We’re the kind of Disney guests that literally count down the days before our trip.

And, as strange as it may seem, packing can be part of the fun! Once you start pulling out those Minnie Ears and your kids’ princess costumes, the magic really starts to come to life. Buuut, you might want to double-check your packing list for your next vacation because you totally DON’T need to bring these items with you!

You can avoid getting your new souvenirs confiscated and the over-packed suitcase problem by making sure your packing list leaves these things behind.

Selfie Sticks and Other Banned Items!

A lot of people don’t realize that, while you can bring things like snacks and water bottles in the parks, there is still a ban on some items due to safety and courtesy hazards.

While it might seem pretty obvious that you can’t bring toy weapons (since they could be confused for the real deal) or a drone to fly over Main Street, there are a few things you might not realize are banned from the parks.

Many of those automatic bubble blowers from the dollar store are prohibited for looking just a little too similar to guns. Even though they’re a (MUCH!) cheaper option compared to the park versions, you won’t be able to bring them into Disney. So, just leave ’em at home! (And, honestly, you might regret buying them anyway since that bubble solution can get EVERYWHERE). 🙂

While some of y’all may have lived through the “Heelys Era” as a kid, they’re still surprisingly around with their clunky built-in heel wheels. Although they’re pretty fun to roll around on, they can turn from fun to a disaster in 2.5 seconds when your wheel gets stuck in the trolley tracks or you roll right into a parade by accident (yes, we’ve have seen this happen before!).

Instead of risking some potentially dangerous situations, Disney just thought it was better to ban them altogether. So, that means you just have a better excuse to get those steps in for the day!

One of the BIGGEST bans that shook influencers and vloggers to their absolute core was the ban on selfie sticks. If you don’t remember these guys, they are little poles your phone or camera attaches to that can be stretched out far enough to get the perfect group selfie.

Even though they were pretty annoying anyway since people blocked your view during fireworks with the giant metal poles, selfie sticks were likely banned for safety reasons. Too many people weren’t paying attention to where they were going with them, and they were bringing them on rides (imagine the safety risk a selfie stick could be on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). So most handheld phone holders that extend have been officially banned. 

Disney also has a list of clothing that is deemed “inappropriate” for park wear. Guests shouldn’t wear offensive tees or extremely revealing clothing, but they should have shirts and shoes on at all times.

Also, while we might all be kids at heart, adults cannot wear costumes in the parks (big bummer). Costumes (without masks) are only allowed for children under the age of 14 since adults could easily be confused for a character.

However, adults can wear costumes to special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — with guidelines, of course. That means there are no pointy bits allowed, the costumes can’t go to the ground, and no masks can be worn, among other rules.

Check out 18 OTHER things you can’t do in Disney World below!

Hair Dryer

While you’re probably going through that mental checklist of all the toiletries you’ll need to bring with you on vacation, you can leave hair dryers at home and save some suitcase space. The Disney hotels come with a built-in hair dryer in the vanity wall or a portable version in the drawers in the bathroom. Just make sure to save some space for other people in your party to get ready while you do too. 😉

All the Diapers

Those magical moments where your little ones light up hugging a character or try their first Mickey Ice Cream Bar are priceless. While you’re packing every kiddie thing you need to bring for your vacation (So. Much. Stuff!), you can actually leave the diapers off your list (wait, whaaaat?).

The Disney resorts feature resort delivery so you can have things shipped or delivered directly to your hotel. There is a small $6 fee per package mailed to the resorts or per delivery service, but they’re worth it when you’re trying to fit everything your family needs into a suitcase.

So, make sure to bring enough diapers for the first day or two, and then just have a box delivered to your resort!

Click here to see more about getting deliveries at your Disney resort!

Cash

Yeah, we know you want to stock up on those souvenirs and try ALL the park eats and treats. But, you likely don’t need to run to the bank before your vacay to bring extra cash. Most of your purchases can actually be made with your MagicBand or credit card. And, if you happen to have a Disney Visa, you’ll even get a discount on dining, merchandise, and more (sah-weeeeet)!

We recommend bringing about $50-$100 to cover tips or incidentals while you’re visiting, so you aren’t walking around with a wallet full of money in the parks. Know that the resorts and parks all have ATMs as well to get more cash if necessary!

Travel Books

Whether it’s your first trip or your hundredth, Disney tends to have some extra pixie dust to sprinkle on your vacation. Buuut, sometimes when you are new to a park or you just really want to know where to get the best mac and cheese (’cause same), those travel books can be a REAL life-saver when it comes to planning your vacation.

However, those books can take up a lot of valuable souvenir space (and just weigh a ton in general). So, why not leave them at home and download all the DFB guides straight to your device?

We’ve been doing this for a LONG time and we don’t like to brag, but we know a thing or two about Disney World. 😉 Our guides are easy to use from your phone and make planning and navigating the parks a breeze!

Click here to get your copy of the DFB Guides!

Pool Towels

One of the best parts about a Disney trip is being able to kick back and relax by the pool after a long day in the parks. But, while you’ll need to remember to pack a bathing suit, there’s no need to pack beach towels.

Disney provides complimentary towels pool-side or in your room, so you don’t have to overpack your suitcase with a giant rolled towel (and you have more space for those Minnie Ears and spirit jerseys when you head home!). That said, if you NEED a ginormous towel (we get it — you need what you need), then go ahead and pack it since Disney’s towels are on the smallish side.

Even though there are lots of things you shouldn’t pack for your next vacation, you definitely should pack an optimistic attitude and set expectations! Trips don’t always go as planned so flexibility is key to conquering a Disney park. Hopefully we showed you a few things you DON’T need to stress over finding room in those suitcases for. Happy packing!

Want to know what you actually SHOULD pack for your next Disney vacation? Check out our ultimate packing list here!

Is there anything that you never pack for a Disney trip? Let us know in the comments below!