Figuring out what to pack for Disney World can be intimidating if you’ve never been to the parks before. There are so many things to consider that it may feel like you’re drowning in luggage by the time you start your journey to Disney. But one of the best kept secrets of Disney World is to plan what you pack in advance. With this list, it will be significantly easier to figure exactly what you need to bring to your first trip to Disney this March.

What to Pack for Disney World in March

The amount of luggage you bring on your trip depends mostly on how long you plan on staying. The longer you stay, the more you need to bring. That much is obvious to anyone going on vacation.

However, you should still try to pack as lightly as you can.

If you’re going for a week, only bring the clothes and toiletries you need for that week. Overpacking for Disney means you have less room to bring back souvenirs. Whether you plan on buying merchandise or not, you’ll inevitably end up bringing back something from your trip.

Even if it’s the dog made of washcloths left on your pillow by the hotel staff, you’ll want some space for miscellaneous items. That being said, it may be a good idea to bring a backpack just for these kinds of items. It’ll make packing to leave a lot easier if you have a space dedicated to items you got at the parks.

Clothes

March is a cooler month for Orlando, so packing clothes can be a little tricky. On average, you can expect the days to hover in the 70s, but the nights can get as cold as the mid-50s. Bring a few pairs of shorts and long pants. You can wear the shorts during the day and switch to pants when it starts getting cold. Alternatively, you can bring a hoodie or cardigan if you want to save extra space. One jacket will take up less space than three pairs of pants. It all depends on how well you and your family manage the cold.

Florida’s weather is pretty unpredictable, so be sure to bring a small umbrella or a poncho with you. March especially sees shifting weather, going from hot and stormy to cool and dry—and everything in between. Bringing along some protection from the rain will really save you in the long run! Nothing is worse than getting soaked to the bone and having to buy new clothes.

It is also a good idea to bring a tote bag or small backpack with you to the parks. You’ll want to keep your hands free when you’re walking around. Not only is it tedious, but after a full day, your hands get sore from holding things. Holding a water bottle is a silly thing to be sore from, so a small backpack will really save your hands. Don’t worry about having a bag when you go on rides; most have compartments built in, and if they don’t, there are lockers for you to use.

Your hotel will likely be much colder than you expect. Of course, you can turn on the heat, but if you aren’t in your room all day, you’ll want to keep the air conditioner on so your room will be nice and cold when you get back. You’ll definitely want snuggly pajamas to sleep in.

Because March experiences such swings in weather, it’s always best to check what it will feel like the week of your trip. That’s the best way to prepare your wardrobe for your vacation.

Shoes

Because Disney World is so large, you’ll want to invest in some sturdy footwear. If you already have a pair of shoes that can withstand a full day of walking, great! Be sure to pack them and maybe get some gel inserts for extra comfort. If you don’t, you’re going to need get some.

You’ll be spending, at the very least, a few hours on your feet at any of the parks. If you stay in one park from the time it opens to the time it closes, you’ll be there for close to eight hours—more if you stay for fireworks. Most of this time is spent waiting in line, meaning you’ll be standing in one spot for extended periods. Sure, when you get on the ride, you’ll be able to sit down, but the amount of time you spend sitting is drastically less than the time you spend standing or walking.

Tennis shoes are a solid choice, though they can get warm. If you can find a pair of sandals with extra support, that would be ideal. If not, a good pair of sneakers will do wonders.

Swimwear

Along with your hotel’s pool, Disney also has two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Visiting these parks might not be on your itinerary to start, but it’s still good to bring a swimsuit just in case. You’ll definitely want it for the hotel pool.

The main parks also have sprinklers and misters scattered around for park-goers to cool down, so a swimsuit comes in handy for that, too. Plus, rides like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids will get you pretty wet! All in all, it’s never a bad idea to have a swimsuit ready so you aren’t walking around all day in uncomfortable, wet fabric.

Remember, though, March has a low of mid-50s. Packing a pair of board shorts to go over your bathing suit may be a good idea to avoid getting chilly in the water. And don’t forget cozy towels!

Stroller

If you’re bringing young children with you, a stroller can be incredibly helpful. It allows you to carry everything your child needs as well as miscellaneous items that may not fit in your backpack. Granted, maneuvering around the parks can be difficult if you’re stroller is on the large side, but overall you’ll be thankful for bringing it.

