more help setting up your perfect Disney World plan? Check out my Pixie Park Plans- there’s one for every Disney World Park or grab the bundle and save 30%!