If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland & California Adventure, you’re likely excited to experience all the magic at the “Happiest Place on Earth!”

As your trip approaches, you may be asking yourself what you need to put on your Disneyland packing list—and that’s a great question! Aside from the vacation essentials, like clothes, toiletries, and travel documents, there are some specific items you need to put on your Disneyland packing list that you’ll want during long days in the parks that you might not think to bring otherwise.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to bring with you to Disneyland & California Adventure, so you can create the perfect Disneyland packing list for your upcoming vacation!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy!

What Should I Pack for Disneyland? 

It’s not cheap to plan a trip to Disneyland & California Adventure, so once you do, you likely want to be as prepared as possible to make the most of your time at Disneyland Resort. Bring (& wear) the items on this Disneyland packing list to enjoy a stress-free and fun-filled experience in the parks!

Disneyland Packing List - Travel by Brit

1. Comfortable Walking Shoes 

First and foremost, it’s essential to wear comfortable walking shoes in Disneyland. It’s not unusual to walk 20,000+ steps per day, and if you’re spending multiple days in the parks, your feet will be exhausted by the end of your vacation! 

I love to wear my Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes by Nike in the parks. They are comfortable and supportive, and my feet never hurt after wearing them all day. You can also get insoles for your current tennis shoes to make them more comfortable for a day in the parks.

2. Backpack 

Next, it’s crucial to have a backpack to store your snacks, water bottles, extra layers, souvenirs, and other items you will need handy throughout the day. 

We always bring my husband’s Patagonia Backpack to Disneyland & California Adventure because it’s the perfect size to store our items without being too bulky. 

Tip: To keep your backpack light, you can also buy lockers outside of Disneyland for as little as $7 per day. I highly recommend doing this—all your items are easily accessible throughout the day, but you don’t have to tote around a heavy backpack all day. It’s a win-win situation!

3. Fanny Pack 

I always bring a backpack to Disneyland, but I also bring a fanny pack. My fanny pack is reserved for items I need quickly accessible, like my park tickets, phone, lip balm, medications, and other necessities. 

This Herschel Fifteen Waist Pack is stylish and compact, and it comes in dozens of colors, including Ash Rose, Ballad Blue Pastel, and Papaya, so you can find the perfect look to match your outfits! I have a black fanny pack similar to this one I have worn everywhere—including Disneyland!

4. Portable Charger 

You will be surprised how much you use your phone at Disneyland. Between snapping pictures, checking wait times, ordering food, and scrolling through social media while in line, your phone battery will drain quickly. That’s why a high-quality portable charger is essential for any Disneyland packing list. We love using this Anker Portable Charger because it holds a charge all day long—even if multiple people use it.

5. Refillable Water Bottle 

Many people don’t realize you can bring refillable water bottles to Disneyland, but this is one of the best tips for saving money at the parks. Disneyland and California Adventure have refillable water stations, so it’s super easy to refill your HydroFlask or Yeti to stay hydrated. 

If you’d rather have the convenience of recycling plastic water bottles instead of toting around a refillable bottle all day, I highly recommend purchasing a case of water before driving to Disneyland (or at a grocery store when you arrive if you’re flying). You’ll spend $3-5 for an entire case of water versus $5 per bottle in the parks—more than $100 in savings! Then, you can just keep the bottles in your locker and stock up when you need more throughout the day. 

6. Tickets & Reservations 

It may be a “no-brainer,” but make sure you bring your tickets or reservations to the parks with you each day. You can manage the tickets for everyone in your entire group on the Disneyland App, so it’s super easy to reserve dining, attractions, and more for everyone from one person’s device.

When you arrive, you’ll also be given a paper ticket. Be sure to hold onto this for the duration of your stay if anything goes wrong with your digital ticket. 

7. Sunscreen 

Since you’ll be spending all day in the sun, bringing sunscreen to protect your skin is important. It’s also helpful to bring sunscreen you can easily reapply.

