What To Pack for Disneyland in January

Regardless of the time of the year, Disneyland is always a fun and exciting place to visit.

However, if you want to visit when it’s the least crowded, the best month will be January, just a week after Christmas.

Of course, if you’re planning to visit Disneyland in January, you must prepare your stuff accordingly.

In this guide, we’ll look at the most important things you must pack before going on a Disneyland adventure.

This list is meant to act as a guide on what essential items you want to prepare for your Disneyland adventure. You can also add other stuff, but make sure to prioritize the items on this list.

Why Visit Disneyland in January

Before we start, let’s first talk about why you want to visit Disneyland in January. The reason is pretty simple: it’s one of the least crowded months of the year.

Aside from that, it also has pretty mild weather with temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 degrees. However, it also falls into the rainy season, so expect some rain during your visit.

If you still want to see the Christmas decorations during your visit, your best option is to visit before January 9. This is because Disneyland will start removing all those Christmas decorations after that.

The only dates you must avoid are New Year’s Eve and Martin Luther King Jr. Day as these are both major US events.

Disneyland during those dates will have an influx of visitors, especially locals. On other days, it would be good to go.

Important Items To Pack for Your January Vacation

Now that you know why January is a good time to visit Disneyland, it’s time to talk about the essential items you should prepare before your trip.

The list can be extensive, and you can choose to add other items you might need during your trip.

However, you shouldn’t forget to pack any of the following:

1. Backpack

A backpack is a no-brainer, especially if you’re planning to visit Disneyland regardless of the time of the year. It’s where you will store your essentials to access them wherever you go.

Ideally, you may want to bring one backpack, but it depends on who you’ll be coming with.

If you only have a few items to carry, a medium-sized backpack will do. Just make sure that it has a lot of pockets and compartments to store tiny items like snacks, lotions, souvenirs, and more.

You can also bring a fanny pack for extra storage.

2. Layers

Layers are a lifesaver when you plan to visit Disneyland in January. While the weather can be typically mild during this month, there can be variations at any given point in time.

One day, it might be all sunny, but on the next, it might just rain all day. For this reason, layers are a must-have in your packing list.

We also highly advise checking weather forecasts during the days leading up to your trip, so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

Even during the summer season, the nights in Disneyland can be rather chilly. Having an extra layer of clothing can help offset the temperature and keep you comfortable.

As part of your layering preparation, you may include light jackets, scarves, T-shirts, and long sleeves.

You have to account for any weather changes during your stay, so it’s best to prepare for both sunny and rainy situations.

3. Battery Packs

You don’t want to run out of battery juice while taking pictures of your Disneyland adventure using your smartphone or DSLR.

Taking pictures is desirable, so it’s best to prepare some battery packs. This allows you to replace your batteries on the go.

It also helps to bring a power bank with at least 20,000 mAh, so you can charge your mobile devices while you are on your daily adventure.

Also, a good addition would be an SD card, so you won’t run out of storage space when taking tons of pictures.

4. Comfortable Shoes and Clothing

When you visit Disneyland, you have to bear in mind that most of your time will be spent on foot.

If you haven’t been there before, you must be aware that the place is huge.

On average, you’ll end up spending most of your daily schedule walking for around 6 to 15 miles depending on the activities that you want to do.

As you can see, walking around the many attractions in Disneyland can take a lot of time. It’s for this reason that you have to include comfortable shoes and clothing in your list.

Wear shoes that provide comfort and support for your feet. Don’t make the mistake of buying new ones. Instead, pick the shoes you’re already used to.

This will minimize the amount of stress and fatigue that your feet will experience during your trip.

You may bring an extra pair, just in case you need to replace the main pair.

As for clothing, bring those that provide the highest level of comfort possible. Don’t wear clothing that can cause chafing such as jeans.

Aside from that, you should also adhere to the rules set by Disneyland. These include not wearing clothes with inappropriate content and those that will drag on the ground.

Guide your family regarding clothing and shoes, especially if you have kids.

5. Weather Protection

Weather protection includes sunscreen lotion, a hat, sunglasses, cooling towels, and any item that could protect you outdoors.

Despite the weather not being that hot during January, it’s still best to bring these items with you as they will provide significant protection from sunburns and even skin cancer.

Ideally, use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF. You should also bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glaring sunlight. Make sure to pick those with UV blockers for extra protection.

Another essential item is a large hat to cover your face from the sun. However, it would also be best to use one that can be stored in your bag easily.

The last item is a cooling towel to wipe the sweat off your skin and keep you cool and dry at all times.

6. Water Bottle

As mentioned earlier, you’ll spend most of your time in Disneyland walking from one attraction to another. This can be really tiring, and it’s easy to forget proper hydration at times.

Disneyland does provide a free cup of water upon request. The only problem is that you’ll have to wait in long lines just to get one.

This will only consume a considerable amount of your time—time you could have spent in the park instead.

Due to this, we highly recommend bringing a water bottle for each family member. Fill the bottles up at the start of the day before you head out.

You may fill one of them with some sports drink such as Gatorade as hours of walking under the sun can dehydrate you and your family quickly.

Takeaway

It’s up to you if you want to add extra items to your packing list. A few good examples are snacks, mobile phone accessories, or a stroller if you have an infant.

However, you should always include the items in this article when packing for a Disneyland adventure.

Make sure to adjust them accordingly if you’re going with your family and have kids along.