Just going out on a day trip with little kids and/or babies can involve some strategic planning and packing…but what about a vacation that will last several days in a very warm climate?
Disney has you covered.
- Forget bringing the Pack n’ Play – you can request them at the front desk. The same goes for mattress pads (for those who prefer a softer surface) and bed-rails for older kiddos. If you really want to bring your own, you should (I only say should because we never brought ours) be able to gate-check it at the airport.
- Don’t bring your own stroller if you won’t use it at the airport. You can rent from Disney (in-park only) or from Kingdom Strollers (for your entire stay). An additional benefit of not lugging equipment you won’t use is that you won’t risk damage to your own stroller (sometimes they get banged up in transport). If you do decide to bring your own stroller, you can definitely gate-check it at the airport for free. Make sure your stroller meets Disney’s size restrictions by checking the list of prohibited items. As of May 1, 2019, Keenz stroller-wagons are prohibited.
- It is also totally unnecessary to pack more diapers, wipes, and powdered formula than you’ll need until you get settled into your room (I would say up to several hours after you land). Diapers and wipes alone can fill a small suitcase, and who wants to pay an extra bag fee? Instead, package up your trip’s supply of diapers, wipes and powdered formula in a box and ship them to your resort. As long as you include your name and your check-in date, Bell Services will hold the package for you until you arrive (there is a $5 fee for having packages shipped to your resort).
- Car-seats are a rather touchy subject…but aren’t completely necessary unless you plan on renting a car. There are airline-compatible car-seats available, should you decide you must use one on your flight. If you are renting a car and want to bring your own, you may use one of the airline-compatible ones or gate-check your car-seat for free for use when you arrive at MCO. Booster seats may also be gate-checked for free. Just a word of warning though – if you are relying on Disney transportation – including the buses and Magical Express – car-seats and booster seats are not allowed.
- Want to save luggage space AND money on bottled spring water and other drinks for the resort room mini-fridge? There are two really good options – Garden Grocer and Amazon Pantry. Garden Grocer is a local grocery store that will deliver to your resort, and Amazon Pantry (if you have a Prime membership) will ship a huge box to your resort for around $6 plus the resort delivery fee.
- Don’t waste space packing a bunch of toys. Trust me – they won’t get touched. Pack 1 favorite toy for each kid. We wasted nearly an entire suitcase on toys for our then 2 1/2-year-old who is on the autism spectrum because we were anticipating needing lots of distractions for him. DISNEY was all the distraction he needed. We also stop at our resort gift shop before hitting any of the parks (on our first day only) and allow each of our boys to select a small toy (less than $10) that they may bring to the parks with them – usually a toy train or car or something similar.
- Make sure you have a change of clothes in your carry-on for the kiddos…just in case of an accident or spill and the possibility of being in the parks before you get into your room.
- Fill down-time in the car and on the plane with fun activities and dollar-store finds. Kids each get their own carry-on and personal item on airlines, so pack a back-pack with fun distractions (and snacks – no drinks though as they won’t be able to be brought through airline security)!
Another valuable piece of advice that I really wish someone had given me prior to our first trip to Walt Disney World with kiddos – don’t bring more than what you’ll need for the hours you’ll be in the parks and away from your resort room. There are First-Aid and Baby Centers at each of Disney’s parks that will cold-store breast-milk or formula (or medications) for you – to get them to the parks still cold, use a collapsible cooler with no larger than 1-gallon Ziploc bags of ice. As of May 1, 2019, loose ice is not permitted to pass through security at the park entrances. I can’t stress minimizing what you bring to the parks with you enough – most of what you bring, you won’t even touch. On our second trip with our youngest, we limited ourselves to sunscreen, pre-packaged snacks (3 or 4), a sippy cup that we refilled with ice water (you can get ice water for free at any Quick-Service location that has a soda fountain), enough diapers and wipes for 6-8 hours, and a change of clothes for him (roll the clothes and they’ll take up less room!).
The following is a VERY extensive list of things to bring for children – from infants to older kids – but please make sure to check that nothing YOUR family may need is missing. Some of what is on this list is either to keep children pre-occupied during travel or busy while you’re at your resort room.
- Aloe Vera Gel (in case of sun-burn)
- Autograph Book with Fat Sharpie (easier for Characters to hold)
- Baby Food
- Baby Monitor
- Baby Wipes
- Baby/Toddler Utensils/Bowls, etc.
- Backpacks for the Kids
- Notebook
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored Pencils
- Activity/Puzzle/Coloring Books
- Silly Putty/Floam
- Dollar Store Finds
- Reading Material (as long as motion sickness isn’t an issue)
- Bathing Suits
- Bibs
- Blanket/Toy/Lovey
- Board Games
- Boarding Passes
- Bottle Cleaning Gear
- Bottles
- Bottles of Water (Not totally necessary – Any Quick-Service Restaurant will give you ice water)
- Car Seat (Not allowed on Charter, Magical Express, or Internal Disney Buses)
- Car Window Shades
- Clothes
- Costumes/Family Shirts
- Diaper Bag
- Diapers
- Disposable Cameras for kids
- Drinks (Not Allowed through Airport Security)
- Dry Change of Clothes
- Formula & Measuring Cup
- Frisbees
- Games
- Glow Sticks & Necklaces
- Goggles
- Hair Bands/Accessories
- Hand-held Games
- Hats
- Infant Thermometer
- Insect Repellent
- Juice Boxes
- Kids’ Bath Soap
- Kids’ Hairbrush/Comb
- Kids’ ID Tags (Or write your contact info on the back of celebration pins)
- Kids’ Shampoo
- Lanyards & Pins for Trading
- Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- List of Rules for Kids (1 Each for Car & Plane)
- Magic Bands
- Microwave Popcorn (All resort food courts have microwaves and toasters for guest use)
- Mini First-Aid Kit
- Band-Aids
- Moleskin
- Pain Medication
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Anti-Itch Gel/Spray
- Travel Toothpaste (The white, paste kind – for Bee Stings)
- Antacids
- Motion Sickness Remedies
- Blister Balm
- Pain Medicine (Adult & Children’s/Infants)
- Onesies
- Outlet Covers
- Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer (To keep room organized)
- Pacifiers
- Pack N’ Play
- Pajamas
- Pennies for Pressing (and quarters for the machines)
- Plastic Cups w/Lids & Straws (for Pools)
- Playing Cards
- Portable DVD Player & Movies
- Portable High Chair
- Powdered Drink Mix/Flavoring
- Q-Tips
- Rain Ponchos
- Shoes
- Sippy Cups
- Small Bottles of Bubbles
- Small Flashlights (for walking after dark)
- Small Pool Toys (water wings, ball, etc.)
- Snacks (Pre-packaged for Airlines)
- Granola Bars
- Goldfish
- Crackers
- Cookies
- Cereal Bars
- Dry Cereal
- Fruit
- Fruit Snacks
- Pudding Packs
- Lollipops or Gum (To Help Little Ears Pop)
- Chips/Pretzels
- Stroller (Can be checked at the Gate and will be waiting for you to use at the other end of your flight!)
- Sunglasses w/Straps
- Sunscreen
- Sweatshirts
- Swim Diapers
- Swimsuit Cover-ups
- Swimsuits
- Teething Necklace
- Teething Tablets
- Teething Toys
- Toddler Food/Snacks
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Travel Games
- Umbrella
- Vitamins
- Waist Bag/Backpack
- Water Bottles w/Strap (Leak-proof)
- Water Shoes
- Wet Wipes
- Window Decorations
- Ziploc w/Sponge (wet at any drinking fountain for instant cool-off )
Happy packing!
