Packing for Disney World with kids? These are the easy-to-forget essentials experienced Disney parents always keep in their park bags.

Packing for any vacation with kids requires a long to-do list and a bit of expertise. Packing for a Disney Parks vacation? Well, you’ll need some firsthand experience to master that particular art.

As a mom who’s visited Disneyland and Disney World with her toddler, I’ve made all of the packing mistakes you can possibly make. So, before you try to pack light or throw four bubble wands in your diaper bag, here’s what you’re probably forgetting.

Ponchos and a Stroller Rain Cover

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: The weather is unpredictable, especially if you’re visiting Disney World. I’ve been caught in sudden rainstorms at both Disney World and Disneyland, and the entire family winding up soaking wet is a quick way to ruin your day. So, pack those ponchos and save yourself a bit of money in the event it starts pouring.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

But you don’t solely want to pack ponchos. You should also bring along a rain cover for your stroller. When serious downpours start, they can soak everything on and in your stroller in no time. And you don’t want to wind up with a stroller seat that’s wet for the remainder of your day.

While a stroller rain cover that’s sized for your specific stroller’s make and model is the best choice, you can also make do with a very large poncho or a general stroller cover from Amazon. Any kind of waterproof cover you can drape over your kids and their seat is key. You’ll be even more grateful if your cover also hangs over the storage basket.

Portable Fans

Yes, you probably already know to pack your stroller fan. But that’s not the only fan you should bring. I also recommend bringing along a fan for the adults. Bonus points if that fan is one you can use to cool everyone in your family off while waiting in line.

Disney Parks can be downright difficult to explore in hot, humid weather. So, I recommend keeping fans on hand even when you think it’ll be overcast and relatively cool. You never know when you might want to break out a fan (I always find the temperature in the “it’s a small world” queue unbearable). And with kids in tow, you’ll want to minimize weather-related whining before it begins.

Multiple Changes of Clothes

If you have kids, you know that accidents happen at every age. We’re all used to packing a spare outfit (and plenty of diapers, pull-ups, or underwear!) for when the inevitable happens. But at Disney Parks, I highly recommend packing multiple changes of clothes — at least two outfits.

Photo by Rain Blanken

I’m something of an overpacker and over-preparer, so many of my fellow parents often think this is overkill. But as someone who’s watched their kid have four different accidents of various kinds in a single day at Disneyland, trust me on this one. Weird things happen, and kids get super distracted at Disney Parks, so over-preparing is always better.

I recommend packing at least two pairs of pants, two spare shirts, an extra pair of socks, three pairs of underwear, and, if you’re staying late, a pair of pajamas. That way, you’re prepared for most situations. And the pajamas? Whether I’m at Disneyland or Disney World, I like to change my son into pajamas right before we leave so he can comfortably knock out in the car on our way home.

Kids’ Swimsuits

Yes, it sounds silly to add one more thing to your already-heavy diaper bag or backpack if you don’t plan on swimming — and can’t swim at the theme parks. But trust me on this one. Your kids will need a swimsuit while you’re in the theme parks, especially on sunny, warm (or downright scorching hot) days.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Disney World’s theme parks actually offer plenty of opportunities for little ones to get wet, even if they’re not old enough for water rides like Kali River Rapids or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. You’ll encounter splash pads at Magic Kingdom (in Storybook Circus) and EPCOT (at Journey of Water), and trust me: Your kids won’t be able to resist.

So, save yourself the hassle of trying to dry off a very wet little one and stash a swimsuit in your park bag. Even without a towel, you’ll be able to change them into something dry without heading back to your hotel.