10 Disney World Packing Mistakes to Avoid

While Walt Disney World’s nickname is the Most Magical Place on Earth, it can quickly become the most frustrating place on Earth if you’re not properly prepared. You can start by reading up on the latest ride reservation system changes or making your restaurant bookings ahead of time, but the most important step, however, is nailing down a comprehensive Disney packing list to make sure you’re ready for anything that comes up, whether it’s blistered heels or a low phone battery.

I visit Walt Disney World a few times a year and love collecting other parkgoers’ best tips on navigating the crowds, walking 25,000-plus steps in the blistering Florida heat, and more. In addition to packing comfortable (yet cute!) sweat-wicking clothes and plenty of sunscreen, I’m always on the hunt for smart gear and essentials to make the long park days easier. So, I’ve rounded up the 10 most common Disney World packing mistakes — and what I recommend bringing instead. And, in the words of my favorite Disney bloggers, Mammoth Club, the most important thing you can pack are your “patience pants” — after all, being kind to cast members and other guests is a guaranteed way to ensure your trip is as magical as possible.

Don’t Bring: a Big Backpack

Pack This Instead: a Mini Backpack or Fanny Pack

Most rides in Disney World let you keep your bag on you if it’s on the smaller side. But that’s not the only perk you get by carrying a compact bag; you won’t have to lug around something bulky and heavy all day either. Instead, opt for either a fanny pack or mini backpack (if you want a Disney-themed option, check out Loungefly’s hundreds of character-inspired bags) that is spacious enough to hold everything you need, but will feel light on your back or waist. This Freetoo Fanny Pack is a smart pick because it has multiple compartments, which many shoppers said fit essentials like phones, wallets, snacks, and more. I’ve also been using The Foldie Fanny Pack lately, and I’m excited to use it on my next Disney trip because of how much space it offers. 

Don’t Bring: a Stanley Tumbler

Pack This Instead: a Lightweight, Reusable Water Bottle

Bringing your own food and beverages into the park is a budget-friendly tip most visitors take advantage of. But I recommend keeping your viral Stanley tumblers and other mega water jugs at home since they’re not the most functional or convenient things to carry around (I was shocked by the number of Stanley tumblers I saw on my last visit to Disney). Instead, I highly recommend this fold-up water bottle that weighs almost nothing. I use it at the many Disney World water refill stations, then clip it onto my backpack or fanny pack with the included carabiner for hands-free carrying. Collapsible water bottles, in my book, are also the easiest option, but I’ve also seen many parkgoers opt for water bottles with built-in filters or even fruit infusers to offset the infamously bad-tasting Florida water.

Don’t Bring: One Pair of Comfortable Shoes

Pack This Instead: Two Pairs of Comfortable Shoes

One of the best Disney World hacks I’ve learned is to always pack at least two pairs of comfortable walking shoes to alternate between each day. This way, you won’t have the same pair of shoes hitting the same painful spots on your feet on back-to-back days. I only travel to Disney with the same two pairs of shoes: Allbirds Tree Runners and Tevas sandals. They have arch support, let my feet breathe, and dry quickly (nothing says Florida like a random rain shower!). That said, I’ll be testing out my new pair of Ryka Walking Shoes on my next trip — of course, they’ll be broken in before I get there! Brooks and Hoka sneakers are also popular picks among theme park goers.

Don’t Bring: a Bulky Power Bank

Pack This Instead: a Compact Portable Charger

It goes without saying that a portable charger is a must-have for any Disney trip — checking wait times and snagging Lightning Lane passes in the My Disney Experience app seriously drains your battery. But, instead of packing your heavy-duty power bank that can hold multiple charges (and weighs down your bag and needs to be charged at night), these FuelRods are a genius Disney World hack. This $30 set comes with two rods that can be exchanged for fully-charged FuelRods at kiosks around the parks. So not only are they tiny and can fit in any park bag, but they also require no charging ahead of time (aka, you don’t have to panic if you forgot to plug it in at your hotel the night before). Of course, you can also charge them via USB if you want to use them outside of Disney, too.

