What to Pack for Disney World in October
So you’re heading to Disney World in October, and you’re excited. And you should be! From fun events, including Mickey’s Halloween Party, to the beloved Disney World “magic,” you’re sure to have a great time. But, with that said, do you know exactly what to pack for Disney World in October?
Well, if the answer is no (and if it causes you a bit of stress or frustration), don’t fear. In this article, I’ll catch you up to speed on absolutely everything you need to know when it comes to making sure your suitcase is 100% packed and prepared for your Disney trip!
What to Pack for Disney World in October
Before we dive deep into specifics, here are some of the most important things to remember to pack for your Disney trip.
Cool Clothing (now while you might start breaking out the warm clothing in October in other parts of the country, that’s not necessarily the case in Orlando. In fact, you can probably expect low temperatures around the lower 70 degrees fahrenheit (on average). So while it shouldn’t be stifling hot like in July or August, I’d still recommend bringing along some shorts, thin leggings, and perhaps even a misting fan (for unusually hot days).
Fun Costumes (are you planning on taking your child to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? If so, you’re little one is allowed to dress up for Halloween at Magic Kingdom. So, if he or she has a favorite costume, be sure to pack it. Of course, if you’re 14 and over, you can still wear a costume, but you have to follow a bit of a stricter dress code guideline).
Ponchos or Jackets (listen, if you’re traveling to Orlando, one thing you can always rely on is rain. You will get rained on–that’s just the way it is in Disney World. Still, the rain is often a passing shower or drizzle. Still, you’ll want to be prepared. And the best way to prepare is to throw a poncho or rain jacket in your backpack).
Flip Flops (it’s still going to be relatively warm in October at Disney, so why not let your toes breathe by occasionally wearing flip flops or sandals).
Clothing
When it comes to packing clothes for a trip to Disney in October, it’s good to stick with the essentials for warm weather, along with a few considerations for cooler weather. This means packing:
October often includes different vacation promotions like free dining, and there are many special dining opportunities during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
If you have any Disney World restaurant reservations, it’s always a good idea to bring a few dressier or business casual clothes along with you. If you’re planning on visiting a signature dining location, do bring slacks, dresses, or other business casual attire for the whole family.
Shoes
Because October is still fairly warm, you’ll want to bring a good amount of sandals and other cooler footwear with you. We recommend packing sandals that are good for hiking or walking with you, along with dress sandals for dining out or flip flops for the pool. Generally, hiking and walking sandals are best in the park, since you’ll probably be park touring all day.
We also recommend that you pack along several pairs of sneakers or tennis shoes with you. They are the perfect way to keep your feet comfortable while racking up the walking mileage in the parks. Plus, if the weather does get a bit cooler in the mornings and evenings, you’ll feel a bit more warm with tennis shoes or sneakers.
Swimwear
Even though the weather in other states or countries may be a bit cooler in October, you can still expect to get some good pool time in. This means pack along any essential swim gear you need, including:
If you forget any of your swimming basics, you can get swim gear at many Disney locations at a premium price, or at local stores like Walmart or Target. Because it’s not prime swim season though, you may see a little bit less variety in options. So, it’s good to be prepared before your trip.
Outerwear and Other Accessories
October is still a fairly warm month, as mentioned earlier. So, chances are you won’t be bringing any heavy jackets or other kinds of outerwear like coats and sweaters. If you think you might get cool at any point on your trip, pack a:
2) Light jacket
Of course, you may already have a light jacket on hand if you’re traveling from another location that has cooler temperatures. There are a lot of other accessories and essentials you might want to pack for the trip. Here are some non-clothing accessories to consider bringing with you in October.
- Ponchos and Umbrellas
If you have space, consider bringing ponchos or a small umbrella with you if the weather is predicting a lot of rain on your trip. Of course, even if you don’t have space for these, you can easily pick up ponchos in the parks themselves, at your resort, or a local store too. It does rain in October, but not as much as the summer months, so you may want to skip packing a poncho or umbrella in your bag.
- Hats
October is still a fairly sunny month. So, you’ll want to make sure you have hats on hand to keep your head from getting sunburned and to avoid direct sun. Overall, hats are great for both adults and children, so pack a few for everyone in the family.
- Sunscreen
Of course, you can’t forget sunscreen. Having sunscreen on hand for your trip is a must-do. If you need to, you can buy sunscreen cheaply near Disney World, if you have a rental car. And, in a pinch, you can buy it at the Disney Parks and Resorts too.
