Whereas Walt Disney World’s nickname is the Most Magical Place on Earth, it will possibly rapidly turn out to be probably the most irritating place on Earth when you’re not correctly ready. You can begin by studying up on the most recent trip reservation system modifications or making your restaurant bookings forward of time, however crucial step, nevertheless, is nailing down a complete Disney packing checklist to ensure you’re prepared for something that comes up, whether or not it’s blistered heels or a low telephone battery.
I go to Walt Disney World a number of occasions a 12 months and love accumulating different parkgoers’ greatest recommendations on navigating the crowds, strolling 25,000-plus steps within the blistering Florida warmth, and extra. Along with packing snug (but cute!) sweat-wicking garments and loads of sunscreen, I’m all the time on the hunt for sensible gear and necessities to make the lengthy park days simpler. So, I’ve rounded up the ten commonest Disney World packing errors — and what I like to recommend bringing as a substitute. And, within the phrases of my favourite Disney bloggers, Mammoth Membership, crucial factor you’ll be able to pack are your “persistence pants” — in spite of everything, being type to solid members and different visitors is a assured method to make sure your journey is as magical as attainable.
Don’t Deliver: a Large Backpack
Pack This As an alternative: a Mini Backpack or Fanny Pack
Most rides in Disney World allow you to maintain your bag on you if it is on the smaller aspect. However that is not the one perk you get by carrying a compact bag; you will not should lug round one thing cumbersome and heavy all day both. As an alternative, go for both a fanny pack or mini backpack (if you need a Disney-themed choice, try Loungefly’s a whole bunch of character-inspired luggage) that’s spacious sufficient to carry every thing you want, however will really feel mild in your again or waist. This Freetoo Fanny Pack is a great choose as a result of it has a number of compartments, which many consumers mentioned match necessities like telephones, wallets, snacks, and extra. I’ve additionally been utilizing The Foldie Fanny Pack recently, and I’m excited to apply it to my subsequent Disney journey due to how a lot house it affords.
Don’t Deliver: a Stanley Tumbler
Pack This As an alternative: a Light-weight, Reusable Water Bottle
Bringing your individual meals and drinks into the park is a budget-friendly tip most guests benefit from. However I like to recommend conserving your viral Stanley tumblers and different mega water jugs at dwelling since they are not probably the most purposeful or handy issues to hold round (I used to be shocked by the variety of Stanley tumblers I noticed on my final go to to Disney). As an alternative, I extremely suggest this fold-up water bottle that weighs nearly nothing. I take advantage of it on the many Disney World water refill stations, then clip it onto my backpack or fanny pack with the included carabiner for hands-free carrying. Collapsible water bottles, in my guide, are additionally the simplest choice, however I’ve additionally seen many parkgoers go for water bottles with built-in filters and even fruit infusers to offset the infamously bad-tasting Florida water.
Don’t Deliver: One Pair of Snug Sneakers
Pack This As an alternative: Two Pairs of Snug Sneakers
The most effective Disney World hacks I’ve realized is to all the time pack not less than two pairs of snug strolling footwear to alternate between every day. This fashion, you received’t have the identical pair of footwear hitting the identical painful spots in your ft on back-to-back days. I solely journey to Disney with the identical two pairs of footwear: Allbirds Tree Runners and Tevas sandals. They’ve arch assist, let my ft breathe, and dry rapidly (nothing says Florida like a random rain bathe!). That mentioned, I’ll be testing out my new pair of Ryka Strolling Sneakers on my subsequent journey — in fact, they’ll be damaged in earlier than I get there! Brooks and Hoka sneakers are additionally widespread picks amongst theme park goers.
Don’t Deliver: a Cumbersome Energy Financial institution
Pack This As an alternative: a Compact Transportable Charger
It goes with out saying {that a} transportable charger is a must have for any Disney journey — checking wait occasions and snagging Lightning Lane passes within the My Disney Expertise app severely drains your battery. However, as a substitute of packing your heavy-duty energy financial institution that may maintain a number of costs (and weighs down your bag and must be charged at evening), these FuelRods are a genius Disney World hack. This $30 set comes with two rods that may be exchanged for fully-charged FuelRods at kiosks across the parks. So not solely are they tiny and may slot in any park bag, however in addition they require no charging forward of time (aka, you don’t should panic when you forgot to plug it in at your resort the evening earlier than). After all, you may also cost them by way of USB if you wish to use them exterior of Disney, too.
