Making Disney Work When Life Looks Different- Packing

A mom’s guide to doing the impossible, and helping others do it too.

I didn’t start this journey as a travel expert. I started as a mom who couldn’t find the help she needed. My family and friends had medical and behavioral challenges (chemo, gastroschisis, bleeding disorders, sensory needs) and all I wanted was a way to make a Disney trip feel safe, possible, and joyful.

But no one had answers for families like mine. No blog. No checklist. No travel agent who knew what to do. So I learned it all myself. I became the guide I desperately needed...organized, dependable, and deeply informed about accessibility and Disney.

Now I help others the way I wish someone had helped me.

This series is not a professional pitch. It’s a hand reaching out to other moms who wonder if a trip to Disney is even worth trying. I’m here to say yes! ...it can be done. It should be done. And I’ll show you how.

Packing for Pixie Dust and Prednisone

A personal guide to preparing for Disney with real-life needs in mind.

Packing for Disney isn’t just about shorts, ponchos, and autograph books when your family has medical and behavioral challenges. For us, it meant care plans, daily routines, backup plans, and making sure we could still enjoy the trip without losing our minds.

This is what we did. What I now help my clients do. What makes these trips work.

👝 What Went Into The Bags:

• A weekly pill organizer and laminated medication schedule to stay on track

• Medical ID bracelets personalized for each child

• Noise-canceling headphones for sensory sensitivity (lifesavers during loud parades)

• Cooling towels and misting fans for anyone with heat sensitivity or fatigue

• A small collapsible backpack or Crossbody bag that held wipes, gloves, comfort items, and a change of clothes for unpredictable moments

• A medical bag that can go with you if needed(Disney allows them to be set right next to the entrance the rides)

• Manual Hand Fan

🏥 How We Stayed Prepared

• First Aid Stations: Each Disney park has one, and they’re incredible. Cool, clean, stocked with medical supplies and staffed by kind cast members who don’t flinch when you walk in with medication questions or just need a break.

• Baby Care Centers: These aren’t just for babies. They’re calm, air-conditioned, and perfect for giving medication or managing a meltdown.

• Mobile App Planning: I helped my clients (and my family) load their plans into the Disney app with notes about where we’d take breaks, recharge, and meet up if split.

• Itinerary with Sensory-friendly map of Disney, Travel Agent Contact, Park Reservations, and DAS Pass.

And yes, as a travel agent, I create personalized guides for my clients, so no one is left wondering what to bring or how to prepare. It has maps and spaces marked that are less busy, easier to decompress, and safer to move around.

This series is not a professional pitch. It’s a hand reaching out to other moms who wonder if a trip to Disney is even worth trying. I’m here to say yes! ...it can be done. It should be done. And I’ll show you how.

Sheila Smith

Believe You Can Travel

810-728-4643