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Knowing what to pack for your upcoming Disney Parks vacation can be a challenge. You can either overpack with every item imaginable or underpack and end up paying hotel upcharges for items. So, we asked our staff what items they cannot live without on their park adventures, and here is what they said!

Please note that all prices are accurate at the time of writing.

Accessories

Beverage Koozie – $9.95

Kevin suggests bringing some beverage koozies along. These will help insulate your beverages from whatever the weather is at the parks.

Cooling Towel – $11.88-$16.99

Ashton and Amanda are both on Team Cooling Towel. These towels can be a lifesaver on a park day. All you have to do is wet them, wring them, place them around your neck, and then the evaporation of the water creates a cooling effect.

Medium-Sized Reusable Bag – $10.99

Ashton and Amanda both recommend bringing a reusable shopping bag for any purchases you make at the park. Amanda suggests getting one that folds into a tidy pouch like the one above that can either be clipped to your bag or stowed easily in a backpack.

Neck Fan – $28.99

Particularly during the summer months, a neck fan can make all the difference while waiting in line or traversing the parks, which is why Ashton recommends them. She notes that you don’t need to overspend to get a good neck fan. Amanda’s spouse swears by the one linked above, which has seen many park days in the last five years and is still going strong.

Scarf – $8.99

This doesn’t have to be any one particular scarf, but Alison highly recommends packing one for the trip. She notes that they’re perfect for covering your head during a sudden rainstorm or keeping yourself a little warmer if the chill sets in. You could even use it as a makeshift sitting pad if you need one.

WOLFpak Backpack – $104.94

For lugging around all of your park day goodies, Ashton recommends a sturdy, yet portable backpack. This WOLFpak 15L bag is similar to the one she uses, which is the commuter version.

Gear

Backpack Rain Cover – $8.99

This is another recommendation from Ashton, and an easy one for guests to forget. Rain gear for ourselves seems an obvious choice; however, you’ll want to keep your backpack and other gear dry too, which is when these easily packable rain covers come in handy.

Epsom Salt Rub – $20.61

Many parkgoers will swear by single-use Epsom salt socks; however, Amanda notes that the Epsom salt rub is a game-changer. The gel goes right on your feet or legs and soothes aching muscles, which makes it excellent for the end of a long day. Do be warned, though: when the gel dries, it does leave a visible film, so remember to wash it off if you don’t want that look in photos.

Large Carabiner or Stroller Hooks – $9.99

This is another recommendation from Amanda that requires very little extra packing. Having an oversized carabiner or stroller hook in your backpack makes it easy to clip myriad items to your backpack during the day. Reusable resort cups, popcorn buckets, shopping bags, cooling towels to dry, or even hats. They’re versatile and handy.

Hiking Raincoat – $18.95

To keep you dry, Ritch recommends bringing a hiking raincoat, specifically one that folds into a small pouch. These are like ponchos and are perfect for a sudden rainstorm or any guests visiting during the rainy season in particular.

Light Jacket – $29.99

A different option for light coverage, Ashton suggested a light jacket for your park adventures. This one folds up into a little satchel just like the hiking raincoat, but is more of a fitted jacket option and less like a poncho.

Merrell Vapor Gloves – $74.99

It’s a good idea to bring more than one pair of shoes to give your feet and legs a break. Ritch recommends a pair of shoes like the Merrell Vapor Gloves for their support of both.

Shoe Cover – $16.99

There is nothing like soaking wet shoes to dampen a fun park day. That’s why Ashton highly recommends protective shoe covers. The ones above are able to easily zip onto the shoes and are reusable with non-slip ridges on the bottom to prevent falls.

Sitting Pad – $21.99

Ashton highly recommends this sitting pad for waiting around while seated on the ground for parades or nighttime spectaculars. These pads provide support without taking up a lot of valuable backpack space.

Small Pouch – $6.99

Although something as simple as a Ziploc bag would work, it’s a good idea to have a small, zippered bag on hand. Wendy uses one on park days to carry essentials such as a small pill container, Band-Aids, hair ties, lip balm, wet wipes, and things like that.

Thin Throw Blanket – $29.95

Alice highly recommends packing a travel blanket, not necessarily for the parks, but for the airplane and hotel room if you get a chill. This packable blanket is a good option because the back of the zippered case even has a luggage sleeve to keep it safe on top of your suitcase.

Xero Sandals – $44.99

Another shoe recommendation comes from Ritch, who recommends Xero Shoes hiking sandals for park vacations. These allow the breathing room of sandals with the necessary support to keep you moving.

Wet Bag – $11.95

In case you get caught in the rain or end up soaked on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, bringing a wet bag along to keep the rest of your stuff dry is a good idea. Ashton recommends having one on hand just in case. Amanda recommends the wet bags from Bumkins that are durable and have several Disney designs.

Snack/Beverage

Liquid I.V. – $23.62

With several flavors to choose from, Charlie recommends Liquid I.V. to keep you hydrated on your vacation. These packets can be added to water and are packed with electrolytes to keep dehydration at bay.

PackIt Freezeable Snack Box – $19.99

With built-in ice packs, the PackIt Freezeable Snack Box allows you to bring perishables with you on park days. Ashton prefers this version as it takes up less room in your day bag.

Reusable Straw – $7.99

An environmentally friendly option without the sogginess of a paper straw, both Ashton and Amanda recommend bringing a reusable straw to the parks. These telescope out of a little carrying case that easily clips onto your bag or tucks easily into your pocket.

True Lemon – $25.79

While True Lemon doesn’t have the electrolytes of Liquid I.V., it does improve the taste of plain water. Ritch recommends True Lemon in particular, as only a few grains greatly improve the flavor.

Whiskware Stackable Snack Containers – $12.99

Another item that comes in some Disney variations is the Whiskware Stackable Snack Containers. These containers are a must for Ashton as a way to safely pack away non-prepackaged snacks for the day.

Tech

FuelRods – $44.99

FuelRods are portable batteries that can be swapped out for free for fully charged ones at kiosks. There are swapping kiosks at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, which is why Jamie recommends them. You can purchase FuelRods at the parks; however, they are cheaper if bought ahead of time.

Kindle – $159.99

Lauren strongly recommends bringing a Kindle along to help the lines move along faster without resorting to doomscrolling on your phone. With a Kindle, you can easily make headway on your reading list without taking up a lot of space.

Magnetic Charger – $19.99

For easy phone charging on the go, Ashton suggests a magnetic phone charger. These chargers allow for wireless charging, so you don’t have to worry about juggling cords at the parks.

Phone Charging Fan – $17.99

At the parks, Shannen advises bringing along a handheld fan that doubles as a phone charger. That way, you can keep cool and stay charged.

Reusable Water Bottle – $34.94

This must-pack item comes at the recommendation of three staffers, Austin, Charlie, and Lauren. A reusable water bottle allows you to refill at the various park water stations and not spend a lot of money on bottled water.

Do you have any must-pack items you would add to this list? Let us know on social media!

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