Disney Vacation Packing Checklist for Families: What to Bring and How to Pack
Packing for a family trip can feel like a monumental task—especially when the destination is as magical as Disney! As a mom of four with kids ranging from toddlers to tweens, I’ve learned how to make the packing process as smooth and stress-free as possible. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to packing for a family vacation, I’m here to share my tried-and-true methods to help you stay organized and ready for an unforgettable adventure. If you're a carry-on-only family—well, good luck, this might not be the blog for you. My sister used to swear by the carry-on-only method until she had her first child, and now I can't help but smirk when I see her with that checked bag! We don’t overdo it, but we typically bring one carry-on and two checked bags. For vacations longer than 10 days, we add a third checked bag. And of course, each person has their own backpack with all the necessary supplies for the plane. Whether you’re packing for a Disney vacation, a weekend getaway, or a cruise, this guide has got you covered. Let’s dive in!
Jessica’s Carry-On Method
The Carry-On Method
No matter if we’re flying or driving, my family always packs a carry-on bag. This isn’t just a “what if” situation—this is essential. If we make a last-minute stop at a hotel or arrive at the resort early, I want to know that we have everything we need for that first day: swimsuits, comfy clothes, and all the essentials. This bag is also key if your checked luggage gets delayed or lost, as it contains the bare minimum to survive until your bags arrive.
Here’s what’s always in our carry-on:
One pair of pajamas, socks, underwear, and a swimsuit for each person.
One comfy outfit for each person.
Slides or flip-flops (we usually wear crocs in the car which count as out slides and sneakers on the plane and put slides/crocs in the carry-on that way we have something the wear at the pool if we are flying.)
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, minimal hair products.
Medicine (just in case).
Each family member has a personalized backpack for extra snacks, tech gear, and little things to entertain themselves on the journey. I keep my camera equipment, makeup, jewelry and laptop in my personal bag, so that’s always with me, just in case.
Airport Travel with Babies
Baby Strollers, Navigating Airports & Car Travel
From the beginning, my kids have been travel kids. We’ve always been on the road or in the air, and as any parent knows—babies are the trickiest age to travel with. I breastfed all of my kids, which meant dealing with pumping, storing milk, and hauling bottles—whether I was flying with them or not. I’ve been through it all, and to help you out, I’m sharing some of the best tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years for both flying and driving with a baby.
Now, I do have full blog posts on driving to Disney and flying with babies to teenagers, so if you want to dive deeper, those are a great place to start. But let’s talk about what you need to pack to make baby travel easier—especially for domestic trips.
If you're a nursing mom, here’s my must-do: always bring a manual hand pump. I know pumps today are way smaller than the ones I used with my kids—my sister is on her second set of the Willow Pump, and it fits in her backpack easily. But no matter how compact your electric pump is, tech can fail. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not worth the stress if something happens to your checked luggage. Even now, I won’t travel without a backup manual pump—especially for longer flights or international travel where getting a replacement would be hard.
One thing I always bring to the airport is a baby carrier. Being hands-free while juggling bags, boarding passes, or helping older kids is a total game-changer. Whether it’s a wrap, sling, or structured carrier, wearing your baby through the airport makes the whole experience less chaotic. I’ve walked through security, boarded planes, and even picked up luggage all while baby wearing—and I wouldn’t do it any other way.
When it comes to strollers and navigating airports, I’ve been through all the stages. I had twins, so in those early days, I really had no choice but to use a frame stroller that could carry both infant car seats. (You can see us in photos using the UPPAbaby frame—it was a lifesaver.) At that stage, your park days are slower, shorter, and more relaxed. You’re not closing out fireworks with babies in tow. You’re back at the hotel early, everyone’s wiped out, and honestly, whatever stroller works for you and your baby—take it.
As my babies got older, around 6 to 8 months when they liked sitting up and watching the world, I had no problem switching to something like the City Mini GT or a Zoe stroller. They’re lightweight, easy to fold, and still super comfortable. But even then, I kept them buckled in securely and often checked the stroller at the gate. For me, I don’t usually switch to a full travel stroller setup until they’re closer to two years old and walking more independently.
