If you need help packing for Disney in a carry on, then you’ve come to the right place! We have done this several times, and have the tips and tricks for making minimalist packing easy for your next Disney World trip. Most of the times I’ve flown to Disney I’ve packed in just a carry on, and I’m going to help you do it too.
You don’t have to bring everything with you, or overpack, to have a great time at Disney World! You can definitely pack in just a carry-on and still have all the things you need, and still be able to take home souvenirs! So keep reading, and learn what to pack for Disney in a carry on.
Choose the Right Carry On
When it comes to packing for Disney in a carry on, you need to choose the right type and size of carry on first. Most airlines allow one carry on and one personal item per person. If you get the largest carry on that fits the regulations, and you make sure your personal item is also a decent sized backpack or duffel bag, you will have more than enough room.
Most of the American domestic airlines allow carry ons up to 22 inches or 24 inches, and personal items just have to be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. But many international airlines have stricter regulations, and often times smaller and lighter weight limits.
Regardless of whether you are flying domestic or international, it’s a great idea to check your airlines regulations prior to packing, so that you can figure out carry on packing for Disney.
Plan Functional Outfits
When trying to figure out what to pack for Disney World in just a carry on, it’s smart to bring items you can mix and match, or items that can even be reworn if necessary. Focus on neutrals, lightweight items, and basics like jeans and leggings.
Don’t overpack! As tempting as it is to want to have every Disney outfit imaginable, Disney World carry on packing requires you to keep it to the bare minimum. Ideally 3-4 tops, 2-3 bottoms, 1 lightweight dress, 1 light jacket if necessary, 5-7 pairs of underwear, 3-4 pairs of socks, and 1 pair of walking shoes, and 1 pair of good quality sandals.
And if you want some ideas for packing for Disney in a carry on, you can follow these ideas as starting points:
- Bike shorts with pockets so you don’t have to carry a bag paired with a lightweight Disney graphic tee, and topped off with a packable raincoat and comfortable yet lightweight tennis shoes will keep your luggage from feeling heavy.
- Going when it’s cooler? Bring a chunky cardigan that you can put over every top, leggings that go with everything, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
- Still want to Disneybound without weighing down your luggage? Wear an athletic dress that has shorts under it in the color of your favorite character, and pair that with your favorite sandals and ears for your character. Easy and lightweight!
Want even more outfit ideas? We have outfits for your trips by every season, including these outfits for a hot and humid summer, and those will help your packing for Disney in a carry on too!
Use Smart Packing Techniques
When it comes to packing for Disney in a carry on, it’s a great idea to utilize some smart packing techniques. You want to get as much as possible into your bag, and of course still have room to bring things home, so these are a must.
Utilize packing cubes, layering, and rolling to get your clothing into your carry on in a smart way. You can even use the compression space saving bags to really flatten everything out. By packing your clothing smartly, you will have maximum space in your bag, whether that’s for more outfits or more souvenirs!
Pack Personal Item Smartly
Your personal item is a huge help for packing for Disney in a carry on. Use your carry on luggage for clothes and souvenirs, and use your personal item for everything else. Your personal item, whether that’s a backpack or duffel bag, should be where you put your liquids, snacks, reusable water bottle, and all your electronics.
You could even stash your packable park bag, packable rain coat, and ears/hats in a backpack too. Again, saving more space by not having to shove everything in your carry on.
By putting these items in your personal item, you will have so much more space in your carry on – plus TSA with thank you because these are the things they often want to look over, and it will be easier to get them out of a backpack instead of your luggage.
Pack Toiletries Smartly
If you’re trying to figure out what to pack for Disney World, we know toiletries are always a concern – especially when packing in a carry on. Items have to be under 3.4 oz (100 mL), they have to fit in a quart-sized bag, and you have to choose what is most important to you.
Because of this, you need to make sure that your must haves fit into these regulations. And for the things you aren’t picky about, or don’t need, we suggest leaving those at home and taking advantage of what Disney supplies.
Most Disney resorts provide body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, as well as the Moderate and Deuce resorts may offer mouthwash, body lotion, and even toiletry kits. This will help you decide what to bring and what to leave at home, and personally, I enjoy using the Disney body wash! It smells great and saves me from bringing another thing.
You can even buy some things once you get there, or have them delivered to your resort upon your arrival. I have had sunscreen delivered to the resort before, because I knew I would need more than what I could fit into my travel bag. This will save you when it comes to packing for Disney in a carry on.
Minimize Your Park Bag
If you are like me and must have a park bag, this is a great time to utilize a small crossbody or belt bag. Packable and small bags are great for packing for Disney in a carry on, and it should be something that can get crushed in your luggage and it won’t hurt it.
In your bag, make sure you are bringing just the necessities too! Travel medicines, small hand sanitizer, and a small phone battery pack will save you, and don’t take up a lot of space. And if you’re looking for our favorite ways to pack a park bag, we’ve got the best tips and tricks here.
Having your wallet on your phone or a card linked to your magic band will also help keep your park bag light. Having just your ID and then a digital form of payment keeps things light, and you might not even need a park bag some days!
Plan to Do Laundry
If you’re worried about overpacking and re-wearing items on your trip, you can save space by planning to do a little laundry on your trip. When planning what to pack for Disney World, you can cut down on the amount of items you are bringing if you wash some of them while there. I would suggest washing socks, pants/shorts, and even undergarments to help eliminate how many of them you have to bring.
You can either wash these items by hand in your room and hang them up over the tub, or you can pay to use the laundry facilities at the resorts. Most of the Disney resorts have laundry facilities on-site, as well as the Disney Deluxe Villas come equipped with a washer and dryer in-room. You can even pick up laundry detergent at the resorts, either in the gift shop or at the laundry facilities.
Wear Your Heaviest Items on the Plane
Trying to save space and weight when packing for Disney in a carry on? Wear your heaviest items while sitting on the plane! Your heaviest walking shoes/tennis shoes, a Disney hat or ears, and your jacket are great to wear on the plane. Especially the jacket – it gets cold on the plane!
This will save you so much space in your luggage, and will eliminate having to worry about bulky or heavy items in your bag. But remember – whatever you wear on the plane going down, you have to wear going back so you still have space!
Keep Electronics to a Minimum
If you’re trying to save space and figure out what to pack for Disney World in a carry on, keeping your electronics to a minimum will definitely help. First, make sure you have the My Disney Experience app on your phone, because that’s important for everything you will do in the parks. Second, make sure you have chargers, a phone battery pack/power bank, headphones – preferably small, lightweight ones if possible, and only a lightweight tablet if necessary.
If you’re taking a minimalist trip and packing accordingly, then electronics should follow that rule too. It’s great if you can bring a charging cord that fits most or all of your electronics, and bring a smaller power bank on this trip. If you must bring a laptop or tablet, make sure it’s smaller if you can, or just know that you will have to make space for it in your personal item.
We hope that our tips and tricks will help you when it comes to packing for Disney in a carry on, and that you feel better prepared for this kind of trip. You don’t need to overpack to still be prepared and have a great time, and you can even have space for souvenirs!
Do you normally bring just a carry on, or do you like to check a bag when heading to Disney? Let us know in the comments below!
10 Things to Know Before Visiting Epic Universe At Universal Orlando