Packing for an Orlando trip is a little different than packing for a normal vacation, mostly because you’re juggling two environments in one trip: theme park days and pool days, sometimes both in the same 24 hours. Here’s what actually earns its spot in the suitcase.
Start with sun protection, more than you think you need. Reef-safe sunscreen, hats, and a few rash guards for the kids will save you from a miserable sunburned day two. Since our homes come with a private pool, pack extra swimsuits — having a dry one ready means fewer “do we really have to go back inside” negotiations.
For park days, comfortable, broken-in shoes matter more than anything else you pack. Blisters end trips early. A small backpack with a portable phone charger, ponchos (Florida afternoon storms are almost a daily guarantee in summer), and reusable water bottles will save you money and lines at the parks.
Because our homes have a fully equipped kitchen, it’s worth packing a few kitchen basics from home if you have picky eaters — favorite snacks, a coffee you actually like, spices you’d otherwise have to buy in bulk at the store. A lot of our guests do one grocery run on arrival day and cook two or three meals in over the week, which saves real money over a week of park dining.
Leave the heavy jackets at home outside of deep winter — even our cooler months rarely need more than a light layer for the evenings. And don’t overpack the entertainment; between the game room, the pool, and the parks, downtime fills itself.
Need a home base with room for all of it? Browse our properties and start planning your packing list around your pool home.