If you're flying, don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for yourself in the carry-on. I’ve been on enough flights where blowouts or spit-up left me scrambling for an airport sweatshirt—and that’s not the vibe.
Traveling Stroller for toddlers & Beyond
Stroller in Airplane Luggage Storage
When traveling with our toddler, we love using a travel stroller, especially when flying. We typically rent from Kingdom Strollers or one of the other stroller companies I recommend in my "Everything You Need to Know About Strollers" blog. The great thing about these travel strollers is how compact and lightweight they are, which makes flying a breeze. We don’t have to worry about gate checking it because it fits perfectly in the overhead bin, so there’s no waiting around once we land. When we get to our resort, our stroller is delivered directly to us, thanks to the rental service, and we have it ready for non-park activities. While these strollers are perfect for walking around places like Disney Springs or even the Kennedy Space Center, we don’t use them in the parks. They’re just too small and compact for theme park days. For our recent Disneyland trip, where we only spent 4 days in the parks during a 14-day trip, it was so nice to have the stroller for the other days. It made traveling around so much easier, and when our toddler fell asleep, it was great to have a comfy spot for her.
Packing Lists
There are many different methods for packing your family, from when they’re babies and toddlers to when they become teens and can pack for themselves. Honestly, there’s never a time when a packing list isn’t useful—even as adults! I always rely on packing lists, and you can find one in my planning guide, available when you sign up for my newsletter. The guide not only helps keep things organized for Disney World trips but is useful for any vacation. When my kids were babies and toddlers, I was in charge of packing for them. I typically packed the basics like shirts, pants, and pajamas in a traditional way, which I outline in my packing list because babies need a lot of supplies. I don't pack an entire stash of diapers, but I bring enough for one day and always do a grocery order to have more delivered to the resort. Once they were potty trained, I only packed pull-ups for nighttime—just enough for the nights we’re staying plus two extras.
How to Pack for Babies and Toddlers Going to Disney
Over time, my packing process has really changed. These days, I always carry a diaper bag with the essentials and at least two outfits, but I only pack enough diapers for 24 to 36 hours. Instead of loading up a suitcase, I rely heavily on Instacart and Target delivery to get diapers and wipes delivered straight to the resort. It saves space, lightens our load, and I’m not coming home with a bunch of extras.
When you have a toddler, packing for a trip is a whole different ball game. Toddlers come with a whole new set of needs and requirements, from snacks to toys to emergency outfit changes. But trust me, with a bit of planning, you can make packing a whole lot easier. For babies and toddlers, it’s all about staying organized and keeping extra supplies handy for those "just in case" moments. Over the years, I’ve developed a few packing hacks that have saved me from running around last-minute or dealing with meltdowns because I forgot an essential item.
One of my go-to methods is the Ziploc method. Instead of throwing all the outfits into a suitcase and hoping for the best, I take a gallon-size Ziploc bag (quart size in some cases) for each day of the trip. Inside each bag, I pack an entire outfit—socks, underwear, pants, shirt, and even a jacket if needed. I label each bag with the day of the week, so I can grab exactly what we need without digging through the luggage. This simple method not only keeps things organized but helps prevent the dreaded “I forgot the socks!” scenario. Plus, it makes it easy to get the kids dressed quickly—just grab the bag and go!
Everything you need is in my packing list, which you can grab through my newsletter—but here’s a quick tip: be intentional about packing the cute outfits you want for Disney. And make sure to bring extras! Accidents can and will happen with kids, and unless you're staying in a Disney Vacation Club villa, you’ll probably find yourself making a late-night trek to the laundry room.
One of the major perks of staying at a Disney resort is that every single property has a laundry facility on-site. You just can’t beat that convenience. And if you’re renting a DVC villa, every one-bedroom and larger has in-unit laundry—and let me tell you, it’s truly amazing to toss in a load while everyone’s winding down for the night. Total game changer.
What to Pack for Your Disney Trip with Kids and Teens
As my kids grew, I switched to using packing cubes, and honestly, they’ve been a game-changer. Each child gets their own set in different colors, and for Disney, we have the Stoney Clover Princess and Mickey & Friends packing cubes. I pack the basics in each one: socks, underwear, pajamas, swimsuits, and extra outfits in case of accidents at the park. The older they get, the more sweat and stink they accumulate—so they might need an extra outfit on those hot, sweaty days too!
