What to Pack for a Day at Disney, According to Disney Adults

From the most comfortable shoes to the best theme park-approved backpacks

Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 10 years of experience covering all things beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. At PEOPLE, she collaborates with the PEOPLE Tested team to share our top recommendations for everything from the best shapewear to the best dark spot correctors.

I grew up in Southern California, and my parents worked at The Walt Disney Company since before I was even born, which means I spent (and still spend) a ton of time at Disneyland and California Adventure. It also makes me a Disney adult by default (alongside Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, and more Disney adult celebs).

With so much time spent in the parks, I am the first to admit that the Happiest Place on Earth quickly becomes the most miserable if you didn’t pack some theme park essentials. To help with packing efforts, I asked Disney adults and influencers for their Disney day trip must-haves.

Read on for everything you need to have a magical day at Disney, including comfy sneakers, iconic Mickey Mouse ears, mini fans, and more.

Comfortable sneakers are one of the most important things to consider when packing for a day at Disney. Alex Nelson, a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE, loves these Cariuma sneakers because they’re comfortable and match all of her park outfits. “I definitely recommend breaking them in first with a few short walks before taking them for a spin around the parks,” she notes.

The Salvas come in men’s and women’s sizes and are constructed from durable leather, so they’ll hold up for your theme park adventures.

For another pair of classic white sneakers, Megan Heneghan, aka Megan the Magical Millennial, loves Reeboks: “I have been wearing my Reebok Renaissance sneakers to the parks for a few years now, and they keep my feet the most comfortable — even on the 12- to 15-hour park days.”

In addition to their versatile style, these sneakers have an EVA midsole with lightweight cushioning that allows for extra support and comfort.  

If you prefer to wear sandals to a theme park, Heneghan says these PacSun slides are super comfortable. They’re lightweight with a padded sole for extra cushion, and they can double as pool shoes for enjoying your hotel’s amenities on those in between Disney days.

If you already own a pair of Birkenstock Arizonas, those work, too!

“While a belt bag or crossbody bag is a good option for carrying around the parks, I highly recommend getting a Loungefly backpack,” says Nelson. Loungefly makes some of the best theme park backpacks in hundreds of designs, so you can find ones that fit your Disney style.

I have this Tigger Loungefly (pictured below), and Nelson loves her Disney Princess Books Loungefly (pictured above). “It’s a good size that fits in almost all the small pouches to stow belongings on park rides,” she notes.

The Lululemon belt bags are a go-to for everyday wear — and they work well for a Disney day, too.

“When I am only taking a few items to the park with me, I love bringing my belt bag,” says Heneghan. The small bag comes in lots of fun colors and prints (so you can totally coordinate with your Disney OOTD) and is large enough to fit your phone, keys, credit cards, and a small bottle of sunscreen.

I also have this Lululemon belt bag lookalike from Amazon. It's only $20 and makes an excellent blank canvas for displaying your pin collection.

Stay hydrated and save money by bringing your own reusable water bottle to the park. If your bottle doesn’t fit in your bag (or you want it a little more accessible), the Corkcicle Disney Sling is a fun and functional way to show off your park style. “

They have the cutest Grogu one that makes it super easy to carry your water bottle around the parks,” says Heneghan.

This Calpak crossbody is the best bag for a rainy Disney trip. I have it in red to match my Minnie Mouse ears and love that it’s made from a laminated ripstop polyester material, making it ultra-durable and water-resistant (I’ve even worn it in a Vancouver downpour and it kept all of my belongings dry).

The bag is also a great travel purse, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone flying into Orlando or Anaheim for a Disney vacation.

Jewelry is a fun way to incorporate subtle magical touches into your park look. Nelson loves Baublebar’s Disney jewelry collection, and these Minnie Mouse earrings are one of her go-to styles.

They’re constructed from 18K gold plated sterling silver, too, so they’re great for more sensitive ears and they won’t tarnish with regular wear. 

A good pair of sunglasses is another theme park essential, and Disney influencer David Vaughn says he doesn’t leave home without a pair of Ray-Bans: “These folding wayfarers are super practical for storing before a ride."

In addition to their compact size, they’re also comfortable enough to wear for hours in the California and Florida sun. 

When it’s hot out, and you’re contemplating going on It’s a Small World a second time just to cool off, Vaughn says mini handheld fans are a game changer.

