There are lots of packing lists for Disney – and I know how helpful they have been to me over the years! When I first started going to Disney as an adult, I think I found one super comprehensive packing list and packed every item on it, just in case! Now that I’ve spent quite a bit of time there, I’ve been able to narrow down what I lug around the parks. These three items are always in my bag (among other things) and have served me well over the years visiting the parks in all kinds of weather!

PONCHOS, PONCHOS, PONCHOS!

 

It is always better to have one and not need one that to need one and not have one! Rain ponchos are not only ideal for the all-so-common surprise Florida storms, but also if you’re planning a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom or the Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom Park! Even if you don’t get seated in the prime splash zone, the whole ride vehicle is covered in water and you’ll likely have a damp rear-end if you aren’t prepared!

We grabbed the ponchos pictured at a discount souvenir store in Orlando for about $5 each because we wanted something colorful for our friend getaway. We passed them along to other poncho-less guests who were waiting in line when we exited the ride. A fun way to get extra usage out of them and to spread a bit of pixie dust!

Normally, I make a stop at my local dollar store and stock up on a few. They are cheap, easy to carry and you don’t feel like you’ve wasted money when you throw the wet one away. (If you’re stuck, Disney will have their ponchos front and center in the shops when the skies open but look at spending around $12 each.) For such a small piece of plastic, it makes a night and day difference if you’re caught in the rain!!! It’s great for covering bags and tech too, keeping it safe and dry. The only downside is that they don’t cover your feet…which brings me to my next staple item!

AN EXTRA PAIR OF SOCKS!

You wear socks at Disney World? Oh yes, I get that question and YES, I do!! I am one of those Disney goers who always wears socks and comfy running shoes in the parks – even when it’s hot! To those of you who can park it in sandals, I salute you!

If you do wear socks in the parks and it rains, there is NOTHING worse that slogging along in not only a wet pair of shoes, but a saturated pair of socks. I personally am not going to carry around an extra pair of shoes (too heavy and the space they’d take up!) but socks are easy to tuck in a bag and it makes a BIG difference to be able to swap wet for dry and keep on going after a storm!

 

And Last, but certainly not least, a BASEBALL CAP!

I have discovered that when I do Disney in the HOT months, there’s nothing I will wear more consistently than a ball cap! It provides shade for your face, protection from the rain (if you’ve ignored me and not brought a poncho) and for me, the fact that I can tuck my hair up off my neck is priceless. I’ve started collecting Disney ball caps – they have lots of options and you can theme it up -just as fun as a pair of Mickey ears! Heck, sometimes I’ll even put Mickey ears on WITH a cap! (Pro tip: Don’t forget to liberally apply sunscreen to your ears and neck!)

 

So that’s my quick list. Is it all I carry in the parks? Nope, but these three guys always make the cut! What do you find you can’t live without in your park bag? Share in the comments!