When we take our young kids into the parks during the summer, I like to be prepared! I tend to bring a lot of items into the parks with us (unfortunately, but maybe fortunately for us!), especially when it is hotter than the surface of the sun!

We do use strollers, so that helps.

Below I have up to 45 suggestions that I recommend you pack if you are like me!

*** I am NOT a doctor! The things I suggest below are my opinions and you should definitely ask your children’s doctors any questions before going on your vacation. They will tell you what you should be doing when planning to be in extreme heat for extended periods of time.***

You have to remember, that babies cannot sweat and keep their bodies cool in the same ways that adults can. This means that they can become easily dehydrated or sick from the extreme heat temperatures that you get in Florida. We like to pack park bags (yep, I said bags with an ‘S’!) with many things that could aid us in keeping our babies safe and healthy while outdoors.

The first one is easy. Yes, you can get free cups of water anywhere in Disney World, but I just cannot get over the taste of it. One of our bags is a cooler for this reason.

We have a nice backpack cooler that can be worn and still have 2 hands free. We load up the backpack each morning with 8-10 water bottles and put some ice in a double-bagged gallon ziplock to keep it cold. This is not only nice to have bottles right on hand during the day, but it can also be very handy for anyone who will be bottle-feeding their babies, to have a cooler to store all of their feeding necessities.

(*TIP* keep the water bottles in the fridge overnight before loading them in the cooler)

We do use strollers in the parks, and I make sure to have one with storage underneath. I really like the 3D lite stroller with an under basket and carry strap. We will often park the stroller in designated areas and leave the cooler bag with it. (This is always up to you to leave your items unattended, but there is no guarantee that your things will be safe from theft. We do this because it is not considered a ‘valuable item’ to us if something DID happen.)

The other bag, also a backpack, we take with us is what I consider our “Park Bag.” We have this with us at all times, as we often do have things of value inside.

The things we pack are listed below, but I keep certain items grouped together in ziplock bags to make it easy for finding.

Diaper changing gallon bag:

•   Changing pad

•    2-3 Disposable changing pads

•    6-8 diapers

•    Disposable diaper bags for dirty diapers

•    small pack of wipes (25 count?)

•    small tube of diaper cream

•    extra pair of clothes

Toddler potty bag:

• Extra pair of undies and shorts (or pants)

•    4-5 Disposable seat covers

•    Small pack of flushable wipes

• (optional) pull-ups if child is newly potty-trained or could possibly have accidents

While we’re on the topic of extra clothes; If it is so hot and humid, or could rain – you may want to take an extra shirt or pair of clothes for anyone in the family who would appreciate a change. (you could choose to leave that with your cooler bag)

Baby eating bag:

• 2-3 Disposable bibs

• 2-3 Disposable table covers

• A spoon you can wash or throw away, if eating baby purees.

•    Baby food pouches

•    Puffs or Yogurt melts in baggies

             If you are formula feeding, you may be able to fit pre-measured baggies in this large bag. If you are bottle feeding breastmilk, you would need to keep that in a cooler.

I was breastfeeding an 8 month old the last time we were at Disney and she was both nursing and starting solids. Nursing or Formula is still the PRIMARY source of a baby’s nutrition and hydration at this age, so it is very important to make sure they are fed. If you are nursing, you will not have to bring as much into the park. And if the baby is not on solids yet – then you will not have to bring any of the feeding supplies above except for the items if needed for bottles!

Mamas should expect to take many breaks with an infant, and not worry so much about what you need to see next. Take in the experiences of people watching or resting a bit between the hustle and bustle!

Foot care bag/first aid items

• Pack of moleskin padding

•    Little scissors to cut moleskin

•    Neosporin To Go

•    A few sizes of Band-Aids

•    Lip balm

•    Small bottles of Tylenol or Ibuprophen

•    A small bag of Tums

For small children, if they are old enough to have children’s or Infant’s Tylenol, you may want to bring it for them if you think you could need it. None of these items are musts if you don’t want to bring them – and each park does have a first aid building if you were to need something.

I just like to be prepared and have something immediately on hand, especially since our time is important since we all know that anything with babies and toddlers is not done quickly or easily!

The rest of the things we pack in our bag can be useful, but is ultimately up to you depending on how much you want to carry around. I DO suggest at least having the child cups so that they can drink when they need to and not have any problems in the heat.

All other supplies:

• Sippy cups or Thermos cups, 1 for each child who can drink water (young babies should not – please ask your Primary Care Pysician for recommendations on keeping hydrated for all of your children)

•    Mister fans

•    Stroller fans (clip on)

•    Cooling towels

•    Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Hats

•    Extra portable phone chargers and cords

•    A few extra batteries for fans

•    Disposable ($1) ponchos

•    Small umbrellas

•    Various snacks you can grab quickly (fruit snacks, granola bars, – yogurt melts, trail mix, etc.

•    Nursing cover if you use one

•    Compact brush, extra hair tie, makeup blotters

•    Folder with Itinerary if you have a printed one.

•    Autograph book with pen or markers

•    A couple glow sticks

•    Or small (age appropriate) toys/activities if your child gets antsy in lines or while eating

•    Gum – Disney does not sell any on property

•    Antibacterial hand wipes

•    Small hand sanitizer

•    Don’t forget your Minnie/Mickey Ears!

*In the past we even had a THIRD bag! (I know! What the heck for?!?) It was a separate diaper bag. I wanted to keep our main backpack lighter so we did that, but it was NOT ideal! Since then, I have switched to using the ziplock bags method, which helped a TON. And having a cooler backpack with a couple zipers, we are also able to keep some things in there to lighten the load. Examples would be: any extra clothes, maybe umbrellas, extra snacks or baby food. This is left with the stroller when it’s parked and hoped that it stays safe. USUALLY it is, but you never know when someone might feel a little entitled to your things….

Is there anything I am forgetting??? What is something that you MUST have or need while in the parks? Comment below and I can always add to my list!

Thank you for reading!

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