It was nearly impossible for me to wipe the perma-grin off my face. I really feel like the key to an enjoyable trip with young children is planning and preparation. I had a loose itinerary, reservations for 1 sit-down meal a day, and a back-pack full of pre-school lifesavers. My husband repeatedly praised me for my planning and how it really increased the quality of our vacation. What works for me might not work for you, but here are my must have items for a day (or more) in Disney.
1. A good quality stroller.
My daughter is 4 and never rides in a stroller at home, but we put in 15 hour days at the theme parks and the stroller was an absolute necessity. Because we travelled to Disney through a combination of driving and flying, we rented a stroller in both Disney World and Disneyland. I highly recommend the companies we used.
In Orlando, we rented the City Mini single through Kingdom Stollers. The really great thing about this company is that you can also use them to order groceries that can be delivered to your hotel for your arrival! Check them out at https://kingdomstrollers.com/
In Anaheim, we again rented the City Mini single through City Strollers. Once again, it was delivered to our hotel upon arrival, and we were so delighted to find the cutest little Mickey Mouse gift bag for our daughter. The extra touch was so very sweet! Check them out at http://www.citystrollerrentals.com/
2. A change of clothes.
My daughter is completely potty trained, and (knock on wood) has yet to have an accident on our Disney vacations, but I can see how it can very easily happen. If your little prince or princess is excited to meet a character or ride Dumbo, the lines can be excruciatingly long. A change in clothes would come in especially handy if your little one waits just a touch too long to inform you that they have to pee! It's also nice to have a light jacket and a pair of comfy pants for cool morning and evenings, particularly if you want to stay for Fantasmic, World of Color, or the fireworks! Chilly children = grumpy children. There are also a few places in the parks where kids can splash around to cool down on a hot day (Bugs Land at California Adventure for example). And, if your child is 38 inches or taller, Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom is sure to warrant a dry change of clothes!
3. Snacks
Don't get me wrong, we are total foodies and love the snacks offered at the parks (Hello chocolate dipped pineapple spears!), but a backpack full of snacks can be a lifesaver in aforementioned long lines. We usually throw in a few bottles of water, a juice pack, goldfish, fruit snacks, a banana, apple slices, snap pea crisps, and carrot sticks. Healthy snacks put my mind at ease when my child is consuming Mickey Bars and corndogs throughout the day.
4. Money
Obviously, right? I'm talking about my child's personal money that she saved up from gifts and chores. Your kid is totally going to want every souvenir they set their eyes on in the park, but having to spend their own money teaches them to budget and prioritize. I'm not just saying this because I'm a teacher and like to incorporate life lessons into every-freaking-activity, it's true! My 4 year old got a little pouty when she realized she would have to spend her own money on toys and souvenirs. She ended up saving it up for a few special pins, a Pluto stuffy, and a balloon.
5. Portable Phone Charger
If you're like me and use your Smart Phone for everything, (including your camera), chances are your battery is going to be dying 5 hours in. Every night we charge the portable phone charger and toss it in the backpack. It takes up very little space and is super effective.
6. Itinerary/Reservations
I put together a small binder with our itinerary, tickets, confirmation numbers, receipts, etc. It was super helpful when checking in at the resort or for a dining reservation, and it helped remind us about the big rides and attractions that we wanted to check out (Disney Parks can be overwhelming at times). We kept it in a separate compartment of the backpack and used it multiple times each day.
I purchased an itinerary template off of Etsy that was great for keeping organized. Check it out at:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/130835653/instant-download-travel-printables?ref=shop_home_active_10
7. Mini First Aid Kit
During our first trip to Disney World, our daughter fell out of her stroller while goofing around and scraped up her knee pretty badly. And we didn't have a First Aid kit. Nope, not even a Band-Aid. We had to go to 3 stores before finding one that sold band-aids! Needless to say, I learned my lesson and packed a MediBuddy kit with bandages, antibacterial wipes and ointment, stickers and other essentials. We also packed Children's Tylenol, Children's Benadryl, advil for my headaches, and Gravol for everyone - just in case!
8. Sun Protection
Couple of need-to-know facts:
- I'm a teacher and can only travel during school breaks (typically Christmas break, February break, or Easter)
- We live in Saskatchewan and during those aforementioned school breaks, it is FREAKING COLD at home. Like I'm talking -30 degrees Celsius
That being said, when we travelled to California this past February, it was 20 - 27 degress Celsius. The locals were talking about how cold it was and were literally wearing puffer jackets. Meanwhile, I had a heat rash from the sun. Yes, my skin is porcelain and very, very delicate. I am super good at making sure Sophie is drinking lots of water, wearing a sunhat and sunglasses, and of course slather her with SPF 60 sunscreen, but I often neglect my own sun protection. Next time, I promise to douse myself with some of that sunscreen!
9. Autograph Book/Sharpie
Okay, so I had to edit this post and add this in. I can't even believe I forgot this as it was absolutely crucial for my daughter. No lie, we filled up 3 autograph books in 4 days at Disneyland.
My daughter's favourite part about the parks was meeting the characters. We met Pluto nine times at Disneyland Resort. Nine. Times.
If I can recommend one thing, it is that you pack your own Sharpie. I like the "clickable" ones, as they are easier for the characters with big, fluffy hands! I have seen all too many Disney pens explode at the parks too. Just trust me and bring a Sharpie. I also prefer the autograph books that have space for a photo beside, it just makes for a cuter keepsake. Especially one year later when you haven't printed the photos for it yet. Oops!
You could save yourself a ton of money by NOT buying 3 autograph books and making one yourself. I found this cute printable off of Pinterest last year and made one for our trip to Disney World. I must warn you, it does require a significant time investment. It also helps to have access to a laminator, paper cutter, and binding. (Hence the 3 autograph books in Disneyland.)
10. Crayons and Paper
Though we rarely had to worry about Sophie getting bored or restless, there were times when
crayons and paper for her to colour with came in very handy. There's a good chance she would have drove us absolutely mad if we had not had them while waiting for meals at restaurants or waiting for the parade to start on Main Street. If all else fails, grab the notepad and pen from your hotel
11. Camera
Though I HIGHLY recommend the PhotoPass + at Disneyland or Memory Maker package at Walt Disney World, there are tons of memories in between Photo Pass cast members that you are going to want to catch on film. My daughter's face during the parades was absolutely priceless. I hope I will remember the sparkle in her eyes and joy in her smile when she watched the parade, but if not, I will always have the photograph to remind me.
In order to save my shoulder from an immensely heavy purse, we threw all of the items mentioned into a backpack that my husband dutifully lugged around for us all week. They helped keep us sane and happy during days that sometimes included more than 14 hours in the parks.
What are your must-pack items for a day in Disney?
xo Lisa
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