Need Some DL Packing Advice...What Are Your "Must Pack" Items?

[Little E]

So, I just counted. We have 16 days until we leave for our first trip to DL! We are so very excited!! Our family has been to WDW many times, and we usually fly. I think I'm a pretty good packer when it comes to WDW trips, and I've benefitted from the many WDW Disboard packing threads. I'm wondering if packing is the same when going to DL? Should I pack the same things and the same way that I pack for our WDW trips, or should I tackle packing differently?

Basically, I want to know what things you can't leave home without, when you're packing for a trip to DL? I'm going to drag out the suitcases in the next couple of days, and I'd love any advice folks have for packing for a trip to DL.

If it helps. DH, DS (16), DS (14), and I fly in to the John Wayne airport on August 13, and we check in to the DLH. We'll be in the parks on August 14, 15, & 16, and we fly home on August 17.

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[Boku41]

Dramamine and Gold Bond medicated powder.

 

[Nonsuch]

A wide brimmed hat

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

A few of the things I always bring:

*sunscreen

*ziploc bags (large and small) - I like to put my phone in a bag for Splash/Grizzly, etc. - and then they also come in handy for snacks, etc.

*fuel rod to charge our phones during the day

*a knife - in the checked bag, not carry-on! - sounds funny, but if we buy a caramel apple, I like to cut it up in the room

*at least a couple pairs of shoes for each person - it is so refreshing to switch up your shoes during the midday break

*pins and ears


Have fun!!!

 

[Butterfly123]

Sun hat, very small crossbody bag for just the essentials like phone and pared down wallet, hydroflask for the family cinch sack we take turns carrying.

 

[DCLPrincess]

Poncho and tiara. I didn't really find packing for DL any different than WDW. Except I dug out my old photo pass card.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

lip balm, Body Glide, arnica gel, OTC pain reliever of choice and any RX meds (plus copies/photos of prescriptions that can be phoned in to either the Walgreen's or CVS on Harbor and Katella in an emergency), battery back up and charger cords for the phones, sun hat, packable jackets (ours fold into a pocket), ear plugs for rides and shows, multiple pairs of shoes for alternating, wicking socks, etc.
One great thing about DLR is the proximity of convenience stores and pharmacies (within close walking distance on Harbor you have: the A Mart, 7-11, 24/7 CVS, and Walgreen's -- those will cover most of your immediate needs if you forget something at home. For more shopping needs, there is a Target about one mile south on Harbor in Garden Grove.)
Have a great trip!

 

[midnight star]

Tylenol/Advil
Portable phone charger
Water bottle

 

[maltdizzy]

Packing for the whole trip? Clothes, sunscreen, hats, some sort of long sleeves (DL can get cool after the sun goes down), tge aforementioned ziplocks, a change of shoes/sandles.

We travel very light in the parks themselves — sometimes with a daypack, sometimes we get a locker — and we go from 8-midnight without a break. Lots of pockets help keep paper tickets, phone, and wallet sorted. And acailable fir things like fastpass.

 

[NannyBeBe]

Band-aids. If the occasion arises that you need one, it can be a long walk to First Aid. On my last trip, I saw a young girl who couldn't walk because she had a blister on her foot. I shared a band-aid with her and she went on her way.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Same as WDW but the only rain related packing you need to do is anything you like for water rides.

 

[StormyCA]

Well, I have an 8 page Word doc packing list for trips for both DL and WDW comprising 'must haves' depending on expected weather, flying vs driving (and car vs RV), and whether or not I'm staying onsite or off.

How many pages do you want???

Seriously, the must haves are prescriptions meds, things for your feet (at least two pairs of comfy shoes and blister protection like moleskin and bandaid blister pads), tummy meds (pepto tabs), and weather appropriate clothing. Pretty much anything else you can do without or buy there. I'm just, um, rather OCD about packing.

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

Same as WDW but the only rain related packing you need to do is anything you like for water rides.

Agreed with this wholeheartedly, and the extra charger for your phone is an absolute must.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Whats In My Park Bag
I use a this small backpack

Over the years I have tried all types of bags and I find this size works best for me.

I have my park ticket in a plastic lanyard pouch which I then attach to my bag using a retractable cord thingy



Drinks
I take 1 bottle of water and 1 bottle of soda into the parks. I buy a large 5 gallon bottle of water which I keep in my room and refill the water bottle in the mornings for the park. The soda I buy either in CVS or 7 11. You can get 3 bottles for $3 outside the parks but in Disney 1 bottle is $3! During the day I will refill the water bottle when I am in restaurants. Other than coffee or alcohol I dont buy any soda or water in the parks

Makeup bag
In a small makeup bag I bring
mini packet of face wipes
mini deodrant
Factor 50 suncreen
hand held fan
travel packet of tissues
over the counter painkillers (Irish paracetamol)

Other Items
small palm size point and click digital camera
pins for trading in a small zip lock baggie
light bolero style long sleeved cardigan

Other Items for the Hotel room
Foot soak and pedicure items
After a long day in the park I always soak my feet in the bath, really helps with the Disney ache

First Aid Kit
Dioralyte - over the counter re-hydration sachets for after an upset tummy
plasters
nail scissors
over the counter anti-histamine tablets
over the counter cold and flu tablets

flip flops and hair turban towel thingy as I have long hair and the hotel towels always fall down

Multiple Mickey ears for different days

Socket plug with USB charging ports

 

[Little E]

Thank you, everyone, for your ideas! I'm taking notes. @StormyCA...I'm OCD about packing too. I'd love to see your word document...it sounds like it would be right up my alley!

 

[B3rlingirl]

Comfortable shoes are definitely a must... and an external battery pack...

And Mickey ears of course!
Though I don’t know yet how to transport them properly on the plane... wearing them isn’t really an option with 10h+ flight time, so I guess my mickey ears will be stored in my luggage...

 

[chickapin parterre]

Same as WDW but the only rain related packing you need to do is anything you like for water rides.

16 days out.....hmmmmm.....I guess you can take a chance......but right now the western united states is in a weather situation that is highly unpredictable in that it is not in a normal pattern....keep an eye on the weather....don't assume that it is always sunny at Disneyland. The disastrous weather pattern currently in place has to break apart at some time, and when it does, it won't be good.

 

[lalasmama]

Moleskin. Nail clippers. Light up toys from Dollar Tree to avoid the begging for light toys at the parks. Extra socks. Extra pairs of shoes.

 

[cmwade77]

Here are my must haves:

• Phone
• Keys
• Credit/Debit Card
• ID
• Park Admission

There, that's it, go and enjoy your day, you can of course pack more, but these are the essentials these days, phone so you can book Maxpass, keys so you can get back into your car or house, Cred/Debit Card to pay for stuff (although if you have Apple, Samsung or Android Pay you may just be able to use your phone, ID will be required for credit/debit card purchases and park admission for obvious reasons.

 

[gottalovepluto]

16 days out.....hmmmmm.....I guess you can take a chance......but right now the western united states is in a weather situation that is highly unpredictable in that it is not in a normal pattern....keep an eye on the weather....don't assume that it is always sunny at Disneyland. The disastrous weather pattern currently in place has to break apart at some time, and when it does, it won't be good.

We love to say DLR weather is unpredictable but it’s August. August. Basically the only month you can be confident there won’t be rain. Obviously check your forecast pre-trip but the average rainfall in the month of Aug for Anaheim is literally 0.00 inches (https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/anaheim/california/united-states/usca0027)