- Misting Fan
Even if you’re used to warm weather, spending all day in a hot theme park can be exhausting. Stay cool while you’re waiting in ride queues or while touring the park with a misting fan. These fans spray a cool water mist and are easy to find at most stores, like Walmart and Target. Of course, you can even buy them at Disney World with fun Disney inspired themes — though they can be a bit pricey. If you bring a misting-fan, don’t forget to bring extra batteries!
- Costumes
October is known for its seasonal Halloween events, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom. If you and your family are participating in this event, bring along some costumes for the fun. Not sure what kinds of costumes Disney allows in the parks?
Check out their Theme Park Dress & Costume Guidelines for more info. One big do we recommend? Wear costumes that aren’t too hot or bulky, so you can enjoy the party without worrying about costumes that are too hot or too bulky to go on attractions.
Packing for Kids & Young Adults
If you’re visiting with children and young adults, you’ll want to think about a few other additional considerations when it comes to packing the essentials — especially when it’s still pretty warm out. Here are some things you’ll want to think about packing for kiddos and teenagers that include a few particular considerations for October park touring.
Children
ID Tags or Card: While we don’t ever want to think about something scary like losing our children in a theme park, it can happen. Having an ID tag or card on hand is a way that you can help identify your children to Disney cast members and provide contact information on how to best reach you while you’re at the Disney theme parks.
Disney themed clothes: Kids love wearing their favorite Disney themed clothes when they’re at Disney. Let them pick out some of their favorites, so they have something fun to wear every single day you’re on vacation. October is still fairly warm, so be sure to pack clothes that look cool and keep your kids actually cool during your vacation.
Costumes: Many children want to dress like their favorite Disney princess, prince, or pirate. With this in mind, be sure to pack a costume or two for the trip, if your kiddos like wearing costumes, or if you’re attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or any Disney character dining.
If wearing a costume is too hot for your child, even during September, bring some costume accessories like tiaras, pirate hats, or wands. These are a great way for your child to feel like they’re dressing up without getting overheated in a warm or bulky costume.
Dress up clothes: If you are planning on going to any signature dining locations, you may want to consider bringing a few fancier clothes for your kiddos, if you’re bringing them along for a family meal. They don’t have to be too fancy either. Just something that will look nice for the meal.
Favorite toys: There’s no doubt that children get used to their favorite toys. So, don’t forget to pack their favorite doll, stuffed animal, or toys for the trip.
Wet Naps: Park touring can get messy. Whether they get dirty playing or make a mess with a Mickey Bar or any other frozen treat, having some wet naps on hand is a good idea for all ages, but especially for kiddos.
Young Adults
ID Cards: Do make sure your teenagers have their IDs on them at all times. This is especially important if they are park touring without adults.
Deodorant, Face Wash, and Personal Care Items: You’ll want to make sure that your young adults bring the personal care items that they need. This includes deodorant, face wash (especially for those suffering from acne), and even feminine hygiene products.
This way they’ll feel comfortable having all the things they need without having to run to a store during the trip. October is still very warm, so be sure they pack all the extra toiletries they need, like deodorant.
Phones, Headphones, Phone Chargers: Most young adults like having their technology handy. So, do make sure that they’ve packed headphones, phone chargers, and any other technology they need for the trip. If your teens are going to be going on a lot of water-based attractions, be sure to pack waterproof cases too.
Bags: Chances are your teenagers may go on an attraction or park tour on their own. If this is the case, make sure they bring a back to pack all their essentials in when they arrive at the theme parks. Since the weather is so hot, chances are your teens will be going on water-based attractions. If this is the case, get them bags that are waterproof or water-resistant.
Young adults will likely have a lot of the same packing needs adults do, but these additional items are definitely ones that you’ll want to make sure they pack for the trip.
The Weather in October
Though the weather is still pretty warm and a bit humid, you’ll see temperatures cool down a bit. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will be typical cool Fall weather that many U.S. states experience, but the temperatures drop around 5-10 degrees, which helps a lot when it’s hot out.
Average temperatures in Central Florida in October are in the mid-80’s degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the mornings and evenings in the low-70’s. This means it probably won’t be too chilly in the mornings or evenings, but it will be a bit cooler. Humidity is still pretty high during October, so preparing for hot weather is always a good idea.
Overall Recommendations
October can be a great month to visit the Disney Parks and Resorts, especially with so many unique special events, resort promotions and discounts, and milder temperatures. Packing the right clothes, shoes, and accessories will help you tour the parks easily and comfortably. With these tips and strategies, you’ll be off to a magical vacation with all the travel essentials in no time.
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