Southern Style Cooking: My Job Is Going to Theme Parks. Here’s What I Never Go Without

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

My Job Is Going to Theme Parks. Here’s What I Never Go Without

TRAVEL TODAY

Disney

My Job Is Going to Theme Parks. Here's What I Never Go Without

"Oh wow," everyone says when I tell them about my job. "That must be so much fun."

Being a travel writer who focuses on theme parks is incredibly fun: It means I'm at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disneyland, or Universal Hollywood pretty much every week. In February, I actually went to all four of those parks—on opposite coasts!—in the span of seven days. It also means I'm spending long days in the park, which easily top 20,000 steps a day, reporting on what's new (and that my laptop has been on Space Mountain more times than I can count).

Here's what a real, honest-to-goodness professional theme park attendee never goes to Disney (or Knott's Berry Farm, or Dollywood) without:

Whether you live close to a theme park and are driving in for the day, or you're traveling for a longer period and staying at a hotel, one thing will be universally true about your trip: Theme parks are expensive. One of the biggest items I find myself spending unnecessary money on is bottled water. That's why I prefer to bring a water bottle with me, like this Veefine bottle. It's well-lined and can hold up to hot, sunny days, and it isn't so big that it's going to add an extra few pounds to my bag. (My pro tip: Fill it with ice before you leave the house/hotel room and ask for cups of water when you order quick-service food.)
It's also important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, but because I try to avoid carrying a heavy backpack with me, I pack a Coola travel-size spray. It's a lightweight SPF 30 mist that's easy to reapply, is good for your skin, and it barely weighs anything.
A lot of people like carrying around a personal fan, which is a nice way to cool down, but it doesn't agree with my philosophy of traveling light. Instead, I opt for a quick way to hit refresh: Bliss body wipes. Not only do they feel great on hot days, but they also have a really nice lemon and sage scent that's a little bit of an energy pick-me-up.
The last thing I like to bring is a little pouch filled with things I might need during the day. In mine: bandaids, blister block, Ibuprofen, a safety pin, eye drops, and antacids (because let's face it, park food and roller coasters don't always mix). Make your own using a mesh pouch and you'll never be searching for what you need—or trying to figure out where in the park to get it.

While I absolutely can't travel to Disney without packing these items in my suitcase, they're not the only gear that can help enhance your experience at the parks. From spacious backpacks to comfy shoes, the round-ups below will help you fill out the rest of your packing list.

	Julie Tremaine Contributing Writer

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products and services; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.