It’s the most wonderful time of year, and many parents often contemplate surprising their family with a magical vacation to Disney World. Well you’re just in luck, as I know a gal who has done such a thing a few times now (me!).
I love the stories and memes about families packing for vacation- the dad packs for himself and the mom packs for (and plans for) everyone else. In my family, this rings somewhat true. It’s in my nature to project manage anything- be it a project at work, a home renovation, or a family vacation.
So sit back, pop some popcorn, and read on for my personal Disney World Vacation Hacks.
Packing Must Haves:
Socks, many many socks, and more than you think. Kids have stinky feet and will change their socks several times a day (morning, after the pool, coming back from a park, after the pool again, etc). If you forget, don't worry - Walmart can deliver some socks to your resort the next day (spoken from experience).
Night light - if your kiddo still uses one, then pack one. Nothing is more annoying than listening to that loud bathroom fan that automatically runs anytime the bathroom light is also on.
Sound machine - if your kiddo still uses one, then pack one. Bonus, they will fall asleep better to a familiar sound and it also helps blur out some of the noisy neighbors you might have.
Water bottle for each person. Water cups are free in all the parks, so ask for them at any station to refill your water bottles. This encourages your kiddos to stay hydrated and saves money too.
One poncho (a good one) for each person. You want it to last all park days, because in Florida it seems to rain at least once per day for a quick 30 minute dousing. Yes, you can purchase one in the park, but they can be pricey in my opinion.
A stroller (even for your 8 year olds). You can walk upwards of 6 miles in a day at a park. Even your “big kids” are going to want a break, especially if it’s a scorching hot day. Bringing a stroller allows them to take a break and cool off. As an added bonus, the stroller doubles as a backpack carrier so you don’t have to lug that backpack around on your back all day. Make sure it is a stroller that easily folds up - as you will need to collapse it when boarding many of the transportation options - bus, Skyliner, boat, Minnie Van, etc.
One stroller rain cover/poncho - this protects your stroller and all the goods in it from getting wet. Kids in the stroller won't need a poncho unless they decide they are "too cool" to ride.
Lots of gallon Ziploc baggies - they come in handy to waterproof your stuff, organize all the things, and are great in a pinch for securing leftover snack items.
Snacks to go- gold fish, granola bars, fruit snacks. My youngest (5yo) gets hangry quickly. Keep some snacks in the room and also in the backpack so when hunger strikes you can feed them something while you wait for a mobile food order or your next mealtime.
A backpack that fits everything. Make sure it's one don’t mind getting a little beat up along the way. You will need to fold up your stroller when boarding many of the transportation options at Disney World, so having a large backpack that fits your ponchos, water bottles, snacks, and sweatshirts comes in handy.
Noise cancelling headphones for younger kiddos- to help them take a nap in the park, avoid sensory overload, or combat any loud noises if you’re planning to watch fireworks.
Six port USB charging station for your room. There never seem to be enough outlets in hotel rooms for your magic bands, phones, watches, iPads, etc.
Things I Would Not Pack:
Towels of any kind. There are plenty everywhere and if you need more just ask your resort staff.
Too many toys or stuffed animals. Odds are you will end up purchasing a few of these souvenirs along the way. There is so much to explore, let your kids be curious and play and interact with all your resort and parks have to offer.
Arts and crafts to keep kids busy. I promise there is plenty at the resort and parks to keep them entertained.
Your “nice” clothes. Everyone at Disney World is on vacation mode and most restaurants do not have a dress code. Leave your formal clothes behind and opt for a sundress or polo you can wear to the pool and also a nice dinner out.
A winter jacket. Florida is warm, even on a “cold” day. Us Midwesterner's will only need a sweatshirt. If your the “always runs cold” type then opt for some long layers and a thin beanie hat and mittens.
Too many shoes. You really only need a nice pair of sneakers for walking the parks and comfy sandals for the poolside or on a rainy park day.
Plan For "Rest Days"
Make sure when you book your trip you plan on one or two full “rest days”. These are the days where you don’t go to the parks and take it a little easy on your tired feet. So many people try to do all four parks in four days, and they are exhausted by day three. Don't do that to yourself or your kids.
You might consider swimming at the pool all day and enjoying some poolside snacks. Or perhaps venture out for a character breakfast or nice meal at one of the other resort hotels. Heck, even traveling using the Skyliner and Disney boats to take the scenic route can be just as fun for the kiddos as the actual rides.
Or you may want to visit Disney Springs shopping district for some tasty snacks, more food options, entertainment, and lots of shopping. This one still involves lots of walking, so beware if you plan to shop till you drop.
Plan Your Park Days
For each park, make a specific list of the “top three must do" rides or experiences you and your family would like to do. Having an expectation that only your top three will happen makes it easier to relax, enjoy, and plan for unexpected surprises and adventures along the way.
Our top three for Magic Kingdom are Winnie the Pooh ride, pizza and breadsticks at Pinocchio Village, and the fireworks. Anything else is a cherry on top.
Our top three for Animal Kingdom are the Kilimanjaro Safari, the Avatar Flight of passage ride, and corn on the cob.
Our top three for Epcot are the Frozen ever after ride, Ratatouille ride, and Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich at Epcot’s L’Artisan des Glaces.
Our top three are Hollywood Studios are the Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway ride, the Slinky Dog Dash ride, and Toy Story Mania ride.
Tips For The Kids
For your littles that still need naps- plan on still taking that nap. You can check in and out of the parks many times in a single day. So do yourself and kiddos a favor and head back to your resort for a nap (or find a nice cool shady spot in the park where your kiddo can nap for an hour with those noise cancelling headphones on).
Hangry happens, and often. Keep those snacks you packed in that backpack handy so that when hunger strikes you have a safety net until you can get to your next food cart to place a mobile order for mealtime. You can also ask for free water cups all throughout the parks, so keep those water bottles handy too to keep everyone hydrated.
Speaking of food- the portions at Disney are hearty. My seven and five year old often split a kids meal whenever we go. My husband and I too can easily split an adult meal of burger and fries. If you’re still somewhat hungry after a meal- no worries. There is surely a sweet or savory snack cart or bakery around nearly every corner. Even the desserts we eat family style- often sharing a Sunday with a spoon for each family member.
Remember those “top three” above? It’s easy to get swept up in all the excitement and surprises along the way each day. Keep your top three front and center each morning as you head to the parks and try to knock them out in the morning if you can.
Tips For The Grown Ups
Take a shower every night. Tuck those little babes in their beds and send them off to dreamland. Then immediately hit the shower yourself to rinse off all the sunscreen, sweat, and sticky stuff leftover from the day. I promise your morning will go so much smoother if your kiddos don’t have to “wait for mom/dad” to get ready. Once those kids are up, the magic and excitement for that day has already begun. Plus- you’ll sleep better after a warm shower!
Half the magic you experience at Disney World is through your own kid's eyes. Watching them get excited, glow with joy, and ignite all the wonder and dreams is an awesome feeling as a parent. The Disney World vacation is more about them and their experience, and not so much about checking off lists, what went right, or what went a little sideways. Plan for hiccups along the way and for so many feels that come with the magic and also lack of routine.
You'd be surprised each trip we've taken when we asked our kids "what was your favorite". Sometimes its the rides, sometimes its the food, but most of the time its the experiences as a family that they truly enjoyed. And after all, that's what a family vacation is all about anyways: being together.
Best wishes from one parent to another - may your next Disney World vacation be filled with magic and wonder!
