Disney World Packing List for Families With Kids
A Disney World packing list for a family comes down to four groups: the park bag (water, sunscreen, snacks, a phone charger and a change of clothes for each small child), the stroller and its kit, rain and heat gear (ponchos, a cooling towel, hats), and comfortable, broken-in shoes for everyone. Then check Disney’s rules before you pack, because a few common family items are not allowed: strollers wider than 31 inches or longer than 52 inches, stroller wagons, bags or coolers bigger than 24 by 15 by 18 inches, loose ice, folding chairs and selfie sticks. The checklist below is built to be ticked off on the page, and the last section turns it into a list for any theme park.
What Disney World does not allow
Read this first, because it shapes the rest of the list. Walt Disney World’s park rules prohibit, among other things:
- Strollers larger than 31” (79 cm) wide and 52” (132 cm) long. Stroller wagons are also prohibited, and wagons are not allowed in any theme park or water park.
- Bags, coolers or backpacks larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high, with or without wheels. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in coolers; Disney recommends reusable ice packs.
- Glass containers, except small ones such as baby food jars.
- Folding chairs, selfie sticks, and toys that look like weapons.
- Balloons and plastic straws at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Costumes for guests aged 14 or older. Younger children can wear costumes, but the rules say masks must not cover the whole face.
The rules can change without notice, so check the page again the week you fly.
The park bag
This is the bag that comes into the park every day. Keep it small enough to fit under the stroller or on one parent’s back.
- A refillable water bottle for each child, like the Thermos Funtainer, which is easy for small hands
- Mineral sunscreen, like Blue Lizard Baby, and a lip balm with SPF for the grown-ups
- Snacks for the lines, packed in a small soft cooler with reusable ice packs if you need to keep anything cold
- A portable charger and cable. The park apps drain a phone fast. A 10,000mAh battery like the Anker Power Bank covers a long day.
- One full change of clothes per child under five, in a zip bag
- Diapers, wipes and a changing pad, if you need them
- Hand sanitizer and a small pack of tissues
- A few bandages and a strip of Dr. Scholl’s moleskin for the first blister
- Any medicines your family needs, in their original packaging
- Park tickets or MagicBands, and a photo ID for each adult
If you forget the basics, every park has a Baby Care Center. Disney says they are free to use during regular park hours and include nursing and changing rooms, a feeding area with high chairs, and a kitchenette with a microwave and sink. They also sell baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, formula and over-the-counter medicines, subject to availability.
The stroller
For under-fives, the stroller is your seat, your locker and your nap room. Bring one even for a five-year-old who has not used one at home in a year. A theme park day is longer than any walk they have done.
- A stroller that fits Disney’s size limit (31” wide x 52” long), measured before you pack it
- A rain cover for the stroller
- A clip-on sunshade or parasol for the canopy
- A bright ribbon or tag, so you can find it in the stroller parking area
- A cable lock, if you are leaving bags in it
- The stroller’s own cup holder or a hook for the park bag
Bring your own or rent? Disney rents single strollers recommended for children up to 50 pounds, and double strollers recommended for up to 100 pounds, on its stroller rentals page. ScooterBug, Disney’s featured provider, can also deliver a rental to Disney Resort hotels. A rental is a stroller your child has never slept in, though, so for a toddler who naps on the move at home, your own is usually the better bet. My best travel stroller guide covers compact ones that fold small enough for the flight.
Rain and heat
Central Florida can be hot and humid for much of the year, with afternoon storms in the warmer months. Pack for both.
- A rain poncho for everyone. They fold small and dry fast, unlike umbrellas, which are awkward in crowds.
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap for each child
- A cooling towel, like the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad, soaked at a water fountain
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothes
- Spare socks, in a zip bag
- A light layer for the evenings and air-conditioned shows
Clothes and shoes
- Comfortable, broken-in shoes for everyone. New shoes on day one cause the blister you packed the moleskin for.
- Sandals or water shoes for the splash areas and the hotel pool
- Swimsuits
- Pajamas, and one cozy outfit for the plane or the drive
- A costume or two for the under-14s, if they want one
For the hotel room
Theme park days are big days, and the evening needs to be quiet.
- Your child’s usual bedtime comfort item and sleep sack
- A small night light
- A portable white noise machine, like the Yogasleep Rohm, if your child uses one at home
- Laundry bags, one for dirty clothes and one for wet swimwear
A park day shifts bedtime later, and a late night after fireworks is worth it once or twice, not every night. Betteroo’s guide to the steps of a toddler’s evening wind-down is a good template for a shortened hotel version: bath, pajamas, one story, lights out. For how to plan the day around a nap, see my Disney World with a toddler guide.
What to leave at home
- A wagon (not allowed in the parks)
- An oversized stroller that is wider than 31 inches
- Folding chairs and a selfie stick
- Glass bottles, except small baby food jars
- Balloons, if you are going to Animal Kingdom
- Loose ice for the cooler
Any theme park: the short version
The same list works for Universal, SeaWorld, Six Flags, a local amusement park or a fair, with one change: check that park’s own bag and stroller rules before you go, because they differ. The essentials are the same everywhere:
- Water bottle for each child
- Sunscreen and hats
- Snacks
- Phone charger
- One change of clothes per small child
- Ponchos
- Comfortable shoes
- Stroller for under-fives, checked against the park’s size rules
For the rest of a Florida trip, my Orlando with kids guide covers where to stay and how to pace the parks.
FAQ
What should I pack for Disney World with a toddler?
A stroller that fits Disney’s 31-by-52-inch limit, a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, a full change of clothes, diapers and wipes if needed, a rain cover and a comfort item for naps. Every park has a free Baby Care Center if you run out of basics.
Can you bring a wagon into Disney World?
No. Disney’s park rules prohibit wagons and stroller wagons in all theme parks and water parks.
What is the bag size limit at Disney World?
Bags, coolers and backpacks larger than 24 inches long, 15 inches wide and 18 inches high are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted; use reusable ice packs.
Can kids wear costumes at Disney World?
Yes, children under 14 can. Disney’s rules say costumes may not be worn by guests aged 14 or older, and masks on younger children must not cover the whole face.
Should I bring my own stroller to Disney World?
Usually, yes, for a child who still naps on the move, because they already sleep in it. Measure yours first: Disney does not allow strollers wider than 31 inches or longer than 52 inches.
