Things happen, even at Disney World. You can be having the most magical day ever, and then, like a bolt out of the blue, your time in the park can take a turn for the worse. Whether it’s a minor injury, feeling overheated, or the dreaded hangriness, these are things we all would like to avoid on our vacation of a lifetime.
With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of essentials to pack in your bag when you visit Disney World or Disneyland. These small items can easily fit in your day pack, and they can really save the day when things go wrong at Disney World.
First Aid Items
Save a trip to the First Aid Station in the park! While Disney has a medical staff located at each park available to help out with emergencies and provide you with medicine, it takes valuable time out of your day. Keeping some small first aid items in your bag can help with minor ailments, like headaches, sore feet, cuts and scrapes, or a stomach ache. For anything beyond what you pack in your back can handle, be sure to visit the First Aid station. (Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Consult with your doctor if you haven’t taken any of these items before).
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit Travel Size (3 Pack)
$7.00Our preferred brand of band aids. These travel first aid kits don't take up too much room in your bag, and will cover most minor issues that come up. Other first aid kits meant for hiking/camping can feel like a bit of overkill.
Neosporin + Pain Relief Neo to Go!
$4.97Neosporin can help prevent a cut or scrape from getting infected. A good-to-have in case a rogue stroller scrapes your heels (Speaking from experience, this is a constant possibility at Disney World).
Moleskin Padding Roll
$6.03Hopefully you won’t need to use these, but you’ll be very glad you have them. In case all that walking ends up resulting in a nasty blister, placing a Moleskin bandage on top can be a life saver. It can also be good to use if you feel a blister coming on to prevent the injury before it happens. Pack this item along with your other first aid essentials.
Tums / Tylenol Travel Pack
$17.95Tummy aches and headaches can be pretty common ailments that turn a fun day at Disney World into a slog. If you use Tums and Tylenol for relief, then this is conveniently packaged and perfect for travel.
(Disclaimer: As always, consult your doctor for any medication you take)
Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags are a great Disney World essential to keep in your bag. They have about a million different uses, from keeping items dry, storing wet clothes/bathing suit for your little one playing in a splash zone or wet socks from your ride on Splash Mountain, or packing snacks.
Ziploc Storage Bags – Quart Size
$8.84These Ziploc bags are the perfect size for packing snacks or for keeping your phone and wallet dry while you ride Kali River Rapids or Splash Mountain.
Ziploc Storage Bags – Gallon Size
$10.89The gallon size Ziploc bag is ideal for packing a dry change of clothes for the kids, or storing their wet clothes after they've played around in the Splash Zone. This is also great for storing wet ponchos once they've been used.
Stay Dry
Whether you’re going on Splash Mountain 10 times during your day at Magic Kingdom or if a rainstorm breaks out in the middle of the afternoon (hey, it’s Orlando), you’re going to probably get wet at some point during your Disney World vacation. Staying soggy as you go from ride to ride can put a big damper on your day, so packing a poncho and dry pair of socks will help you stay dry.
Packing Tip: The Ziploc bags listed above are great for storing wet socks or a wet poncho once the sun comes out.
Lingito Ponchos – Family 20 Pack
$16.99This set of 20 ponchos will set you back about as much as 1 poncho will at Disney World. It comes in different colors, and includes both kids and adult sized ponchos. This pack will definitely be enough for your entire party. This set of ponchos ships with Amazon Prime and has a 4.5/5 star rating in customer reviews.
Spare Socks
Walking around with soaked socks is no fun. Pack a spare set of socks for everyone in your family in your bag, and then store the wet socks in a Ziplock bag
Frogg Toggs
These have long been one of our must-pack Disney World items, and it can really save the day when the heat is on at WDW. Avoid getting overheated with this magical cooling cloth.
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad
$11.99Want to beat the heat at Disney World? Do yourself a favor and buy a Frogg Togg Chilly Pad immediately. These amazing towels feel like some sort of magic trick: rinse with water, wring out, and they stay up to 30 degrees cooler than the outside air while feeling dry to the touch. I’ve used a Frogg Togg Chilly Pad while training for a RunDisney half-marathon during a heatwave in Los Angeles, and my runs were so much more comfortable with this around my neck. My family never goes to Orlando without a Frogg Togg, and neither should you.
External Battery for Phones
An extra phone battery might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an “emergency kit,” but running out of charge on your phone can cause a myriad of problems while you’re at Disney. Whether you’re managing reservations, making a mobile order, using your digital ticket or room key, calling an Uber or Lyft, or just keeping in touch with the rest of your party, your phone is a vital part of the Disney World experience now. Make sure that you don’t run out of battery with an external power bank.
Packing Tip: For years, I’ve used a power bank with the regular 3-foot cable that came with my phone, and it was always annoying. The cord would get tangled up in my bag, or I’d awkwardly try to shove the cable in my pocket. Either get a power bank with wireless charging or a short cable built in, or purchase a short cable to use with your external battery.
Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux
$49.99This power bank is the ideal blend of portability and charging capability. This can charge two devices simultaneously, offers fast charging, and the large 10,000 mAh capacity will offer multiple charges for a phone. The form factor is smaller than the size of a phone, which is pretty impressive for a power bank with such large capacity.
iWALK Portable Charger (9000mAh)
$29.99If you have an iPhone and you want as small of a battery as possible, this charger is hard to beat. The 9000 mAh capacity is great for a battery this size, and the built in lightning cable keeps things super compact.
Apple MagSafe Charger
$99.99If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, this is the ultimate compact choice for an extra battery. The MagSafe Charger uses magnets to attach to the back of your phone and wirelessly charges your phone - no cables required. If you have a MagSafe compatible case, this battery will stick on the back and charge through your case as well. This convenience comes at a premium, as it's the priciest external battery we would recommend.
USB-C .8 Foot Cable – 3 Pack
$8.99If your phone has a USB-C charger, this pack of cables is great for using with an external power bank. No need to manage 3-foot cables getting tangled up in your bag or not fitting in your pocket.
Lightning Cable – 6 Inch – 5 Pack
$8.99If you have an iPhone and your external battery doesn't have a cable built in, this Lightning Cable pack is a must have. The 6 inch size is perfect for plugging into a power bank and charging your iPhone in your bag.
Micro USB – 7 Inch 5 Pack
$7.98If your phone uses Micro USB for charging, this 5 pack of cables is a great option for charging via an external battery.
Hopefully, these items can help keep your Disney World vacation on track. What’s a super useful item that you always bring with you to the parks? Let me know in the comments below!
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