We go to Disney World every day, which means we have a pretty good idea of what you need to pack in your park bag and what essentials are worth your money (and which ones aren’t).
We’ve tested SO many of these essentials in the parks, so we know which ones we can recommend to you that can help you on your trip, making your vacation a little easier, your life more convenient, and your park visits a lot better. So let’s look at the essentials that we think were actually helpful.
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They come in handy!
Okay, okay, we know these things look a little ridiculous, but you won’t feel ridiculous when you’ve survived a rainstorm in Disney World with dry feet. We were skeptical at first, too, but we wore them during one of those random downpours, and they did exactly what they’re meant to do: keep your shoes and feet dry.
They look ridiculous…but hear us out.
We do have a SLIGHT warning, though: if the fit has a gap at the top, you may still get some water inside them. But overall, that’s a minor issue. They can also be a little slippery, so remember to walk safely. Pro tip: You may want to size up so they fit over your shoes (especially if you’re wearing bulkier shoes like Hokas).
AMKEN Waist Fan
This is another product you might think looks ridiculous, but we tested it, and well, if you tend to get really hot in your torso area, this will help keep you cool. If you don’t mind attaching it to your waist, it will help you stay cool while you’re walking around the parks. We’ve even used it indoors, where it amplified the air conditioning beautifully.
AMKEN Waist Fan
Oh, we also used it to deal with a phone that was overheating…that’s how well it works. Note that it also comes with a lanyard-style strap if you want to wear it around your neck, but we didn’t think it was as effective that way. We like that it’s versatile, though. You can also just hold it and direct it at your face or prop it up on a tray in a quick-service restaurant.
Our AMKEN Waist Fan on our waist
The fan has three speed settings, but we’ll just tell you now…put it on high. You know how hot Florida gets. It also has a bright LED light that can be used as a flashlight or can be set to flash if you need a hazard light. You can also charge this with a standard USB-C cord. We do have to note that it does make some noise, but we’re okay with the tradeoff of staying cool.
Shark Chill Pill
Okay, we’ve got another way to stay cool in the parks. To use, you just turn on the slide switch and then press on the dial at the end to activate the device. Then use the dial surrounding it to turn the airflow up to 10 (again, the highest setting). We will say that we didn’t think this has the power of a bigger fan, like it claims, but it still helps.
Shark Chill Pill Fan
It also has a dry-touch mist. You just have to attach the wick and fill up the vessel. Except when we went to use the mist, we really didn’t feel a thing. So that feature just didn’t work for us.
Shark Chill Pill Fan
However, the InstaChill cooling plate was a game-changer. It’s supposed to cool your skin temperature on contact, and it’s shockingly cold in the best way possible. Put this on the back of your neck, and you’re going to feel SO much better on those super hot and humid days in the parks. Plus, it’s so portable that it’s easy to throw in your park bag.
Touchland and Disney Hand Sanitizer + Mist Case
Hand sanitizer is a MUST when you’re walking around the parks touching things that other people have touched (and kids have probably licked). We love how cute the Touchland cases are and how easy it is to switch out the sanitizer. This is both a case and a sanitizer. It’s a mist, too, which means you just spray it on, rub your hands together, and you’re good to go.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer
We also love that the sanitizer has aloe vera in it, so your hands don’t feel so dry like they do with many other hand sanitizers. And it smells AMAZING.
JISULIFE 3 IN 1 Handheld Mini Fan
Okay, let’s get back to cooling. We’ve tested this portable fan in the park multiple times, and it does a great job of helping you feel cooler. But it’s also VERY compact, so it’s easy to bring in your park bag. It’s also easy to recharge. Oh, but it can also DOUBLE as a portable charger…and a flashlight. We LOVE a good multipurpose tool.
We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more!
