Give your future self more choices.

One of the best strategies we can have when we go into the Parks is to give ourselves as many options as we reasonably can – for as many different situations that we can. And much of that means packing in things that we may need, but that aren’t available in the Parks.

Again, your list of things may be very different from the list below! That’s ok! That just means that we’re different. I’m going to include some general things, but also some specific things that the Expansion Packs and I have found helpful.

In no particular order, here is a list of some things you might want to consider bringing with you into the Parks:

Here is a list of some things you might consider bringing.

It isn’t in any particular order.

1. A backpack or other bag of holding to carry our stuff in

You don’t want it to be too big, because you will need to store it by your feet or under your chair for many of the rides/attractions. Alternatively, you may have to leave it on a shelf before getting on the ride (I’m looking at you, here, RC Racer. Though… in RC Racer’s defence, anything you had at your feet when on that ride would 100% hit you in the face halfway through, so fair play to you, RC.). The key here is to have the bag be a comfortable one, so that you can carry it (and the things inside it) around with as little difficulty as possible.

3. Ear protection

Did I mention that Disneyland Paris is loud? I’m pretty sure I mentioned that. To counteract this, I strongly recommend bringing something (or several somethings) that make the loud less loud. For us, we have three different options that we can use at different times: Earplugs, earbuds, and ear defenders. The first level of noise control is to use in-ear earplugs. I prefer to use Loop earplugs, because I can (to a degree) control the level of noise that is let in. I put these in when standing in line to enter the Parks, and they almost never come out until we leave the Parks.

The second option that we have is to use in-ear earbuds. These have active noise cancelling effects, and sometimes I play white noise on them at a low level to cover over the noise of the Parks. The third option, which can actually be combined with either of the previous options, is to use on-ear ear defenders. These are the larger ear protection devices that are used on construction sites. These block out a lot of the sound, but can be cumbersome and some people don’t love the way that they look. Still, I consider using them to be worth getting a few strange looks. Additionally, if you plan ahead, you can modify your ear defenders with some Disney ears in order to have them blend in a little more in the Parks. 

5. A layer for all seasons

For this one, you’re going to have to do a little research to find out what the weather might be like in the Parks while you are there. And then… bring clothes and accessories appropriate for that weather! Paris being what it is, you may need to bring both sunscreen and a rain poncho to the Parks on the same trip. So it goes. I also recommend bringing a hat and sunscreen, because these not only can protect you from the elements, they can also help reduce sensory input. Bonus!

2. Medication

Many of us have medication that we need to take. So, we had better take that with us! Unless the medication needs to be refrigerated, in which case we need to leave it at one of the first-aid centres. The wife is unfortunately prone to getting migraines, so we include her migraine medicine in this category as well. We also bring a small pack of Band-Aids (that’s sticking plasters for any of you Brits out there), pain relievers, and anti-nausea medicine. This last one is more for us parents than it is for the Expansion Packs, because we’re old and sicken easily.

Also, and this isn’t really medication but it kind of fits here, you may have a bit more peace of mind to learn that you can buy feminine products from the Disney shops. The Cast Members simply keep these behind the counter, but they are there if you get caught short.

7. Pocket candy

Ok, stay with me here. Yes, this is basically the same as the one before, but with a different purpose. What with all the walking around looking at things, our family usually ends up walking more during a day in the Parks than we do normally. Which is great! But it also means that we’re using up more energy than we usually do. With the meds that we take, our brains don’t always get the signals our bodies are sending us about being hungry (for those non-neurodivergent folks out there, this is a very common side effect of ADHD medication). The combination of the increased energy use and the lack of hunger signals can result in a long time going by before we realize we needed food an hour ago. Therefore… pocket candy. Pocket candy is just some individually wrapped pieces of candy that I keep in my jacked pocket and pull out from time to time to feed the Expansion Packs. And me. It helps to keep our blood sugar levels up when we are wandering around the Parks being distracted by things.

6. Food and water

I know we talked a lot about regular feeding and watering before. Don’t worry, everything we talked about there still holds true. But we’ve found it is also important to have some food with us at all times in case it is needed. Disneyland Paris can be… distracting. And when we’re distracted, we don’t always do the things we need to do to take care of ourselves. So, when we get distracted and don’t eat until after we need to, and all the places to get food have long lines, it is a good thing we have something with us to tide us over until we get something more substantial to eat. A couple of pieces of fruit, some nuts, a baguette (this is France, after all). There are many options out there that will work. We just want it to be a bit hard-wearing, as we’re going to stash it in our backpack until it is needed.

