How to Pack for Disney World (Fall/Winter Edition)

With my own trip about 3 days away, I thought I'd share my Disney World packing tips!

1. Choose a luggage strategy based on your arrival time into MCO. While part of your free Magical Express service includes delivery of your checked bags to your room, if you land after about 6pm you may receive said bags in the middle of the night. For later flight arrivals, I recommend retrieving your own luggage from baggage claim (DO NOT affix the yellow Magical Express sticker tags to your bags before checking them at your home airport if you plan to do this). To really speed things along, consider flying with carry-ons only (this means packing economically, of course) and save the wait at the baggage carousel.
2. Pack layers. You’ll need a little bit of everything, from swimsuits to hoodies and jeans. Think cool mornings, warmer days, and chilly evenings. If you’re visiting in the dead of winter (late Dec/Jan), consider hats and gloves. It can get cold.
3. Place an Instacart or Amazon Prime Now delivery order for a few in-room groceries and bottled water. Options for grocery delivery at Walt Disney World have evolved over the years as online grocery delivery has become more widespread. If you don’t have an Amazon Prime account, you can order from a local grocery service (my favorite is Garden Grocer). These types of services can even deliver beer and wine for you as part of your order. There is no fee from Disney resorts for receiving hand-deliveries like these as long as you pick them up yourself from Bell Services. If you order shipped items from regular Amazon, WalMart or similar, there is a package handling fee ($6) that is charged by the resort to receive your package.

Other things to bring:

• Fuzzy socks or slippers. Disney’s recent room renovations at a number of resorts have moved to hard surface floors and away from carpet. Buy some of those fuzzy socks from the dollar store (or ones with no-slip treads) for relaxing in your room.
• Compression socks. There’s a phenomenon known as “Disney rash” that I had the displeasure of experiencing during my last trip. No, it’s not some gross and contagious skin condition; rather, it’s a form of vasculitis that can result from heat, friction, or just pounding the pavement in bad footwear (I’m looking at you, thong sandals). My lower legs, ankles and feet were extremely swollen and covered in a hive-like rash after a few days in the parks, and by my flight home I had trouble cramming my feet into my sneakers. Compression socks would’ve provided a lot of relief, so I’m bringing those along this time (along with more supportive footwear). Anti-inflammatories help too, so bring ibuprofen.
• Light robe for dressing. Comes in handy when sharing a single bathroom with one’s family.
• Ponchos for water rides and/or rain. When the weather is cool, park operators reduce the amount of spray on Splash Mountain. Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom is another story – you can get absolutely drenched on this one, so even when it’s 90 degrees I wear a poncho! These are much cheaper to buy at home ahead of time.
• External battery charger. You’re gonna need to recharge your phone. A lot. The My Disney Experience app is a necessary tool and it’s a power hog. So is your phone’s camera, and the bright outdoor conditions usually require you have your screen brightness up. So bring an external battery, or plan on renting a Fuel Rod in the parks.
• Friction blocker stick like Body Glide for any vulnerable areas where your shoes or legs may rub. Swipe it on in the morning and it should last.
• A good hand sanitizer that kills norovirus.