what you should pack for your trip
- stay comfortable: it’s always important to wear comfortable clothing that is breathable.
- check the weather before leaving for your trip: the time of year you plan your visit will determine what you need to pack. december, january, & february tend to be the least hot and humid months. july and august tend to be the hottest while june and september are a bit cooler with lighter crowds. march through may give the best weather.Â
- pack a variety of clothing: orlando weather can be tricky, but for the most part it stays fairly warm. pack shorts (nothing that will chafe), t-shirts, tank tops, leggings, sweatpants, hats, light jacket, or sweatshirt. don’t over pack. one jacket or sweatshirt will do, but extra socks and underwear are a must. light color clothing helps beat the heat.
- layer your clothing items: it is always best to layer. sometimes it is cool in the morning, warm during the day, and cool again at night. my family packs shorts, leggings, and light jackets no matter the season. short sleeve tees are definitely a go to for my family. it is easier to throw on and off a light jacket or sweatshirt than being cold or hot throughout the day. whether you use the “extra layers” or not, this helps to eliminate impulsive resort or park buying. resort and park shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts are costly.Â
- pack comfy shoes: comfortable walking shoes with good support are essential. sneakers and athletic shoes are the best choice.Â
- best shoes for wet rides & rainy season:Â lightweight, quick-dry shoes or Crocs. crocs are my daughters go to shoe! whatever you choose, make sure your shoes are broken in. new shoes can be difficult on the feet, so be careful with new purchases before your trip. we also recommend packing an extra pair of shoes in case you get blisters, sore feet, or wet shoes. a change up can be a wise choice.Â
- rain jacket:Â orlando can tend to be a bit wet. pack a rain jacket or poncho. purchasing a poncho in the parks can be pricey and an added cost to your budget. you can bring an umbrella to the parks, but we do not recommend it. it is much easier to pack a rain jacket or poncho. amazon sells a variety pack of poncho for cheap prices.
- pack a swimsuit: disney world resort pools are heated and open year round (unless your resort pool is under refurbishment), even the fort wilderness campground pools are heated. my kids have taken a splash or two on a cold day in disney. you will need a swimsuit, cover-up, & water shoes if you plan to visit a disney water park.Â
- don’t forget: your wallet, cash, credit cards, identification, insurance cards, magic bands, sunglasses, autograph books, and backpacks.
- packing must haves: over the counter medicine & prescriptions, lip balm, sun screen, hand sanitizer & wipes, shout or tide pen.
- toiletries: toothpaste, tooth brush, deodorant, floss, body wash, shampoo & conditioner, makeup, face wash or wipes, hygiene products, razor, contact solution, hair brush, and room spray.
- extras: electronics, cell phone, portable chargers, cooling towels, water bottles, portable fans, strollers, scissors, nail clippers, and plastic storage bags. pack your own snacks too.
- snacks: you can either pack snacks before your leave for your trip or do a grocery deliver once you arrive at your resort or hotel. purchasing your own snacks beforehand is much cheaper than buying at the resort or hotel. chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, & crackers are great to snack on while waiting in line to ride the attractions.
book reservations before you leave for your trip
- dining: reserve your dining 60 days in advance. if you need to cancel or make changes, you can always do that once you arrive at your resort.Â
- lightning lanes: purchase lightning lane single and multi-day passes 7 days in advance (on-site resorts). up to 3 days before your park visit at off-site resorts or hotels.
- special tours: it is best to book disney vip, wildlife, & behind the scenes tours before you arrive to guarantee a spot on the tour. you can book disney tours 60 days in advance. you should check availability for specific dates and times when booking.Â
- checking into your hotel: if you are staying at a disney resort, you can check into your resort before you even arrive. in your my disney experience app–go to home page–click on “my resort” and then click the link to “check in”. follow the steps to let disney know your arrival time. if you arrive early and your room is not ready (check-in normally between 3 pm &Â 4 pm), no problem, you can drop your bags off at the bell service and you will receive a text message or notification with the room number when your room is ready. you can still enjoy a park day or other activities with out skipping a beat. this allows you to skip the front desk check-in and go directly to your room. bell service will deliver your bags straight to your room.Â
Pixie Dust Tips
- packing cubes: use packing cubes to pack for your trip. packing cubes help organize your items, compress clothing, and make packing and unpacking more efficient.
- storage bags: pack plastic storage bags too. this are good for keeping things like your phone from getting wet on rides and great for storing “leftover” disney snacks like candy.Â
- pre-park planning:Â familiarize yourself with attractions, experiences, refurbishments, and closures before you arrive at your resort.