Whether you vacationing at the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, or any other family theme park, you’ll want to pack these Disney amusement park essentials to ensure that you’ll have the best day ever!
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Home from Disney We Go!
The Weber family just got back from Disney World in Florida, and after a year of intense lockdowns and restrictions here in California, the freedom and (semi) normalcy of our trip was just what the doctor ordered!
With a senior graduating this Spring, we knew this was most likely our last family vacay with the 5 of us, so we did it up in a BIG WAY, squeezing in as much fun as we possibly could into the 6 days we were in Florida with trips to the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Blizzard Beach…it was a DISNEY EXTRAVAGANZA!!
Although many things were just like the “Gold Old Days” (AKA Pre-Covid) there are some things that have changed and there are a handful of things I wish I had in my Amusement Park Survival Kit Backpack during our trip!
So I’m going to break down the things that are MUST-HAVES if you are heading to Disney World anytime soon!
Many of the items I had in my amusement park arsenal I’ve written about before that you can read here: What to Pack in Your Amusement Park Bag
As a family, we’ve been to Legoland, California Adventure, Disneyland, Universal Studios (in FL & CA), Sea World, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and a handful of zoos and these are the tried and true items that we cannot go without on our amusement park adventures! #amusementparknerds
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1. Sanitizing Wipes
I honestly think that my pack of anti-bacterial wet wipes was the MVP of our trip. We used them to wipe down every table we ate at (because clearly the workers there were not doing it – eew!), and we also used them to wipe off our hands throughout the day!
They are super versatile and take up very little space. So be sure to add them to your bag!
2. Face Mask
When we visited the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, Covid was still on the mind of most people, and masks were required throughout all of the parks we visited.
Honestly, they were real sticklers about keeping them on, so be sure to bring yours with you, and you might as well look extra cute in this themed face mask!
3. Mouse Ears
So you may disagree with me on this one, but I definitely think Mouse Ears are a must-have!!
I actually did not take a pair but my daughter did, and I gotta say, I think I look a lot more festive in them…what do you think?
WITH MOUSE EARS:
4. Hand Sanitizers
Although there are hand sanitizer machines throughout the parks, I’d estimate they were empty or broken about half of the time, so you will want to bring your own supply of hand sanitizer!
Look how cute these Mickey and Minnie ones are, and they can clip to the outside of your backpack to make them easily accessible!
5. Durable Backpack
As you can tell, this gal loves a theme, and if you are in the market for a new backpack, look how adorable this Mickey Mouse bag is!!
I personally like the backpack-style bag because it can get a little heavy and the full backpack style is easier for me to carry.
This one also has several pockets for handy storage and convenient organization, and the outside pockets make it easier for quick access to your most used items!
6. Oversized Sunglasses
You’ll be made in the shade with these cool sunglasses!
I actually have this exact pair from Amazon because for $9.99 you can’t beat the price!
They have 100% protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays, and if you lose them while doing a loop-de-loop on your favorite roller coaster upside (or you are like me and set them down and forgot where you left them!), you can replace them in a flash, with very little money!
7. Leather Wallet Phone Case
Bringing your entire wallet to any theme park is NO BUENO because no one needs that extra weight in the backpack, and in case it gets misplaced you won’t lose all of those important wallet items!
So just grab some cash, your driver’s license, and a credit card or two, and off you go!
I often find that I spend a lot of time digging through my bag every time I need my debit card to purchase something.
This leather wallet phone case is the perfect way to keep it all organized, so no more digging!
There is enough space for more than 10+ cards as well as cash and your keys.
It also has a detachable anti-lost lanyard so you can hold your phone and valuables while on the go!
8. Portable Phone Battery
The Anker Powercore Portable Battery is always on my list of must-have travel items!
There is nothing worse than being at a theme park with a dying battery, making picture-taking and communicating with family members very limited! It totally stresses me out just thinking about it!
Grabbing one of these portable chargers will give you the peace of mind that you’ll have a juiced-up phone all day long!
