Traveling Tips
What to Bring
The best tip we can share is to travel light! The only true essentials are a phone and your magic band. Obviously there will be a few more items on your packing list, but beyond what you would normally bring for yourself and/or family on vacation, there’s nothing special that you need for Disney World.
Note: If you have small children, of course you’ll need more stuff! The good news is that you’ll also have a stroller to help cart it around. We never kept anything valuable in our kid gear, which enabled us to park the stroller at various strategic locations and use it as a “portable locker.”
And of course, there are also lockers, if you want to use those for lunch, snacks, etc.
- Carry your Magic Bands with you when you arrive – do not pack them so you can begin using them immediately.
- Bring a good external battery to keep devices charged all day (using the Disney app plus taking photos and videos drains battery QUICKLY).
- You don’t need a purse (unless you feel you do need a purse) and you also don’t need a wallet — you can charge everything on your MagicBand. You’ll link a credit card and create a PIN when you check in online. I generally only bring my MagicBand and phone once we are “on property.” If we need a few more items (like the essential external battery charger, or maybe ponchos) then one of us carries a light bag.
- Resort guests can have any purchases delivered to their resort – so take advantage of that to lighten your load.
- Bring casual shirts and shorts – the “dress code” at all restaurants is “theme park casual. ” This should include enough outfits to have a few changes available on especially hot and humid days.
- Be prepared for weather conditions. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential. Ponchos are smart given potential popup thundershowers. These can be purchased at Disney World, but are of course cheaper if you buy them ahead of time. Cooling towels are cool, and we’ve appreciated having them on hot, sticky days, but we haven’t found the portable fans to be very effective at anything other than blowing hot air at you.
- Bring excellent walking shoes with lots of support and good socks. Expect to walk 5-15 miles a day. Ibuprofen is also not a bad idea!
- Of course you won’t forget bathing suits, tooth brushes, toothpaste, and pajamas, but this is just a friendly reminder.
- Bring reusable water bottles to easily refill while at the parks.
- If you prefer bringing assorted gear, grab some carabiner clips to give yourself options.
Budget Tip
Splurge on souvenirs before you arrive to satisfy those spending urges in a budget-friendly way.
For example, you can order autograph books online (or even make them yourself) and have them ready to give your kids on the way to the first park.
Purchasing princess or pirate costumes and accessories before you arrive can be a big money saver. If a visit to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique isn’t on your wish list, then you can provide a similar experience at a fraction of the price.
Grocery Delivery
Kitchenette at Art of Animation Resort (microwave not available in all resorts)
Every resort room has a small refrigerator (villas have kitchenettes or fully stocked kitchens) that you can use for breakfast items, water bottles, adult beverages, and anything else you’d like to have on hand.
Several options are available including:
- PrimeNow for Amazon Prime members, which is a different service than Amazon.com. ($4.99 for deliveries under $35, otherwise free; $9.99 for 1-hour service). Note that you’ll be charged a $5 acceptance fee by Disney, per package, for orders from Amazon.com (compared with no charge for PrimeNow deliveries)
- Local grocery delivery options like Garden Grocer ($14 delivery fee for orders less than $200)
- Delivery services like Instacart will deliver from local stores for a fee, calculated at checkout. (This includes ABC Fine Wines and Liquors)
- WeGoShop will deliver from multiple stores for additional fees (i.e., Trader Joe’s, Publix, Winn Dixie, Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, and Walmart).
How it Works
- Choose delivery service and create an account, if needed.
- Make selections 1-3 days in advance for delivery services (depending on service used) – though many offer same-day delivery too. I just find it nice to check that off the list as early as possible.
- Provide the name and address of your resort (see reference list below). and the name your room is booked under.
- If possible, make sure that the name on the order is the same as name your room is booked under.
- Keep the confirmation number handy to provide to the resorts Bell Services.
- Download the associated app to have it handy, if needed.
- Disney will store perishable items at Bell Services in its cold storage and you may pick them up upon arrival, or request them to be delivered to your room.
- Tipping is customary.
- Note that not all delivery services can delivery beer, wine and/or spirits.
- Keep in mind the $5 per package fee Disney will charge for items shipped through the mail, (e.g., Amazon, Walmart, your home post office).
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, 1901 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s All Star Music Resort, 1801 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s All Star Sports Resort, 1701 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, 1850 Animation Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Pop Century Resort, 1050 Century Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, 900 Cayman Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, 2201 Orleans Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, 1251 Riverside Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Pkwy., Bay Lake, FL 32830
Disney’s Contemporary Resort, 4600 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 4401 Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Polynesian Resort, 1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Beach Club Resort, 1800 West Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, 1700 Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, 2101 North W Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort/Campground, 4510 N Ft. Wilderness Trail, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Old Key West Resort, 1510 North Cove Rd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, 1960 Broadway, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Walt Disney World Dolphin, 1500 Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Walt Disney World Swan, 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Shades of Green, 1950 W. Magnolia Palm Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
