Whoohoo! So you’ve got a trip to Disneyland coming up. Get ready to feel like a kid again and experience magic everywhere you turn! And really, we mean everywhere (there’s likely magic sprinkled into the churros and turkey legs too).
If you’re wondering whether you’ve got everything you need for your Disneyland vacation, this packing guide is here to help.
Having visited Disneyland more than fifteen times now (more times than I can count, really), I know a thing or two about packing for Disneyland trips with max efficiency.
Now, this is not going to be a style guide to help you understand what trendy clothes to buy, but rather a guide to ensure you have everything you need to travel smarter, feel comfortable, and save money.
Get ready to pack like a pro!
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
Still need to buy your Disneyland tickets? Undercover Tourist is the trusted name for discounted theme park tickets. Depending on how many days you visit the parks, you can save up to $161 per ticket with them!
Table of Contents
Fashion / Style at Disneyland: What To Expect
At Disneyland, you can expect people to wear pretty casual clothing. But casual clothing doesn’t mean it has to be boring!
Often times you’ll see people wearing Disney-themed shirts paired with shorts and comfortable walking shoes. This now ranges from Star Wars to Avengers-themed clothing, and classic Disney Princess costumes to Disney Pixar outfits.
Superfans will be wearing lanyards absolutely covered in Disney collectible pins, and they’ll still be looking to add to their collection!
Couples that want to show off their love to each other will often wear matching Disney-related outfits. And more often than not, you’ll see a wide assortment of Mickey ears and headbands atop the heads of many park-goers!
Really, anything goes at Disneyland. It’s a real judgment-free zone where everyone can feel like a kid again.
Whether you want to go with the Disney-related outfit or just stick to your own style of fashion, that’s completely up to you. The rule of thumb here is to wear what makes you feel comfortable.
Now that we’ve set the stage on what to expect at Disneyland, let’s get on to the packing details!
Consider The Weather at Disneyland Before Packing
Disneyland and California Adventure are located in Anaheim, California in sunny Southern California. The relatively dry weather in Anaheim makes it a great place to visit year-round!
Having said that, there are slight differences in weather from season to season.
Summers at Disneyland
During the summer season (June to September), it can get quite hot in Anaheim during the daytime.
It is not uncommon for you to feel the mugginess of the morning while walking to the park entrance, with daytime temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.
You’ll want to carry a lot of water with you wherever you go and pack clothes that are light and airy to prevent discomfort while walking around.
Winters at Disneyland
If you’re traveling during the winter months (December to February), you’ll be visiting during Anaheim’s ‘coldest’ season.
And by ‘cold’, we mean daytime averages of around 70°F (21°C). This is not, by any means, the definition of cold at all! The winter weather is one of the great things to love about Southern California.
You’ll still be able to get away with a t-shirt or light long sleeve in the daytime, but you’ll want to bring a jacket with you for when the sun goes down.
Spring/Fall at Disneyland
Spring (March to May) and Fall (October to November) at Disneyland mean comfortably warm daily temperatures hovering in the 70s and 80s. If you are unfazed by cooler nighttime temperatures, you may be able to get by without a jacket all day!
The bottom line: Pack appropriately depending on the season/month you visit. Along with your warm-weather clothing, bring something for those cooler temperatures (for when you’re indoors and establishments are blasting the air conditioner and/or for those cooler evenings). You’ll want to be prepared for it all!
Think Through Your Disneyland Itinerary Before Packing
What activities are you going to be doing in Disneyland?
Will you be just riding the rides, or also dining at some of the fancier restaurants? Will you be staying all day, or do you plan to head back to your hotel before it gets dark and cold?
Perhaps to avoid the midday heat, you choose to retire to your hotel for a few hours until the sun’s rays cool down a bit.
At the hotel, do you plan to use the swimming pool? And lastly, when you’re not at Disneyland, will you be hiking or doing outdoor activities in the nearby parks?
Your planned activities will influence your Disneyland packing list.
