4. Ponchos
Ponchos remain probably the most comically overpriced item in Disney parks.
No one thinks of buying a poncho before you need one—a giant plastic rain-protection sack isn’t the most glamorous of garments to include on your packing list. Once again, Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and it’s hard to remember it’s the country’s wacky-weather capital until you find yourself standing in the middle of The Most Magical Place on Earth drenched to your socks. Disneyland in California doesn’t get quite as much rain, but downpours can still happen.
Ponchos are the ultimate Disney impulse buy, usually going for a whopping $12. While Disney’s ponchos are made of a thicker material that can be reused, it’s hard to justify spending that much for a plastic sack when light alternatives are available online or at the camping section of any Walmart for $2-4. You can even buy family packs to save extra.
A few lightweight ponchos small enough to tuck into a bag are a great investment, particularly if you’ll be visiting during the rainier times of year. You may end up not needing them, but they’re way more convenient to carry than an umbrella and can prove well worth the low cost to keep you dry when the sky gets soggy.
5. Hand sanitizer
Even before the pandemic, hand sanitizer was a good thing to keep nearby in Disney parks—especially considering how kids can’t help scooting their butts along handrails.
Hand sanitizer stations are still widely available in Disney parks, but not as often as you may like. They do run out periodically. Theme parks have long been one of those places where the likelihood of picking up germs is pretty high, just due to the high capacity. Disney has done a laudable job mitigating risk, but bringing a small bottle of your own hand sanitizer is a smart move in case you find yourself in a spot it’s not easily available.
6. Sunscreen
This one has always struck me as so, so weird, but it’s really difficult to find sunscreen at Walt Disney World—at least any that hasn’t been severely marked up.
Sunscreen is another one of those items you don’t realize you missed until it’s too late. Both Florida and California are states that reach high UV exposure levels, even on cloudy days. While many medications and toiletries that you might need in a pinch can be picked up for free at Disney First Aid, sunscreen is one of the few items you can only purchase in a shop—and you will pay a premium for it.
While it’s fairly easy to buy sunscreen from a local store, you can also get good deals on travel size sunscreens online, in whatever form you like.
7. Something to do in line
Crowds are picking up with the return of the holiday season, and that means with or without Genie+, you’ll be spending some time in line. Particularly if you have kids, it’s worth having some sort of diversion to pass the time besides your smartphone.
If you’ll be visiting during a lighter season or using proven strategies to reduce your time in line, you may not need any sort of physical diversion for queue time—the games a family might enjoy on a road trip like 20 Questions or don’t-break-the-chain are great opportunities for connection in queues.
For extra-long lines (or very young kids), however, it’s wise to have a backup plan. Depending on the age of your family, this might be as simple as bringing some headphones and a splitter to enjoy an audiobook (this pairs well with that power bank we mentioned) or some simple toys or games that can be used while standing.
Enjoy this article? What’s your top “must-bring” item to have at Walt Disney World? Let us know in Facebook or in the comments. Thanks for reading!
Keep reading to learn…
- No Lightning Lane? No Problem! Make the Most Out of Your Next Disney Day WITHOUT Genie+
- Could Disney's Multiverse Craze Solve the Biggest Problems for Marvel and Star Wars in their Parks?
- 8 Creative Ways to Upgrade Your Next Disney Vacation Without an Upcharge
- 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Walt Disney World (Series)
Comments
As far as we are into this pandemic, it's not on Disney to provide masks for you. EVERBODY should have their own by now. So cry me a river about Disney not having masks available when it's on YOU and your groups to be prepared.
What's next,, you don't have an admission ticket, and you want Disney to provide you with one for free because you forgot to buy one?
Grow up and take some responsibility for yourself. You KNEW masks were required, and took this kid into the park without one. That's on you, not on Disney.