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Any time of year can feel warm in Florida, and April is no exception, which means packing for Universal and Disney can be tricky. As my friends and I prepare for a week under the Orlando sun and visiting a few theme parks, I felt it appropriate to break down everything we are bringing on our trip.
Whether you’re off to explore the fairytale magic of Walt Disney World or gearing up for adrenaline-pumping adventures at Universal Studios, packing smart can make or break your Orlando vacation. Personally I’m not used to the humidity, so comfort and staying cool were non-negotiables for me.
Below is everything you need for a seamless, comfortable, and fun-filled trip to the theme parks. I have a full amazon list, and you can find direct links on my LTK as well.
Packing Clothes for Universal and Disney
It’s always best to check the weather before you go. For our trip, it calls for sun, heat, and humidity. For a quick look, I’ve linked everything I packed. I’ll break down the full packing list below.
Athletic wear: from tennis dresses and skirts I’ve packed lightweight, breathable material. Especially on park days, the goal is to be as comfortable as possible. I really enjoy the Natural Feelings athletic tops from amazon – with a built and bra and very comfortable. These Abercrombie travel dresses have been by my side for nearly three years and are still in perfect condition. Alo didn’t disappoint with their breathable skort either. For morning walks on days we weren’t headed to Disney or Universal Studios, I’ve been loving these Nike sets lately.
Other outfits: even when dressing up in Florida, my goal is to be comfortable and stay cool. The dresses I packed are from a few different places but were perfect for this trip – linked here to see for yourself.
Comfortable footwear: It’s important to wear supportive shoes at the parks. You’ll be walking more than you realized and it’s better to focus on the fun and not an incoming blister! I wore my New Balance 574 sneakers and felt comfortable on my feet for an 18 hour day
Pool wear: I recommend packing at least two different swimsuits so you can give time for one to dry each day. I swear by the lightweight rubber Birkenstocks as well. They are easy to pack, clean, and you don’t have to worry about them getting wet. A coverup is always a great piece to pack too!
Light jacket or hoodie: Layers are never a bad idea! The mornings at the parks can feel a little chilly and the indoor rides with have strong air conditioning.
Packing a Bag for Universal Studios & Packing For Disney
First things first, it’s imperative you have a cross body bag that can hold everything you need. I tried out the crescent crossbody bag bag which has more components and space then you’re standard Lulu Bag.
Let’s continue with the non-negotiables – what you must have in your day bag.
Park Tickets & ID: Keep them in a waterproof pouch or mobile wall
Phone + Portable Charger: You’ll use your phone a lot—for mobile orders, photos, wait time apps, etc. I liked having the portable charger with me so I didn’t have to worry about using the Universal or Disney app while in the park.
Reusable Water Bottle: Orlando gets hot. There’s a misconception you can’t bring food or drink into the parks and this is wildly untrue. My friend walked into Universal with an opened energy drink without any trouble. Most parks have refill stations or offer free ice water, but the key is to bring in a reusable water bottle. With the water bottle you can go to any freestyle machine and get your water.
Snacks: From personal experience, moods are always higher when no-one is hungry. I like to bring protein bars whenever I travel, but granola bars and trail mix are great options as well. Hydration packets are also a great idea to add to your water.
Sunscreen: Go with reef-safe and sweat-resistant! With acne-prone skin, I swear by the face sunscreen from Natrium.
Sunglasses & Hat: Bonus if it’s themed! I wore cheap Amazon sunglasses and my Adidas hat with a strap so I wouldn’t worry about it falling off my head.
Rain Poncho or Compact Umbrella: Florida showers are sudden and dramatic. As someone who worked at Universal for a summer, I don’t think I ever worked a day without a small shower.
Optional Items for the Parks:
Cooling Towel or Mini Fan: For those summer scorchers, a portable fan isn’t a bad idea.
Ziplock Bags: Great for electronics on water rides or wet clothes.
Stroller Tags / Identification: If you’re bringing a stroller, parking them can be chaotic. If you’re bringing a bag that has to go in a locker constantly and worried about leaving them, Apple air tags are an easy solution.
