Essentials for Any Trip to the Disney Parks
About a month ago, when I was shopping the new Stoney Clover Lane x Mickey & Friends collection, my aunt called me a “Disney nerd” which I immediately texted my sister to complain about. Her reply? “But you are a Disney nerd”. Of course I scoffed, and felt offended, but then I realized that I really am a Disney nerd and I’m damn proud of it.
If you have been around a while, you know that I am a former Disney Cast Member and an active Annual Passholder at Disney World (something that technically no longer exists, but I am hopeful that they’ll bring it back one day). However, this means that although I, sadly, no longer live in Orlando I do visit rather frequently. I would say I go up roughly once every other month, if not more, especially between the months of September and April which is peak RunDIsney season. When the summer hits, I go less frequently because it’s insanely hot and the crowd sizes give me massive anxiety (not even kidding in the slightest).
For this post, I wanted to share with you some of the things that always go with me to the parks….what I call my Disney Essentials
What (& How) I Pack
I have been strategizing this post for several weeks now. I wrote it out, never posted it, and have decided to re-write and re-organize my thoughts on this topic. Let’s start with the fact that I have a very LARGE selection of all things Disney. This includes Stoney Clover Lane pouches, bags (fanny, backpacks, and totes), Dooney & Burke Disney bags, even some Vera Wang…Now that I’ve stated the obvious, the way that I pack and how truly depends on three things: 1) how long my trip will be (is it one/two nights, am I going for a race, will I be there longer than a weekend?) 2) what time of the year am I going and finally 3) what I plan to do. Once I have factored in these points, I tend to strategize the same throughout the year – what changes is what I actually take with me.
Let’s start with packing: as I mentioned, I do have a very large variety of Stoney Clover Lane products in both Disney and non-Disney themes. However, that is not to say that I don’t use my non-Disney products when I pack because I almost always do. If you haven’t caught my drift, what I use to organize my ‘fits by day are typically one of the LARGE SCL pouches. Typically, if I’m going for the weekend (which is typically 3 days/2 nights) I use a few of the large pouches and tuck each of my ‘fits packed into them, then I sort my accessories, toiletries, and other items in other pouches.
Here is an example of what I pack and how I pack for 3 days and 2 nights at the Most Magical Place on Earth (I am going to include the actual names of the pouches/themes):
#1 – Disney x Stoney Clover Lane Friends Forever LARGE pouch: day one ‘fit: t-shirt, leggings/bike shorts, socks, undergarments, ears/hat
#2 – Stoney Clover Lane Galactic Greatness LARGE Pouch: day two ‘fit: t-shirt, leggings/bike shorts, socks, undergarments, ears/hat
#3 Stoney Clover Lane Go with Grogu™ LARGE Pouch: day three ‘fit: t-shirt, leggings/bike shorts, socks, undergarments, ears/hat
#4 Stoney Clover Lane Bubble Gum LARGE Pouch: pajamas, undergarments, extra socks, and sweaters/sweatshirts I may take (yes, I may live in Florida – but I ALWAYS (rain, cold, or sunshine) take a sweater or sweatshirt with me to the parks)
Now, depending on what my outfits look like and where I am going, I would also pack one (or two) of the following fanny packs that I have:
#1 Stoney Clover Lane Majorly Minnie Mouse Classic Jumbo Fanny Pack
#2 Stoney Clover Lane Navy Classic Fanny Pack with Princess Patches
#3 Stoney Clover Lane Princess Classic Fanny Pack
#4 Stoney Clover Lane Star Wars Classic Fanny Pack
Additional to these Disney themed fanny packs, I have two other Jumbo Fanny Packs that I tend to gravitate towards (again, depending on my ‘fit and what I will be doing) which are the Denim Jumbo Fanny and the Olive Green Jumbo Fanny.
Since the above referenced pouches contain my outfits, both for park hopping, shopping, and/or other Orlando stuff, now we can start packing what I would take that is not mentioned about:
#1 Stoney Clover Lane x Target Airplane LARGE Pouch: here I tend to pack my toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, hair oil and leave in conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, moisturizer, sunscreen, mascara, lip oil or gloss, IF I am being ambitious, I’ll take a tinted moisturizer too, but I tend to not use it. You’ll also find makeup wipes in this pouch.
#2/#3 (staying with the Disney theme) I’ll use a few of my SMALL pouches (I have the Sebastian and Flounder SMALL pouch and the Yours Truly Small Pouch) to pack the following items: deodorant wipes, tide to go pens or wipes, sunglasses/reading or distance glasses, jewelry, hair accessories (claw clips, scrunchies, headbands). I will also use another one of the small pouches to pack my chargers, external battery, Magsafe battery pack, AirPods, mickey fans, and whatever random items I may need.
#4 Ultimate Pair MINI Pouch is what I typically put INSIDE my fanny pack or whatever bag I use for the parks, and in it I’ll pack: hand sanitizer (I love the Touchland one, and they also have a Disney collab), I’ll pack either my Magsafe battery pack or the Stoney Clover Lane x Target external battery pack, some deodorant wipes and tide to go wipe for the parks, and lip oil/gloss.
My AirWrap always has its own LARGE pouch, so that is also packed up for my trips, and if we are going to head to a water park I will bring along my Stoney Clover Lane x Target Terry Cloth SWIM LARGE pouches (I have two). One will have my hair products for the waterpark like a comb, leave in conditioner, etc. as well as my sunscreen and the other will have whatever bathing suit and cover up, sandals, and accessories I’ll be using for that particular adventure.
