The Ultimate Disney Packing List for Toddlers (by a Florida Mom)

You’ve bought the tickets. You’re so excited to experience the Disney magic, but then overwhelm sets in. What should you really pack for a full day at Disney World? From keeping comfortable in the Florida heat to avoiding a hangry toddler, this is the ultimate Disney packing list, specifically focused on toddlers (and babies, and preschoolers!). Whether you’re a first-time visitor or heading back for the first time with kids, I’ll share everything you need to pack for a magical, stress-free day at Disney.

General Disney Day Tips

Let’s chat a bit about Disney World – and Florida in general. Our weather is crazy variable – even in February it can hit 80°F (and a few days later it might be windy and 40°F). Regardless of the time of year, there’s almost always a chance of a sudden rain shower. And the humidity during the summer can be intense. Add these to a long park day, and you’ll want to make sure you’ve covered all the possibilities.

Do you need a stroller for Disney? That’s a definite YES. It’s a long day, and even older kids can get tired. Think of your stroller as your “home base” for the day. It’s just as important as all of the other essentials! My favorite double stroller is the Zoe Twin. It’s light, easy to push, meets Disney’s size requirements, and has great built-in sunshades for naps.

My Disney Packing List: The Essentials

When I pull together the items from my Disney packing list, I always grab one smaller backpack* for me carry and a few smaller bags that I can toss under the stroller. I personally don’t recommend having everything in one large diaper bag. It gets way too heavy and is hard to dig through when you need just one thing! Instead, I divide up the items by type, and separate them into my favorite wet-dry bags. (I also love that if it rains or someone has a potty accident, I easily have a bag ready to go!)

If you have a baby under 2.5, I highly recommend bringing your favorite structured baby carrier.* It will make carrying baby onto rides much easier, and keep your hands free for other things. I love that the Wildbird Aerial Carrier* is linen, making it much more breathable in the humidity. My son also loved it for naps!

Comfort & Entertainment for Toddlers at Disney

Probably my #1 must-have item if you’re visiting Disney World from March to October? Portable fans.* We have had these portable fans for years and taken them to multiple theme parks, the local zoo, the beach. They hold a charge well, but we do remember to turn them off if we’re parking the stroller for an extended time (like headed on a ride!). Make sure you buy an extra fan for the person pushing the stroller (aka you!).

If you happen to be visiting when it’s cooler out, you might want to bring a stroller blanket. Even if the actual temperature isn’t low, it can get particularly cold if the wind is blowing over the water. (I’m looking at you, Epcot!) Just add a sound machine* (particularly if your little is under 2!), and the blanket is also perfect for naps.

While many associate Disney with the magic, it’s hard to separate a day at Disney World from the lines. I recommend bringing 2-3 small toys in your bag to help the waits go by faster, even if you’re only doing Lightning Lanes. We’ve loved pop toys and even an LCD writing tablet.* (You might want to avoid toys that could roll away like cars or balls.)

Health & Safety Items

In our stroller caddy,* I always have a simple first aid kit,* hand sanitizer, and a travel-sized ibuprofen (for me – as I tend to get sinus headaches when the pollen gets bad). I try to hand sanitize often to keep germs at bay, particularly after rides where the kids were touching everything.

You’ll also want to make sure you have everything you need for bathroom breaks, whether you still have a little one in diapers (definitely bring an extra changing mat* to lay down!) or you’re potty training. If recently potty trained, don’t leave home without a potty seat* – we affectionately nicknamed ours “potty frog.” Other top items in the bathroom wet-dry bag – an extra pair of underwear and change of clothes, a few pull-ups, wipes, an extra gallon bag, and a changing mat. (Trust me, the changing mat on the floor is life changing if you’re trying to clean up a poop mess on the go.) We also like to layer a pull-up over the top of underwear just to prevent a mess.

Snacks & Hydration Must-Haves

With the high humidity, you’ll want to bring a reusable water bottle for everyone! We love our Yeti Ramblers. The kids have the Yeti Rambler 12 oz,* and I have the Yeti Rambler 18 oz.* We keep the kids’ water bottles in the stroller caddy for easy access. Remember that there are water bottle refill stations in the parks, and you can also ask for a cup of water or ice (for free!) at any of the quick service restaurants.

I know that buying unique Disney snacks are part of the experience, but don’t forget to add simple snacks to your own packing list! Why? First, having reliable snacks that are quick and that your kids will eat comes in handy. (Toddler on the verge of a breakdown? Maybe they’re just hangry!) Second, it can help save a little money. We typically buy a fun snack to share and then add on a granola bar or some fruit (like bananas or clementines). We also bring our favorite silicone placemats* (we use these at home, too!) and a bib for snacks on the go.

Sunny & Rainy Day Gear

Remember when I said that it could rain at any moment? Proof: We were at Epcot on a day that had a 12% chance of rain, and it absolutely poured. I’m talking completely soaked. Regardless of the chance of rain, I always have my stroller rain cover and a bag with a Columbia rain coat* for each of us. If the chance of rain is a bit higher, I’ll also bring a small umbrella (one per adult).

Regardless of the rain chances, you’ll want to make sure that you bring plenty of suncreen* and remember to reapply. The UV index tends to be higher than people expect! As an extra layer of protection, consider hats, sunglasses,* or even swim shirts with a UPF 50+ rating.

Bonus: My Tips for Keeping Toddlers Happy at Disney

Just because I can, here are a few other quick tips for your trip:

• Just buy the Lightning Lanes. Standing in line for an hour with a two-year-old is something I will pay money to avoid.
• Expect that your toddlers won’t follow their normal schedule. Like my toddler who refused to pee at Disney all day or the one that (at 13 months) skipped naps until 6PM. It happens!
• Make a general plan of the top 3-4 things you want to see or do. Slow down and enjoy your day!

You’re Ready for a Magical Day at Disney!

And there you have it – everything you’ll want to think about for a full theme park day at Disney World! Use these categories to help you decide what’s best for your family for your upcoming trip. I’ll share the final version of your ultimate Disney packing list below!

Did you love this packing list? Check out my FREEBIE – focused entirely on helping you pack for a road trip with young kids!