I’m sure you’ve spent the last few weeks researching everything you need to know about Disney World. As your excitement builds, there is a lot to do before heading to Disney World.
One of these things includes buying everything you need for your upcoming trip. Here are the things you need to buy before visiting Disney. This list is for parents traveling with small children under 6 years old.
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These recommendations are based on our experience at Disney World and as a full-time travel family. We try to save money wherever possible, so it’s rare for us to buy souvenirs anywhere.
Read More: How Many Disney Parks are There?
Table of Contents
Things to Buy Before Visiting Disney: Child Safety
Child safety is always the number one priority when traveling with little ones. Disney World is massive and packed full of people on any given day.
Here are some things to buy before visiting Disney to keep your child(ren) safe.
Children Safety ID Wristband
If you somehow get separated from your little one, there are cast members everywhere that can help. Having a Children Safety ID Wristband on your little one will make it easier to locate them.
It’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about the information coming off if they get wet. What I love is that it’s tamper-proof, so it’s difficult for your toddler to take off.
Read More: Are MagicBands Worth It?
Anti Lost Wrist Link
We’ve been using the Anti-Lost Wrist Link since our son discovered running. He is a quick little guy, so having this keeps him safe when he wants to be independent and walk.
What I love about this model is the key. Your little one (or anyone else) cannot remove the link unless they have the key. Don’t worry; you do not have to keep up with a key. It is attached to your wrist. This is a must-have for Disney World with a busy toddler.
Read More: How to Travel with Kids without Spending a Fortune
Things to Buy Before Going to Disney: Be Prepared for the Weather
The weather in Florida is annoying because it is unpredictable. We’ve spent weeks here and the weather report was wrong 50% of the time.
The best way to have a great time at Disney World with toddlers is to be prepared for the weather. No one wants to get sunburned or be stuck wearing wet clothes all day.
Read More: The 10 Best Double Strollers for Travel
Ponchos
The weather in Florida can be unpredictable. It can start pouring down rain without a moment’s notice at Disney World. Even worse, there is no way to know how long the rain will last. It could rain heavily for 30 minutes, and the sun emerges, or it can rain for hours on end.
One way to ensure your day at Disney World isn’t ruined is by having a rain poncho. We have a few disposable rain ponchos, but each of us also has a reusable one that we always pack for Disney World.
Our son has a rain jacket that we recently purchased for our upcoming time in Costa Rica, but it’s also perfect for Disney World!
Of course, we never have what we need because we are too worried about the kid. I recently purchased my first rain jacket, which I love.
Sunscreen
We’ve been to Oahu, Playa Del Carmen, and Cartagena but Florida, by far, feels hotter than all of those places. The sun here feels unforgiving.
You and your little one will need sunscreen on any uncovered skin. Remember to set a timer to reapply every 90 minutes, as necessary.
I like this sunscreen because it is compact, reef-friendly, and easy to apply. This is my favorite sunscreen for toddlers.
One of the fastest ways to ruin a vacation is sunburn. Don’t let this happen to you. Be prepared for the Florida sun.
Read More: 10 Reasons to Travel with Toddlers
Portable Misting Fan
Along with protecting your little one from the fun, Flordia’s humidity can be uncomfortable. A portable misting fan will keep your toddler cool while at Disney World.
Plus, it’s half the cost of the ones at Disney world, so you can buy a few extras to beat the Florida heat.
Steel Refillable Water Bottles
Having a steel-insulated refillable water bottle is a must for any traveler. We recently upgraded our son to the Contigo Kids Stainless Steel Water Bottle, and he loves it!
This water bottle makes him feel like a big boy, plus it’s easy to clean. He keeps it next to his bed at night for when he gets thirsty. It may be a hit with your toddler. The water stays cold for up to 14 hours.
Your toddler can push the button to pop up and push down to close. It’s the perfect water bottle for toddlers.
Tip: Fill your toddler’s water bottle with ice and fill it up with water throughout the day to keep it very cold.
Things to Buy Before Visiting Disney: Snack Time
To help cut the cost of food, we always travel with snacks. Our toddler gets mean when hungry, and no one wants a cranky/hangry toddler at Disney World.
To combat this, my wife has some go-to snacks for our family. We even pack sandwiches to hold us over for lunch and splurge a little on dinner. One meal a day at Disney World is cheaper than two or three.
Read More: Our Favorite Travel Snacks for Toddlers
Reusable Snack Bags
We’ve been working hard to use more sustainable products when we travel, and Reusable Snack Bags get the job done. These bags make it easy to buy things in bulk (cheaper) and divide them as we go.
