Catherine - Savvy Family TravelWhen you’re packing for Disney, you’re not just dealing with outfits and toiletries — you’re preparing for long days, intense heat, loud fireworks, water rides, and more walking than most of us do in a week.
A solid Disney packing list in 2026 can be the difference between a magical day and one that ends early with sore feet and tired kids.
After countless theme park trips, this Disney packing list focuses on what families actually use inside the parks.
The Ultimate Disney Packing List
Here’s what to pack to make your Disney days smoother from rope drop to fireworks.
Money-Saving Extras Worth Packing
Some of the best items on a Disney packing list help in avoiding impulse purchases and budgeting.
Disney Gift Cards
Every dollar saved adds up! We purchase Disney gift cards with our Target Red Card to get 5% off and use these to purchase our tickets and for in park spending. (You can also pay for resorts with gift cards.)
Once per year, Sam’s Club also sells Disney gift cards for 10% off.
Note: Online, you can only use one gift card to pay. Use disneygiftcards.com to combine or check balances.
Light Up Wand or Glow Sticks
If you’ve ever walked through the parks at night, you know how tempting those glowing toys are.
Bringing light-up wands or glow sticks from home gives kids the same excitement without the high price tag. Hand them out before fireworks or evening parades.
Popcorn Bucket
If you’ve visited Disney before, bring your popcorn bucket from a previous trip. Popcorn refills are usually $3 or less, making this one of the cheapest snacks in the parks.
Mickey Ears
Mickey ears also belong on your packing list. Buying them in the parks is fun, but expensive. Bringing ears from home means kids can wear them from the moment they arrive. (This way you have them when you take your first photos while everyone looks fresh and energetic.)
Some of our favorites are on our Idea List on Amazon.
Bubble Wand
A steal at Walmart is a Disney themed bubble wand. These will run you about $9 each instead of $35 in the park. Bubble liquid refills are $2 in the park or you can bring your own extra bottle.
Disney Brand Pins
I have two kids. My oldest LOVES rides, and my youngest could spend an entire day in the park without going on a single one. He does, however, love the novelty of trading pins!
Bring Disney pins into the park with you so you can start trading right away. Walmart and Amazon sell licensed Disney pins that can be used for trades. (It’s taboo to trade with bulk pins purchased on Temu or Amazon.)
Sharpie
Keep a Sharpie on hand for collecting Autographs from Character Meet & Greets.
Collectible to Collect Signatures from Characters
If you plan to do Character Meet & Greets or Character Dining, decide what you want to use to collect signatures and make sure that goes on your Disney Packing List.
- Autograph Book
- Photo Frame Matte (to frame around a trip photo)
- Ornament
- Princess Book from Little Golden
Health & Safety Essentials (Your Peace-of-Mind Kit)
This part of our Disney packing list prevents small issues from turning into trip-disruptors.
Pain Relievers
Pain relievers can help fight through long days, sore muscles, dehydration headaches.
Ear Protection
For babies, toddlers, or anyone sensitive to noise, ear protection for fireworks is incredibly helpful. Noise-reducing headphones can mean the difference between awe and tears, especially at the end of a long day.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be applied early and often. Florida sun is strong even on cloudy days, and bringing your own ensures you’re not hunting for overpriced options in the parks.
Basic First Aid
A small first aid kit with band-aids is invaluable, particularly for blisters or minor scrapes. Of course, Disney has first aid stations, but having basics in your bag saves time when you just want to keep moving.
We love to paid Disney themed band-aids, like these. They’re the perfect distraction when you have a child in tears.
Nausea Medicine
If motion sickness on rides is a concern, consider packing Bonine or Dramamine.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer gets used constantly — before snacks, after rides, and anytime little hands touch railings or buttons. We typically have a small one in our bag and a pump in our stroller for the visual reminder.
Small Bag
Finally, pack a small bag for ride queues. A Loungefly-sized backpack works perfectly — it fits in ride lockers or on the floor at your feet and holds essentials for passing the time while in line. We also like using Baggu Crescent Bags or a cross body purse.
Cooling Gear
To beat the heat, a clip-on stroller fan is a must if you’re traveling with babies or toddlers. Strollers trap heat, and airflow makes a huge difference during naps or long walks.
A handheld misting fan provides instant relief in lines, during parades, or while crossing wide, sunny areas of the parks. Cooling Towels may be your savior on the hottest of days.
Electronics
Power Bank
A portable power bank is non-negotiable. Between managing Lightning Lanes, mobile ordering, photos, and maps, phones drain quickly. A dead phone at Disney can derail your entire plan.
Most parks have a recharging station, so bring your charging cable even if you use a magnetic power bank.
Magic Band +
Pack them if you have ’em! (These are optional.)
