After you’ve booked your Disney vacation, the next big question is what to pack! On this week’s DIS Unlimited live show, everyone shared the things they always bring along when visiting the Disney theme parks or sailing with Disney Cruise Line. I wasn’t able to join the live conversation, but I certainly have a few favorites of my own that I thought I’d share!
Over the years, I’ve figured out which things actually make a difference when I’m traveling. Some keep me organized, some make getting around easier, and a surprising number of them are dedicated to keeping me cool. You’ll understand what I mean in a minute.
I’ve purchased all of these items from Amazon, and most have been coming along on my Disney vacations for years. Here are my ten favorite travel essentials and why they’ve earned a permanent spot on my packing list.
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
UPF 50+ UV Protection Travel Umbrella Ultra Light Weight | $28.61
This umbrella is an absolute lifesaver in Central Florida, where it’s hotter than fire during most of the year! It keeps the sun off my head, face, and neck when I’m touring the theme parks, and it’s equally handy when afternoon thunderstorms roll through. If you’ve ever been caught in a Florida downpour without an umbrella, you know how quickly you can get completely soaked.
One of my favorite things about this particular umbrella is that it comes with a sleeve. When it’s wet, I can tuck it right inside and put it back in my backpack without worrying about getting everything else wet. It’s such a simple feature, but it makes a huge difference.
VersionTECH. Portable Handheld Fan with USB Rechargeable Battery | $12.99
This little fan is easily one of the best travel purchases I’ve ever made. Between the Florida heat and humidity and those steamy days in the Caribbean, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it.
I remember being surprised by how powerful it was when I first turned it on. It’s small enough to carry around all day, but it really moves some air! When the heat starts getting to me and I’m feeling completely miserable, having this fan within reach makes all the difference.
Portable Foldable Rechargeable Oscillating Fan – 8.6″ 8000mah Remote Fan | $31.49
After 14 Disney cruises, my husband and I finally decided we needed to start bringing our own fan for the stateroom. We’re used to sleeping with a ceiling fan at home, and we really missed having that air circulating at night.
It took us a while to find one that would work for traveling, but this foldable fan has been fantastic. It packs down small enough to fit in our suitcase, has a remote control, and even oscillates! You can set it on a desk or on the floor without taking up much room, which is especially important in a cruise ship stateroom. I bring it for our resort hotel rooms as well, because most of them don’t have a ceiling fan either.
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, Hands-Free Bladeless, 5 Speeds, 4000 mAh | $33.29
Yes, we’re on fan number THREE in this article, and I promise there’s a reason for it! Actually, when you count the portable oscillating fan, this is the third fan, and there are four cooling items if we’re including the umbrella. Clearly, I take staying cool very seriously.
This neck fan is my newest addition, and I love having another option that doesn’t require me to hold anything. Each of my fans serves a different purpose, and I consider every single one necessary.
I do not mess around when it comes to being hot and miserable on vacation. Without my collection of cooling gadgets, I’d probably spend a whole lot more time hiding in the hotel room!
Tohoer Magnetic Hooks, Neodymium Magnets Hook Heavy Duty 30LBS Rust Proof | $9.99
If you’ve never brought magnetic hooks on a Disney cruise, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to keep your stateroom organized!
These little things are shockingly strong. We use them to hang lanyards, bags, and anything else we’d rather not have sitting on the floor or piled up on the furniture. We also have a laundry bag that hangs on the inside of one of the bathroom doors, and these hooks can handle its weight even when the bag is full.
It’s amazing how much easier it is to keep a small space tidy when everything has somewhere to go.
BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook | $12.58
I’ve been using this same toiletry bag for years, and I have absolutely no plans to replace it. There are plenty of compartments, including waterproof sections, so everything has its own spot.
My favorite feature is the built-in hook. Instead of unpacking all my toiletries onto the bathroom counter, I can hang the entire organizer from one of the pegs that so many hotel bathrooms have now, or from a towel bar.
It keeps everything within reach and leaves the counter free for other things. Once you get used to having all your toiletries hanging neatly in one place, it’s hard to go back!
3 Pack 65W GaN Type C Wall Charger Block,6-Port Fast Charging Block | $26.99
If you’ve ever tried to charge everyone’s devices in a Disney cruise stateroom or resort hotel room, you know that available outlets can become a hot commodity quickly.
I’ve had my multi-port USB charger for years, although the one I’m showing here is a newer version with both USB and USB-C ports. Mine is old enough that it only has standard USB connections!
One of the reasons I love this type of charger is that a USB-only charging block can be a convenient alternative to bringing prohibited power strips or surge protectors aboard Disney Cruise Line. These blocks don’t draw as much power as a standard outlet. Just make sure the charger you choose meets Disney Cruise Line’s current electrical accessory rules.
With phones, fans, and all the other gadgets we bring along, being able to charge several devices from one outlet is incredibly helpful.
Owala Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 24 Oz, Rose Quartz Pink, Flip-Top Lid | $36.98
When I tell you I love this water bottle, I really mean it!
Having cold water handy is so important when you’re spending long days in the Disney theme parks, and this Owala bottle does an excellent job of keeping my water cold for hours.
I have the 24-ounce size, which I’ve found to be just right. It holds a good amount of water without being ridiculously large or heavy to carry around.
One thing worth mentioning is that it won’t fit in the side pocket of a Loungefly mini backpack. It does, however, fit in the side pockets of most regular-sized backpacks, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding which bag to bring.
Accmor Stroller Cup & Cell Phone Holder and Hook | $8.99
I tend to rent a scooter when I visit the Disney theme parks, and this attachment is one of those things I genuinely can’t imagine traveling without anymore.
When you’re using a scooter, stroller, or wheelchair, having easy access to your essentials is important. I don’t want to dig through my backpack or reach down into the scooter’s front storage basket every time I need my phone, water bottle, umbrella, or fan.
This attachment solves that problem beautifully! My water bottle and phone fit right into their designated spots, while my umbrella and handheld fan can hang from the hook.
Everything I need is right there where I can reach it. It’s a beautiful thing!
Stoppy Door and Window Stopper (2pk) | $13.90
I learned about this handy little gadget from one of our contributors years ago, and I’ve kept one in my travel bag ever since.
If you’ve ever tried to maneuver a scooter through a heavy Disney resort room door without someone there to hold it open, you know how challenging that can be. This little door stop is designed to help hold the door open while you get yourself and your scooter inside.
I haven’t actually needed to use mine yet because, so far, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a suitable place to park and charge my scooter outside my hotel room. But I always bring it along just in case. It’s one of those things I’d much rather have and not need than need and not have.
What Are Your Disney Travel Must-Haves?
I realize that three different fans might seem a little excessive to some people, but I can assure you that every one of them has a job! Over the years, I’ve learned that being comfortable and organized makes a huge difference in how much I enjoy my Disney vacations.
These are the things that work for me, whether I’m spending the day at Magic Kingdom, heading off on another Disney cruise, or getting settled into a resort room.
If you missed this week’s DIS Unlimited live show, be sure to check it out to see what everyone else considers essential when packing for a Disney vacation. Oh, and before I forget, I have one of those ancient Mophie power banks from way back in the day, so I didn’t share that essential piece – don’t forget to pack one, though! I’ll replace it with something more updated one of these days, but for now, that and my FuelRod serve my charging needs well.
And now I’m curious: What’s one thing you absolutely refuse to leave home without when you’re heading to Disney? I’d love to hear what belongs on your packing list!
The post 10 Travel Essentials I Never Leave Home Without for Disney Trips first appeared on The DIS.
