Heading to Disney this summer? Make sure to pack these essentials

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There's no sugarcoating it: A trip to a Disney park can be stressful. From snagging the best Lightning Lane rides to booking character dinners, there are a million things to plan for.

But you also want to ensure that you enter the park with some essentials. Fortunately, with many Disney trips under my belt, I can suggest the 11 best and most useful items to add to your Disney packing list.

A backpack is a must-have when you're spending all day in the park. But having the right backpack is just as important. You want one that's comfortable and offers good ventilation.

On our recent trip to Disney, we sported the Osprey Hikelite 18L Backpack, which was the perfect size. It offers a removable hip belt, mesh side pockets that are perfect for holding water bottles, and an external access zip pocket.

But our favorite feature was the included rain cover, which came in handy on water rides when your bag has to sit on a wet floor. Looking at you, Tiana!

Get the Osprey Hikelite 18L Backpack at Amazon

In addition to a backpack, a belt bag (or fanny pack) is also helpful. On our recent trip, my spouse carried the backpack, while I had a belt bag.

For a trip to Disney, I personally use the ODODOS Mini Belt Bag. It's incredibly inexpensive yet well made and comes in a few dozen colors. It allows easy access to my phone, power bank, hand sanitizer, tissues, and our park tickets.

Get the ODODOS Mini Belt Bag at Amazon

A Disney headband with "mouse" ears is a staple to wear during every trip to Disney. Of course, you can purchase them inside the park, but you'll be paying about $30 per headband.

Instead, you can do what I do and purchase the ears ahead of time for less than a third of the price. I personally went with the traditional Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears for my family, but you can find many other options at Amazon, such as Olaf, Belle, and Cinderella.

I'll admit that the ears I purchased from Amazon showed their wear after the weekend. But for our needs, they worked perfectly, and at a fraction of the price.

Get Mickey Mouse Ears at Amazon
Get Minnie Mouse Ears at Amazon

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AirTags are all the rage these days, especially when it comes to tracking your luggage. But they also come in handy when bringing little ones to Disney. That's because you can purchase an AirTag bracelet.

An AirTag fits right into the top of the bracelet, so if you get separated in a large amusement park, it's significantly easier to locate your child.

Although my kids are old enough not to need an AirTag anymore, we saw many children running around Disney with these bracelets.

Get an Air Tag Bracelet from Amazon
Get an AirTag from Amazon (or an AirTag 4-pack)

Disney has water fountains throughout its parks so you can refill your water bottle whenever you need. And to reduce space — and not weigh down your backpack — we love collapsible water bottles.

This two-pack of YCTMALL Collapsible Water Bottles can easily fit in the pockets of your backpack and comes in a variety of colors. They're also leakproof and the perfect size, since you can refill them multiple times throughout the day.

Get the YCTMALL Collapsible Water Bottles at Amazon

Disney makes it nearly impossible to enjoy its parks without being on your phone for the bulk of the day. Between taking pictures, securing your next Lightning Lane, and determining ride wait times, your phone battery will drain quickly.

Luckily, you can easily keep your phone charged with an external power bank. Power banks come in all shapes and sizes, but the Anker Power Bank Zolo is a great option due to its 20,000mAh, fast charging capability and built-in USB-C cable. With the Anker, my husband and I were both able to get more than a full charge on our respective phones during our days in the park.

Get the Anker Zolo Power Bank at Amazon

The weather in Disney World's home of Central Florida is always unpredictable, especially during the summer. There are also plenty of Disney rides where you might get wet, and having an extra layer of protection might make all the difference in not being soaked for several hours afterwards.

If you purchase a poncho in the park, rain jackets run about $10 to $12 each. But you can snag a 10-pack of disposable ponchos in advance for less than $15 total. And with a drawstring hood and cuff, this poncho will ensure that less water seeps in, keeping you dry throughout the day.

And if you really want to go all out to ensure you stay dry, you can even keep some waterproof shoe covers in your bag.

Get a 10-pack of COOY rain ponchos at Amazon

Get a 10-pack of waterproof shoe covers at Amazon

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The summer weather at Disney is no joke, and that makes a portable fan an imperative.

The JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan allows you to walk around the park hands-free, all while cooling off.

Get the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan at Amazon

If you prefer a handheld fan — instead of a neck fan — the JISULIFE Handheld Fan is one of my favorites. Not only will the fan cool you down during the summer heat, but it also serves as a power bank allowing you to charge your phone, and it doubles as a flashlight.

Get the JISULIFE Handheld Fan at Amazon

On those really hot days, a fan might not cut it. Instead, you'll want to pack a cooling towel in your backpack as well. Just soak it in the bathroom sink and after wringing out the excess water, this towel will keep you cool for many hours. When the towel dries up, rinse and repeat.

Get the YQXCC Cooling Towels at Amazon

Stay dry during the summer storms or protect yourself from the strong rays with an umbrella. You'll want one that's incredibly compact and durable, which is why we suggest the BAODINI Travel Essentials Mini Umbrella. Folding as small as a small water bottle, it will take up hardly any space in your backpack or even fit into your back pocket.

Get the BAODINI Travel Essentials Mini Umbrella at Amazon

So while the Happiest Place on Earth can quickly become stressful if you're not properly prepared, packing the right essentials will make you much more likely to have a magical time.