“They’re easy to carry, quiet, and keep you cool — buy one for ever -

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y person in your party,” he notes. Heneghan agrees and says she always keeps this mini fan from Amazon in her park bag. 

Character ears are a fun way to accessorize your Disney look. You can find these in every store at the parks, but for something a little more unique, consider buying a licensed pair from Baublebar.

Whether you need a break from wearing a headband all day or are about to get on a ride, an ear holder key chain can keep your ears safe (and allow you to still show them off). This custom keychain is inspired by the cast member name tag and is a sweet touch to any Disney look. 

If you’re heading to Disney on a sunny day, add a baseball cap to your look. I have had this Mickey one from Nike for over seven years, and it’s still one of my go-to styles.

I love that it’s made from a moisture-wicking polyester material, which makes it cool on the head and easy to clean. The subtle Mickey logo is also adorable. 

Vaughn swears by Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen (and it’s one of our favorites, too). “It’s incredibly lightweight, invisible, and doesn’t have that sunscreen smell,” he notes.

This SPF comes in three sizes, including a mini 0.68 oz. option that doesn’t take up a lot of space in your park bag. If you run out while at the parks, Downtown Disney and Disney Springs have Sephora on-site for all of your restocking needs.

I am obsessed with Vacation sunscreens, and this mist version is always in my bag for a Disneyland day. The SPF 50 has a convenient spray nozzle that makes it easy to touch up your sun protection throughout the day. Plus, the mini 1-ounce bottle is travel-friendly and doesn’t take up a lot of extra space in your belt bag or Loungefly backpack. 

If you need sunscreen for your face and body — and one that is large enough to protect your entire group — this one from EltaMD is an excellent choice. The mineral sunscreen has SPF 40 and is formulated with vitamins C and E, aloe, and coconut fruit extract, so it has extra skincare benefits.

It’s also water and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes, which is a must for hot summer days in the parks. 

On top of comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, mini fans, and — of course — your favorite Disney accessories, a few other essentials can help with a more seamless park experience. 

You can bring water to Disney World and Disneyland. In fact, there are several water refill stations throughout the parks. If you’re bringing your own reusable water bottle, I recommend something insulated like the Hydro Flask 24 oz. bottle, which will help keep your water cool and refreshing on a hot day.

In addition to bringing your own water bottle, add some electrolyte packets to your park bag to maximize hydration. I love the Cure Lemonade Hydrating Electrolyte Mix (it’s so tasty!) or the Nuun Hydration Daily Wellness Electrolyte Tablets.

What you wear to Disneyland and Disney World will depend entirely on the time of year. The most important things to consider are comfort and layers (in case it gets chilly at night or while on the rides). 

For men, Vaughn says hybrid shorts such as the BC Surf Men’s Hybrid Amphibious Quick-Dry Shorts are a must. “These are ideal for guys who want to ride water attractions because they dry quickly.” He also recommends getting in the Disney spirit with a themed jersey — like the Toy Story Athletic Jersey — or a cool graphic tee such as the Disney Villains Group Collage Men’s T-Shirt.

Heneghan loves a comfortable and versatile tank such as the Free People Women's Hayley Racerback Brami. “I love the Free People tank because it is lightweight, and there are so many cute colors available.” She also loves a lightweight tennis skirt with built-in shorts (this one from Amazon is her favorite), an athleisure dress such as the Halara Easy Peezy Dress, or a pair of Lululemon shorts for a hot summer day.

If you’re headed to Disney in California, the weather cools down a lot in the evenings, and acclimating can be tricky after being in the sun all day. With that in mind, bring a sweatshirt with you so that you can cover up and stay comfortable while going on rides at night. This classic Disneyland sweatshirt is one of Heneghan’s favorites (I love it, too). For a heavier layer, I recommend the BoxLunch racing jackets.

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. Jessie grew up in Southern California, and her parents have both worked for Disney since before she was born (her dad is a product designer for the Disney Stores and her mom works at the internal advertising agency for Disney parks and experiences).

Needless to say, Jessie has spent many hours at Disneyland and California Adventure and has lots of experience packing for day trips and overnight stays. In addition to her own personal experience, Jessie connected with other Disney adults and influencers to learn what their go-to theme park essentials are for a day of Disney magic.  

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