What to Bring to Disneyland: Theme Park Walking Pharmacy

Today, we’re going to talk about what to bring to Disneyland.  This includes my walking pharmacy that goes almost everywhere with us.  Of course, a theme park has more than just a walking pharmacy — what do I take to the parks so we aren’t bogged down, but also have the majority of what we need!

There is just something about walking down Mainstreet. The music, the smells. It just makes my heart so warm and fuzzy.  The part that really feels happy is knowing that we have the things we’ll want for a good day!

I fondly remember the trip where my son (age 3) wet his pants 3 times in one day and ended up wearing my sweatshirt as his pants for the final parade.  Haha, you can’t plan for everything, but we still had a great time.  Having the right stuff makes it even better. 🙂

FYI, this is part of my Disneyland Tips for families. It includes tons of info on everything from the cheapest hotels to stay at, matching shirts, and the best time to go!

I always book my trips with Get Away Today — they just make it so simple. I’ve used them since 1998.

Be sure to check out hotel prices with Get Away Today and use code CURLS10 to save $10 on a hotel/ticket package.

What to Bring to Disneyland or a Theme Park

This list is great for any theme park — even if you’re dong Knottsberry or Universal, I still bring the same stuff.

Bring a “Walking Pharmacy”

I have a walking pharmacy that comes with us on most trips and events that we go to.  A lot of it remains intact as we head into Disneyland, but I do make a few additions.  I’ll also share a few things I throw in the backpack for extra fun. 🙂

I am not sure where I found the term walking pharmacy, but I like it. It’ just the idea of having all the little things you need right there.  Super handy!

By the way — I have two other posts that might help you out as well. I have a post on what to pack in your luggage for Disneyland, AND I have the best Disneyland Backpacks — which will, clearly, work for any theme park.

What to put in your walking pharmacy:

1- Lotion.  I tend to get really chapped hands being at Disneyland.  This one is also antibacterial so that’s a bonus (but not necessary).  Because it’s just a few days grab a small bottle, like this one.

2- Tweezers.  Never know when you’ll need tweezers, I try to always have a pair on hand.  Be sure to keep anything that keeps them closed so you’re less likely stab yourself with them when you’re searching through your bag.  I have a slanted pair like these.

3- Maxi Pad (’nuff said).

4- Compact.  You never know when your contact is going to go wild.  Plus, it can be used to signal Mickey if you get stuck on the Matterhorn. 😉

5- Sanitizer.  I wish I could fit a gallon size in my bag (although I always just bring the smallest ones they have).  I also keep a hanging one on the backpack for convenience.

6- Nail clippers.  Super handy for so many things, beyond nails.  I think I have like 12 pairs in various bags.

7- Sunscreen — this one is great for my face.  I’m picky about my face sunscreen.

8- Aquaphor is great for chaffing, rashes, chapped lips — has a lot of uses.  I also really like Bag Balm which you could either use the travel size or even put it in a contacts container for use during the day.

9- Sunscreen.  I usually keep a stick of sunscreen in here too just because it’s easier for application.  This one is sweat-proof which can be important on a hot day (but can sting eyes if you sweat it into your eyes).

10- Notebook.  Great for the autograph your kid said they’re too cool to get.  I also keep a pen in this bag.  Love these notebooks, they’re sturdy.

11- Wipes — these are antibacterial.  Since we no longer have a kid in diapers I need these around.  I think I wish I had brought singles as these dry out pretty quickly in Arizona in my purse.

12- Moleskin — I never find out that my kids have horrible shoes until we’re 4 hours into a day of fun, so I always stick this in just in case we have a shoe rubbing wrong.  THis just helps protect areas around blisters and any area that is being rubbed by your shoes wrong (I also always wish I’d brought some Chaffing cream — that helps reduce friction – just in case). Taking care of your feet is important at Disneyland

13- Scissors. I swear these were the most used things in the bag.  So handy.  Just an old pair of school scissors — or a travel pair will save space.

14- Medications.  I bring a few things:  Tylenol (both adult strength and a few Jr strength as well), Sudafed, allergy medication, Pepto-bismal and a cough drop

15- Bandaids/Small First Aid Kit — a no brainer

16- Tissues — also a no-brainer.  You could use wipes for similar things, but I like having kleenex as well.

17- Lip Balm — be sure to bring one that has SPF and is GOOD.  This one’s a favorite of mine.  This isn’t to look good, it’s to not get cracked lips. 🙂

Bonus Item: Since I wrote this, I’ve added an old compact lens case with this inside — helps with chaffing, burns, etc. It’s the best. I share more tips on staying comfy in my overweight at Disneyland post

All of these things fit into a small cosmetics bag (this one’s nice since it’s washable).

The bag is quite compact, and pretty tightly packed so it’s easy to toss in our backpack.  That just keeps all these little things together and easy to find when we need them.