Well, I suppose the first one makes sense to come first.

Becuase we can put the other stuff in it.

4. Good walking shoes

This one is pretty straightforward, but worth mentioning. As we’re likely going to be doing a lot of walking in the Parks, it will be important to have comfortable, hopefully waterproof, shoes to keep our feet from hurting throughout the day.

9. A book

Books are also the best. As we’ve seen, there is a lot going on in the Parks. One of the best ways for our family (though every family is different!) to calm ourselves when we have had a lot of stimulation is to read a book. We don’t have to read the whole book – though when we get going and the hyperfocus kicks in it can be hard to stop. No, just the act of reading a book is very helpful in focusing our bodies and minds, and helping us get back to equilibrium.

11. A fidget or seven

Idle hands are… not something we are familiar with. And rather than have those non-idle hands engaged in something that might get them hurt, it is a good idea to have our old standby nearby: a fidget.

8. Tea

Maybe this one is just me. But tea is the best. We should all have tea all the time.

10. Something on a screen (already downloaded)

But also, books can take energy to get into. And, really, we’re in Disneyland Paris here. Even book-lovers among our ranks can be hard pressed to pick up a paperback (hardcovers are too heavy for our bag of holding) when there is Disneyland going on around us. Which is why having an episode or two of a favorite show is a good idea. It can focus us in much the same way as a book, but it is also easier as it doesn’t require as much energy from us. Also, this can sometimes be done while we are standing in a line waiting for something to happen. Multitasking for the win!

12. A favorite toy or stuffy

Because they help us feel better. And shame on those who look down on others for judging us for having them. They’re missing out, anyway.

I ran out of things to put in here.

Though that clearly hasn’t stopped me.

13. A power bank and charging cables

This one is pretty straightforward, but worth mentioning. As we’re likely going to be doing a lot of walking in the Parks, it will be important to have comfortable, hopefully waterproof, shoes to keep our feet from hurting throughout the day.

15. Air Tag or similar

This isn’t something that directly impacts on the mental state of the Expansion Packs, but boy-oh-boy does it help my brain. While travelling, we placed air tags (wee little GPS trackers that are linked to my phone) in our backpacks for the unforeseen event that the bags (with or without the Expansion Packs) managed to lose themselves in the Parks. Or should I say the entirely inevitable event that the bags would go walk about? Because even if something is physically tied to our bodies (like a backpack), our brains will conspire with all the distractions around us to slip unnoticed off to its new life in the wilderness.

You may be unsurprised to learn that this happened to us. One bag went off on its own, and we didn’t notice for at least an hour (see above re: brains). But we checked on its location, and there it was, exactly where it had been left, looking bereft and forlorn – as only abandoned satchels can.

17. Hand sanitizer

Well, because there are a lot of things you are going to be touching.

14. A collapsible telescoping stool

Alright, honesty moment here. I’ve never actually used one of these while in the Parks, but I’ve seen people use them and have talked to them about how they found them helpful. And it seems like a stroke of genius. A small, lightweight package that folds down so it can easily fit into our backpack, but nevertheless provides us with a free spot for sitting down anywhere? Sign me up. Oh, the only types of stools that are allowed in the Parks are telescoping stools – the ones where the legs slide up into themselves to save space (like a telescope!). So if you want or need to bring a stool to the Parks with you, make sure to bring one that you will be allowed to keep with you!

16. Anything else you can think of

Super helpful, I know. But this is just another reminder to have a good think about what you think will help you, or your loved ones, in the Parks. What will help us both before we have too much stimulation (to reduce the stress and sensory input) and after (to help us get back to equilibrium). 

18. Your preparation materials

Bring all those things you prepared so long in advance for your trip to the Parks. Because…. Why not? Rather than trying to remember all of it on the day of your visit, reduce your stress by not having to think about these things, which will hopefully free up some space on our mental hard drives to just have fun. Maybe this looks like a small folder (you don’t want it to be too heavy, after all) that has some information on some of the restaurants that might be good to eat at, or has tips about what rides provide less sensory stimulation for when we need a little break. It looks like anything you prepped ahead of time that will help you when you are there.