We typically buy a few sets of these and fill them the night before for upcoming trips, so all we need to do is grab them and go in the morning.
You can bring food to Disney. When we went for our son’s 3rd birthday, we had a gallon of water, pretzels, veggie straws, goldfish, fruit snacks, jerky, and sandwiches.
Bumkins Sandwich Bag
Bumkins Sandwich Bags are perfect for storing bread to make sandwiches at Disney. We usually pack everything in a separate snack bag and assemble the sandwich at the park. Who wants to eat soggy wet bread?
My wife loves these bags, and after a few years, I am on board too. They are spacious, easy to clean, and reduce waste.
Whether you are heading to Disney or not, if you have kids, you need these reusable snack bags.
Read More: Our Favorite Toddler Travel Essentials
Things to Buy Before Going to Disney: Make Life Easier
As a mom traveling with a toddler full-time, some things just make your life easier. It may seem simple, but it will save you both time and frustration.
Toddler Backpack
We usually take our son’s diaper back everywhere. For our trips to Disney, we try to cut up and only bring his toddler backpack.
We got his diaper bag for his 3rd birthday because he loves space, but there are a lot of other designs for toddlers, such as robots, dinosaurs, sharks, cars, and airplanes.
We recommend bringing a toddler backpack to store diapers, wipes, snacks, and an extra pair of clothes. Everything else can go under the stroller.
You will need to leave your stroller while at Disney World, and having a toddler backpack is more convenient for those times.
Read More: Best Travel Backpacks for Toddlers
Disney World Autograph Book
This is a great tradition to start if you plan to visit Disney World often, especially if you have an annual pass. Your toddler can fill the Walt Disney World Official Autograph Book with their favorite characters. This book would be the perfect keepsake as your toddler gets older.
We haven’t started our book yet, but we plan to when we go on our Disney Cruise. We’re heading to Cabo with Mickey on Halloween on the High Seas. I will be sure to update this post when we return.
Note: Remember to bring a pen for the characters to sign.
Related Post: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween with Toddlers
Portable Charger
This is one of the most popular and best-selling portable chargers. You will need a portable charger at Disney, especially if your little one uses your phone to watch videos during breaks, waiting in line, or while you eat.
Let’s be honest. Your battery will drain faster than expected while at Disney World. You will be taking photos and videos while also using the Disney App.
All of this means you will be using more power from your phone, resulting in your battery dying faster.
Tip: If you do not have a portable charger, go to the baby center to charge your phone. There are outlets and chairs to take a break in while your toddler plays.
Glow Sticks
Make your little ones feel part of the show with glow sticks. They are so much fun once it gets dark at Disney.
They have a dual purpose. Your toddler can use them to have fun when it gets dark, plus it makes it easier to find your stroller.
Once it gets dark, it can be harder to find your stroller, but glow sticks will make it stand out from the sea of strollers.
Things to Buy Before Visiting Disney: Save $$$
If Disney has one superpower, it is the ability to make parents part with their money. I always say, “I am not going to buy anything,” yet we always leave the park with something new.
In an effort to save money, here are some things you can buy before going to Disney and surprise your kids with when you get to the park.
Mickey Mouse Accessories
What is a day at Disney without Mickey Mouse ears? You can get your little one several pairs of Mickey Mouse ears for an affordable price.
As parents, we all know they are going to lose them, so why spend $20 for mouse ears that will likely be gone by the end of the day?
I prefer the Mickey Mouse hat. They are so adorable and have the Mick Mouse ears effect. Plus, the hat will protect them from the sun.
Bubble Wand
The one thing our toddler cries for every time we go to a theme park is a bubble wand. I can’t blame him, they are cool and if I were a 3-year-old, I’m sure I’d want one too.
These bubble wants are typically more than $30, which I think is overpriced. I found a Mickey Mouse Bubble Wand that most toddlers will love for half the price.
Mickey Shirts
Our son loves his Mickey shirts. The easiest way to get him dressed is by letting him pick out his shirts. He always picks a mickey mouse shirt.
They are significantly more affordable if you buy them before going to Disney World with your toddler.
Of course, they have different shirts available, but I can’t convince myself to pay $29.95 for a shirt that our toddler will outgrow in less than a year.
Custom Family Shirts
Last but certainly not least. You should buy Disney-themed custom t-shirts before visiting Disney.
Not only are matching shirts cute, but they are an additional safety measure, just in case someone gets separated from the group.
What do you think of our list? What are some things you buy before visiting Disney with a toddler? Comment below.
