With our trip to Orlando Florida, just around the corner, excitement is at fever pitch in our house. We love Florida, and have been a few times, including some amazing memory making holidays enjoying Walt Disney World in the past. One thing we always do, is spend time thinking about what we need to pack. Packing too much, is such an easy mistake to make, so I find making a list really helps and planning my outfits carefully.
Packing is just as important as the adult heading to Walt Disney World as it is the children, believe me! I wanted to share with you some tips of what I always make sure I pack, as well as show you some of the new things that are definitely coming away with me on this trip.
There are some great checklist resources online, so this is by no means an exhaustive list, but I wanted to give you some hints and tip on items I always take with me.
First of all I would recommend you get a great hard case suitcase, and one with a TSA lock, which is definitely recommended for US travel. Earlier this year I decided to invest in the Samsonite Cosomolite, isn’t she gorgeous? Incredibly light at 2.3 kg, and its so easy to move, even when full, which is something I’ve had trouble with in the past. I didn’t know I could get this blown away by luggage, but even the colour (pearl) makes me swoon, just gorgeous. It is an investment at £339, but its exceptional quality, really built to last. As I’ve already been on three trips away with it in two months, I think it’s definitely worth it for someone like myself.
On the flight, I always bring :
- headphones
- earplugs
- eye mask
- chewing gum/hard sweets
- kindle/iPad
- small pot of moisturiser/face oil and lip salve
- phone
- charger – power pack
- my guide books and paper work, so it’s at hand
- glasses/contacts
- wet wipes and antibac gel
- socks and an extra layer. I always get cold on flights.
I always wear something smart/casual, but definitely comfortable, making sure I have a couple of layers for when it gets chilly on the plane with the air con. This is also what I wear on the flight back, so no need to think about another outfit.
If you’d like to learn more about what I pack for the small people, then I wrote this post about long haul flight must haves to keep children entertained.
We are going for two weeks, but as there are washing facilities at the resort, we will only be packing for 7 days. Something I never thought I would ever do, but honestly, once you do it, you never go back, it just makes so much sense. When I’ve been on two-week holidays in the past, I have over packed, even not wearing some of the clothing. So now I am really strict, making sure I choose a mix and match colour palette, and items I love. This also means you only have one week of washing to do once you are back home!
This year I’ve gone for white, dark and light inky blues and black. Some might say I’m mad visiting a hot country like Florida and wearing black, but I tend to only wear this colour in the evening, and its my feel good clothing colour, so I go for it!
Choosing natural fabrics is also a must, so linen, cotton (cheesecloth) and very light denim dominate my wardrobe.
When you visit WDW, It’s always amazed me that so many people wear trainers, when they are at the parks, Americans I think mostly. Maybe I’m a bit mad in that I’ve always just worn sandals, thinking it was cooler – I mean that in a heat sense…ha! Well scoff no more, trainer wearing, is exactly what I’ll be doing too. You do need to be prepared for the parks to be big, and you cover a lot of ground every day, easily racking up your 10K steps! This year I”ll report back if trainers are a better choice of footwear.
A bag is also essential for the park each day, and it should contain a few bits and bobs to help you make the most of your time there.
- camera
- phone (with the My Disney Experience App – more details on that coming soon)
- power pack
- photo ID
- suntan lotion
- sunglasses
- antibac gel
- plasters
- autograph book/lanyard and pins/hidden Mickey book – depends if you are into any of these.
You’ll be wearing your Disney Magic Bands, so really other than some small change (and pennies for the Penny machines you see dotted around the parks) everything else is easily accessible to buy at the park…for example ponchos, if there is a sudden down pour.
Light denim high-waisted skirt//Tote bag//Cheesecloth embroidered tunic
So what do I pack to wear?
As you can spot, I’ve featured a few of my favourite things I’ve been treating myself too, mostly from one of my favourite stores – Great Plains. They sell a versatile range of summer dresses, and the kind of casual but stylish tops that I like. Remembering that I choose a similar colour palette, with a few pops of colour to mix it up.
Featherweight jersey mix dress//Black beauty clutch
- 2 x linen trousers or culottes
- 2 x skirt
- 3 x daytime dresses
- 5 x tops
- 2 x trainers
- 2 x sandals
- 2 swimming costumes
- 5 x dresses for the evening
I love wearing dresses in the summer, so tend to wear those the most, but having the option of linen trousers, a warm weather essential skirt, or maxi is perfect too. I find that with WDW holidays, sometimes you really don’t need to go back and get changed for dinner, as there is so much to do, you quite often will still be at the park. However if we’ve been in the park early, we sometimes, freshen up and get showered and changed. So we might go back to the resort/villa at the hottest point in the day to rejoin in the late afternoon evening.
So that’s a taster of what I’ll be wearing on my trip, make sure you are following both my Instagram and twitter accounts for more images of my time at Walt Disney World this summer.
Molly says
Love the clothes you have chosen A (I’m a fan of Great Plains too) – you look fab! I agree with bringing clothes in one colour palette to mix and match, saves a lot of headaches choosing what to wear (and overpacking). Will be following your Disney adventures, hope you all have a wonderful time!