Don’t Deliver: an Umbrella
Pack This As an alternative: a Hooded Poncho
Earlier than you groan, imagine me after I say it’s unattainable to be embarrassed in Disney World: when it rains, everybody will likely be busting out their ponchos. An umbrella might look like a surefire choose, however it may be cumbersome to hold when not in use and much more annoying when navigating via crowds throughout a rain storm. As an alternative, decide for an inexpensive hooded poncho that simply matches in a fanny pack and is tossed within the trash as soon as the rain passes (in contrast to a raincoat, which you’d have to carry on to nonetheless moist). Plus, everybody is aware of that “the easiest way to ensure rain is to not be ready for rain,” so packing your poncho means you’ll most likely have a transparent, sunny day, proper?
Don’t Deliver: Band-Aids for Blisters
Pack This As an alternative: Moleskin Padding
Even probably the most snug, worn-in footwear can provide you blisters after logging upwards of 30,000 steps a day. Band-Aids don’t present a lot padding and may rub off in your footwear, which is why I all the time pack pre-cut squares of moleskin as a substitute. Moleskin is a heavy cotton cloth that’s suede-like on one aspect and sticky on the opposite; it stays put all day and is rather more sturdy than a bandage. On previous journeys, I’ve utilized moleskin over blisters to forestall additional irritation and it let me stroll for miles with zero ache. Plus, even when your ft get moist, it’ll keep on.
Don’t Deliver: a Bottle of Ache Reliever
Pack This As an alternative: a Compact Drugs Case
A day in Disney World isn’t full with out taking some Advil or Motrin to fight the headache you bought from Area Mountain whipping you round. As an alternative of taking a full bottle or these costly single-serve packets of ache relievers, pack a number of drugs out of your stash with you to the parks with this mini capsule organizer. Hermetic and waterproof, it’ll maintain your drugs safe and the screwtop makes it straightforward to entry. However when you overlook to refill within the morning, don’t fear: you’ll be able to go to the closest first-aid heart the place you’ll be able to often choose up some over-the-counter drugs.
Don’t Deliver: Shapewear
Pack This As an alternative: an Anti-chafe Stick
Carrying shapewear or bike shorts beneath a gown or skirt may match exterior of the park to keep away from chaffing, however if you’re within the thick of a Disney day, all that additional cloth may make you scorching and uncomfortable. That is the place this Megababe anti-chafe stick turns out to be useful. Made with soothing elements like aloe and grapeseed oil, it prevents pores and skin from rubbing collectively and creating irritation. However it’s not simply your thighs it’ll assist with; apply it to your ft to keep away from blisters or beneath your bra to forestall friction. This travel-sized model means you’ll be able to toss it in your park bag to reapply later within the day.
Don’t Deliver: a Suitcase With out Separation
Pack This As an alternative: Packing Cubes
I all the time pack these compression packing cubes as a result of they let me stuff every week’s price of garments and footwear in a carry-on, and maintain my soiled laundry separate from my clear garments. Let’s face it: your garments type of stink after an extended day strolling across the parks within the intense Florida warmth. I by no means re-wear garments on my Disney journey due to this, which suggests I would like to have the ability to pack separate outfits for day by day. At face worth, these compression cubes assist me match all of the shorts, tops, underwear, and pajamas, plus a number of nicer outfits if I plan on going out to dinner I would like with out trouble. However, I’ve discovered that in addition they come in useful after I’m doing a split-stay (staying at completely different Disney World resorts in a single journey) and have to repack every thing in the midst of my journey. Then after I get dwelling, I throw the cubes within the wash together with my soiled garments.
Don’t Deliver: Flat, Unsupportive Sneakers
Pack This As an alternative: Arch-supporting Insoles
I’ve seen many individuals put on flat sneakers like Adidas Grandcourt Tennis Sneakers or Vans Ward Low-tops to Disney World, and whereas everybody has their shoe preferences, it will possibly’t damage to pack a pair of supportive insoles to offer your self slightly additional consolation. I lately tried these Superfeet Medium Insoles in my Brooks Ghost 15s for the gymnasium, and I couldn’t imagine the carry it gave my ft throughout a exercise. The stabilizer cup will maintain your foot in place when you trek via the parks, and the froth padding will assist alleviate stress. These Superfeet insoles are additionally customizable, so you’ll be able to minimize them to completely match inside your shoe.
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