Every experienced Walt Disney World vacationer has their favorite and important things to bring to the parks: camera, autograph book and pen, lanyard and trading pins, etc.  But for those of you who are unsure of just what to bring, here is my top ten list of things that are helpful:

10. Backpack or other comfortable bag to carry all the things. Or, a very understanding and accommodating spouse who is willing to wear cargo pants and be the family pack mule.  Sometimes a diaper bag can double as the “magic” bag, if you will be bringing one of those.

9.  Small flashlight.  These are helpful for navigating walkways in dark rides and may also help ease the fears of little ones.

8.  Eyeglass/sunglass leash.  Sunglasses, and sometimes even regular glasses, are lost on rides – probably more than you think.  Trying to navigate the parks in the Florida sun without your sunglasses or glasses is no fun.  Ask me how I know.

7.  Safety pins.  This little gem has multiple uses, from holding together a broken elastic band in kids’ pants to securing broken glasses in lieu of a screw.  I always think that I won’t use them, but I’m constantly amazed at how many times they come in handy for something or other.

6.  Small bottle of Purel or other hand sanitizer.  For peace of mind.

5.  Sharpie.  Another item that has many uses, including writing initials on water bottle caps to know which bottle belongs to who. And they also work great for characters signing autograph books!

4.  Washcloth or small hand towel.  Either is great for wiping off after a wet ride, wiping your hands after reapplying sunscreen, or even wiping off little hands and faces after eating.

3.  Plastic bags in varying sizes.  These are good for protecting your camera or other non-waterproof items (like autograph books, phones, and park maps) when going on wet rides.

2.  Extra battery or portable phone charger for your phone.  No one wants to be caught with a dead phone when trying to meet up with family or friends!

1.  The free My Disney Experience app for your phone.  This is the best tool there is for managing your trip and navigating the parks.  You can make or cancel dining reservations, secure or change FastPass+ selections, look up character locations, check wait times for rides and attractions, and check showtimes for parades and fireworks.  My favorite feature is the interactive map!

Photo by Kent Philips

What things do you bring that are helpful and/or unusual to make your day at the parks a little easier?  Let me know in the comments!