I've been going to the Disney parks for 30 years. Here are 11 things I always pack.

Bringing a reusable water bottle is an absolute necessity because buying bottled water in the parks is extremely overpriced and staying hydrated in the heat is so important.

Many parks have water-bottle filling stations, but many dining locations also offer free cups of water if you forget a bottle.

The Disney parks have been reducing the amount of single-use plastics that are handed out to guests, including plastic straws.

Dining and refreshment locations now hand out paper straws or none at all.

It's difficult to drink many beverages — especially anything frozen, like a Dole Whip float — with paper straws as it quickly deteriorates. I've found the perfect alternative is bringing my own reusable straws.

The one I have conveniently comes in a key chain.

A handheld fan is an absolute lifesaver to prevent overheating, especially in the summer.

Standing in the scorching sun all day can be pretty brutal, so a small USB-rechargeable fan offers a welcome reprise from the heat.

Although there are ones that wrap around the neck out there, I prefer the handheld varieties.

Between the heat and long hours, I like to supplement my water intake with the addition of Liquid IV.

The powdered electrolyte drink mix comes in individual packets that take up very little space.

There are also varieties that include caffeine, but I prefer the standard hydration multiplier.

It's essential to keep my bag organized at all times, so I can easily grab what I need and leave room for any purchases.

I use small packing cubes to store my portable chargers and a traditional phone charger.

In my packing cubes, I'll also store a few zip-top plastic bags to keep things dry and store leftover snacks.

I like to bring a variety of wipes with me to the parks.

I use sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces, wipe my hands before eating, or wash up any spilled ice cream.

For warmer climates, I'll also bring coconut-based makeup wipes as a way to quickly and conveniently refresh.

Aquaphor is the ultimate ointment for a marathon park day. It comes in handy for chapped lips, small cuts, dry skin, and even sunburns.

Although it comes in small, lip-balm tubes, I prefer to carry the larger traditional ointment for versatility.

I don't like to bring a bulky wallet with me, so instead I'll bring a small identification holder for my license, credit cards, and theme-park tickets, as well as a coin purse.

I use the coin purse as an accessible way to store any gift cards I may have and small cash for tips or other miscellaneous purchases.

When visiting a theme park in a climate that's prone to rain, like Disney World in Florida, I'll bring a compact, collapsible umbrella with me.

I don't like ponchos because they're very uncomfortable and unbreathable, especially in humid conditions.

But there's nothing worse than walking around for hours with wet clothes and hair, and a small umbrella easily helps prevent that.

Although clothes tend to dry pretty quickly, shoes are another story and can remain soaked for over 24 hours.

If I plan on going on any water rides, I'll bring plastic shoe covers with me.

These are easy to roll up, so they take up very little space in my bag. They also come in handy during the daily rainstorms in Orlando, Florida.

I like to hit the ground running and get in a few morning attractions before the crowds swell.

A lot of time, this means I'll be skipping a traditional sit-down breakfast. In this case, it's essential to bring a protein bar that provides enough fiber and protein to keep me going until lunchtime.

Protein bars also come in handy for unpredictable moments, like long food lines in the afternoon or if your blood sugar suddenly drops.