Disney World Must-Haves
I’ll be real here—Disney is my thing. Like, capital-M My Thing. And I’ve shamelessly passed that obsession onto my kids and nephew. They loooove Disney, even now at thirteen and eleven. One of my daughters was even made fun of at school for it (rude), but after about a day of being upset, she basically shrugged it off and went back to planning her next Disney outfit. Despite having traveled to other countries and explored a fair amount of the U.S., when given a choice, they all still choose Disney as their favorite place. And honestly? Same. It’s the magic, the music, the Mickey-shaped snacks—I get it. It’s great.
But. I’ll be real again—going to Disney as a mom isn’t exactly the relaxing vacay the commercials would have you believe. It’s more like a full-blown tactical operation involving color-coded packing cubes, blister prevention strategy, and the emotional stamina to stand in line for 45 minutes only to have someone cry because their churro is “the wrong kind.” Yes, it’s magical. But it’s also sticky, loud, and somehow always approximately three degrees hotter than the surface of the sun. So if you’re heading to the Most Magical Place on Earth, especially with little ones in tow—say, your nieces (ages 2 and 3 on their first trip to Disney with me in like 5 days)?—you’re gonna need a few mom must-haves to survive it in one piece (and maybe even have fun while you’re at it).
What to Wear
When I was younger and cooler (think late teens, college, mid-20s) I totally did Disney in flip flops. Whyyyyy? Nowadays I need sneakers. With support. Heel support and arch support. I can’t even wear Crocs anymore like I used to. However, if your children are still in strollers, I think Crocs are a great option as they totally take away the chance of getting sneakers soaked and having to walk around in them the rest of the day. And also prevents the sometimes stinky feet that comes with wet sneakers. Crocs are great for the parks because they offer so many Disney options. My niece’s favorite Disney movie is Moana so grandma bought her the Moana Crocs to wear this summer. She was ecstatic!
Clothing-wise shorts and t-shirts or tanks are great. I often stay away from tanks for the little kids, but as my own kids got older, I let them choose what kind of shirts they want to wear. I’m a total dork so I make shirts for each day we are there. If you’re not crafty or just don’t have the time or desire to do the same, Etsy offers a lot of options for customized shirts, and Amazon offers a load of character-themed outfits for kids—think Cars, Minnie Mouse, Lilo & Stitch, Princess, Mickey Mouse, The Lion King, and so many more!
Since Florida heat can be near gruesome during the summer, I also recommend hats for the kids (and adults). Hats with neck flaps are always a plus for adults and kids, as well as bucket hats—Amazon has a bunch of Disney-themed ones as well. Caps are a good option too, because if needed, the bill can protect the neck from the sun if you flip it around!
Other Necessities
Sunscreen at Disney isn’t just important—it’s a survival essential. Between the blazing sun, reflective pavement, and standing in line for Dole Whip like you're on the surface of the sun, you’ll roast faster than a turkey leg in Adventureland. Trust me, the only thing you want turning red on this trip is Ariel’s hair—not your shoulders. Slather it on, reapply often, and spare yourself from spending day two waddling through Epcot like a sunburned crab. No matter what your natural skin color is.
Chapstick at Disney is the unsung hero of your park bag. Between the sun, wind, churro sugar, and 47 rounds of “Let It Go” in line, your lips are going through it. One minute you’re smiling for castle selfies, the next you’re peeling like a popcorn bucket left in the sun. Save yourself the pain—and the awkward crusty smile in family photos—and keep that magical lip armor close at all times.
Water at Disney is more important than Mickey himself—because without it, you’ll be dehydrated, dizzy, and dramatically fanning yourself with a park map like it’s 1776. Between the Florida sun, 10-mile days, and chasing down short wait times like your life depends on it (because it kind of does), your body needs water like Goofy needs a nap. So drink up and refill often. PS: I know Disney has water fountain scattered throughout the parks, but Florida water always give me tummy aches since I was a kid. I thought it was a kid thing, but nope, still happens to me as an adult! ***NOTE if you have a car or subscribe to a delivery service like Amazon, Walmart+, Instacart, Target, etc you can have cases delivered to your hotel room. Disney resorts will even keep perishable items (not water) refrigerated until you can pick it up from the lobby or other designated spot!***
In addition to water, electrolytes at Disney are basically your FastPass to survival. Between the heat, the walking (so much walking), and sweating through places you didn’t know could sweat, your body is crying out for more than just water. Without electrolytes, you’re one meltdown away from lying on the pavement next to your toddler during a popcorn-related tantrum. So grab those hydration packets—because staying upright in Tomorrowland is the real magic. For child use, my pediatrician always recommended Pedialyte for their hydration.
Accessories & Extras
As a mom of a teen and a tween, I have officially earned the right to retire the giant, back-breaking mom-bag and rock a cute little crossbody at the parks. Freedom has a name, and it is hands-free storage! Waterproof is obviously a bonus—because Disney weather doesn't care about your wallet, keys, or phone's feelings—but if you can’t find a bag you love, just channel your inner 90s kid and bust out the Ziplocs. They’re like tiny plastic bodyguards for your electronics and wallet.
Now, diaper bags? Thankfully, we’re past the “hauling around a suitcase full of wipes and hope” phase. That said, if you are in the diaper trenches, go waterproof or go home—because a wet diaper is just... a sad paper towel. This Baby Diaper Bag Backpack is waterproof and has rave reviews from parents who still carry snacks for three and a spare outfit for everyone.
Luckily, my nieces are past the diaper stage, so we don’t need the full diaper bag setup. The plan? Pop them in a Pull-Up and pack a couple extras just in case someone has an "oops" moment mid-line for Peter Pan. Smart. Because nothing tests your bladder like a 45-minute wait and the sound of running water. Adults and kids alike.