Magic Band Lock (for kids)
To make sure Magic Bands stay on little ones’ wrists, consider these simple band keepers.
Charged Phone with the Disney App
Download the app for the specific Disney resort you’re visiting, i.e. Disneyland, Disney World, Disneyland Paris, etc. Connect your park tickets to the app and manage your reservations and Lightning Lanes from here.
Clothing
Comfort should be the foundation of any Disney packing list.
Extra Shoes
One of the most underrated items to pack is extra shoes. Even the most supportive sneakers can start to feel brutal after miles of walking.
Swapping shoes halfway through the day can feel like hitting reset on tired feet. A 2nd pair is also helpful if you plan on riding water rides or letting kids play in splash areas — having dry shoes (or water shoes) ready prevents blisters and keeps everyone happier.
Change of Clothes
A change of clothes is an essential especially for kids or for anyone taking a water ride.
Ponchos
Florida rain is unpredictable, and water rides guarantee splashes. Ponchos pack small and keep you dry without paying theme park prices.
Disney Apparel
Purchase Disney themed outfits in advance or costumes for kids. (Adults are not allowed to wear costumes so as to not be confused with actual cast members.)
Sunglasses and Brimmed Hats
Sunglasses and sun hats make a noticeable difference during long stretches outdoors, especially in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom.
Snacks & Drinks
Snacks are a huge part of a smart Disney packing list — especially when traveling with kids or trying to save money.
Soft Sided Cooler or Backpack Cooler
A small soft-sided cooler bag is allowed in the parks and is ideal for snacks, sodas, Gatorade, or sparkling waters. Plus, for storing leftovers you don’t want to toss.
Food Pouches for Little Kids
Apple sauce pouches are easy, mess-free, hydrating, and perfect for long lines.
A Veggie Option
Simple snacks go a long way, and raw veggies deserve a special mention. They may be the only vegetables your family eats all day.
Beverages / Drink Mixes
One of the most overlooked items? Caffeine. Disney mornings move fast, and stopping for coffee at your resort or in the park can slow you down. Having bottled iced coffee ready in your room lets you get out the door quickly and start the day ahead of the crowds. I also pack a Bublr to give me a boost in the afternoon.
You can pack any soda, sports drink, tea, and so on as long as they are not in glass containers or contain alcohol.
Electrolyte drink mixes like Gatorade packets are easy to pack. You can ask for free cups of ice water at any quick-service restaurant and mix them in.
Ziploc Bags (Quart/Gallon Size)
Sealable snack bags might be the most versatile item on this Disney packing list. They’re perfect for splitting popcorn, saving leftover snacks, protecting phones on water rides, or organizing small items in your bag.
Drink Cup from Resort
Disney’s Refillable Cups can be activated for up to 14 days of free refills (fountain drinks, coffee, and tea).
Depending on what you plan to drink and how long you’re at the parks, this may be cost effective for you. Bring a sharpie to label the lid of each or just get different color lids for each person. (Four colors available.)
Stroller Essentials
Even families who don’t normally use a stroller often rely on one at Disney. The distances are long, and late nights are common.
Bringing in a stroller has major advantages over renting inside the parks. While Disney does offer stroller rentals, you lose the ability to use them between your car and the park or from your resort to transportation. The hard plastic rental strollers also aren’t very comfortable.
We recommend renting from off-site companies like Kingdom Strollers or buy an inexpensive one via Facebook Marketplace, then resell or donate it after the trip.
Stroller Identification
Once you have a stroller, easy identification is critical. Stroller parking areas are huge, and dozens look identical. A bright ribbon, custom sign, or balloon tied to the handle makes yours easy to spot.
Storage Caddy
A storage caddy or cup holder attachment is a must.
Packing Cubes
Using packing cubes to store spare clothes and shoes underneath the stroller keeps everything organized and accessible.
Mom Hook
A large carabiner clipped to the handle is perfect for hanging bags or popcorn buckets. We love the Mickey shaped one at Target, but a large one off Amazon does the job and is a must on this Disney packing list.
Hanging Organizer
A hanging organizer for your stroller is next level to keep items visible and easy to grab saves time and frustration throughout the day.
Free Download: Disney Packing List for 2026
You can snag our free printable Disney Packing List, here.
Also, don’t miss our Idea List on Amazon to help you complete your Disney packing list shopping. At no cost to you, any purchases from our curated product list fund the caffeine that fuels this site.
Save This Disney Packing List for Later
A well-planned Disney packing list is to result in fewer interruptions, fewer meltdowns, and more time noticing the magic in your day.
Pack smart, stress less, and let Disney do the rest.
Pin this Disney Packing List for future planning:
Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys. My tireless husband provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and an expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
Based in: Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links on which (at no additional cost to you) I may earn a small commission. I promise to use any kickback to explore more of our incredible world. Read full privacy policy here.