A trip to a Disney park is always magical, but having the right items in your park bag can make the day smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right bag and fill it with all the essentials to give your crew a magical day!
Choosing the Right Bag
The size of your bag depends your traveling crew and how much you need to carry.
Solo Park Day
A fanny pack or small backpack like a Loungefly is perfect for a solo trip. It’s lightweight, keeps your hands free, and is large enough to hold just the basics like your phone, wallet, and a couple of essentials.
Family Park Day
A full-size backpack is a must. Choose one that is breathable, comfortable, and has padded straps to keep you comfortable throughout the day. Look for a bag with multiple compartments to help you stay organized. Having a bag with a front zipper pocket, gives you a good place to store things you want to be able to access quickly. I especially like a bag that has a small zipper pocket on the inside. This pocket is great for important items you don’t want to get lost in your bag like keys or a wallet.
Pro tip: Use reusable zip-top bags to organize the items in your backpack. I’ve literally had security guards thank me for doing this. These keep things tidy and make it easy to grab what you need quickly. They also make it easy for the security to empty your bag and see what is in it.
Park Back checklist
The Basics
1. Wallet/ID: Make sure you have an ID and something you can physically pay with like your credit card. You can pay in the parks with a Magic Band if you have it linked to your resort stay or you can use Apple Pay but I have seen days where these services go down and physical cards are needed.
2. Phone Charger & Accessories: You will be on your phone a lot taking photos and using the MDE app. Bring that charger to make sure you don’t have a dead phone before the end of your day. You may also want to consider accessories for your phone that will make it easier for you take to pics and videos like this MagSafe PopSocket. I love this accessory because I can add it to my phone when I need it and throw it back in the bag when I’m done with it and it doesn’t take up hardly any room.
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Reusable Bags | Baby Wipes | Chaffing Prevention
Comfort and Hygiene
3. Hand Sanitizer & Baby Wipes: While Disney does an incredible job keeping their parks tidy, you will still want to have these available for protect your little ones and clean up unexpected messes.
4. Kleenex: If you’re taking little ones, there’s no doubt you’re going to need a Kleenex before the end of the day. These aren’t easy to find in the park and the Disney toilet paper is pretty terrible so having some tissues in your bag will definitely be a win.
5. Moleskin and Band-Aids: Disney days come with a ton of walking and blisters can quickly ruin your day, so make sure you’re prepared. Moleskin will be your best blister defense! This has been a park bag staple of mine for many years. I’ve even had to use these pads in the bottom of my foot and they stayed on all day.
Pro Tip: If you forget to put those Band-Aids in your bag and find yourself in need of one, don’t head to the merchandise stores to find one. Every Disney park has a first-aid center where you can go and get things like Band-Aids and Advil for free!
6. Sunscreen: That Florida sun is powerful! Keep a travel-sized bottle to reapply throughout the day.
7. Chaffing defense: You may not want to talk about it but when you add Florida heat plus walking 20,000 steps there’s a good chance someone in your crew is going to have a chaffing issue. Chaffing treatment/prevention can be found in lots of convenient forms and throwing one of these in your bag could prevent some serious pain from putting a damper on your Disney day.
8. Gum or Mints: Disney parks don’t sell gum, so if you’re a gum person or don’t want to pay park prices for mints, pack your own.
For the Unexpected
8. Ponchos or Foldable Umbrella: Florida is known for its pop up rain showers. Don’t let these ruin your park day by being unprepared. Ponchos are my preferred rain defense mechanism because you can just put them on and go but if you’re not a fan of ponchos a small umbrella is a good alternative solution.
9. Extra Zip-Top Bags: Great for keeping electronics safe from rain or water rides, or for storing unfinished snacks. These Disney themed bags are the ones I like to carry. They are a heavier plastic and have stood up to many trips all while adding a little bit more magic to my bag.
10. Advil or Other Medications: Pack pain relievers, allergy meds, or anything else you may need for a full day. You don’t have to weigh yourself down with these but a few basics are good to have.
Snacks & Hydration
11. Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated by refilling at water fountains or quick-service spots. Disney quick service restaurants will give you free glasses of ice water making it easy to keep your water bottle full of cold, refreshing water.
12. Snacks: Pack a few snacks that will help keep the hangry away. Look for options that won’t fall victim for the Florida heat or be smooshed beyond recognition. Snacks are a great way to distract your little ones in a long line.
Additional Tips for Packing
• Pack Light but Smart: Aim for the essentials but avoid overpacking to keep your bag manageable.
• Repack Each Night: Go through your bag at the end of each day. You’ll want to get rid of any trash in your bag, reorganize the bag contents and restock for the next day.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Add items like jackets, cooling towels, or gloves depending on the time of year you visit. Florida temperatures can swing drastically throughout the year. Don’t assume it will always be hot.
With the right bag and essentials, you’ll be prepared for any adventure Disney throws your way. A well-packed bag ensures less stress and more magic, leaving you free to soak in all of the magical with your crew.
What are your must-haves for a Disney park bag? Share in the comments below!
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