Hey, friends! Welcome to part two of my packing for Disney series! Last week I showed you my park-bag essentials, and today I’m talking about everything I put in my personal item bag for Disney!
We are ONE WEEK out from our trip today, so I’m starting to get everything organized. I’ve been purchasing things here and there over the past few months and just throwing them into a bin in my linen closet, so it’s time to get it all together! Here we go!
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We live in the Midwest, so we most often fly when we visit Florida. I always check a suitcase, especially if we’re going for a week or more. I’m just not the kind of person that can pack for a week at Disney in a carry-on size suitcase. 😅 But I do like to take something with me on the plane!
I usually use a large backpack as my personal item for Disney because I love to be hands-free in the airport (especially with a kiddo). I have a Vera Bradley backpack similar to this one, and I absolutely love it! I’ve had it for at least three years and it’s still in great shape. It has lots of pockets and compartments, which I love. And it’s made of Vera Bradley’s “Lighten Up” material, which is water-resistant and easy to clean. It’s the perfect travel backpack, in my opinion!
Here’s what I make sure to pack in it:
The Basics
Obviously, you want your wallet, phone, and boarding pass. I’ll also pack a face mask, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and tissues. These things are just good to have on hand when you travel. Also hand lotion—between using hand sanitizer all the time and the dry air on the plane, I know my skin will be so dry. My favorite hand lotion is the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream—this stuff works like a dream!
Snacks
I always try to bring our own snacks instead of buying things at the airport. We’ll probably get Starbucks while we wait at our gate, but inevitably Liam will tell me he’s hungry when we’re in the middle of the flight or when we’re waiting to deboard, so I like to have something on hand! We particularly like Belvita breakfast biscuits or sandwich crackers. I also always pack gum to help with ear-popping. 😊
Plane Entertainment
We have about a 2.5-hour flight, so entertainment is essential! I take a book with me wherever I go, but ESPECIALLY on a plane. I love my Kindle Paperwhite for traveling. I’ll probably also download something to watch onto Disney+ on my phone, just in case we get delayed. Also, headphones and chargers are critical!
More on what we pack for Liam down below, because it’s also essential to entertain the kiddos!
A Change of Clothes
Especially if we’re coming from cold weather, I like to have shorts and a t-shirt to change into when we get to Florida! Now that we’ll pick up our own luggage, this isn’t as essential to pack in your carry-on bag, though it will be easier to just have them handy. Our room won’t be ready yet when our flight gets in, and digging around in my suitcase in the middle of Pop Century’s lobby doesn’t necessarily sound like a good time. I’m also always a little paranoid about lost luggage, so I always feel better when I have a few extra things in my carry-on just in case that happens!
Don’t Forget!
Magic bands! You’ll need these (or your Magical Express reservation paperwork) to scan in for the Magical Express! You’ll also want your magic band as soon as you get to your hotel (if you’re staying in a Disney resort) because it acts as your room key!
Sunglasses! You’ll definitely want these as soon as you get out in that Florida sunshine. 😎
Charging cables! For literally everything—phones, Liam’s iPad, my kindle, our USB rechargable fans, my fitbit, Magic Band+, everything. I have a little pouch that I will put all of the chargers in so I always know where they are.
Minnie ears! If you’re just really excited, like I will be, when you arrive in Orlando you might want to pop those Minnie ears on right away! Go ahead and throw them in your personal bag, just in case. 😉
What’s in My Kiddo’s Carry-On Bag
Liam has always carried his own backpack any time we travel. He has an iPad that we’ll download some fun things for him to watch on there (probably Clone Wars). And he loves these Imagine Ink coloring books, so I’ll get a couple of those for him to do on the plane, too!
We’ll also make sure he has headphones, a sweatshirt in case it’s cold on the plane (or to use as a pillow), his favorite stuffed animal, and a pack of gum (he loves having his own pack). A spare change of clothes (again, just because I’m paranoid about lost luggage) and a hat and sunglasses will round out his bag!
What do you like to have in your carry-on bag for Disney?
Did I miss anything essential? I can’t believe it’s been over a year since we’ve flown anywhere! I’m feeling a little out of practice, but I’m so excited to get on that plane!
Next week, I’ll be posting my Disney packing list and my best tips for packing for a 9-day trip in one suitcase. Don’t miss it!
And don’t forget to pin this post for later!