I’m a big fan of this 365 by Whole Foods Market Sunscreen. Since it’s spray-on, it’s easy to apply while you’re on the go and has an incredible coconut vanilla scent. It’s also water-resistant (aka sweat-resistant) and is formulated without harmful chemicals, such as oxybenzone. 

8. Phone & Camera 

I’m sure you’re already planning to bring your phone to the parks (if not, you should!), and for most people, their phone doubles as a camera, which is great! 

However, if you don’t have a camera on your phone, I highly recommend bringing some sort of camera with you into the parks to capture your memories! Though camera equipment that’s too bulky may get in the way on rides (and can be a pain to carry), putting a Digital Camera, Disposable Camera, or Polaroid Camera on your Disneyland packing list is a great idea! 

9. Card & Cash

Don’t forget to bring your credit or debit card to the parks with you! Most places in Disneyland (aside from the balloon stands and penny machines) take cards, so you shouldn’t need to bring cash unless you need it for those two reasons. 

We love traveling with our Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. You can earn up to five times total points for travel-related expenses, like airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and car rentals, and three times total points for dining, making it a great card to bring on a vacation to Disneyland! Plus, the points you accumulate from your card can be applied to more travel experiences (like another trip to Disneyland, hint hint), so it’s a win-win situation.

10. Lip Balm 

It’s easy for your lips to get chapped while spending time in the sun, so putting chapstick or lip balm on your Disneyland packing list is a great idea. It’s also handy to buy one of these Lip Balm Keychain Holders so you can easily hook your lip balm onto your backpack or fanny pack.

11. Hand Sanitizer 

It’s easy to encounter germs at Disneyland since you’ll be touching so many high-contact surfaces during your time in the parks—and there isn’t a worse way to spend a trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth” than feeling sick! 

When you don’t have access to soap and hot water, antibacterial hand sanitizer is a great thing to have on hand (literally). You can purchase this Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Variety Pack with travel-sized clip-on carriers to ensure everyone in your group has their own sanitizer to keep their hands clean.

Tip: You may also consider bringing a travel-sized lotion or Aquaphor ointment to keep your hands moisturized since sanitizer can dry out your hands quickly.

12. Medicine 

It’s smart to bring medicine you might need throughout the day with you, so you don’t have to go back to the hotel if someone feels sick. I recommend bringing Tums, Advil, and Claritin, or some variation of pain medication, allergy medication, and medication for an upset stomach to ensure you have everything covered. Plus, though it doesn’t count as medicine, if you have a tendency to chafe, I would recommend bringing Gold Bond Powder to put between your legs. Works like a charm!

Typically, we keep medication in our locker and return to the locker if we need something. This way, we don’t have to carry the bottles around with us all day.

13. Sunglasses 

California is known for its sunshine, so sunglasses are a must-have item on your Disneyland packing list. 

Since there’s a good possibility you’ll be wearing a hat, ears, or some type of Disney-themed headwear during your trip, it’s smart to find glasses that can be worn easily with hats, like these Polarized Aviator Sunglasses that come in tons of fun colors!

14. Photo ID 

You should probably have your photo ID with you regardless, but just in case, don’t forget to bring it to the Disneyland Resort with you. 

Although Disneyland only serves alcohol in select locations (Club 33, Blue Bayou, and Oga’s Cantina), California Adventure serves lots of fun adult beverages throughout the parks—and you’ll need to show ID if you want to try one. 

15. Band-Aids 

Even if you wear the most comfortable shoes, you may still develop blisters from all the walking you’ll do during a day in Disneyland. You also never know when you’ll scape, cut, or hurt yourself—which is why it’s always good to have a few bandages easily accessible in your backpack.

16. Jacket 

You may think you won’t need a jacket while in sunny California, but it can get chilly—especially in the mornings and at night when the sun goes down. 

I love my Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Puffer Jacket for Disneyland (and all travel, really) because it is lightweight, warm, waterproof, and can be stored in a small pouch, so it can be easily stowed away in your backpack when you’re not wearing it. 

