Toddler Packing List Ideas For Disney & Beyond

These toddler packing list ideas will save you time and stress, regardless of your vacation destination! Use it for your next Disney trip – and beyond!

Welcome back to our Baby 101 series, where we discuss traveling and vacationing to Walt Disney World with babies and toddlers. In a previous post, we shared a comprehensive packing list tailored to babies’ needs. Today, we’re sharing our toddler packing list ideas for Disney and beyond!

In our experience, parents and caregivers tend to need fewer items than they would when traveling with an infant to Disney World. That is a welcome relief for parents with toddlers! The reason for this is that we become more grounded in our parenting abilities, toddlers grow increasingly independent, and there is less prep to do!

That being said, traveling to Disney with little ones can be daunting, especially for first-timers. With our shared tips, tricks, and this list, the process should be significantly smoother! As with all parenting advice, take what works for your family and leave the rest. You got this!

Toddler Packing List Ideas For Disney

Although Disney is mentioned a lot in this post, you can apply these tips and use this list for any vacation destination. We’ve included items that we consider must-haves for sleep, meal time, toiletries, clothing, and more. Although Florida is hot for the majority of the year, we have also experienced downright freezing weather. So, regardless of where you’re heading, we hope this toddler packing list makes life a little easier for you!

Sleep Must-Haves

Depending on your room size and setup, your child’s sleeping arrangement can benefit from strategic packing! In an ideal world, the toddler would have their own room, but that is not realistic when traveling. The key is to create a calming sleep space for your little one while also allowing your other family members to have a space to lounge, eat, and so on. Along with this, try to mimic the same sleep routine they do at home. This will tell their brain and body it is time for sleep.

In general, we suggest the following for your little one’s sleeping arrangement:

A Pack ‘n Play or an inflatable toddler bed. This will depend on your child’s age, size, and preference. We have had a lot of success with our Joovy Room² Playard. It is larger than standard-sized playpens, giving our toddler lots of room to toss and turn!
Room-darkening features, such as portable blackout curtains. These are our absolute favorites. We have two to ensure coverage for the larger windows that many hotel rooms have.
A portable noise machine, like the Frida Baby 2-in-1 Portable Sound Machine.

If your toddler is sharing the room with others, here are some tips to help:

Try a blackout cover to go over the Pack ‘n Play, such as the SlumberPod. This will help create a dark sleeping spot for your little one while also allowing the rest of your family to enjoy the hotel room.
If your toddler needs a more secluded sleep spot, try the bathroom or a large closet. Just make sure there are no precarious spots or cords they can reach!
Place the fan and/or noise machine near their bed to block out any noise.

Bonus items that can also make a huge difference in your child’s sleep:

A blanket and sheets from home (make sure they fit the portable bed you’re bringing)
A stuffed animal that your kiddo likes to sleep with
A small portable fan to keep things cool!
Earplugs for mom or dad 😉

Disney Tip: Many of the Disney World resorts have complimentary cribs or Pack ‘n Plays available. Do note they are first-come, first-served. To request one during your on-site resort stay, visit the My Disney Experience page under your reservation or call (407) 939-1936. More information can be found here.

Toddler Packing List Ideas For Mealtime

Packing for mealtime is a breeze compared to when we brought our baby! Below are some useful items to consider:

Straw cups. We like the ones that are insulated for those hot, Florida days. After many trials and errors in the great sippy cup search, these Zak cups are our favorites. They are spill-proof, easy to clean, and assemble.
Containers for snacks. You could go disposable with Ziplock baggies, opt for eco-friendly reusable bags, or use small snack containers. It is up to you!
I prefer to clean and dry my toddler’s dishes in a designated area. I like to bring a mini bottle of soap and a spare drying rack (like this one), along with a washing basin and drying mat from the Dollar Tree. I love this setup when traveling because it is easy, effective, and inexpensive.
- If you’re flying and don’t want to add more to your liquids, try this sponge hack! Take a new, dry sponge and cut it into 4 to 6 pieces. Wet each piece and add a bit of soap. Let the sponge dry overnight, then place it in a bag. When you get to Disney World, each mini sponge will be ready to use! Add water and toss when you’re done! We tried this hack and got 2-3 uses out of each mini sponge.

Optional items that may be helpful:

Toddler cutlery is helpful, especially if your little one is still learning. We bring reusable sets with protective cases and disposable sets!
Snacks like pouches, crackers, breakfast items, etc
Disposable place mats (These are also great for use as table covers when traveling by airplane.)
Disposable bibs aren’t just for babies. They help keep your toddlers’ shirts clean while you’re out and about!

Disney Tip: Check if your hotel room includes a kitchenette! If so, you can usually forgo many of the cleaning and eating supplies. During a recent stay at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the kitchen not only provided dishes and cutlery, but also a new sponge, soap, a drying mat, and a dishwasher with detergent!

Bathtime & Toiletries

These items will depend on whether your toddler is potty-trained or not. Pack accordingly!

Diapers or underwear
Wipes (we love this refillable container for wipes)
To-go or portable toddler potty (We’re testing this one out!)
Baby shampoo
Kids’ sunblock (we love this cream for sensitive skin, and it also comes in a stick form for easy application throughout the day)
First aid items like band-aids, toddler medicine, anti-itch cream, etc. I created a travel first aid kit that’s easy to throw into our diaper bag when we travel.

Maybe items:

Baby lotion
Diaper cream
Aquaphor (the stick form is convenient when traveling)

Disney Tip: Don’t fret if you forgot or run out of any toddler essentials! Disney sells various baby items in most of their gift shops, as well as within all four theme parks’ Baby Care Centers. If you are looking for a more specific item, there are multiple nearby stores (Target, Walmart, Publix, etc) around the Walt Disney World Resort area. Amazon and grocery services like Instacart also deliver to the Disney resorts. If you have questions, a front desk cast member should be able to assist.