If you plan to be at the park all day until nightfall, you’ll need to make room for some sweaters or jackets.
If you plan to engage in outdoor or hiking activities outside of Disneyland, there are additional items you’ll need to consider bringing, such as activewear, hiking shoes, and day packs.
If lounging by the pool is another one of your main objectives, you’ll need to bring a swimsuit or two.
The Disneyland Packing List
1. Everyday bag
Not all bags work for Disneyland. Someone’s bag needs to be able to fit a water bottle and snacks for the day!
A mini backpack or a crossbody sling that can fit all your Disneyland needs such as a fan, water bottle, phone, camera, sunglasses and sunscreen is a must!
If you’re traveling in the summertime, you’re definitely going to need something big enough to carry around a water bottle. It’s really important to stay hydrated in that Southern California summer heat!
Here are two great options you can consider if you don’t already have a bag:
ALPAKA Metro Crossbody – this bag has a dedicated water bottle holder, which is a rare feature outside of actual backpacks! I love that it can be swung to the front without needing to take it off. Way better than a backpack.
Fjallraven Kanken Mini Classic Backpack – simple and compressible, so when I’m not using it, I can flatten it and store it in my luggage.
Want to take it up a notch? Consider bringing a Disney backpack or bag to truly complete your Disney look!
Pro Tip: If one of you carries a larger backpack, the other one can get away with carrying something smaller, like a fanny pack.
2. Mickey Ears
Join in on all the festiveness at Disneyland by sporting a pair of Mickey/Minnie Mouse Ears! Mickey/Minnie Ears (and the ears of other Disney characters) will usually come in either a baseball cap, hat, or headband form.
I personally own one of each! My customary Minnie Ears even have my name embroidered on the back.
If you don’t currently own a pair of ears, you can easily get them once you get to the park. There are lots of locations to purchase Mickey Mouse Ears, headbands, and other character headwear at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District.
Inside Disneyland, you can check out Mad Hatter on Main Street or Mad Hatter in Fantasyland. In Disney California Adventure Park, check out Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street.
If you buy a new set of ears, you can easily get them customized with your name or any other form of personalization. It really is the perfect personalized souvenir to bring home from the Happiest Place on Earth!
3. Disney-themed Shirts
You’ll likely need one shirt per day you plan to spend at the park. During the summer, sweating is unavoidable. You can certainly re-wear your shirts, but you’ll likely feel more comfortable with a fresh shirt each day.
You can either wear regular clothes or do it big and go Disney-themed!
Looking for matching outfits or family outfits? You can find them all right here.
4. Comfortable Walking Shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking during your Disneyland trip. The park is huge, and if you have a park hopper ticket, you will likely be crossing over parks. That means even more walking!
You should definitely invest in a pair of comfortable shoes with good support and traction.
My all-time favorite travel shoes these days are the tried and true Ecco Soft 7 (they’re stylish, comfortable, and have been raved about for decades since they were first created)! They are perfect for instances when I want to avoid that tennis shoe look–like when I’m wearing a dress or plan on going out for some nightlife afterward.
Really, you can walk miles and miles without feeling foot pain! And the best part is that they have them for both men and women.
5. A light cardigan or puffy jacket
For those unsuspecting chilly nights or those situations where you find that the air conditioning is blasting indoors!
A puffy jacket is always a good option because of how they can pack up into nothing in your backpack or bag.
During the winter months, be ready to dress in layers. Contrary to popular belief, Southern California does get cold in the cooler months!
6. Sunglasses
Because it can get really bright in California during summer afternoons (and even when the skies are more overcast in the cooler months). Protect those eyeballs of yours!
7. Sun Hat / Baseball Cap
Hats are so necessary for sun protection, don’t forget it! You most definitely should have one if you’re going to be spending any prolonged time outdoors.
If you forget to bring a hat, no problem. One of the benefits of visiting Disneyland is that they have tons of merch. You can just buy one at the park (you’ll have lots of cute choices).
