The Ultimate Theme Park Packing List: What Should You Bring?

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Planning a trip to a theme park is always exciting, but you don’t want to forget anything important! After all, amusement park prices aren’t the friendliest on your wallet! This theme park packing list will help make sure your day of fun is enjoyable and stress-free, with all the essentials sorted for a day of thrills.

We live close to most of Australia’s biggest theme parks and while they’ve got nothing on many of the huge parks elsewhere in the world, it’s still a huge day out. And there’s nothing worse than having to spend a gazillion extra dollars on things you could have brought from home.

In case you are lucky enough to be visiting the most magical place on earth, check out our Disney packing list (which has a few extra Disney-specific additions).

Theme Park Packing List: The Essentials

From sun protection to snacks, having the right items can make your day more enjoyable and stress-free. To help you prepare, we’ve put together the ultimate theme park packing list, covering all the essentials you’ll need for a fantastic day of fun and adventure.

A well-thought-out packing list ensures you’re prepared for anything the day might throw at you. It helps you avoid common pitfalls like sunburn, dehydration, or hunger pangs, allowing you to focus on enjoying the rides, shows, and attractions.

Plus, having everything you need on hand can save you money by avoiding overpriced park purchases.

1. Comfortable Clothing and Footwear

• Lightweight, Breathable Clothing: Choose clothes that are comfortable and suitable for the weather. Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics to stay cool and dry.
• Comfortable Shoes: Wear broken-in, supportive shoes. You’ll be walking and standing a lot, so comfort is key.
• Jacket: Depending on the time of year, you might need a light jacket for when the air cools in the evening or a warmer jacket for the whole day if visiting during the cooler months.

2. Sun Protection

• Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before you leave and reapply throughout the day. Often!
• Hat or Cap: Protect your head and face from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
• Sunglasses: Avoid glare from the sun in your eyes. You might not need sunnies if you’ve got a hat, but both = double sun protection.
• Lip Balm with SPF: Keep your lips moisturised and protected from the sun and that extra airtime on the rollercoasters.

3. Hydration and Snacks

• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated by bringing a refillable water bottle. Many parks have water fountains or refill stations. Plus bottled water prices at theme parks can be crazy expensive.
• Snacks: Pack non-perishable snacks like granola bars, nuts, or fruit snacks to keep your energy levels up.

Tip: When bringing food and drink into the park, make sure you double-check the rules on the amusement park FAQs before your visit. Some do restrict outside food being brought in. While you can bring a packed lunch into most Aussie theme parks, you can’t do that at somewhere like Universal Studios.

Check out our guide to bringing food into Disney parks.

4. Personal Items

• ID: You often don’t need to show ID, but just in case, it’s good to have on you anyway!
• Tickets: Ensure you have park tickets and any necessary reservations. If there’s an app, make sure you’ve downloaded it and added your tickets before arrival.
• Cash and Cards: Bring either cash or cards for purchases – or a mix of both. Some places are card-only these days.
• Phone and Portable Charger: Keep your phone charged for photos, navigation, and emergencies. A portable charger can be a lifesaver.

5. Health and Safety

• Hand Sanitiser: Keep your hands clean, especially before eating.
• Face Masks: Depending on current health guidelines, bring face masks for everyone in your group.
• Mini First Aid Kit: A small kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers can come in handy. Blister patches can come in handy if shoes start to rub too!

6. Entertainment and Extras

• Towel or Blanket: A small towel or blanket can be useful for sitting on during parades or shows.
• Poncho or Light Jacket: Be prepared for sudden weather changes with a compact poncho or light jacket. Check out these recommended theme park ponchos.
• Autograph Book and Pen: If you’re visiting a park with characters, an autograph book is a fun keepsake.
• Camera: Capture memories with a camera or use your phone’s camera. We sometimes take our GoPro for action videos and photos but otherwise, phones are pretty awesome for capturing the moments these days.
• Hair Ties: If you’ve got long hair, it might seem like a nice idea to leave it down for the day but once you’ve done a few rides, you might be regretting it! Take a couple of spare hairbands for these situations.

Not essential but nice to have:

• Cooling Devices: If you’re visiting a theme. park on an extremely hot day, it can get super uncomfortable. Cooling towels, face sprays or neck fans might sound a little extreme but a day at Tokyo Disneyland during a heatwave isn’t much fun when you’re melting!
• Reusable Straws: Do a small part for the environment and bring your own reusable straws.
• Reusable Cutlery: Be environmentally conscious but also avoid using those icky wooden disposable cutlery sets if you’re going somewhere that has banned single-use plastics. The wooden ones are so gross!
• Small Games: If you’re expecting to spend a lot of time in line, a small game or activity can be helpful to entertain younger kids. Or try one of these waiting-in-line activities.

7. The Right Kind Of Bag

• Backpack or Bag: Of course, you need something to carry all your gear in! A backpack is what we recommend as it’s typically more comfortable to wear for a full day. Get something that doesn’t make you feel too hot or overheated during summer days and a bag that is big enough to fit all your gear.

Tip: We recommend either one medium-sized backpack to share for the family or two smaller backpacks instead if you prefer to each carry one. Small to medium backpacks fit well in the ride storage boxes. Make sure it has comfortable shoulder straps.

8. Babies & Toddlers

If you’re visiting a theme park with a toddler or baby, there are extra essentials you will need!

• Nappies & Changing Essentials: Enough diapers for a day plus a couple of extra just in case, wipes, rash cream, a changing pad, disposal bags.
• Bottles, Formula & Feeding Gear: Baby food, formula, bib, bottles and anything else you need that goes with it.
• Baby Blankets: Bring a spare just in case one gets soiled.
• Stroller: A good place for naps when the day gets too much for them, even if they are a bit older! We were so grateful visiting Disneyland for the first time that our 4-year-old could still nap in the stroller when her 2-year-old sister wasn’t in it.
• Extra Clothing: Pack a couple of extra outfits in case of spills or accidents.
• Sun Protection: Baby-friendly sunscreen, a hat, and a stroller shade or cover.
• Snacks and Drinks: Age-appropriate snacks and a sippy cup or water bottle.
• Comfort Items: A favourite toy, pacifier, or blanket to help soothe them.
• Baby Carrier: For times when a stroller isn’t convenient, a baby carrier can be a lifesaver.

Tips for a Smooth Theme Park Experience

• Arrive Early: Beat the crowds and enjoy shorter wait times by arriving when the park opens.
• Plan Ahead: Know which attractions are must-sees and plan your route accordingly.
• Take Breaks: Rest periodically to avoid fatigue and overheating.
• Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your plans based on wait times, weather, and group needs.

And if you forgot to bring something… don’t stress! Most things can be purchased from the park itself. While this isn’t the plan, it’s a good backup plan!

A well-prepared amusement park packing list can make all the difference in making sure your theme park visit is enjoyed by the whole family. You don’t want to overpack, but you will be glad you packed the essentials! Tell us what’s an essential in your theme park day bag?

Happy theme park hopping!