Packing for your hols can be one of the trickiest tasks of the whole trip, but we’re here to tell you not to stress about packing for your trip to Orlando. We’ve put together this handy Orlando holiday packing list to help you get your luggage ready for an unforgettable trip to the theme park capital of the world!
What to wear in Orlando
Orlando is one of the most informal destinations on earth. It’s a touch above the flip-flop informality of the Florida Keys, but only just. Unless you’re looking for ultra-fancy dining, such as Victoria & Albert’s Michelin-rated restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you won’t necessarily need a suit jacket and tie or a cocktail dress.
Bringing a couple of more formal outfits is a good idea, in case you decide to treat yourselves to a more fancy dinner on a couple of nights – you are on holiday after all!
Most restaurants will happily seat you in your theme park clothes, whether you’ve been in them all day or not! You won’t get in most places wearing swimwear, but otherwise, casual clothing is fine.
Dress to de-stress: there are no worries about dressing totally casually. Florida’s warm climate means you want to wear clothing that will keep you cool while you’re exploring the theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld.
What to wear during a day in the theme parks:
- Comfortable shoes like trainers or supportive closed sandals (you’ll be doing plenty of walking!)
- Lightweight trousers or shorts
- Skirts or casual dresses
- Vest tops or light t-shirts
- Cap or sunhat
- Waterproof jacket or poncho for afternoon thunderstorms
Top tip: Interiors are air-conditioned during summer, so you can experience a drop of around 15 degrees from outside – quite a shock to the system! You may want to pack a light sweatshirt or jacket in your backpack to pop on for meals or shopping.
Essentials for your trip to Florida
These are some essentials that no trip to Orlando would be complete without.
Clothing and accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat or cap
- Lightweight long-sleeve tops and trousers if you want to explore more of Florida’s natural attractions
- Backpack or bumbag – you won’t have to remove a bumbag for most of the rides
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pyjamas
- Reusable water bottle
Toiletries
- Sun cream (we recommend factor 50)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and condition
- Soap or body wash (if your hotel doesn’t supply these)
- Deodorant
- Moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitiser
- SPF lip balm
- Make-up (if needed)
Electricals
- Smartphone and charger
- Solar power bank (to keep phones charged for park maps)
Documents
- Passports
- Boarding passes (these can be on your phone or printed)
- Hotel reservation
- Travel insurance
Medical supplies
Hopefully, you won’t get poorly on your Orlando holiday, but it’s always a good idea to pack a few medical supplies just in case.
- Plasters
- Pain killers such as paracetamol
- Indigestion tablets
- A small first aid kit
Top tip: If you’re planning on doing a lot of shopping during your holiday in Orlando, why not bring an empty suitcase? Clothing is quite reasonably priced, and you’ll probably want to get your hands on some Disney merch. You could travel with nothing more than your toothbrush and a change of underwear, ready to hit the shops!
Orlando packing list for summer
Feeling hot, hot, hot! Summer in Orlando is all about that heat, with temperatures regularly reaching mid-thirties and an average humidity of around 60%, although it is slightly cooler in the evenings. Bring moisture-wicking clothing to help keep you cool.
You’ll also want to wear clothes that are quick drying as it’s inevitable that you’ll get caught in one of the seasonal afternoon downpours if you’re travelling in June, July, and August, which is also Orlando’s rainy season.
You’ll need some waterproofs or a poncho to keep you dry – although the heat and the humidity can work just as well.
As well as the essential items for any trip to Orlando, here’s what you should bring with you if you’re travelling during the summer months:
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Light clothing
- Waterproof jacket or poncho
- Umbrella
- Mini fan
Orlando packing list for winter
From the end of November to mid-March, it is possible for the temperature to drop into the single digits at night, occasionally even reaching freezing. There’s still plenty of time for daytime sun, but it might only be 7 or 8°C when you arrive at the theme park at 9am.
The weather can be unpredictable during winter, so we’d recommend packing for all eventualities and waiting until the morning to choose your outfit so you can see what the weather’s doing. Checking the weather forecast for the days of your trip while you’re packing will help to guide you.
