- Batteries - if needed for any
electronics. Bring what you need from home, as battery prices are
expensive at Walt Disney World.
- Camera
- Waterproof bag/ziploc bags - for wallet and phone on really wet rides (AND for souvenirs?)
- Park Admission Tickets - Consider using a small id case for your 5-day park ticket if you don't want to have to get out your wallet multiple times. (We also recommend you write down the numbers on the back
of your passes and keep this information separate from your passes --
Disney may be able to use these numbers to replace your passes if they are
lost. )
- Credit Card(s) - Visa, Mastercard, American
Express, Discover, JCB, and Diner's Club are all accepted at Walt Disney World. If you have more than one card,
keep one in your daypack and secure the other(s) in your room safe or with
your front desk (in the event the unthinkable happens).
- Driver's License - Health Insurance Card - No one wants to get hurt while
on vacation, but it happens more than you might imagine. Keep your health
insurance card (or information) with you at all times.
- Cash - for snacks, small purchases
- Coins - For the pressed penny/quarter machines and for the arcade games.
- Cell Phone - If you have a cell phone,
keep it handy -- cell phones are useful for making last-minute dining
reservations. Take a photo of your rental car license plate, your parking
row number and even members of your family. You can also use some cell
phones for taking photos and storing information. Cell phone reception at
Walt Disney World is excellent.
- Comb/Brush/Elastics - If you care about such
things, a simple comb or folding travel brush keeps you looking
presentable, even on the hottest, windiest days. Women (and men) with long
hair should include an elastic or two to keep hair up, a blessing on humid
days.
- Fan/Water Mister - These battery-operated,
hand-held fan/misters are very popular at the parks on hot days -- you
bring one from home or purchase one while you're there. Some come with
straps, which means you can wear them rather than put them in your
daypack, which is recommended. If you don't have a strap, make sure you
have a plastic bag to protect your daypack from leaks.
- First Aid Kit - A small bag or box
containing Band-Aids, aspirin, acetaminophen, your favorite legal pain
killer, antacid, burn ointment and/or other necessary medications. There's
no reason to go overboard here, however, as there are first aid stations
located in each theme park at Walt Disney World. Even so,
it's handy to have a Band-Aid when you need it most.
- Folder /Envelope - Keep your
reservation/priority seating numbers and times, parade/fireworks
schedules, theme park hours, maps, itineraries, etc. in a folder or
envelope for easy access when you need it most.
- Glow Sticks
- Hat or Visor
- Identification In/On the
Daypack - If you misplace your bag,
there's a better chance of it finding you when you put some identification
inside it. Just slip a piece of paper with your name(s), resort/hotel,
home phone, and emergency contact information somewhere prominent in the
daypack. You could even put the identification in a luggage tag (or make a
luggage tag with self-laminating plastic) and attach it to the daypack
itself. Be cautious of including your home address or your room number (if
you are also storing your resort room key in the bag).
- Insect Repellent - Deep Woods OFF! or some
other bug repellent is particularly helpful during the summer and autumn.
A tube of repellent can be purchased at most discount stores in the
camping section, and fits nearly perfectly in a snack-sized, plastic bag.
- Itinerary/Wish List for Attractions/Meals - Bring along your itinerary
or wish list, which you can jot down in your tour guide (if it provides
space) or generate on your computer. Don't forget a list of
e-mail addresses if you want to send a virtual postcard from Innoventions in Epcot.
- Jacket/Sweater - If you're sensitive to
changes in temperature, a jacket or sweater can make air conditioning and
chilly evenings much more comfortable. Consider a light windbreaker that
takes very little room in your daypack.
- Maps - Disney provides
complimentary guidemaps and entertainment schedules for all their parks,
large and small. You can often pick these up before you enter a park at a Guest
Services desk. They are
also available in each Disney Hotel lobby. If you hang on to these
throughout your trip (this helps in getting acquainted beforehand and
answering questions afterwards), bring along something to store the maps in so
they aren't rattling around loose your daypack.
- Memory Cards/Sticks for
your digital camera - they are sold in the park
but are VERY expensive!
- Penlight - Useful for reading maps,
menus, and books in dim, dark places, or even finding your keyhole after a
long day at the parks. Consider a penlight on a key-ring and attach it to
one of your bag's zippers for fast access.
- Plastic Bags - All sizes and shapes come in
useful for keeping things organized, dry, and safe. The snack-size ones
are particularly useful in daypacks. Keep a few clean, empty ones in your
carry-around bag -- you never know when you might need them.
- Poncho - Bring a poncho from home if you have it, along with a plastic bag to store it in when it gets wet.
- Snack(s) Bring foods that won't melt easily, such as pretzels, granola bars, raisins, nuts, or crackers. Bring individual drink mix to add to water. if desired.
- Socks (dry) - If you or your kids
anticipate getting wet during the day, dry socks may feel great.
- Something to Entertain You While You're Waiting in Lines
- Sunglasses with Cords
- Sun Block/Chapstick for
Lips - Protect your lips from sun,
rain, and wind, too. Apply it on the plane to combat the dry conditions.
- Sunscreen - Carry some of your favorite
sunscreen in a small, travel-size container -- there's no need for the
whole bottle.
- Tissues
- Travel Guides - If you have a favorite tour
guide, you may find it helpful to carry it with you for information, tips,
and hints on making the most of your trip. If space is at a premium in
your daypack, you may be able to remove the sections of the tour guide you
need for a given day and bring just those. You may also want to print out
information you found online and carry that along as well. Plastic bags
work well for keeping these items safe and dry in your daypack.
- Umbrella - An umbrella is often more
convenient than putting on and taking off a wet poncho. Ultra-compact
umbrellas are available in many department stores.
- Washcloth - Stay cool in hot months by
wetting a washcloth and using it to refresh your face, neck, and hands.
Use water fountains to get it damp and store it in the plastic bag to keep
your bag dry.
- Water Bottle - A water bottle with a sport
"pop-top" can be refilled at water fountains to help replenish
lost fluids. Consider freezing or refrigerating it the night before. If
you are concerned about condensation on the bottle in your daypack, carry
a bag with a separate water bottle compartment, put bottle in a plastic
bag, wrap in a towel, or use a bottle strap.
- Wet Wipes