Best Items to Bring to Disneyland

_{Disclaimer: By clicking my links and making purchases, I may make a small commission with no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Furthermore, my age recommendations are my personal opinion.} 

Getting There: Luggage

When we fly, we go as inexpensively as possible. That often means a budget airline and as few bags as possible. On shorter trips, we bring these personal item backpacks that are built to work as luggage. Two of these plus a regular backpack for each kid will do the trick and save us space (and money). If you do need more luggage when flying a budget airline, consider bringing a large checked bag instead of several carry-ons. We have this luggage set and it is awesome!

Best Items to Bring to Disneyland: Water Bottles

Bring a water bottle for each person in your group. Water and other drinks are pricey at the parks, but you can easily refill a bottle at drinking fountains and sometimes restaurants.

I am a huge Owala fan, especially the non-insulated version (I know, going against the norm here) because it is much lighter to carry and I can see how much is actually in my bottle. I recently grabbed three kid-sized versions, and they held up well throughout the day. The lock feature is key to making sure spills don’t happen.

Whether the forecast is warm and sunny or calls for rain, a water bottle is absolutely one of the best items to bring to Disneyland.

Hot Weather Help

If you’re traveling during warmer seasons, it can get quite hot walking across the park and waiting in line. We tried a water-sprayer-fan combo like this one before, and while they helped cool us down, they felt a bit cumbersome, the batteries fell out of some, and they eventually broke (after our return home).

Personal fans like these have been highly recommended. I would also consider a small handheld one like this for little kids to hold and play with, knowing they may not survive for long.

And if you really want the combo, try this one which has better reviews and is slightly smaller.

Rainy Days

If rain is in the forecast, you want everyone to stay as dry as possible to feel comfortable and enjoy the day. Ponchos like these will help keep bums from getting wet when sitting down, and keep your clothes dry underneath. If you’re looking for spirited designs, try these.

A quick dry towel is also helpful for wiping down seats on rides or benches. And make sure to wear shoes that can handle getting wet without soaking your feet. I have these waterproof Columbia hiking shoes that I love to wear in rainy weather, and my youngest has a pair of Merrells like these that I love because they are slip-on, waterproof, and high quality.

Just note, that if it is pouring rain, your feet are going to get wet (at least in my experience). Consider bringing an extra pair of shoes for everyone and stashing them in a locker.

After a very rainy day at Disneyland, I do wish we brought a few umbrellas as well. I thought they would be cumbersome, but in hindsight, the benefits would outweigh any negatives.