I leave for Orlando tomorrow, and packing looks a lot different than it used to.
It’s not just about adorable, theme-park friendly outfits anymore.
It’s about endurance.
It’s about comfort.
It’s about making sure I can actually enjoy the trip once I get there.
Because when you’re living with a chronic illness, you don’t just pack for the destination—you pack for every version of yourself that might show up.
The energized one.
The exhausted one.
The “we need to sit down immediately” one.
So this is everything I’m bringing to Orlando to feel cute, comfortable, and most importantly, like myself.
Instead of linking every single item here and making this overwhelming, I’ve put all my exact picks in one place:
The Reality of Orlando Weather
If you’ve never been—just assume:
- Hot
- Humid
- Slightly disrespectful
Which means your outfits need to work with your body, not against it.
With autoimmune and chronic illnesses like MS, the Florida sun and heat are brutal.
There’s also that miniscule chance that there will a random rainstorm at least once, especially if you’re going in the summer time.
Outfits That Can Actually Survive the Day
I build my outfits around one question:
“Can I wear this for 10+ hours and not hate my life?”
What I’m packing:
- Lightweight, compression biker shorts
- Oversized graphic tanks
- Athletic rompers (my favorite for a theme-park day).
- Flowy athletic shorts and skorts
- Breathable tank tops
- A light jacket (during the spring, Orlando can get chilly once the sunsets)
The goal isn’t just looking good—it’s avoiding overheating, irritation, and fatigue triggers.
Shoes That Won’t Betray Me
This is not the trip for “cute but uncomfortable.”
I’m bringing:
- My most broken-in walking shoes
- Cushioned sneakers with real support
- Backup sandals (that I’ve already tested)
If I can’t walk miles in them at home, they’re not coming.
For me, the most broken-in walking shoes and cushioned sneakers are the same. I have purchased just about every color of the Skecher’s Uno Night Shades.
They are the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn, not just to the theme parks but for any trip where I’ll be walking and standing a lot.
I have worn these shoes on rope drop to park close days, through Orlando Informer meet-up after hours events, and long nights at Halloween Horror Nights.
You truly will not catch me in an Orlando Theme Park in any other sneaker.
I also wear Olukai flip flops for short walks to the pool, down to the hotel lobby, etc. They are extremely supportive, wide foot friendly, and comfortable enough to slip on after being in tennis shoes all day.
Chronic Illness Essentials (Non-Negotiables)
This is where packing becomes less aesthetic and more strategic.
My must-haves:
- Medications (Besides the required daily meds, I pack plenty of advil, and meclizine.)
- Liquid IV – Electrolytes are essential for hydration for chronic illness girlies anyway. I cannot express to you how much these save me in that Orlando heat.
- Snacks that won’t spike and crash my energy. – I love a protein bar, especially when I know I’ll be overloaded by the carbs of Butterbeer, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream, and Central Park Crepes.
- A portable fan – Too much heat is terrible for MS, and any chronic illness. I love a wear neck fan that I can charge at night.
- Compression socks (for travel days).
These are the things that make the difference between surviving a trip and actually enjoying it.
My Park/Day Bag Setup
What I carry with me every day:
- Refillable water bottle – Ice and water are free throughout the parks. Instead of wasting money on sodas and sugary drinks (I mean except for butterbeer) I choose to stay hydrated with water and electrolytes. For me, this is more about survival and keeping myself feeling good as long as possible.
- Portable charger- enough said.
- Sunglasses – I always pack a couple of cheap pairs of sunglasses that I don’t mind if they get lost on ride or broken.
- Cooling towel or portable fan.
- Small snack stash – I keep a few protein bars on me, but I am guilty of indulging in theme park snacks way too often.
- Travel-size sunscreen
And most importantly:
Room to adjust.
Because I’ve learned the hard way—if I don’t prepare for my body to change throughout the day, it will force me to stop…and I do not like to slow down during park days if I can keep from it.
Low-Effort Beauty
Orlando heat will humble you quickly. The humidity is no joke and I find myself instantly glistening with sweat as soon as I walk outside .
So instead of fighting it, I pack:
- Tinted moisturizer or skin tint. I don’t use tinted SPF because I have rosacea and haven’t found one that doesn’t flare my skin.
- Waterproof mascara. Now, if you’ve read any of my other posts you probably know that I am a lash extension girlie for many reasons, but they are super helpful especially during Orlando trips.
- Lip balm or gloss with SPF
- Hair ties/claw clips- I love a claw clip. Easy to throw my hair up and keep it off my neck, but also easy to throw in my bag when I’m tired of it.
The goal: feeling put together without needing a ton of maintenance.
Everything I’m Packing
Instead of linking every single item here and making this overwhelming, I’ve put all my exact picks (from outfits to travel essentials) in one place:
You can shop everything through my Linktree here:
(Everything is organized and easy to find—including my go-to travel favorites from Amazon.)
✨ Final Thoughts
Packing used to be about who I wanted to be on a trip.
Now it’s about supporting who I already am.
And honestly, that version of me travels better.
XO,
Samantha Jo
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