To keep cool, the parks sell water misting fans that are super cute and will actually not break. Or at least they didn’t break for me after many years of use. However, I couldn’t find my two old ones last year so instead invested in a less-expensive one…and guess what? It still works this year! Perk for these is that they are offered in a variety of colors so the kids arguing over which fan belongs to whom can totally be avoided!
Also, let’s talk about staying cool—because Disney heat isn’t “oh, it’s warm out,” it’s “why do I feel like I’m being slow-roasted in Mickey’s oven?” Now, I know neck fans are super popular, but personally? I find them extremely annoying. Like, am I being fanned or lightly attacked by a tiny plastic helicopter?
I’m team cooling towel all the way. They feel better, they’re quieter (no whirring noise by your ears), and if you drop one on the ground? Toss it in the wash and boom—good as new. Drop a neck fan and it’s either broken or now making a weird noise that sounds like it’s judging your life choices.
For the little kiddos, stroller clip-on fans are clutch. Do they always blow a refreshing breeze? Not exactly. Sometimes it’s more like a lukewarm sigh from the universe—but hey, it’s moving air, and that counts for something in the Disney heat. And when those Florida storms roll in (because they will), suddenly that little fan turns into a personal wind machine, and your toddler's stroller becomes a VIP weather lounge. Fancy.
Sunglasses because are also a plus because you don’t want to ruin all your photos because you’re squinting. Plus there are adorable Disney character ones for the kids so they fit right in—like these Cars or Princess shades!
Ponchos! Because it will rain. There’s also a very large chance it will pour. And the wind always picks up when it storms, so umbrellas are a wash. The great thing about Disney now is that with the exception of a few of the outdoor rides, most of Disney will continue on during an afternoon (or morning)(or evening) storm. When I was a kid, everything stopped. It was not a fun time sitting there under cover waiting sometimes hours for the park to basically reopen. Luckily those day are far gone!
Ponchos are sold in the parks, but they’ll cost you roughly the price of a small souvenir and half your dignity when it starts raining right as you enter the longest line of the day. I always bring my own, but not the dollar store ones—those are basically glorified cling wrap that tear if you breathe too hard.
A solid adult poncho should have a hood that actually stays on your head (not blow off at the first breeze like it’s trying to escape the park) and be roomy enough to cover you and whatever backpack, snack stash, or child you’re carrying.
As for kids? Learn from my mistake: once, I tried to tie an adult poncho to fit my daughter and she basically waddled around like a plastic burrito, tripped twice, and declared me “the worst mom ever” before I bribed her with Mickey Ice Cream. Moral of the story? Just pack kid-sized ponchos that won’t turn into wearable hazards.
Since I mentioned getting stuck in the rain, extra socks can sometimes make you feel so much better! Even though your shoes are wet, having dry socks often help relieve crankiness for kids and adults alike.
A portable charger at Disney is basically your park MVP—because nothing ruins the magic faster than your phone dying right before your Lightning Lane or mid-photo with Cinderella’s Castle. Between mobile orders, Genie+ juggling, snapping 542 photos of your kid with Mickey-shaped snacks, and checking wait times every 6 minutes, your battery is under attack. Without a charger, you’ll be begging a wall outlet like it’s a character meet-and-greet. So pack that power brick, because the only thing that should lose energy at Disney is you—after the fireworks.
If you plan to go through a lot of power in the parks, I’d opt for the FuelRod Portable Charger Kit which is widely available in Disney parks and many airports to swap out a used charger for a fully charged device. These are convenient and you won’t have to worry about your portable charger, not being charged! (I personally have no use for these outside the parks, so I choose not to buy ‘em)
Now I know that there are plenty of first aid locations scattered throughout the parks, but whip out a mini first aid kit assists when someone inevitably gets a blister the size of Epcot or wipes out chasing bubbles on Main Street, and you’ll be the unsung hero with the Band-Aids. It’s like carrying mom superpowers in a zippered pouch—ready to tackle rogue hangnails, mystery scrapes, and the “I swear this mosquito followed us from Animal Kingdom” bites. Trust me, Mickey ears are cute, but nothing says “prepared parent” like whipping out ointment faster than a churro disappears.
Hand sanitizer at Disney is the real fairy godmother—turning sticky, germ-covered hands back into something vaguely clean with just one magical squirt. Between petting the rails in line like they’re emotional support objects, touching every souvenir “just to look,” and digging through popcorn buckets with wild abandon, your hands see more action than a rollercoaster. Pack the sanitizer, use it often, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll make it through the vacay without catching a souvenir cold. If you prefer wipes, opt for these Wet Wipes instead.
Glow sticks at Disney aren’t just fun—they’re nighttime survival gear. When the sun goes down and your kid starts melting faster than Olaf in July, handing them a $1 glow stick (or the equivalence) suddenly makes you the hero of Main Street. Plus, they save you from shelling out $30 for one of those light-up spinning toys that will 100% break before you leave the park. Bonus: they make your stroller easier to spot in the sea of identical black frames, so you don’t accidentally wheel off with someone else’s diaper bag. Glow forth and conquer!
Autograph books at Disney are the unsung MVPs of magical moments—because when your kid finally meets Mickey and forgets every word they've ever known (including their own name), handing over an autograph book saves the day. Suddenly it's not an awkward stare-off—it’s a magical exchange of signatures, stickers, and memories you can scrapbook forever. Plus, it gives tiny humans a mission: collect as many signatures as possible without tackling a princess. Trust me, it’s cheaper than another souvenir and way more adorable than a high-five.
Anything Else?
I know my list is extensive, but I also know I forgot a bunch of items that have proven to be helpful for me over the years. Comment below if you have any other MUST HAVES that you’d like to share!