8. Disney Autograph Book / Collectable Pins
If you or your kids are aiming to get a few pictures with the Disney characters, you absolutely cannot forget to bring the autograph books! This one comes with alphabet stickers for personalizing. Don’t forget to bring a pen.
Alternatively, you can wait and buy an autograph book once you get to the park. These will oftentimes be more expensive though!
If you’re more into collecting pins than autographs, then bring a few pins with you on your trip! That way, you’ll arrive at the parks ready to trade with other guests and cast members.
Again, you could also wait until you enter the park to pick up pins, but they will be more expensive. There are kiosks around the park offering pin-trading, starter kits, lanyards, and even carrying cases.
9. Rain Ponchos
If you don’t like getting wet or don’t want to risk getting soaked on water rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Grizzly River Run, then you should bring a light, disposable poncho with you.
Get a set of disposable rain ponchos that come in a multi-pack so your family can avoid the wetness if they choose to.
10. Refillable water bottle
Go with a collapsable and refillable water bottle so when it’s not filled, you can easily pack it away in your travel bag.
For something more durable that keeps your water cold for hours upon hours, Hydroflasks are my favorite for everyday use. While they are a bit heavier, I prefer these for hotter Disneyland days because of their ability to keep water ice-cold.
Just remember, no glass water bottles. Disneyland has a no-glass policy!
Pro Tips: There are several water refill stations in Disneyland including a cold filtered water option–found inside the Baby Care Center at the end of Main Street in Disneyland. You can also ask for a free cup of iced water at dining locations where you order at a window.
11. Snacks
As much as we love grabbing a churro here and a corn dog there inside the parks, the costs add up fast.
To balance things out, we like to bring our own snacks—think pre-cut fruit, flavored pretzels, nut bars, and stroopwafels. It helps stretch the food budget while still letting us splurge on a few park favorites.
12. Emergen-C packets
Emergen-C packets are a must for travel. These are a great way to support your immune system and overall health on a trip. If you’re flying in/out of Anaheim, take one before you hop on your plane.
They are light, take up no space, and are very easy to pack!
13. Portable neck fan
If you plan to visit Disneyland during the hot summer months and struggle in hot, stifling weather, pack this in your travel bag!
A constant and enjoyable breeze makes all the difference and will allow you to stay comfortable being outside in the heat for hours on end. I personally own this bladeless neck fan, and it’s been the best upgrade for hot weather conditions.
14. Cooling towel
For something simpler than a neck fan, you can bring a Chill Pal cooling towel to stay cool instead.
Cooling towels work through evaporative cooling—when you wet the towel and wring it out, the remaining moisture slowly evaporates, drawing heat away from your skin in the process. Just snap it a few times after rewetting to reactivate the cooling effect.
For these, you’ll just rewet it every time it cools down. It’ll feel 10 degrees cooler than it really is!
15. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is absolutely necessary. Even if it’s overcast or cloudy, the UV index can be very high, so be sure to apply whenever you’re outdoors.
For the face, we are absolutely obsessed with the magical Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. Another good one that doesn’t leave you feeling greasy and shiny is anything in the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer line.
16. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer gel or hand sanitizing wipes are a must anytime you’re going to be in contact with surfaces many other people have touched.
The railings at Disneyland are extra gross because kids love to touch, swing, and even slobber on them. (Trust me, I’ve seen many kids sticking their mouths on these rails while waiting in line–I always avoid touching them.)
Never leave your hotel room without hand sanitizer! And if you do happen to forget it, remember to wash your hands often, especially before eating or touching your face.
17. Body Wipes / Feminine Wipes
Feeling a bit gross after your first half of the day in the parks but don’t have the time to shower right in that instant? Just whip out one of these body wipes for a quick refresher!
The feminine wipes I like are infused with cucumber and aloe. Trust me, you will feel and smell so much better. It’s always good to have a few handy in your travel bag.
