First things first: I’m not writing this post to debate whether or not anyone should be traveling to Disney right now. Disney is taking a lot of great safety precautions, but everyone has their own feelings about what they feel okay about doing. I have my personal thoughts, which I will share, but I am certainly not judging anyone who disagrees with me or makes a different choice.
Now, for me, I have already canceled 2 trips to Disney and there’s no way I would be going down to Disney World right now. There are a number of things influencing that opinion. I would have to fly (which makes me very uncomfortable with the pandemic) or drive, which would be a very long drive. Right now I really only feel comfortable doing outdoor activities in public. I’ve done a lot of reading and research and everything I’ve heard suggests that being inside for prolonged periods of time is the easiest way for the virus to spread. While I could stick with outdoor attractions and outside dining in Disney, it’s July and hot as anything to not get much relief from A/C. Finally, Florida is currently reporting 10,000+ cases a day. Even with extremely reduced crowds the odds still feel high that someone will be there who has it.
However, if you are going – whether you’re local and just going for a day or coming from out of state for a longer trip – there are some things you’ll want to bring with you that you might not normally pack. I’m not going to go over typical recommended packing items because that info is plenty of other places, including this list here. But I did want to share some ideas of pack for Disney during coronavirus so you stay extra safe!
If you feel comfortable traveling to Disney, great! Just make sure you take whatever precautions you can to keep everyone safe. In order to best keep yourself and your family healthy, here are some things you’ll want to pack this time around.
What to pack for Disney during coronavirus:
Masks
Face masks required in all public areas in Disney – that’s the theme parks, Disney Springs, resort lobbies, etc. Basically anywhere that isn’t the inside of your hotel room. So if you’re going to Disney you have to wear one. Disney’s requirements include a mask that has ear loops (so neck gaiters aren’t good enough). Luckily there are lots of fun Disney face masks you can use to make it a little more magical!
A few mask tips: bring multiple masks per day. It will be hot and you will sweat, so changing out your mask halfway through the day will feel good. Experiment with different types of masks before you leave so you can decide what is most comfortable. I have to wear one at work every day for 7 hours and some are definitely better than others.
Hand sanitizer
Washing your hands is one of the best defenses against COVID-19, but hand sanitizer is a great option as well. Especially if you’re on the go, you can easily clean your hands with some sanitizer. Of course you can find it almost anywhere right now, but if you want that extra bit of pixie dust consider some Disney scented hand sanitizer! I’m a big fan of the ones I got from Fluffy Fizzies. Another option I like is the sanitizer from Bath and Body Works in a cute Disney holder! You can find all sorts of cute designs on Etsy, and most clip easily onto your bag or belt to make it easily accessible.
Water bottle with straw
I’m a big proponent of staying hydrated in Disney World. Especially in the summer, it gets really hot and water is so important! During these COVID times I recommend a water bottle with a built-in straw. Disney is definitely enforcing mask wearing, and while you can take a quick sip of water it should actually be quick. A straw will make this easier. Ideally it’s something that you can do one-handed, flip up, and take a sip (instead of worrying about screwing a cap on and off). I’m a big fan of Drink in A Box, but ShopDisney has some cute options too (that also have loops so you can clip them onto your bag too!).
Wipes
Disinfectant wipes are an important thing to have on hand. Whether you’re getting on a plane and want to wipe the seat down, sitting down to eat, or just want to make sure your hotel room is extra clean, you can’t go wrong with some wipes. Disney is doing a good job cleaning but you can’t be too careful! These portable ones are alcohol-free if you’re worried about young children and harsh chemicals.
Your pillow
Okay, this is going to sound like a weird one, but hear me out! One of the best ways for our body to combat any sort of illness in general is to get good sleep and be well-rested. Disney can be an exhausting vacation. Walking around a lot, being out in the sun, on your feet all day. Getting good sleep is vital to staying healthy in general, so bring whatever you need to make that happen – whether it’s your pillow from home, earplugs to drown out a snoring family member, or your favorite pajamas. If you want a pillow recommendation, I got this one a few months ago and I’ve been loving it.
Magic band
Having a magic band will make everything you do at Disney mostly hands off – and the less things you can touch the better. While Disney is also encouraging the use of your phone, I prefer the magic band. It’s easy (already on your wrist so you don’t have to take it out of your bag or pocket like your phone), and it doesn’t have as many technical issues as the phone/app does. You can use it to get into the parks, your hotel room, and make charges to the room. Until the end of 2020 they are still providing free magic bands… or you can treat yourself to a fun design!
Thermometer
Disney is going to take your temperature before entering the parks, but if you bring your own to check your temperature every morning you won’t be surprised if something is amiss. Especially if someone in your party starts feeling under the weather during your trip, you can get an idea if it’s causing a fever or not by having a thermometer with you.
Immunity boosters
Disclaimer: I am certainly not saying there are any sort of immunity boosters or supplements that can help prevent you from getting COVID-19. However, for many people they do help prevent some illnesses so it’s certainly not going to hurt to build up your immune system a little. It is not unusual for people to get sick during or after a Disney trip even in pre-COVID times, just because you are around many people where germs can spread and you’re probably on the go and not resting as much as you normally would. So whether it’s during the pandemic or not, I like have something to kick-start my immune system. What personally has worked well for me is Nuun Immunity (blueberry tangerine is my favorite flavor!), but you can also use Airborne, Emergen-C, or even just drinking more orange juice than normal.
Tissues
If you do end up with a sniffle for any reason, having your own tissues on hand will be more important than ever. Keeping germs at bay is vital and being able to do that quickly and efficiently by having your own tissues will come in handy.
What would you pack for Disney during coronavirus? What items are most important to have with you to stay healthy?
