You need more than you realize for a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth!
A recent article on the Disney Parks blog gave some great advice on what to pack for a trip to Walt Disney World — great, but incomplete. Not to cast doubt on the collective wisdom of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, but the average family needs to bring more than just some mesh laundry bags, ziplocs and pennies when visiting Walt’s Magic Kingdom, Not That One But The Other One.
Fortunately for our readers, Uncle Walt’s Insider staff have been there, done that, got the churro-stained t-shirt, and we can give you the full rundown of everything you need to pack for a successful Disney vacation!
Suitcases filled with cash
The blog article recommends bringing pennies and quarters for the penny press machines, but true Disney veterans know that a quarter won’t even buy you the tantalizing smell of a churro. The old joke is to set out all the clothes you want to take and money you plan to spend, then take half the clothes and twice the money. To be safe, though, we’ve found it best just to wear what we have on and then load up the suitcases with currency.
Maps with churro cart locations marked
Sure, you want to hit all the attractions and see the shows, but once you’re there, it’s better to know just how far you are away from a churro cart at any given moment. Given that folks are using Google Street View to locate churro carts now, you are at a disadvantage if you don’t come prepared. [Pro tip: pack one of these babies so that you catch every churro crumb!]
Donald Duck to English Translation Guide
However will you understand Donald without it? Daisy isn’t always around to translate.
101 Things to Do at the New Jersey Pavilion
If you’ve never before visited Epcot’s newest pavilion, this guide will help you find all of its hidden secrets. [Pro tip: there are at least 4 ‘Hidden Snookies’ in the courtyard alone. Can you find them all?]
Barbecue grill
Hey, food in the parks is expensive, and you may — though this idea is still ‘out there’ to most of us at Uncle Walt’s — you may want something other than a churro. Fire up the grill and throw on some hot dogs, burgers, and chicken breasts. [Pro tip: Save even more money by cooking extra burgers and selling them to other guests!]
Drivers license and proof of insurance
Some newbies get suckered into Disney’s suggestion that all you need to carry with you in the parks is your Magic Band, but veterans know that’s not always the case. If you plan to drive one of the Tomorrowland Speedway cars in the Magic Kingdom, you’ll need your license and insurance handy before getting behind the wheel. It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law!
Helga, my Swedish foot massage therapist
The Walt Disney World Resort is a really big place, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking — especially now that Disney is charging valet parking fees for ECVs. Do what I do, and bring your own massage therapist! Helga can really work the soreness out of my tired puppies after a long day trekking in the hot Florida sun. [Pro tip: it doesn’t actually have to be Helga. Any Swedish foot massage therapist is better than none.]
And there you have it — everything you really need to have a magical vacation at Walt Disney World, at least until we think of some more for another article. Have a great trip — and tell Helga we sent you!
Do you have any essential things you pack? Let us know in the comments below!
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