18. DIY survival kit
Carrying around a mini first aid kit with you is always a good idea. Since you’re traveling though, you may need more than what the average first aid kit provides. I’d recommend making your own DIY survival kit!
Make a little bag of the following: Tums, Pepto-Bismol, ibuprofen, allergy pills, Immodium, ciprofloxacin (or whatever your doctor prescribes for traveler’s diarrhea), bandaids, floss, hand sanitizer, eye drops, lip balm, a sharpie, tape, and extra contact lenses (if applicable).
Think about the ailments you (or the kids) typically suffer from and have to deal with on a regular basis and adjust the contents of the bag as needed!
19. External power bank
You’re probably going to be out all day, snapping away taking pictures… the last thing you want is to be stuck at Disneyland with no phone battery!
A portable power bank is a must-have, and Anker’s ultra-light, ultra-portable power bank is tried and true by so many travelers! I never embark on a day of exploration without it.
20. Money (pennies too!)
While the majority of the vendors and restaurants at Disneyland will take credit card, it’s always good to carry around a mix of local currency (USD) for emergencies.
Let’s say you’re in a long churro line and their card machine decides to poop out. With cash, you can still get your churro (and probably cut all the card-only customers) without having to wait for them to reboot their system! Oh yes, this has happened to me–on more than one occasion!
Secondly, consider getting some shiny new pennies and quarters for your Disneyland trip for the penny machines!
There are various penny machines that will stamp a bunch of different designs onto pennies. Disneyland even sells penny collector books on site so you can start your very own Disney penny collection!
Where To Buy Discounted Disneyland Tickets
Still need to buy Disneyland tickets? Sure, you can buy them at the gate, but then you’d be paying full price. We like to buy discounted Disneyland tickets from either our workplace discount portals or from Undercover Tourist.
If you don’t have a workplace discount portal offering discounted Disney tickets, then Undercover Tourist is your best bet.
Undercover Tourist is the trusted name for discounted theme park tickets. Depending on how many days you visit the parks, you can save up to $161 per ticket with them!
Traveling With Children? You May Need These Extra Things
- Snacks
- Strollers – it’s much cheaper to bring your own or rent one from a third party to avoid paying Disney’s exorbitant rental fees for strollers.
- Stuffed animals, road trip games, iPad, etc.
- Diaper bags
- Disney costumes for the kiddos (or the adults!) – Disney dress code can be found here.
- Matching family outfits
- Pocket-sized travel blanket if you all plan on sitting down and securing a spot to seeing parades, fireworks, World of Color
Where To Stay For Disneyland
If you have the budget for it, staying within the park at a Disneyland hotel is a lot of fun. But I get it, this might not be for everyone because the rooms don’t come cheap!
Don’t worry, as there are many excellent hotels located near the park. A lot of these hotels are extremely family-friendly, offering amenities like free shuttles to the park, free breakfast, huge waterparks, pools, and more!
If you don’t plan on driving to the park (parking costs $35 per day), choose a hotel that’s within walking distance from the park entrance. Strategically choosing a hotel close to the park will save you money!
We like Marriott Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance and Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center due to their proximity to the park entrance.
- Extra points for the Residence Inn because they offer FREE hot breakfast, Mickey-shaped waffles included!
For another awesome hotel offering free hot breakfast (yes, with Mickey-shaped waffles), go with Cambria Hotel Anaheim Resort Area. This is a relatively new hotel which is a huge plus–it’s so clean and so modern. We stayed here on our most recent trip to Anaheim and loved our stay.
- Do note that it is located a 7-minute drive to the parks, but there are shuttles that’ll get you to the parks in a jiffy.
Read More: 7 Best Disneyland Hotels With Free Breakfasts (That Don’t Suck)
Essential Tips For Your Disneyland Trip
Still need to buy Disneyland tickets? Undercover Tourist is the best place to get discounted theme park tickets. They offer refundable Disneyland tickets, and you can even save up to $149 per ticket through them!
Bring a refillable water bottle to save on bottled water costs. You can easily find water refill stations scattered throughout the park.
Bring a bunch of snacks if you want to save money. Having said that, we still recommend trying the food at Disneyland–it’s actually quite tasty! You can’t miss the turkey legs or the churros. Absolutely magical.
Avoid driving to the park in order to save on costs. Theme park parking costs $35 per vehicle. It keeps going up!
Stay at least three days in Disneyland during the summer. Since there are more crowds (which means longer lines), you’ll very likely need three days to see it all. With a multi-day ticket, a 3-day park hopper ticket is cheaper on a per-day basis than either a 1-day or 2-day ticket.
To avoid crowds, get there early and stay until closing. The first few hours of the day are light when it comes to crowds. The crowds also begin to thin out towards the last few hours of the day. Sometimes, we like to head back to the hotel during midday to rest, refuel, and escape hot weather and the crowds.
Save the indoor rides and shows for the hottest part of the day. Whenever we need to escape the heat, we head straight for Haunted Mansion, Pirate of the Caribbean, or the “it’s a small world” ride. We’ll even try to sneak in a mini power nap, ha!
Ride the most popular attractions first. It’s best to get these rides out of the way so you can avoid waiting in 2-hour long lines during the warmest times of the day! We typically beeline straight for Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (previously Tower Of Terror) in California Adventure.
Use Mobile Order service. This is an absolute time-saver, especially in the summertime. You can either wait 20 minutes in the line for blue milk at Galaxy’s Edge (Star Wars land) or just mobile order it and get it in a mere 5 minutes. Take your pick!
The coolest places to grab a drink are Oga’s Cantina in Disneyland, Carthay Circle in Disney’s California Adventure, and Lamplight Lounge At Pixar Pier. Make reservations ahead of time for these places, though!
Avengers Campus, Disneyland’s newest world, is now open in Disney California Adventure Park! If you’re a Marvel fan, do not miss all the cool, interactive shows and gift shops there.
Hit the gift shops just before you exit the park, that way you won’t have to carry your souvenirs around with you throughout your day. It’s better for keeping your bag or backpack light!
Do not let your kids carry their own park tickets, even if they are responsible. It’s safer for an adult to keep them all in one place.
Do you need a car to visit Disneyland?
While a car will give you a lot more flexibility in Anaheim, CA, it is not absolutely necessary to get to Disneyland.
If your main goal is to hit the parks, you can get by without a car. You will just need to find transportation to/from your hotel and the airport. Transportation options include the Disneyland Express bus, hotel shuttle, taxi, rideshare, etc.
Almost every chain hotel in the area is on the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) that goes straight from the hotel to the park entrance and vice versa. The cost of the bus is about $6 for a day pass and $4 for a one-way trip.
And if you’re staying at one of the Disneyland resorts (Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, or Disney’s The Grand Californian), you will be able to walk to the park in a jiffy. No need for a car whatsoever.
In order to decide whether you should rent a car or not, that will completely depend on what you plan to do with your time.
If you plan on doing a lot of activities outside of Disneyland, you’ll definitely want to bring your car or get a rental car.
We usually visit Disneyland either in our own car or with a rental car. Why? Because we love exploring the neighboring cities and eating good Asian food! Exploring the rest of Orange County is just so much easier with a car.
Need a rental car for your trip? To find cheap rental cars, I recommend using Rentalcars.com. Their search tool is one of the best I’ve found!
Looking for more California travel guides? Read next:
- 40+ Things To Do In Anaheim Other Than Disneyland
- 45 Cute Date Night Ideas In Orange County, California
- 175 Bucket List Things To Do In Los Angeles, California (From A Local’s Perspective)
- 28 Fun Things To Do In The South Bay Los Angeles, California
- 10 Best California Road Trips Ideas From San Francisco and Los Angeles
- 20+ Best Towns Between San Francisco to Los Angeles: California Coast Road Trip
- 30+ Fun-Filled Things To Do In San Diego, CA
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