Does anyone else pack for vacation two weeks before they leave and spend six months after you get home trying to unpack?
I am 100-percent guilty of this. I just get so excited before a trip that I can’t wait to put my suitcase together.
If you’re reading this, it’s because we are heading to Walt Disney World for our Christmas honeymoon.
For the last few weeks, I have been reading up on what I should pack for this particular Disney trip. While I’ve gotten some great tips and ideas from other bloggers, those packing lists didn’t exactly give me what I was looking for. Some of them detailed what you should pack for a honeymoon in Disney World. Others gave suggestions on what to pack for winter or Christmas in Disney.
But, I needed a list that offered packing tips for both. So, I decided to create my own.
Here’s what I packed for an eight-night honeymoon getaway in Walt Disney World over the Christmas holiday:
Cocktail Dress
If you read my Stitch Fix No. 7 review, then you probably remember this adorable dress that I got to wear to dinner at Narcoossee’s (a swanky restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort).
This LBD is perfect for a nice night out with my husband to kick off our honeymoon. To complete the look, I will style it with a light jacket, heels, and pearls.
Shorts
Yes, shorts in December.
This is our first trip to WDW in December, so I was a little worried about whether or not shorts would be appropriate for the weather. Well, the forecast for this week is calling for low- to mid-80s as the high most days.
Considering we’re coming from 40- and 50-degree days here in Charlotte, North Carolina, I think we can handle it.
Jeans
I know, I know, I just said that I am stocking my suitcase with shorts. However, from what I’ve read about Disney in December, the evenings can get chilly. So, I tossed in some jeans to wear at night in the parks.
Coordinating Honeymoon Shirts
Some people strongly oppose wearing coordinating or matching shirts with their family at Disney and turn up their nose at those who do.
I, on the other hand, have no problems with it — like any true Disney fan. It’s part of the fun.
I bought the shirts pictured above for my husband and me to wear on this trip since it is our honeymoon.
Then, we somehow acquired all these others.
OK, we acquired them because we have wonderful friends and family who want us to have the best vacation possible, and they know we will happily walk around the house of mouse wearing these.
Themed Outfits
Does it surprise you that I packed themed outfits? Because it shouldn’t.
I ordered the Autumn Luau Wrap Romper (above) from Loft to wear to breakfast at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. I thought the floral pattern would match the restaurant’s theme. Plus, it will be comfortable for all-day wear when we head to Magic Kingdom after we eat.
I also tossed in this maxi dress from Gap for Christmas Eve dinner at ‘Ohana. Again, I thought the beautiful pattern would pair well with the Hawaiian theme of the restaurant.
Warm Jacket & Rain Jacket
Even though the chance of rain is low for when we’re in Florida, I still packed my lightweight rain jacket. I’ll keep it in my backpack just in case — and let’s be real, you can almost always count on afternoon showers at WDW.
I also grabbed this cozy and warm Columbia zip fleece. It will be perfect for cooler evening adventures in the parks.
Shoes (lots of shoes)
I like to think of myself as an expert when it comes to packing shoes for Disney World. Because I have issues with my feet, I can’t wear just any shoes for walking extended hours each day at WDW parks.
Through trial and error over the years, I have put together a list of footwear that is perfect (for me, at least) for Disney.
{Check out my Best Shoes for Walt Disney World}
For this trip, I mostly stuck to my already developed shoe list with my Kate Spade Keds, Chacos, athletic shoes, and B.O.C. sandals.
I also packed some pumps for dressy, romantic date nights.
Minnie (or Mickey) Mouse Ears
Can’t forget those!
Touch Screen Gloves
I’m not sure if I’ll need these, but I packed them anyway. I’ll probably be glad I have them when we’re standing outside waiting on the nighttime parade to start at Magic Kingdom.
Road Trip Snacks
The drive from our home just north of Charlotte to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will take about 8 hours (without traffic), so snacks are a must.
Our favorites include: chips, Gold Fish, gummy bears, Slim Jims, and Twizzlers.
Champagne
A bottle of bubbly for us to pop in our hotel room.
We’re celebrating, after all.
Bubble Bath
This is a first for me; I have never packed bubble bath for WDW before.
I brought a bottle of Dr Teal’s Soothe & Sleep Lavender Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, though.
Typically, when we get back to our resort hotel late at night, my feet hurt so bad I can’t bear to take another step. I’m excited to see how well this works for me after long days of park hopping.
Regular Toiletries
Shampoo, conditioner, skincare necessities, soap, deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, etc. Nothing fancy or fun here; just the essentials.
Bandages and Ibuprofen
Not packing any type of first-aid kit for Disney is a rookie mistake. We can get by with bandages for minor cuts and blisters and ibuprofen for sore muscles.
Disney Gift Cards
We received several Disney Gift Cards as wedding gifts, and we are abundantly thankful for those generous and thoughtful presents. They will definitely help us create an even more magical vacation and splurge on things we wouldn’t typically buy for ourselves.
I was able to combine all of the gift cards we received onto one card so that we only have to keep up with the one instead of 10.
If you know someone who is going to Walt Disney World, I highly suggest giving them a Disney Gift Card.
Leggings
Comfort is important when at WDW, so I packed some Disney leggings I purchased from LuLaRoe.
I love that they are a neutral color and the Minnie Mouse head is subtle.
T-Shirts and Blouses
I always pack more t-shirts and blouses than I think I’ll need because I like to have a variety to choose from.
Drinking (or Stumbling) Around the World Passports
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcyXyy4ns0E/?taken-by=halidawnschaefer
If you think Disney World is for kids, you’re wrong.
Earlier this year I made passports for us to wear as we attempt to drink around the world at Epcot. They feature a place for us to check off each pavilion we visit in the World Showcase and write in the drink we have there.
It will be a great souvenir to stick in a shadow box when we get home.
MagicBands
Probably the most important thing for you to remember to pack for any Disney vacation, your MagicBand is your key to everything. It opens your hotel room, allows you to charge items to the credit card on file, connects to your dining plan, and more.
If you’re headed to Walt Disney World soon, I hope you found this packing list helpful. For more Walt Disney World planning tips, tricks, and fun, check out the Disney Diary section of Dammit, Hali.
