Military Disney Tips 2019 and 2020 Disney Packing Checklist

Our what to pack for Disney checklist includes items we’ve tested and used ourselves in the parks, plus great ideas that we’ve seen elsewhere and are planning to try.

Everything on this list will either save you some cash or make your vacation and park experience more enjoyable and comfortable.

Here is the Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist

Essential Items to go in your Carry On Bags

• Your Military Theme Park Tickets and copy of the original purchase receipt(s) (you should have pictures of your tickets too, see why)
• Your Magic Bands
• Any Disney gift cards
• Your Disney Visa Rewards card
• Prescriptions
• ID, medical insurance card, credit cards, cash (cash for tipping bellman, maid, valet parking)
• Gum and snacks for the plane
• Portable tech chargers
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuits (this is if you plan to head to the pool prior to your luggage arriving on the Disney Magical Express)

Checked Baggage

Orlando International Airport

Clothing

A good pair of Shoes (or 2 pair) – Get them a month or two before your trip, you don’t want to be breaking them in at Disney World. Get a pair with great support and cushioning.

Hats – To keep the sun off your forehead and face.

Modern under garments for men and women– You will do lots of walking in the parks wearing street clothes, I find that wearing a modern moisture wicking fabric under my street clothes keeps chaffing from happening. You’ll thank yourself!

Toiletries

Sunscreen – bottle/tube/spray/packets. Sunscreen is a must!

Body Glide or Powder – A good alternative to the underwear mentioned above or even as a second line of defense.

Hand Sanitizer – There are a lot of hands touching everything in Disney’s parks! We keep a couple of these in our pockets, on a lanyard, or in my camera bag to use often.

Technology

Be sure to bring all of the charging chords that you’ll need from home: phones, iPads, cameras, etc.

Mini power strip for AC and USB – These are essential for today’s tech needs. Your room won’t have enough plugs for all of those chords you brought. Alternately you could bring a more traditional Power Strip.

Between charges at the room you will most likely need a boost in the parks. Bringing along an external charging device is the way to go. you could bring a Compact External Charger or Mophie case for your power needs

A Waterproof Case or Bag for  your tech gear is also essential for Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids!

Handy Items

Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad – These cooling towels work well, especially during Florida summers! They help dissipate perspiration from your body while helping to keep you cool.

Keep dry during the Orlando daily summer rain shower with a 10-pack of ponchos  or a Travel Umbrella.

Britta Filter Water Bottles – With these you’ll save on the pricey Disney water bottles. Hydration is important in the hot theme parks.

Mole Skin Padding Roll – Nothing is worse than a blister on your foot. Mole skin provides all-day pain relief for tender spots. Its self-stick adhesive holds the padding in place.

Food and Snacks

Here’s a list of items that are great to have in the room!

• Cereal Boxes/Cups – You can get milk from your Resort’s sundries shop
• Granola Bars
• Nuts
• Oatmeal Packets – Fix with the room microwave or coffee maker
• Cheese or Peanut Butter Crackers etc
• Fruit Snacks
• Water Flavoring
• Beef Jerkey – Ball Park Bourbon, my favorite. A great sweet flavor
• Cliff Bars – Packed with 23 vitamins and minerals, CLIF Bars have the energy you need to sustain your Disney adventure

Packing food and disposable items in to your luggage might generate extra airline baggage fees. Shipping items to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can be a great alternative to packing those items and lugging them to the airport.

Instead of packing snacks, order them from Amazon Prime Pantry 30 Day Free Trial using this link.

See our full post on Shipping items to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, for a how to and ideas on other items to ship.

Thunderbirds over the Magic Kingdom

Packing Your Luggage

Whether you are packing carry-on or checked baggage organization is essential in order to take everything that you’ll need for your vacation.

Military Disney Tips has recently partnered with EzPacking, a new organization system for your suitcase. The secret to the system is Packing Cubes. What are Packing Cubes? they are neat see through, zippered vinyl cases which come in many accent colors, that you can fit all of your travel needs into. They really help keep your suitcase neat and organized (see the picture below).

EzPacking has graciously offered Military Disney Tips readers a 15% discount when using the code MILITARYDISNEY at checkout!

Short Business Trip Carry-On Using the EzPack System

What you see in my bag is the Starter Set which includes:

• 1 Large Cube – Dimensions:  16”  x  10.3”  x  4.0”
• 1 Medium Cube – Dimensions:  12”  x  10.3”  x  4”
• 1 Small Cube – Dimensions: 10.3”  x  6”  x  4”
• 1 Extra-Small Cube – Dimensions:  6”  x  6”  x  2.5”

Total weight: 1lb and 4 ounces.

Here it is all spread out:

EzPacking Starter Set

I’ve used all 4 cubes, The large for my Shirts, the medium for my shorts, sweat pants etc, the small is great for all my accessories, and the extra small holds my toiletries. Note I’m also using the shoe and laundry bad this trip (these can be added on a la carte or come as part of the complete bundle).

There are numerous ways to use the cubes: by type of item in each cube, a cube per day of your trip, or a cube per person. the possibilities are endless.

EzPacking the Complete Bundle – 2 Starter Sets (mix your colors), Laundry Bag, 2 Shoe Bags, 1 Duffle Bag, & 1 Set of Folding Boards (to get a perfect fit in your cubes)

If you think this great system might work for you go to EzPacking.com and be sure to use MILITARYDISNEY ar checkout for your 15% off.

The Hub in front of WDW’s Cinderella Castle

Essentials to Pack for in the Parks

• Hand Sanitizer
• Sun Screen
• Water Bottle
• Rain Gear
• Asperin/Advil/Tylenol – Your choice
• Snacks

That’s it for our list. What do you pack for Disney, tell us in the comments below!

If you are considering a purchase of any of these items or any other supplies for your vacation, we would greatly appreciate it if you use the links to Amazon in this post or at the bottom of every page on the site to make your purchase. It benefits the site, doesn’t cost you anything, and help us to keep providing you with useful content.

Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:

• The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 

• Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 

• Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide

Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.

See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner