So you're headed to Disneyland and aren't sure what you need.
We've got a huge list of ideas to help you as you pack.
You won't need everything on this list, but it will help ensure you don't forget anything you wanted to bring.
Let's take a look....
Differences between Disney World and Disneyland packing
Since much of our content offers comparisons to Disney World, here are some differences you'll note when going to Disneyland.
Things you won't need to pack for Disneyland
- Ponchos and umbrellas - it does sometimes rain in southern California, but not often. Check the forecast before you leave to verify.
Things you will need to pack for Disneyland
- Park ticket vouchers
- Lanyards (still have physical tickets and FastPasses at Disneyand!)
- Light jacket for cool mornings and evenings most of the year
- Blanket or towel - much of the seating for shows is on the ground
- Reusable shopping bags - if you plan to grab items from nearby stores, you'll need reusable shopping bags (or you can buy new bags there)
(Downloadable Word, PDF and Google Docs versions of the packing list are near the bottom of this page OR you can get the WDW Prep Packing List app for iOS to bring a convenient version to your phone.)
Clothing items
You need to make sure you have clothes and shoes that are comfortable for walking miles per day.
Think about wearing layers to make sure you're cool enough mid-day but warm enough in the mornings and evenings. California can be chilly in the mornings and evenings most of the year.
Consider packing:
- Clothing
- Shirts
- Shorts
- Pants/capris
- Light sweater/jacket
- Underwear & pajamas
- Underwear
- Bras
- Pajamas
- Shoes & socks
- Socks
- Walking shoes
- Sandals
- Flip flops
- Accessories
- Belts
- Hair bands & accessories
- Costumes
- Hats/visors
- Jewelry
- Scarves
- Watches
- Sunglasses w/strap
- Swimwear
- Swimsuits
- Swimsuit cover-ups
Toiletries
Toiletries involve so many things that it can be easy to forget something important.
If you do accidentally forget something, nearly every resort will have shops where you can buy some emergency supplies or you can snag things from pharmacies located nearby.
The closest pharmacies to Disneyland are CVS and Walgreens, both located at the corner of Harbor and Katella.
Consider packing:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Shower gel
- Liquid hand soap (only bar soap in DLR hotel rooms)
- Shampoo
- Hair conditioner
- Deodorant
- Contacts/glasses
- Contact lens solution & case
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm w/sunscreen
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Body lotion
- Makeup
- Make-up remover
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Q-Tips
- Tampons/pads
- Foot spray
- Foot powder
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Hair brush/comb
- Hair gel/mousse
- Hair spray
- Blow dryer
- Perfume
- Kleenex
- Kids shampoo
- Kids toothbrushes
- Kids bath soap
- Kids hairbrush/comb
Medicine
Medicine (especially your prescription medication) is one thing you don't want to forget on vacation.
Here are some common items you may find in your medicine chest that are useful to travel with.
Consider packing:
- Prescription medications
- Moleskin (for blisters)
- Band-Aids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Anti-itch gel/spray
- Aloe vera
- Antacids
- Prophylactics
- Pain medicine (like Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
- Kids pain medicine
- Motion sickness remedies
- Midol
- Sinus/allergy medicine
- Eyedrops
- Vitamins
- Cough drops
Laundry Supplies
Laundry isn't typically on anybody's list of "favorite things to do while on vacation," but if you find yourself planning to do some on your trip, here's some things you'll probably want to have with you.
Consider packing:
- Laundry soap
- Dryer sheets
- Stain remover
- Laundry bags
- Quarters for machines (if you forget, most machines take debit/credit cards now, too)
Paperwork and important documents
It may be the digital age but lots of people still like to have their most important travel information in paper form.
If you opt to do everything digitally we recommend saving any important confirmations to a spot where you can access it from multiple locations (like by emailing it to yourself or using cloud-based storage).
Consider packing:
- Hotel confirmation
- Rental car confirmation
- Boarding passes
- Cash/credit cards
- Dollar bills for tips & tolls
- Drivers license/IDs
- Notepad/notebook
- Envelopes for Mousekeeping Tips
- Insurance cards
- Guidebooks
- Membership cards (AAA, DVC)
- Theme park tickets
- Addresses for postcards
- Pens
- Stamps
Food and Kitchen
Even if you aren't staying in a room with a full kitchen there are still lots of reasons you may want to have some grocery items with you.
Here are some good options for that.
Consider packing:
- Bottled water
- Coffee
- Tea bags
- Sugar/sweetener
- Nondairy creamer
- Instant soup mix
- Cocoa packets
- Juice boxes
- Powdered drink mix
- Microwave popcorn
- Granola bars
- Chips/pretzels
- Crackers
- Fruit snacks
- Small cereal boxes
- Pop-Tarts
- Peanut butter
- Pre-measured seasonings
- Travel salt & pepper
- Dish soap
- Dish scrubber/sponge
- Paper plates
- Plastic utensils
- Disposable cups
- Ziploc bags
- Trash bags
- Paper towels/napkins
- Water filtering pitcher
- Straws
- Coffee maker
- Coffee filters
- Corkscrew
- Wine stopper
- Gum (not sold at Disneyland)
Road Trip
If you're getting to Disneyland by car there are some things that can make that journey a little easier.
Consider packing:
- Maps/directions/GPS
- Proof of auto insurance
- Guidebooks
- Flashlight
- Paper towels
- Wet wipes
- Cooler
- Trash bags
- Umbrella
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Portable DVD player
- Movies
- Travel games
- New toys
Park Touring Bag
Crossbody purses and backpacks are 2 popular options for park touring bags, and since you can take your bag onto nearly every attraction at Disneyland, it makes sense to carry at least a few items with you when you go into the parks.
Here are some things you might find useful when touring Disneyland parks.
Consider packing:
- Park tickets
- Drivers license/ID for each adult
- Cash/credit card
- Membership cards (AAA, DVC)
- Meal confirmation #s
- Guidebooks
- Park maps
- Camera
- Cell phones
- External battery charger and cords
- Lanyard for room key/tickets
- Sunglasses w/straps
- Water bottle w/strap
- Collapsible cooler
- Snacks
- Autograph book
- 1 towel (block the sun, save spot at parade, clean off a seat)
- Mini-first aid kit
- Bottles of water
- Walkie talkies (for non-American visitors and poor cell signal)
- Fat pen for character autographs
- Handheld fan to keep cool while waiting
- Moleskine
- Pain medicine
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm w/sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Kleenex
- Antibacterial hand gel/sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Hats/visors
- Large Ziploc for wet clothes
- Dry change of clothes for kids
- Glow sticks and necklaces
- Pennies for pressing
- Pins for trading
- Playing cards or handheld games
- Kids ID tags
- Small bottles of bubbles (to do while waiting)
Swimming Bag
Consider packing:
- Drivers license/ID for each adult
- Cash/credit card
- Waterproof/underwater camera
- Cell phones
- Lanyard for room key
- Sunglasses w/straps
- Water bottle w/strap
- Collapsible cooler
- Snacks
- Bathing suits
- Beach towels
- Earplugs
- Goggles
- Plastic pool cups w/top & straw
- Beach bag
- Kids ID tags
- Floatation toys
- Water toys
- Books/magazines
- Handheld fan
- Pain medicine (like Tylenol or Advil)
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm w/sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Kleenex
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Wet wipes
- Hats/visors
- Swim diapers
- Waterproof watch
- Waterproof case
- Water shoes/flip flops
- Large Ziplocs for wet clothes
- Dry change of clothes for kids
Baby Stuff
Traveling with a baby often means that you'll find that your trip goes a bit easier when you have some items from home with you.
Take a look at this list for help remembering everything you might need to pack when traveling to Disneyland with a little one.
Consider packing:
- Bottles
- Baby food
- Sippy cups
- Plastic pool cups w/top & straw
- Portable high chair
- Bibs
- Diapers
- Swim diapers
- Baby wipes
- Diaper bag
- Pacifiers
- Pack N Play
- Stroller
- Car seat
- Baby monitor
- Blanket/toy
- Board games
- Handheld games
- Car window shades
- Kids ID tags
- Outlet covers
Everything Else
Consider packing:
- Batteries
- Cameras (w/memory cards)
- Disposable cameras for kids
- Cell phone w/charger
- Power strip
- Ear buds/headphones
- Laptop & charger
- External battery charger
- Umbrella
- Waist bag/day pack
- Lanyard for room key/tickets
- Beach bag
- Collapsible cooler
- Large Ziploc bags
- Sound machine for hotel
- Sewing kit
- First aid kit
- Safety pins
- Clothespins (to hang wet items and to help clothes gaps in curtains)
- Over-the-door shoe organizer (to keep hotel room organized)
- Earplugs
- Insect repellent
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Wet wipes
- Stain wipes/stick
- Wrinkle release spray
- Pillows
- Workout stuff
- Water sports bottle
- Waterproof case
- Night light
- Pen flash lights
- Pennies & quarters for pressing
- Pins for trading
- Books/magazines
- Playing cards
- Games
- Frisbees
- Kindle/iPad
- Eyeglass repair kit
- Small scissors and small screw driver (useful when opening toys purchased during your trip)
- Reusable straws
- Reusable shopping bags
- Pop-up hamper
Disneyland Packing List downloads
- Download Word version of the Ultimate Disneyland Packing List
- Download PDF version of the Ultimate Disneyland Packing List
- Get the Google Docs version of the Ultimate Disneyland Packing List
WDW Prep Packing List App (available for iOS devices)
Prefer your packing list in digital form?
You can find all the items from the print form on the WDW Prep Packing List app.
Packing tips
Consider using packing cubes.
These handy little items can make staying organized so much easier (we recommend purchasing a different color for each family member).
They help keep your suitcase organized, plus they can help protect your clothes if you like to use the drawers in hotel rooms.
Pack younger kids clothes by outfit in Ziplock bags
This is one of our favorite packing tips that not only helps you stay organized but also helps speed up your mornings.
Pack each outfit (down to underwear and hair bows, etc.) in a Ziploc bag so that when it comes time to get dressed in the morning, you have everything for that day ready to go!
Make your bag easy to recognize
If you spend 5 minutes in an airport you'll realize that most bags look alike.
Make yours stand out by adding something to it that is unique, like ribbons or special tags on the handles.
Start packing early
Don't wait until the day before to begin packing. Pick a spot in your house where you can start collecting the items you'll be taking with you.
Leave some space
Unless you are planning on shipping stuff home (or buying a bag while you are there) make sure you leave some space to bring new treasures back with you.
Make sure you weigh-in
If you are flying, you'll want to make sure you know your airlines weight limit for bags and then weigh yours before you get to the airport. Luggage scales are an easy way to do that.
Spread your items out
Although the goal is to get both you and your luggage to the same destination at the same time, sometimes things happen. Because of that, it is better to not pack only 1 person's items per/bag.
Instead, spread it out so that if something does go missing you're not trying to replace everything for 1 person.
It's also a good idea to take some photos of what you are packing into each bag, that way if something does go missing you'll have an easier time remembering.
Tag everything inside and out
In the unlikely event that your tag on the outside of your suitcase rips off, make sure you have some sort of identification on the inside of your suitcase, too.
Even just simply taping your contact information or a business card to the inside of your suitcase will work.
And don't forget your carry on bags - give those tags, too. (For younger kids make sure their names aren't visible on their bags, though).
Toss in a pop-up hamper
Most of these fold down into basically nothing but they can make a tiny hotel room feel a lot more organized. Plus, if you are planning to do laundry they are super helpful for that!
Roll with it
Consider folding your clothes when packing. Not only can rolling help with wrinkles, rolling can make it easier to fit more in your suitcase (just be careful not to go overweight!).
Recommended products
Before you leave, check the WDW Prep Amazon Shop for recommended products to make sure you have everything you need.
Disneyland Packing List graphic (pin it, save it, bookmark it)