Don’t Bring: an Umbrella

Pack This Instead: a Hooded Poncho

Before you groan, believe me when I say it’s impossible to be embarrassed in Disney World: when it rains, everyone will be busting out their ponchos. An umbrella may seem like a surefire pick, but it can be bulky to carry when not in use and even more annoying when navigating through crowds during a rain storm. Instead, opt for a cheap hooded poncho that easily fits in a fanny pack and is tossed in the trash once the rain passes (unlike a raincoat, which you’d have to hold on to still wet). Plus, everyone knows that “the best way to guarantee rain is to not be prepared for rain,” so packing your poncho means you’ll probably have a clear, sunny day, right?

Don’t Bring: Band-Aids for Blisters

Pack This Instead: Moleskin Padding

Even the most comfortable, worn-in shoes can give you blisters after logging upwards of 30,000 steps a day. Band-Aids don’t provide much padding and can rub off in your shoes, which is why I always pack pre-cut squares of moleskin instead. Moleskin is a heavy cotton fabric that is suede-like on one side and sticky on the other; it stays put all day and is much more durable than a bandage. On past trips, I’ve applied moleskin over blisters to prevent further irritation and it let me walk for miles with zero pain. Plus, even if your feet get wet, it’ll stay on.

Don’t Bring: a Bottle of Pain Reliever

Pack This Instead: a Compact Medicine Case

A day in Disney World isn’t complete without taking some Advil or Motrin to combat the headache you got from Space Mountain whipping you around. Instead of taking a full bottle or those expensive single-serve packets of pain relievers, pack a few pills from your stash with you to the parks with this mini pill organizer. Airtight and waterproof, it’ll keep your medicine secure and the screwtop makes it easy to access. But if you forget to refill in the morning, don’t worry: you can visit the nearest first-aid center where you can usually pick up some over-the-counter medicine.

Don’t Bring: Shapewear

Pack This Instead: an Anti-chafe Stick

Wearing shapewear or bike shorts underneath a dress or skirt may work outside of the park to avoid chaffing, but when you’re in the thick of a Disney day, all that extra fabric might make you hot and uncomfortable. That’s where this Megababe anti-chafe stick comes in handy. Made with soothing ingredients like aloe and grapeseed oil, it prevents skin from rubbing together and creating irritation. But it’s not just your thighs it’ll help with; use it on your feet to avoid blisters or under your bra to prevent friction. This travel-sized version means you can toss it in your park bag to reapply later in the day.

Don’t Bring: a Suitcase Without Separation

Pack This Instead: Packing Cubes

I always pack these compression packing cubes because they let me stuff a week’s worth of clothes and shoes in a carry-on, and keep my dirty laundry separate from my clean clothes. Let’s face it: your clothes kind of stink after a long day walking around the parks in the intense Florida heat. I never re-wear clothes on my Disney trip because of this, which means I need to be able to pack separate outfits for every day. At face value, these compression cubes help me fit all the shorts, tops, underwear, and pajamas, plus a few nicer outfits if I plan on going out to dinner I need without hassle. But, I’ve found that they also come in handy when I’m doing a split-stay (staying at different Disney World resorts in one trip) and need to repack everything in the middle of my trip. Then when I get home, I throw the cubes in the wash along with my dirty clothes.

Don’t Bring: Flat, Unsupportive Shoes

Pack This Instead: Arch-supporting Insoles

I’ve seen many people wear flat sneakers like Adidas Grandcourt Tennis Shoes or Vans Ward Low-tops to Disney World, and while everyone has their shoe preferences, it can’t hurt to pack a pair of supportive insoles to give yourself a little extra comfort. I recently tried these Superfeet Medium Insoles in my Brooks Ghost 15s for the gym, and I couldn’t believe the lift it gave my feet during a workout. The stabilizer cup will keep your foot in place while you trek through the parks, and the foam padding will help alleviate pressure. These Superfeet insoles are also customizable, so you can cut them to perfectly fit inside your shoe.

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