Packing cubes also help keep everything organized and make the most of our luggage space. Instead of everything being jumbled together, each item is organized by category, which makes it easy for me (and the kids) to find what we’re looking for.
As the kids get older, their packing responsibilities grow too. They now use my planning guide, which includes a list with little lines next to each item so I can write down how many they need. They lay everything out in their room, and when they’re ready, either my husband or I check off each item with them, ensuring the outfits match and they’ve got the right number of things packed. Then, they recount the items as they put them into their packing cubes. Another little trick we do is make sure everyone has the same amount of packing cubes—so if we’re using 3 packing cubes each, a shoe bag, and a toiletry bag, it helps us keep track that everyone has 5 items for their carry-on. These methods are flexible enough to grow with your kids and make packing (and unpacking) a whole lot easier, whether you’re heading to Disney or embarking on another family adventure!
The Packing Relay: A Family Affair
When most of my kids were/are young school age kids, I turned packing into a fun "Packing Relay." This helped me get them packed without haveing to do it alone and it was a fast way to get all the essentials packed and the kids had un doing it. Before we start, we go over the rules: no pushing or shoving, and everyone has to grab the appropriate clothes for the trip. This isn’t about winning—it’s just a fun way to get the packing done. If we stop having fun, we’ll take the race part out, and everyone will have to go back and forth to pack their items anyway. The goal is teamwork, so if someone needs help, they’re allowed to ask. Once we get the essentials packed (t-shirts, shorts, socks, underwear, swim suits), I handle the special items like Disney shirts or matching outfits. These go into their own designated packing cube so they’re easy to grab when it’s time for that Instagram-worthy family photo.
Keeping track of Specialty Items & Outfits
If you love coordinating outfits or have special Disney gear like princess dresses, matching family shirts, or themed outfits for the trip, I highly recommend dedicating a packing cube just for them. That is what I am in charge of, I do not allow the kids to take anything that is part of my matchy matchy outfits. I do not want them lost and so I keep them. This keeps everything organized and ensures you’re not scrambling to find that perfect outfit when the time comes.
Over the years, I’ve made it a habit to collect special items months before our trip—whether it’s a custom-themed shirt I had made, something I found on sale, or a new set of matching pajamas for our hotel room. These items go in a labeled bin in my basement, so I never forget where they are when it’s time to pack. There’s nothing worse than knowing you bought something special for the trip, only to find it’s lost because you “put it in a safe spot” and now can’t remember where that is. That’s why having a labeled vacation bin somewhere in your house makes it so much easier to find what you need and avoid the frustration of leaving behind that one item you specifically bought for the trip.
This trick also applies to princess dresses. If we’re taking a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique dress, I make sure it’s in the bin, while their more casual dresses (like those from Gap) go in their packing cubes as part of their outfits. This way, everything is in its place, and I’m not stressing last minute trying to find that special dress!
Luggage Organization: Keeping It Safe
Keeping our luggage organized is a priority, especially since we have different sizes of bags for everyone. I always make sure to label everything, and for added security, we’ve started using AirTags on all of our luggage when we fly. This gives me peace of mind knowing I can track our bags. And while some families swear by the carry-on-only method (which is great if it works for you!), we need more space for those extra princess dresses, extra snacks, and all the little things that make our trip more fun.
Packing The Suitcases
Once everything is packed, I make sure everyone has their own shoe bag, and we’re good to go. If it’s a longer trip, each person gets four packing cubes; shorter trip? Two or three. And don’t forget, we always take an extra pair of shoes or two in those shoe bags to save space. I also make sure we all have the same number of packing cubes that way when we are packing we know that everyone has 3 and we do not miss a cube.
At the end of the day, packing for a Disney vacation (or any family trip) requires a bit of strategy, a lot of organization, and a little bit of fun! By breaking it into manageable tasks, keeping your bags organized, and packing strategically, you can make the packing process as smooth as possible. And remember, whether you’re all about matching outfits or just getting everyone’s essentials packed, the goal is to reduce the stress and make the journey part of the fun. Safe travels and happy packing!
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family's favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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