What to Bring to Disneyland
Being prepared for your day at Disneyland is a big part of a successful trip. Throughout the years, I have found that these are the essentials I reach for time and again during trips with my kids.
Snacks
Disneyland can be a lot for kids to take in. They may find themselves too excited to eat like they normally would and that can lead to some major meltdowns at inopportune times (are there actually opportune times for a meltdown? Anyway…) Keeping some of their favorite snacks close at hand can help regulate blood sugar as well as emotions. You may bring your own food and drinks into Disneyland as long as there are no glass containers). I like nonperishable, individually packaged food that is easy to toss in a bag and won’t cause a big mess when you’re at the park. Some favorites are applesauce pouches, mandarin oranges, granola bars, goldfish/trail mix/pirates booty (packed in these great containers) and usually some kind of fun treat (I like to buy the packs of Mickey shaped lollipops found at lots of stores around the resort and give each kid one of them a day).
Battery Packs
We always carry an extra power source for our phones at the park. Between taking photos and videos and using the Disneyland app <<INSERT LINK TO APP POST>> your phone can very easily be dead by lunch time. My husband and I both share this one and it’s easy to travel with and holds its charge for a long time. True story – we used it for our Disneyland trip in March of 2020, didn’t use it again for a looong time after that (obviously) and then we had a scary winter storm in February 2021 where we lost power for several days. We unearthed this sucker and were both able to charge our phones back up again! Pretty good endorsement, I’d say.
Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
So overall I do think cast members do a phenomenal job keeping the parks clean. But I am what you might call… fastidious (to put it mildly) and I go nowhere without my own hand sanitizer and wipes and even disinfecting spray. I have tried lots and lots and these are for sure my favorites. For hand sanitizer – Purell Naturals (this links to a pack of six, which I actually recommend because I give everyone their own individual container and keep a couple for backup. See, fastidious).
For wipes – I like these for wiping down benches or tables or things like remotes and phones at the hotel. And I like these as an option for kiddos that may not like the feeling of “gloopy” hand sanitizer or if their hands start to get a little dry.
And for the spray, I use this. I mainly use it on every single surface I come in contact with on the airplane, but since it’s already packed for the trip to Disneyland I go ahead and throw it in my park bag too.
Kid Activities
OK now that I’ve basically outed myself as a major germaphobe, allow me to prove to you I can be a fun mom!
I always have some kind of small activity to help pass the time. There is a lot of waiting at Disneyland – waiting for attractions, waiting for parades, waiting for food – so having something new (yet small!) to help distract and keep the kids entertained is crucial. Some major successes I’ve had in the past include Disney blind bags (similar to these) – the excitement of seeing who they get is fun plus my kids make up little games and performances with their characters. These Brain Quest cards are great for keeping everyone occupied. My kids also love to draw and write, so a small journal and cool pen can keep them busy during downtime.
Other hits are bubbles (these are small enough that they’re easy to pack and if they spill – which seems inevitable with my kids – there’s not a huge mess), wiki sticks, stickers and pop its. Use what works for your family, but my tip is to make sure it’s something new to them so they’ll (hopefully) stay engaged long enough to pass some time.
Water Bottles
Staying hydrated is important no matter the time of year you visit, however it’s especially key during the warm and sunny days. You may ask for ice water at most dining locations (including Starbucks) and they will provide it free of charge, however it’s not always convenient to wait in a line or make your way to a restaurant. I bring refillable water bottles for everyone in my family and we stop at water stations or water fountains throughout the day. These are cool because they are collapsable so they travel easily and also have a wide mouth so refilling is a breeze. This one is my personal favorite but it is definitely heavier than the previously mentioned set.
Change of Clothes
I always bring an extra set of clothes for each of my kids (everything – socks, underwear, tops, bottoms, the whole deal) and store either in a wet bag or a large ziplock bag for each kid. I’ve had to use these clothes on numerous occasions for a whole variety of reasons (I’m sure you can imagine some of the reasons).
Blanket
This one is admittedly a little extra, but I like to bring a lightweight blanket in the bottom of my park bag. It almost always comes in handy and serves a lot of different purposes – you can use it as a towel after Splash Mountain, it makes a great little cushion for sitting, it helps claim space while waiting for a parade or fireworks, it’s nice as an extra layer to bundle up with if the weather unexpectedly turns chilly. These are my favorite – lightweight and easy to stuff in a bag.
Sunscreen
Even on overcast days, you’re going to want to make sure everyone has their sunscreen. California sun is no joke! I just use the kids stuff for all of us to avoid having multiple bottles.
First Aid Kit
There are wonderful first aid stations located in both Disneyland and DCA, but I always like to have a few simple things on hand to save us from having to stop everything and book it to one of two locations for something like a bandaid. I fill up this pouch with things I know my family might need or use (think bandaids, blister blockers, ibuprofen, neosporin, etc).
Extras
Depending on what the conditions will be like when you visit, you might consider extra things like ponchos (they’ll be much cheaper buying them at home than they will at the park), portable fans, misters or a sun hat.
Now that you’re ready for anything you can relax and enjoy your time at the happiest place on Earth!
