Let’s be honest, packing for a week at Walt Disney World is like trying to forecast Florida weather while crystal-ball-gazing your mood for hats. Oh, and don’t forget cramming your entire life into a suitcase that has to fit in an overhead compartment!
But fear not! We’ve compiled a list of 10 items you can leave behind, saving you from lugging around a suitcase that only Mary Poppins would know about. And yes, we have experience packing all these things JUST to bring them back home.
1. Your Entire Collection of Disney Shirts
I get it. I love all my Disney-inspired tees too! But here’s a thought:
- Why bring down shirts when you know you’re going to buy more?
- Pro tip: Have new shirts delivered to your hotel. New trip, new shirts, no packing required! We’ve got options over at TeePublic for all Disney fans!
2. Enough Water to Hydrate a Small Kingdom
The number of places you can get water at Disney would drive you crazy! Here’s the scoop:
- Free water at any quick service location (they’ll even fill your water bottle)
- Starbucks happily gives out ice water (bonus: window-shop their You are Here Mugs while in line!)
- Plenty of carts selling bottled water for the “I only drink from sealed containers” crowd
Our water folly: We once ordered bottled water from Walmart for delivery. Spoiler alert: It came home with us, completely untouched!
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3. A First-Aid Kit Rivaling a Small Hospital
Unless you’re planning to open a mobile clinic, leave the extensive first-aid kit at home:
- Every park has a First Aid Center with free basics (band-aids, Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
- We do bring specialty items like blister packs (because breaking in new shoes at Disney is a special kind of adventure)
4. Enough External Batteries to Power a Space Shuttle
Ditch the battery burden:
- Consider FuelRods: One-time cost = Unlimited swapping. It’s like a scavenger hunt, but for power!
- We bring one backup battery because we’re overachievers (and found an amazing deal on Amazon)
5. Shampoo (Unless You Plan to Wash Dumbo)
Hotels provide daily amenities, so unless you have very specific hair needs:
- Use the provided shampoo
- If you run out, ask MouseKeeping (Disney’s fancy term for Housekeeping). They’re magical, not mind readers!
6. Beach Towels (Unless You’re Planning an Impromptu Pool Party)
Save space for souvenirs instead of towels:
- Resorts have more towels than you can shake a magic wand at
- We usually borrow a resort towel for our day bag… just in case we encounter a surprise splash zone!
7. Enough Clothing to Dress a Small Army
Remember, you’re on vacation, not preparing for a month-long fashion show:
- Pack smart, mix and match
- If you end up doing laundry, consider it a cultural experience in “How the Other Half (aka non-vacationers) Live”
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8. A Survival Kit of In-Park Snacks
Unless you’re training for a snack-eating marathon:
- Consider your dining plans. Disney Dining Plan? You’ll be too full for extra snacks!
- Our last trip taught us: Smart breakfast planning beats standing in Starbucks lines when you could be first in line for Tron Lightcycle Run!
9. A DSLR Camera the Size of a Small Moon
Unless you’re secretly working for National Geographic:
- Disney PhotoPass photographers are wizards at capturing magic
- Your iphone camera is probably fantastic (and won’t leave a Texas-sized sweat mark on your back)
10. More Stress Than Maleficent at a Christening
The most important thing to leave at home? Stress!
- Your pre-planning has set the stage. The die is cast. The ADRs are booked.
- Now it’s time to let the magic happen. Maybe you’ll even find a hidden Mickey in your Mickey waffles!
By leaving these items behind, you’ll have more room for souvenirs, a lighter load for park-hopping, and less to worry about. After all, the best luggage is the kind that doesn’t weigh you down on your path to magic!
Remember, a successful Disney trip isn’t about having everything – it’s about experiencing everything. So pack light, laugh often, and let the magic of Disney do the rest!