3 days ago
14 Random-but-Useful Things You Must Pack Before Going to Disney World
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Walt Disney World is known as the Happiest Place on Earth, but when a blister's forming on your heel, sweat's dripping into your eyes and your kid's short-circuiting when there's still a good 35-minute wait before you can hop on Frozen Ever After, it starts to feel a little more grin-and-bear-it. But, with the right planning, a lot of those frustrations can be eliminated (even if you don't have a Lightning Pass to skip the lines).
After spending four days at Disney's theme parks and resorts—and interviewing avid Disney fans and passholders—I've uncovered 14 key items to pack that make all the difference. Especially if you're planning on taking advantage of the parks' Cool Kid Summer promotion, where you can snag 50 percent off a kids' ticket when you buy a full-price ticket. The lines may be shorter, but July and August can be a scorcher. Read on for the picks that need to be at the top of your Disney packing list—including ones to beat the heat.
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beis
Day to day, I love a crossbody bag, but if you're headed to Disney with small children—especially if you have a stroller in tow—you want a roomy backpack. I've found a drawstring one with interior pockets is ideal, because it can expand and contract as your day goes on, yet still keep things organized (pouches help too). I love this Béis design for that very reason: It fits within Disney backpack regulations (it's 14" x 17" x 6"), plus it has two water bottle holsters, a key leash, a trolley passthrough to stick onto your luggage, and interior pockets to keep everything secure. Oh, and it's made of nylon, so you can easily wipe off spills (or sweat).
$108 at Béis
amazon
At first, I dismissed these as dorky, but after a 92-degree day at the parks last summer, I saw the light. They really help cool you down on a scorching day, even better than a misting fan. This style offers five wind speeds and can run from 4 to 12 hours per charge, depending on the speed used.
$16 at Amazon
brita
Forget the Owala and Stanley wars—when it comes to hitting up the theme parks, I'm all about carrying a water bottle with a built-in filter. That way, you can stop at any water fountain or fill-up station and enjoy great-tasting water. (Yes, you can request a complimentary water cup at restaurants and quick-service stations, but even then, I filter it. It may be a placebo, but it just tastes better to me.) Brita's design is relatively lightweight, particularly if you order the (BPA-free) plastic version. However, if you want your water to stay cooler longer, opt for the stainless steel design.
$15 at Amazon (plastic)
$31 at Target (stainless steel)
guava
Stroller wagons aren't allowed at Disney, nor are large strollers, but when you're weaving through crowds, you don't want something bulky anyway. The Guava Roam is my go-to, since it handles all kinds of terrain like a dream and can pivot on a dime. Plus, the under-stroller storage is still fairly roomy—perfect for cramming that aforementioned backpack as you go on rides (and every souvenir along the way). As a jogging stroller that folds up 50 percent smaller than other styles, it's become a travel must-have for my husband, who likes to go for a run around the resort before the parks open.
If you're in the market for a double stroller, though, PureWow executive editor Dara Katz has recommendations.
$650 at Babylist
amazon
Like a neck fan, only you can attach it to the side of your stroller so your little one doesn't overheat. This rechargeable style features three speeds and is easy to adjust.
$16 at Amazon
amazon
Honestly, this compact, reusable writing tablet is a must-have for travel in general, but I found it especially useful as a screen-free way to entertain kids (drawing! Tic tac toe! Hangman!) as you wait in line. Slip it into your backpack as you get ready to board, but until then, it can be a lifesaver for making the minutes pass by quicker, especially if you're juggling a squirmy toddler.
$17 at Amazon
amazon
To that end, even a fidget keychain can be a useful distraction for long lines. This little octopus is fun to pop, but you can also play pretend with it as you wait. (And it comes in a 12-pack, so if you lose it during the day, it can be easily replaced.)
$9 at Amazon
google
This smartwatch has given me such peace of mind, especially as we run around a crowded theme park. You can use the FitBit Ace app to let your child make calls and send texts to select, pre-approved phone numbers (aka the people you trust), and when my daughter got separated from us getting off a ride at Epcot, she could pass a button to call us. (You can also track the watch's location from your phone.) Plus, it's fun to track our steps for the day—and you can play games that encourage movement (even in tight spaces) as you wait in line.
$150 at Walmart
megababe
You're doing a lot of walking—and sweating…chafing is bound to happen. This stick helps prevent that, so you don't have to cut your day at the park early because you can't walk anymore.
$10 at Ulta
coppertone
Spray-on sunscreen is fine and all…until it accidentally squirts in someone's eyes. I love this roll-on style because it glides on blue and rubs in quickly, so you can easily apply it to even the most active kids. (As a mom of a toddler who only knows two speeds—running and sprinting—this has been crucial.)
$10 at Target
mophie
You will be using your phone nonstop—not just for photos, but to use the My Disney Experience app to see ride wait times, maps and access everything from Lightning Lane passes to your hotel room key (provided you're staying at a Disney resort). A portable charging bank is crucial for ensuring your cell can keep up with you from sunrise to park close. Mophie is powerful enough to charge four iPhones, and it can boost your battery by up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.
$45 at Amazon
target
There's no shortage of foods to try at Disney, but it can add up fast, and waiting in line when somebody's already five minutes away from a meltdown can be tricky. These bars contain just four ingredients (dates, cashews, chocolate chips and sea salt), yet they taste like a candy bar—not a spot-on swap for cookie dough, but they're sweet and chewy, with just enough chocolate to feel like a treat but not so much that it melts into goo in your backpack. (I also like to pack applesauce pouches, bananas and Goldfish for quick snacks.)
$10 (for 10 bars) at Target
on
While I'm partial to Nike Free Run Flyknits for running around Disney Parks (they're lightweight and dry quickly, ideal for going on Tiana's Bayou Adventure without padding around in soggy shoes all day), everywhere I looked, I spotted people rocking On Running's Cloud sneakers. Fans rave about how they're engineered for all-day comfort—and live up to the hype. They're also lightweight (just 216 grams, or roughly the weight of one Diet Coke Mini can). The latest version has a wider opening, so they're easier to slip on and off, and a more supportive heel construction. And they're sleek enough to get me to reconsider my go-to shoe.
$150 at On running
$150 at zappos
amazon
Afternoon thunderstorms are a given in Florida, especially in the summertime. You can buy ponchos in the parks, but it can be more affordable to buy a bulk pack. This one features eight ponchos—five for adults, three for kids—all with drawstring hoods and elastic cuffs to keep water out.
$15 at Amazon
10 Disney World Secret Menu Items, Ranging from Loaded Galaxy Fries to Christmas Pudding