Recommended Clothing

The time of year you travel to Walt Disney World will determine what type of clothes to pack. In general, the year is mostly hot. The rainy season runs from June to November. “Freak” cold snaps most often occur in January and February. For specific information for each month, be sure to read our monthly Visiting Walt Disney World posts! Lastly, don’t forget to consider your little one. My toddler runs hot and doesn’t need many layers.

In general, we suggest a toddler’s packing list should include an outfit per day, plus at least two more in case of accidents, weather changes, etc. If you run out of items, there are laundry services on many of the Disney World resort properties, or you can purchase clothes inside the Disney gift shops. Here is a condensed list:

Short-sleeved tops
A light jacket for chilly mornings or evenings, if needed
Shorts and/or pants
Pajamas
Socks and comfortable shoes – they will be walking around a lot too! Also, we suggest ones that dry quickly in case they get wet from a ride or the rain.
Swimsuit (and swim diapers if your toddler is not potty trained)

Fun extra items:

Sunglasses and/or hats for the Florida sun.
A raincoat or poncho if you’re traveling during the rainy months.
Disney-themed accessories, i.e., jewelry, Mickey ears, band-aids, tattoos, etc.

Disney Tip: When you’re at Disney, go all out! I have so much fun packing Disney-specific clothes for my toddler’s Disney OOTD (aka, outfit of the day!). I have had a lot of luck finding cute Disney clothes at GAP, Old Navy, Target, Walmart, and H&M.

Helpful Disney Must-Haves For Strollers

Although they are older, we still highly recommend bringing a stroller when traveling to Disney World with toddlers. After a long day walking around in the Florida sun, with all the sights and sounds of Disney World, it can be exhausting even for older kiddos. A stroller break is a great way to recharge little ones’ batteries. Plus, maneuvering the crowds with a stroller is easier than walking hand in hand with a toddler. Below is what we bring:

No toddler packing list is complete without a lightweight but sturdy stroller. We like this one and have gotten a lot of use out of it.
A portable and rechargeable fan that attaches to the stroller, even in the winter. The midday Florida sun is intense!
We still love these toy straps! They are amazing for keeping your toddler’s toys and cups nearby and NOT on the ground!

Additional useful items include:

This Disney-themed cargo net attaches to the side of the stroller. We got this for our son’s first Disney trip and still have it connected now! It’s super helpful without adding bulk to the stroller.
A jumbo carabiner to hang any additional lightweight bags. Great for those Disney gift shop trips!
A rain cover for the stroller.

Disney Tip: If you are not keen on packing a stroller, consider renting one! Stroller rentals can be found in all four theme parks, as well as Disney Springs. Additional details can be found here. If you are flying and cannot bring multiple big items, try using an infant gear renting company. There are many in the Orlando area!

Playtime Extras

Be ready to increase the energy with your toddler at Disney World! Unlike when they were a baby, toddlers at Walt Disney World want to move, groove, and explore – just like they do at home! They are also awake for much longer and may not take naps. Pack these play items to entertain them in and out of the theme parks!

Purchase Disney-themed souvenirs before your trip! Try stores like Target, Dollar Tree, and Walmart for inexpensive finds. Another tip is to space them out across your entire vacation and/or bring them out for those long ride queues.
Small fidget items, such as cars, stickers, and magnetic toys.
Crayons and a (Disney!) coloring book/notebook. You could even turn this into a character autograph book!

Extra fun items:

A tablet! I know people have strong feelings about screen time, but we’ve found that using the iPad or a kids’ tablet has been a lifesaver, especially on flights or when we’re quickly getting ready for a reservation. We are in the camp that everyone deserves to feel relaxed while on vacation, and the iPad sometimes brings Mom and Dad just that!
Bubbles – either to refill a bubble wand or to use on their own. These were a HUGE hit with our toddler!
A kid-friendly digital camera, to see Disney from your little one’s perspective!
A face mister or neck fan to keep you cool AND entertain your kiddo!

Disney Tip: Did you know there are playgrounds around the Walt Disney World Resort, including inside the theme parks! These are a perfect outlet for your toddler and all their wiggles!

Miscellaneous Toddler Packing List Ideas

Below are the random items that have proven to be super helpful when vacationing with toddlers at Disney!

A bag for ALL the things! Whether it is your diaper bag, backpack, or fanny pack, bring something that stores your toddler’s essentials.
- Alternatively, you can pack items in these reusable zipper bags and store them in a lightweight tote at the bottom of the stroller. This makes it a breeze for security checks and keeps the caregivers’ hands (and back!) free while moving throughout the park!
Extra-long universal charging cable for items like phones, noise machines, fans, and more.
Grocery store bags for wet clothes, dirty bottles, soiled diapers, etc.
Water bottles! As noted in our baby packing post, the free water at Disney can sometimes have a slightly sulfur-like taste. Having a case or two in the hotel room will help the entire family stay hydrated. (SO important when visiting Disney World!)

Disney Tip: If you want to be eco friendly, there are several refillable water bottle stations throughout Walt Disney World Resort!

There you have it! We hope these toddler packing list ideas make packing for your next trip a breeze! If you see something we’ve forgotten or have a favorite item that’s been a lifesaver for you, please leave a comment below and share it with us! We would love to hear from you all!

I hope this is helpful, and we'd love to hear your favorite Disney tips! Please share in the comments below or tag me on Instagram, follow on Pinterest and Facebook, and join my email list so you don’t miss anything new. Thanks for being here, friends! 🙂