7 Must-Have Items to ALWAYS Pack for Disney World

Most visitors traveling to Walt Disney World with toddlers will fall into one of two categories: (1) those who are fully prepared for anything and everything and (2) those who prefer to carry just the necessities. From our own personal experience, we tended toward the first group when traveling with both kids under three, and the latter as they grew. Regardless of which group you fall into, there are a few must-have items to bring when heading to Disney World with toddlers:

1. Stroller

Some may think they can go without a stroller, but it is definitely a must-have!

Whether you think you need a stroller or you think you can do without it, YOU NEED THE STROLLER. We’re speaking from experience here. While it may be a pain to have to fold it down on transportation or park it for rides, little walkers tire quickly. Everyone will be doing lots of walking during your visit. The added challenge of carrying tired toddlers will certainly take away from a fun vacation.

You can bring your own from home, rent one from an outside vendor when you arrive or rent one at the parks. No matter which you choose, just be sure you choose one!

Babywearing and toddlerwearing are also a good option in the cooler months (around October through March). The summer heat and humidity can make it a bit uncomfortable for an all day option . If your little one likes to be worn it can be really helpful to have your sling or carrier while waiting in lines.

You can find our recommendations for compact strollers here and for double strollers here.

2. Sunblock – the Ultimate Must-Have!

The sun is strong just about all year in Florida and especially so in the summer months. Sunblock is recommended for all members of the family, but especially little ones. We like to carry a sunblock stick or spray to make reapplying easy.

Forgetting to apply and reapply throughout the day can lead to a terrible burn that can ruin a vacation (again, speaking from experience).

3. Wallet with: ID, gift cards, money, tickets

You are not likely to need your entire wallet contents with you while in the park. It is also a little risky to carry everything with you. While theft isn’t usually a big issue at Walt Disney World, it is easy to get distracted and leave things behind. For that reason, as well as just lightening the load, we like simple, slim wallets like these to carry just the essentials.

Bring along your ID/license, primary payment method, any Disney gift cards (we like to combine ours to one or two), your Disney VISA if you have one (many shops offer a discount for cardholders) and your park tickets if you use cards.

4. Water

Especially during the hot summer months, water is an essential must-have item! Cups of ice water are complimentary and available throughout the parks and resorts. We always recommend bringing your own refillable water bottles to be sure to always have some on hand.

We love the YETI Rambler Jr. for our kids. They are easy to hold and keep water ice cold all day.

When we have our own water bottles we are more likely to remember to hydrate. They can easily be refilled with complimentary ice water. Fair warning, Florida tap water is not the best tasting. If you are picky about your water, bottled water is available throughout the parks (usually Dasani).

5. Ponchos

When visiting during the rainy season (around June-November) this is a must. We recommend bringing one for each family member and an extra for your stroller, unless you have a rain cover for your stroller. You can purchase ponchos at Disney World or pick them up in advance. We like to get ours at Dollar Tree. They cost just $1 and can be tossed when the rain passes, rather than having to store a bunch of wet bags. If you go this route, get enough to have one per person per day.

The rain tends to come seemingly out of nowhere and can come down hard. Typically it will rain only once a day, unless there is a hurricane nearby. If you are caught unprepared it can leave everyone soggy and scrambling for cover.

If it looks like rain when you’re parking the stroller to get in line or head into a show, it may be wise to throw a poncho or rain cover on your stroller. The rain can come and go before you return and everything is sure to get soaked if left open.

6. Snacks

Even when traveling with the bare minimum, we always recommend bringing “emergency” snacks. There seem to always be moments when hunger strikes while in a long line or while commuting to the parks. If you’re coming fully prepared, pack easy snacks for every member of the family. If you’re trying to keep it minimal, pack a couple of things that anyone in your party could eat.

Some of our favorite, easy snacks to bring include granola bars, sandwich crackers, applesauce pouches, goldfish crackers and clementines/mandarin oranges.

If your toddler is still taking formula, consider bringing single serve packets or pre-measured bottles. Bottle warmers can be found in each of the Baby Care Centers in the parks.

7. Battery pack/charger

As Disney World continues to go mobile, a backup battery pack or charging cord has become another must-have. You can bring your own pre-charged pack, plug in inside some restaurants and on Disney buses, USB outlets are located under the seats.

You can also purchase power packs at kiosks throughout Walt Disney World. The price for the initial purchase is $30 and you receive a battery pack with both USB and Lightning chargers attached. When the battery is empty, simply swap it at any other kiosk throughout the parks and resorts.

All of these items will fit easily in a backpack or tote and tuck under or hang onto your stroller.

More Must-Have Items

While these are the basic necessities for all families, those with young toddlers and infants will want to remember diapers, wipes and formula if needed. Those with potty training toddlers may want to bring a travel potty seat and change of clothes.

You can check out our full list of toddler gear for Disney in this post: The Ultimate Amazon Shopping List for Disney with Toddlers

Rest assured, anything you forget can be found or substituted with something found inside the parks. Baby Care Centers are located in each of the parks and sell just about anything a family with infants and toddlers could need. In all of the times we have visited, many times with just these essential items, we have never felt unprepared.