Official Disney Gear to Buy Before Your Magical Adventure

Heading to the Walt Disney World parks with toddlers in tow can sometimes feel a bit frantic. It is easy for some little things to slip your mind, especially when planning a big family adventure.

There are a few things you can do ahead of time that will prepare you for a day at the parks, including picking up all of the official Disney gear.

Here are 10 things you can buy ahead of time at ShopDisney for your family trip to Disney World.

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Magic Bands and Accessories

Magic Bands are an optional accessory that many find helpful to have, especially when staying on property. Magic Bands hold your park tickets, room key for on site hotels, credit card information for payments and Memory Maker photos. If you are booking a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will be given the option to purchase bands at a discounted rate. You can also find exclusive band prints, colors and accessories to choose from here.

Mickey and Minnie Ponchos

If you are planning a trip for the summer, fall or early winter months you can expect a daily deluge. You can find plastic Mickey ponchos at stands throughout the park (which are replaceable if damaged!) when the rain hits or plan ahead and get a Mickey poncho or Minnie poncho. While these are sized for adults, they’re also perfect for wrapping up little ones. Another option is to stock up on dollar store ponchos – they’re not built to last but they are affordable and get the job done!

Minnie available here, Mickey found here at ShopDisney

Official Park Ears

If you’re like me, you prefer to plan outfits ahead of time. And no proper Disney park outfit is complete without ears! You can choose from several styles, including headbands and hats, for the whole family right here and head out on your trip fully prepared.

An Official Disney Autograph Book

A favorite Disney activity is character meet-and-greets. Toddlers will love getting to hug and high five their favorite Disney characters. Come prepared with your official autograph book!

Cooler Backpack

I believe this is a MUST have for the parks in the warm summer months, especially with hungry toddlers. This cooler backpack makes a perfect park bag in which you can store water, snacks, bottles, cooling towels and even your mister fan to keep everything nice and cool.

Pins for Pin Trading

Pin trading is a classic WDW activity. It would be smart to pick up some starter pins ahead of time. Pin trading boards are set up at various locations throughout the parks. You can find this set and others here.

It may also be smart to pick up a lanyard, like this one, to easily carry your pins.

Matching Family Outfits

Planning family outfits makes sense for so many reasons. It is easy to locate your loved ones, makes getting everyone dressed each day a bit easier and ensures your memorable photos will be picture perfect! ShopDisney has a selection of official Disney wear including tees, dresses and Hawaiian shirts for adults, kids, toddlers and babies. Check out all they have available right here.

Photo Albums and Memory Keepers

Getting these ahead of time will serve as a reminder to stop for photo ops throughout the park. This beautiful memory keeper even has space to write notes about your photos, something you can do at the end of each park day and later print the photo to match.

Gift Cards!

Last but certainly not least, Disney gift cards are my favorite things to purchase ahead of a trip to WDW. Disney gift cards can be used anywhere on Disney property. They are a great way to keep your spending in check, set money aside exclusively for your upcoming trip and give little ones their very own spending money.

We like to ask for them as gifts for the kids, knowing they will always go to good use! If you accumulate a good amount ahead of your trip, check out this post on how to combine them!

A trip to Walt Disney World, especially with toddlers in tow, will be a very exciting adventure. Any little bit of advanced preparation is highly recommended so you can just focus on the fun and magic once you arrive.

ShopDisney.com has a huge selection of the same great Disney gear you will find inside the parks. You can also take advantage of sales on the site that you won’t find once you are there.

I know things will be a bit different at the parks for some time. If you have an upcoming trip, I believe you can rest assured that Walt Disney World and its employees will be doing everything in their power to ensure your trip is not only safe, but just as magical as ever.