9. Emergency First Aid Kit
Our family’s travel first aid kit has saved us so many times!! Accidents happen, especially with kids, so be prepared for whatever comes your way with an emergency first aid kit!
I love this set because first of all, it’s super cute (priorities, people)!
And secondly, it includes all the basic necessities to sterilize and bandage small wounds, cuts, or scrapes on the go.
You will be prepared for any health emergency your family faces. This portable kit is small and compact to fit in a purse, baby bag, or cute Mickey backpack while still containing everything you need.
10. Hair Brush
Okay, Okay, I know I’m a little vain, but I always take a brush with me to any amusement park.
I mean, roller coasters can do a number on your hair, and you want to be sure you are picture-ready when the time arises!
11. Disposable Rain Poncho
Speaking of being prepared, I know you might think this is over the top, but I would definitely recommend tossing in your bag some disposable rain ponchos.
Being miserable from getting soaked on a water ride or a random rain downpour has happened way too many times to this girl! #truestory
You can grab these pretty cheap at a discount store or order a family set fairly inexpensively from Amazon.
It even has a hood to protect your hairstyle so you’ll look glam all day no matter what water adventure ride you’ve been on!
12. Reusable Water Bottle
Do you know the #1 biggest rip-off at amusement parks?
Front-of-the-line pass? Nope.
The Photo Package? Keep guessing!
Stroller Rental? Heck no, that’s priceless!
Parking? A very close 2nd!
And the survey says…Water!!
Yes, bottles of water are such a racket at every theme park I’ve ever been to!
Usually over double what you’d pay at your local store.
So that’s why you need to bring your own reusable water bottle!
It will save you a BUNCH of moolah, and it will help the earth by not buying all of those throw-away plastic bottles!
13. Lip Balm Sunscreen
Nobody wants chapped, sunburned lips, so be sure to throw some type of sunscreen lip balm into your bag!
Still diggin’ the Disney, theme?
Then check out these Lip Smackers!
14. Waterproof Sunscreen
Amusement Parks are notorious for having rides that will get you wet and even possibly soaked to the bone!
That’s why just regular sunscreen just won’t cut it!
Be sure to bring a high SPF and waterproof sunscreen along with you!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
1. Travel Size Kleenex
Sometimes those allergies kick in, so travel-size tissues are a MUST!!!
You can pick them up pretty much anywhere…Target, Dollar Store, Walmart, or just add it to your cart for your next Amazon order if you do all of your shopping online!
2. Ponytail Holders
Do you have the need for speed?
Well then, you better have some no crease hair ties to pull that mane back when you conquer the death-defying, inversion, loop-infused Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (who am I kidding, I would NEVER ride that…I’m more of a carousel rider!).
Regardless of whatever ride feels like thrill-seeking for you, you’ll be glad you threw some ponytail holders in your amusement park survival bag.
Goodness knows you’ve got to have hair that is Instagram-worthy no matter what you ride!
3. Funny Disney T-Shirts
By my estimation, I think about 50% of the people in the Magic Kingdom were wearing some kind of Disney t-shirt….and there were quite a few that were so clever! If that’s your kinda’ thing, have at it!!
You won’t be the only one wearing one!
There are TONS you can find on Amazon and Etsy…here are a few that gave me a giggle!
4. Extra Set of Clothes and Shoes (in the car)
Last but not least, learning from a few bad experiences, I’d highly recommend packing an extra set of clothes and shoes to keep in the car!
If you have some reason that your clothes become dirty, wet, and unwearable (yep, a bucketful of bird poop when I was a kid at Busch Gardens is one of my horror stories) with a quick trip to the car and a change in the restroom, you’ll be good as new and ready to enjoy the rest of your day!
Well, there you have it, friends, my list of Disney Amusement Park Essentials!!
I’d love to hear what’s on your list!!
Did I overlook anything??
Cheers to making magical memories with those who mean the most (minus any bird poop), and cheers to you!
XOXO,
Magan
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