If I am going to use a different bag for the trip (aka not a SCL fanny) I have a variety of other options to pack: Stoney Clover Lane Mickey Mouse Fan Club Flap Backpack, Dooney & Burke crossbody, or my Dooney & Burke RunDisney Disneyland Marathon tote. Additionally, I have three SCL totes that I can use, but those are typically folded into my suitcase in case I over packed or over-shopped.
What I Actually Pack (‘Fit Ideas & More)
Now, when it comes to the actual items I pack, I tend to stick to a specific style a majority of the time. For example, I always pack oversized t-shirts. They can be Disney themed, plain, or Spirit Jerseys, but they ALWAYS are or fit oversized. I like to be comfortable and if it’s going to be hot, I don’t want my shirt sticking to me. Honestly, my aunt hates this because she says I look like I’m hiding in my baggy clothes, but I love it.
Nine out of ten times, I pack bike shorts and leggings as my only pant options. I do NOT wear jeans or jean shorts, or any kind of other shorts to the parks. If it’s too hot for me to wear leggings, I’m in a pair of bike shorts. I hate wearing structured shorts to the parks.
I already mentioned that regardless of the weather, I pack a sweater or sweatshirt. When I went earlier this year for a race, I packed with me a packable waterproof jacket from Amazon, and now that has become a staple for me regardless of the weather. I’ve learned that when you’re prepared with ponchos and rain jackets, the rain won’t come. The ONLY time it rains is usually when I forget said rain protection.
I have a few different styles of socks I pack for my trips: crew socks with Disney characters on them (from Amazon) or Bombas running socks. The Bombas socks are essential for race weekends because they are the only socks that I don’t end up with blisters. My pajama are usually a SKIMS set or a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. I have a few Disney sweats that I like to wear, but most of the time they’ll be my travel outfit so I won’t actually sleep in them.
When it comes to my ears, I have a specific Stoney Clover Lane Large pouch that is used for my Minnie ears. It was apart of the last Mickey & Friends drop and I love it so much. I’ll pack a few of my thirty pairs of ears and a few baseball hats in it. Since I am allergic to the sun apparently, there are times I wear a baseball hat with my ears over it.
Now, let’s talk footwear. When I am going to the parks, I stick to sneakers. However, I am in fact a sneaker aficionado so I have a shit ton of sneakers that I rotate when I travel (regardless of where to). When I go to Disney, I like to pack my Mickey x Gucci sneakers that my parents bought me for my birthday last year. They are the MOST comfortable shoes I own, especially for a long day of walking because they are bulky dad shoes. I also pack my Nike Dunks, my On Cloud sneakers (I have both a waterproof pair and a pair for the parks, as well as a pair which I use for my RunDisney races). I will also throw in, depending on my ‘fits, my Golden Goose or any other Nike sneaker I feel like wearing. If I am going to the waterpark, I’ll throw in my slides or crocs. When I went to Disney last month, I was stuck in a monsoon (obviously unprepared) and I bought a pair of the Flower & Garden Festival crocs, those are now an automatic pair of shoes packed when I go to Disney, however I also have croc slides and other type of crocs with Disney gibbitz that I can take.
What’s In the Bag (for the parks):
When it comes to packing my “purse” for the parks, I am very strategic. If it is the classic fanny pack, which is a smaller bag, I won’t throw in the mini pouch I referenced before, but rather just leave my stuff kind of thrown in. If it is one of the jumbo fanny packs, I will use the mini pouch to organize my stuff, and then I’ll stuff around it the other items. Here is what is almost always IN my bag for a day at the parks:
#1 SCL denim keychain wallet with Minnie bow patch
#2 *if it’s the jumbo* the mini pouch with the following items inside: external battery or Magsafe battery pack, AirPods, lipgloss/lip oil, mini comb with hair ties, and Touchland hand sanitizer. I will always also throw in a few packs of my migraine medicine and some allergy medicine in case I have a breakout from the sun and/or alcohol.
#3 Sunglasses and my distance glasses (especially if I am driving to a hotel before/after)
#4 Mickey shaped USB fan
#5 Amazon packable rain jacket
I also tend to throw in a disposable camera, if I can remember to, or my GoPro if I’m in the mood.
What if I head to Universal?
Even if I was to head to Universal, most of what I referenced above applies. Since I’m an annual passholder at Disney, I tend to find myself visiting both parks sometimes. Especially because I work for NBCUniversal and I can get tickets for Universal at a great price.
Now, because I know I’ll be going to Universal there are some themed items I’ll bring with me: Gryffindor socks, headband, and spirit jersey or t-shirt, Captain America spirit jersey, and a bucket hat (I have plain ones and some colorful ones that I’ll throw in). I haven’t found anything minion themed yet to wear, but that’s definitely going to be put on my shopping list for future trips.
What if it’s a RunDisney Weekend?
If I am in Orlando for a race weekend, I pack EVERYTHING I referenced above PLUS race specific items. These race specific items include:
#1 Lululemon fanny pack, which I use for the races to hold my AirPods, energy chews, Magsafe battery pack, credit card, and car keys. I’ll also stick in some bandaids and allergy medicine just in case.
#2 OnCloud sneakers, Bombas socks, race shirt and leggings, bib pins, and extra hair ties.
#3 extra pouches or bags because I always shop at the Expo and I’ll end up needed more space to pack my shit to go home.
#4 when I go for RunDisney, I take my Stanley or Starbucks cups with me so I can have water in the room at all times.
Don’t forget to check out my latest Disney TikTok here https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRvuU4m9/