Chances are it will warm up to around 20-23°C by mid-afternoon, so dressing in layers is a good idea. All the theme parks have lockers that you can rent for the day, so you can take off coats and sweatshirts and leave them there until you’re ready to leave.
Convertible trousers that you can zip off and turn into shorts are a good option to take you through all weathers. Be sure to bring waterproofs as you can get occasional rain – plus, you might get wet on some of the water rides!
Alongside the Orlando essentials above, you should also bring the following for winter in the theme parks:
- Trousers
- Long-sleeved warmer layers
- Waterproof coat
- Swimwear (lots of the pools are heated, so you can still enjoy them in winter)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Gloves, scarf, hat – in case it drops cold, or if you feel the cold
What to bring to the water parks
With a year-round warm climate, you can visit the Orlando water parks during spring, summer, autumn, winter – in fact, whenever you like! In summer, it’s a great way to cool down, and in winter some of the pools are heated, so you can still have a splashing good time.
Here are our suggestions for what to bring with you to enjoy an epic day out at water parks like Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Aquatica, and Universal Volcano Bay.
- Swimwear
- Towel (although these are provided in some water parks)
- Long-sleeve rash vest to protect skin from chafing, rashes, and scrapes
- Flip flops or swim shoes for walking between slides
- Goggles
- Waterproof phone case
- Plastic bag for storing wet swimwear
What to wear on the plane to Orlando
The flight from the UK to Orlando takes around nine hours, so it’s a long-haul flight. Comfort is key for a flight like this as feeling relaxed will help you to nap, if you wish to, and help you to feel your best (with or without extra leg room!).
Starting from the bottom, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You can end up getting quite a few steps in at the airport as you walk between security, departures, and the gate, so you’ll want something on your feet that doesn’t rub.
And on that note, be sure to bring a pair of socks with you if you aren’t wearing a pair. Air conditioning on the plane can make it feel quite cool, and no one wants cold feet on their holidays.
For clothing, keep to soft textures and clothes that are comfortable and not too tight. Wear layers so that you can easily adjust your outfit if you get too cold or hot.
If you have room, you may want to pack a change of clothes and essential toiletries like a toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s nice to freshen up before you land, and it could help alleviate any problems should anything happen to your luggage.
What not to take to Orlando
You don’t want to be packing everything except the kitchen sink when you jet off on your hols, so here’s what not to take to Orlando to help you save space and reduce your luggage weight.
- Heavy or bulky clothing
- Sentimental items that could get lost or damaged
- Toiletries that are provided in your hotel (check first, or buy them when you get there)
FAQs
How do I pack for two weeks in Florida?
If you’re planning to spend two weeks in Orlando, then have a look at our advice above for what to bring with you. You’ll probably want to bring lightweight summer clothing, plus essentials like sun cream and sunglasses. If you’re visiting during the hottest time of the year, then you may wish to bring a different outfit for each day or plan to do some washing during the trip.
For winter, we recommend bringing some additional layers to pop on when the temperature drops.
Start your packing a couple of weeks before your trip and make a list to help you remember everything.
What size suitcase do I need for two weeks in Florida?
The size of your suitcase will depend on the luggage allowance that you have with your airline. We know people who have travelled with hand luggage only and, alternatively, people who have checked in an additional case!
How many outfits will I need for a two-week trip to Florida?
We recommend taking 12-15 outfits with you. Try to take lots of pieces that go together for a capsule wardrobe that you can mix and match. Luckily, Orlando is very casual, so you can wear the same clothes to dinner if you don’t get a chance to go back to your hotel to change.
How much money will I need for Orlando?
How long is a piece of string? You can make your trip to Orlando as bougie or budget friendly as you want. Most places will take credit cards, so be sure to bring one of these with you, and it’s worth having some cash for tips.
Travel bloggers The O’Hallorans spent just over £2,500 while on their two-week holiday in Orlando in 2023.
We hope this packing guide for Orlando helps you with everything you need to have an incredible holiday.