This jacket is an essential item for your Disneyland packing list, and once you buy one, you’ll wear it everywhere—trust me! 

17. Poncho 

In addition to a jacket, it’s also nice to have a lightweight poncho, like these Disposable Rain Ponchos, that you can wear on water rides, like Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run. It’s great to not have to worry about your clothes getting soaking wet! 

That said, even if you do bring a poncho, I also recommend bringing flip-flops to wear on water rides, so your tennis shoes and socks don’t get wet. It’s also smart to bring a change of clothes, just in case you get soaked and want to be in dry clothes for the rest of the day! 

18. Comfortable Clothes 

Speaking of clothes, it’s important to wear clothes you feel comfortable in while visiting Disneyland & California Adventure. Many people (me included!) like to wear themed shirts, like this Disneyland Shirt, for a cute, easy, and comfortable look.

19. Hair Ties 

If you have long hair, don’t forget to add hair ties to your Disneyland packing list. Even if you plan to style your hair in the morning, after 14+ long hours in the park, you’ll probably want to be pulling it back into a messy bun—and there’s nothing more frustrating than realizing you don’t have any hair ties on hand.

20. Snacks 

Yes, I saved the best for last. Snacks! Even though you can’t miss the chance to snack on a Churro or Dole Whip during your time in Disneyland, you’ll also want to have some filling snacks on hand, like protein bars or trail mix, to help you stay full in-between meals. 

If you’re trying to save some cash, you can even pack a lunch to bring into the parks too. We’ve brought in PB&J sandwiches before, and it was a great alternative to eating park food for lunch.

Summary: What to Bring to Disneyland

If you need a quick overview, here’s what you should bring with you (or wear) to Disneyland each day:

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Backpack
  • Fanny pack
  • Portable charger
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Tickets & reservations
  • Sunscreen
  • Phone & camera
  • Card & cash
  • Lip balm
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Medicine
  • Sunglasses
  • Photo ID
  • Band-Aids
  • Jacket
  • Poncho
  • Change of clothes
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Hair ties
  • Snacks

You can always modify this list to fit your unique needs. For example, families traveling with small children may wish to bring a stroller, autograph books, or tissues for stuffy noses (or tears after a long day). Disney fanatics may want to bring pins for pin trading and a lanyard to display the pins on. Or, you may want to bring a small picnic blanket you can sit on to watch the parade. It’s all up to you!

However, I’ve found that the list above works great for most adults. It’s the list I always follow when I go to Disneyland & California Adventure, so it’s tried and true!

Disneyland Packing List FAQs

Can I take snacks into Disneyland?

Disneyland allows guests to bring in outside food and nonalcoholic beverages, as long as they are not stored in glass containers and do not require heating or refrigeration.

Can I bring a HydroFlask to Disneyland?

Yes, you can bring a HydroFlask or any other type of metal water bottle with you into Disneyland and California Adventure.

Does Disneyland have lockers?

Yes, Disneyland has lockers outside the parks that are available for $7, $10, $12, or $15 per day with unlimited access. They also have a more limited selection of lockers inside the parks for $7 or $10 per day, and these lockers are only accessible during park operating hours.

Enjoy a Hassle-Free Disneyland Vacation with This Disneyland Packing List

I hope this Disneyland packing list helps you pack everything you need for a fun day at the parks—and leave everything you don’t need back at the hotel.

Is there anything you’d add to this Disneyland packing list? Do you have a question about any of these items? Let me know in the comments below!

Save This Disneyland Packing List for Your Upcoming Vacation

Did you love this Disneyland packing list? Check out my other post about Tips for Visiting Disneyland Post-COVID, or how to plan a Fun Day Trip to Huntington Beach if you need a break from the parks!

About the Author

Hi, I'm Brit! I'm a writer from Phoenix, AZ who loves coffee, golden retriever puppies, and obviously, travel! I help ordinary women (like me!) dream, plan, and do extraordinary travel experiences.

>