What to bring to Disneyland:

Other things in our Disney bag:

External charger.  A total must.  Disneyland has a lot of great apps you can use to check wait time (and get your Genie+) but you need power in your phone to get that.  I was sent one like this and I LOVE that you can plug it into a regular wall outlet to charge it (no more forgetting the cord that charges it vs the cord that charges).  AND it comes with USB-C and a micro USB, or you can get a micro USB and an apple charger so you can charge all the devices (makes you very popular).

It is a bit large (but provides several full chargers), so if it’s just you, you could use a smaller one since you’re going to be packing it all day!

Wallet — I bring a travel wallet that isn’t as large as my regular one, but you obviously need it.  #disneyaintfree (btw, I have our actual budget all laid out)

Lanyards — we use lanyards to hold our tickets and fast passes.  With the new system that won’t be as necessary (but we also love collecting pins at Disneyland.

Water — we keep just a couple of disposable bottles of water with us since the restaurants will give you a glass of water if you ask (with ice!).  Water in Disneyland is close to $5/bottle. 🙂 This is ESPECIALLY important if you’re pregnant.

Garbage Bags or Ponchos — We use garbage bags for ponchos on the water rides.  I used mine as a skirt (because I mainly hate a wet crotch all day).  Worked out well, cheap and compact. 🙂  Used my scissors in line to cut out holes. 🙂 If it is actually going rain, I’d recommend getting actual ponchos (I buy mine in bulk on Amazon)

Extra Bag — just in case something needs to be bought we’re not hauling around a Disney bag all day, it can go in here.  This one on Amazon gets crazy good reviews and packs down really small!

Thin Blanket or Foldable Sheet — this seriously saves our BACON as we wait for parades.  Magical.  Simply magical (I explain why in the video and in this post on 5 things you won’t think to Disneyland).

Of course, one year we also brought a dress for our little princess.

Other things to consider bringing to Disneyland:

• Camera (if your phone isn’t enough, which I often think my phone is just fine compared to hauling something else around)
• Sunglasses (I forgot mine one day and you’ll be glad to know it’s $30 bucks to buy a fairly plain pair of sunnies at the happiest place on earth!)
• Hat — if your family likes hats, feel free to bring one, but be aware they are easily lost when they take them off on rides.
• Jackets — I have a whole post on what to wear at Disneyland, but I recommend dressing in layers and tying your jacket around your waist if you get warm.
• Ziplocks of many sizes — always handy
• Mouse Ears — I’ve bought some cute ones on Etsy before a trip, although I think they are priced similar, it’s nice to have some unique ones!
• Glow Sticks — always fun to pull out your dollar store version, as those around you are forking out mountains of cash for glow things at the fireworks.

Snacks.  I always over-pack snacks but I love eating when we are in line instead of finding food.  Saves money and time (although, there is still a lot of things I love to eat at Disneyland, I found a lot of joy in one sit down meal each day).

What snacks to bring to Disneyland?

Here is my snack preparation this year.  I try to balance out sweet/salty/carb/protein as well as I can.

• Jerky
• Pirate Booty
• Crackers
• Candy (my kids get some special treats — as it’s a way to save money at not buy snacks in the park)
• Gogurt (freeze it in advance and put in an insulated pack if you want)
• String cheese
• Cut up veggies
• Pretzles
• Dried Fruit
• Cut-up fruit, or grapes/cuties

That’s what comes in our backpack.

I always pick one that has a water bottle pocket, and a few other pockets so we can separate out our stuff as we see fit (but not so many pockets we’ll never find anything).  No need for heavy laptop pockets, you’re mainly looking for durable and lightweight — I detail exactly what to look for in a Disney Backpack.

Our last trip was actually our first without a stroller.  It’s easy to pack snacks into the stroller, but it is still important to have a backpack with you, especially with the walking pharmacy items.

Obviously, if you had smaller kids you’d need diaper items, or extra underpants/pants (apparently 2 pair weren’t enough 9 years ago).  And if you’re pregnant, be sure to check out my Disneyland while Pregnant for more tips!

What am I Allowed to Bring into Disneyland?

Disneyland seems to be the most lenient of all of the parks as to what you can bring in.

Clearly, no weapons, no FULL MEALS (you can bring a soft-sided cooler), and no selfie sticks — but most things are allowed. Disney has a list of what you can’t bring in.

If you’re looking for Disneyland tips — be sure to check out this page!

What to Pack for Disneyland

Don’t miss my separate post all about what to pack for Disneyland.  I’m slowly learning to pack light — but it’s a process. 🙂

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One thing I always do is book through Get Away Today.  Sure, you can make all the phone calls, effort and possibly not get what you REALLY need, when just one call to them will book the trip of your dreams at the best price.  Save $10 on your trip with code CURLS10.

Be sure to check out hotel prices with Get Away Today and use code CURLS10 to save $10 on a hotel/ticket package.

If you liked this post, be sure to grab my Disneyland Packing list, and tell me what I’m missing in the comments!