Your child will be thanking you, too. Walking around that long will tucker out your kids quickly; they’ll get so tired, hungry, and possibly cranky, that they won’t really enjoy their time taking in the magic. For a truly exceptional experience for all members of your family, bring a stroller.

Extra Toiletries

Aside from obvious things like toothpaste and sunscreen, there are some toiletries you won’t want to forget. Wet wipes will be your best friend during your trip. They have so many uses. If your child is a messy eater, a wet wipe provides an easy clean-up. If it gets too hot and you start to sweat, a wet wipe over your face will instantly cool you down. From brushing mud off your stroller to keeping your family clean, wet wipes are essential to a more comfortable experience in Disney World.

You’ll also want to bring extra sunscreen. It’s so tedious to go outside Disney’s campus to buy sunscreen when you run out—plus the prices around Disney are usually inflated. It’s cheaper and easier to bring along a second bottle just in case.

Safety Items

Disney World is a big place, and though it’s rare for a child to go missing, it does happen from time to time. The staff is very helpful in those situations, but it’s a good idea to give your child some form of identification. This doesn’t item doesn’t have to be anything extreme. It can even be a fun activity you do together before leaving for the trip. A simple name tag will be incredibly helpful to the staff if you do get separated from your child. It probably won’t happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Technology

While you don’t want your vacation to be dominated by technology, you’ll definitely want to have a camera with you to capture all of the special moments you and your family share at Disney. Alternatively, you don’t necessarily need a camera if you’re happy to take photos on your phone.

You’ll also want to have at least one phone with smartphone technology to access some newer additions to the parks. My Disney Experience helps you plan your trip and keep your reservations in order while Play Disney Parks allows you to interact with the park through your mobile device. The more you discover in the park, the more you unlock in the game! It’s a fun way to kill time waiting in line.

For Kids

There are certain items you’ll want to bring along to keep your kids happy. Bringing a few toys from home will put them at ease if they ever feel homesick. Of course, Disney World is the place where dreams come true, but everyone misses their own bed every now and again. Having some reminders of home can help get your child adjusted to being in a new place for a few days.

You might also want to bring a costume for them to wear in the parks. There’s nothing better than meeting a character while dressed as that character. Seeing the joy on your child’s face as they meet their hero will fill you with joy, and knowing you were able to make their experience that much better by bringing along their matching costume will make the trip all the more special.

While you’re meeting their favorite character, you’ll also want something for the character to sign! An autograph book will keep all their memories of meeting the characters in one place, and they’ll love carrying it around with them. All the characters love to sign autographs, so you won’t meet any strange looks or hesitation if you bring a book for them to write in! You can either bring a little notebook from home or get an official Disney autograph book at one of the shops, though that isn’t necessary. A simple notebook and pen will suffice.

If you’re going during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, you may want to bring some green clothes or shamrock-related items. The World Showcase puts on a St. Paddy’s Day celebration in the United Kingdom pavilion that your kiddos are sure to enjoy. And, of course, they’ve got some alcohol for the adults in your party, too.

The Full List

When you break it down, it’s easy to pack for a trip to Disney World. Taking into account the weather in March and how many days you’ll spend there, packing for Disney is just like packing for any other vacation.

Here’s a list of the items mentioned throughout the article:

An empty backpack for items purchased at the parks.
Shorts and t-shirts for when it’s warm.
Pants and sweaters for when it’s cool.
An umbrella and/or poncho for when it rains.
Comfy pajamas for the chilly hotel room.
A good pair of shoes, most likely tennis shoes.
A small backpack or tote bag to bring to the parks.
A swimsuit and board shorts for when the water gets cold.
A stroller to keep your child comfortable.
Wet wipes for easy clean-up.
Extra sunscreen.
A name tag for your children in case they get lost.
A camera or smartphone.
Toys from home.
Costumes to wear at the parks.
An autograph book.
St. Patrick’s Day items, if you plan on going when the celebration is going on.

With these items in mind, you’ll be ready for your trip to Disney. It’s always good to double-check the weather before your trip in case you need to switch out a long sleeve for a t-shirt. Overall, your luggage will mostly be clothing you can layer and small items that will ensure you have a comfortable time walking around the parks. After all, Disney is the happiest place on Earth—don’t let yourself be uncomfortable in a place with that tagline!

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Disney World Packing List for March

What to Pack for Disney World in March