Prepping for a Walt Disney World Stay: Your MUST DO Items
Let’s be blunt. Planning for a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming and a bit complicated.
If you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime Walt Disney World stay, you might get frustrated scanning incredibly detailed itineraries. Well, look no further.
Check out our general top tips for preparing for a Disney World vacation that is filled with ease and convenience.
In the spirit of Pinocchio (1940), let us be your Jiminy Cricket , and let our advice be your guide!
Break in Footwear
Cinderella couldn’t break in her glass slippers (ouch!), but you can make sure your favorite walking shoes are park ready. Whatever you do, don’t bring a crisp pair of unworn Nikes in your suitcase.
The average Disney World visitor walks at least 7 miles a day, so new shoes will only bring discomfort and blisters.
This advice also counts for walking flips flops/sandals. You still need to break in the foot bed of more delicate shoes.
To best prepare your feet, you’ll want to have at least 2 pairs of shoes on hand. Then, make sure you start wearing them at least a month before your trip.
Even if you’re a homebody, you can still throw them on for errands or walking around the house. At the end of an open-close day at the Magic Kingdom, you’ll be glad you did.
Stock Up on Travel Gadgets
Travel bloggers are always coming out with new lists of “must have” park bag items. And we have benefited from it.
Many of these gadgets have made our days and trips easier. When filling your park bag, ask yourself, “What would I need for a long day in a humid/wet theme park?”
Popular travel gadgets and accessories include:
- Portable charging batteries for cell phones
- Refillable water bottles
- Bitbelts (to keep MagicBands from falling off your wrist)
- Reusable straws
- Lightweight crossbody bag or backpack
- Moisture-wicking socks
- Reusable ponchos
- Portable fans
- Body Glide
Regardless of what you deem necessary, order it in advance. You can order items from Amazon and ship them to your resort, but even Prime-eligible orders will take one business day.
Come with your bag pre-stocked with helpful goodies.
Stock up on OTCs
Unfortunately, you may have experienced this but, people do get sick on vacation. Disney World has resources to help you, but it’s still a good idea to come prepared with some over-the-counter medications.
While Disney hotels do sell some basic medications in their gift shops, their selection is small. If you’re looking for a specific brand, you may be out of luck.
There isn’t an official pharmacy on site, so you may get stuck calling a cab or waiting on an Amazon delivery. Try to think through your medical history when packing.
If you’re prone to sinus issues or gastrointestinal issues, you might want emergency decongestants or antacid medication. If you have trouble sleeping on the road, bring some melatonin.
It’s impossible to be prepared for every scenario, but you can still give yourself a leg up.
Make Reservations ASAP
Disney World has relied on a reservation-based system for quite some time, but in a post-pandemic era, it’s stricter than ever. Not only do you need dinner (ADRs) and hotel reservations, but you need reservations to visit specific parks.
Our advice? Don’t sleep on making these reservations.
Park pass reservations can be made as soon as you put down a trip deposit or buy park tickets.
Dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance and admittedly, are hard to score. Plan in some buffer time for stalking Disney World’s website for openings if you couldn’t get a sought-after ADR like Topolino’s Terrace or the California Grill.
Reservations are also required for “special” experiences, like visiting the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or building a light saber in Savi’s Workshop.
Do your research, talk to your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner like MickeyTravels, and mark your calendar for your reservation schedule. This is a non-negotiable step.
Refine Your Daily Itineraries
Disney visitors vary in how detailed their daily itineraries are. By your trip, you could be overrun with advice for must-do attractions, must-see shows, and must-eat snacks.
Making a Disney World bucket list is great, but don’t stress yourself out. You’re not going to accomplish everything in one trip and that is perfectly ok!
Resist the urge to maximize every minute and instead, make a short list of “must dos” for every park. You can prioritize those experiences and consider everything else a delightful bonus.
Plus, it’s basically a scientific fact that people who stop and smell the roses enjoy their vacations more.
We hope these tips make your planning and Walt Disney World stay a little easier to achieve – and enjoy. We wish you a truly magical experience!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Featured Photo: Four Seasons