01
Must-Have
The non-negotiables
Skip these and the trip gets stressful fast. Handle them first.
Park tickets & dates locked in
Book at least 2–3 months out. Weekday visits mean shorter lines.
Resort or hotel reservation
On-property perks (early entry, transport) are worth it with young kids.
The official park app
Wait times, mobile order, ride reservations — you'll live in this app.
Dining reservations 60 days out
Character meals and popular spots book up the minute they open.
Stroller plan
Bring, rent, or ship one. Even 6- and 7-year-olds appreciate it by 3pm.
A realistic daily plan
One park per day. Mornings hard, afternoon break, evenings easy.
02
Highly Suggested
Trip-savers you'll thank yourself for
Not strictly required, but these smooth out 90% of meltdowns.
Genie+ / Lightning Lane strategy
Decide in advance which days are worth paying to skip lines.
Refillable water bottles + snacks
Outside food is allowed. Cuts costs and prevents hangry kids.
Portable phone chargers
You'll use your phone for everything. Bring two.
Ponchos and sunscreen
Afternoon storms are real. Reapply sunscreen at every break.
Autograph book + fat pen
Characters can't grip skinny pens with those big gloves.
Matching family shirts
Easy to spot kids in crowds. Cast members give extra magic to groups.
Midday hotel break
Pool time from 1–4pm resets everyone for evening fireworks.
Cash for tips and treats
Housekeeping, bell services, and the occasional churn-y bribe.
03
Nice to Have
Little extras that spark joy
The magical touches that turn a great trip into a legendary one.
Custom MagicBands
Fun accessory and doubles as room key + ticket.
Birthday / first-visit buttons
Free at guest services. Cast members will make a huge fuss.
Glow toys before the trip
Buying in the park at 9pm costs 5x more. Amazon in advance.
Character breakfast at the resort
Meet 4–5 characters in one meal with zero line waiting.
Professional PhotoPass photos
Worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime shots.
A packing cube per kid
One cube = one day's outfit. Getting dressed becomes a 30-second task.
Trip journal or sticker book
Great quiet-time activity during the midday break.
Free printable
The complete prep checklist
A one-page printable covering 3+ months out through park-day bag. Stick it on the fridge, check things off as you go, and show up prepared.
Download the PDF Trip Checklist
- Book tickets & resort
- Dining reservations (60d)
- Download park app
- Pack the day-bag
- Charge everything
My Picks
Things I actually recommend
The gear, books, and extras that made our trip smoother. (Edit this section — add your affiliate or product links in src/routes/index.tsx.)
One last parent-to-parent tip
Lower your expectations for how much you'll "do" and raise them for the small moments. The best memories are almost never the ones you planned — they're the popcorn on a bench with Cinderella's castle in the background.