Looking for Disney Park Bag List recommendations? We’ve got you covered! Check out the top 3 types of Disney park bags and how to pack them for a magical day of adventure!
Packing and creating a Disney Park Bag List can be a complicated venture- What is the best size bag to pack? Do you pack the umbrella? How much is enough sunscreen? What can help you last all day without being too achy, cranky, or miserable?
Well, we’ve got you covered- whether you want to pack light or bring as much as you can carry, in this blog I will weigh in on what Disney park bags will fit what items, and how to pack to stay healthy, safe, and happy in the Happiest Place on Earth!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
1) Small Purse, Hip/Fanny Pack
If you are a minimalist and just want to pack light then here are the essentials that should fit in this size Disney Park bag:
- Hand Sanitizer: Even before the pandemic made us all rely on these little bottles of safety, they were still a good idea at crowded theme parks. At Disney parks we get a little too cozy with other people’s germs. I like safer, simpler options that are alcohol based and 70% or more alcohol
- Lipstick charger (I love FuelRods because you can exchange them for FREE in the parks). There are many other small, portable cell phone chargers to choose from that may last longer than fuel rods. Your battery dies from overuse quickly while at a Disney park, and the Disney Genie “experience” has us all staring at our phones. Add to this the poor connection that seems to drain our batteries super fast- You will NEED a charger. Don’t forget to pack a cord! For info on how to find a good charging spot check out this post.
- Trial-size tube of sunscreen– it is hotter than the depths of hell in Orlando, and even gets pretty hot in Anaheim in the summer, and a sunburn is painful and can cause long-term harm to your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer. So don’t forget that 30-50 spf sunscreen! I like SunBum or Alba as they are more natural but any good high spf option will do.
- Lip balm with sunscreen- the sun does not only burn your skin it can burn your lips, and guess what happens when your lips get burned? Well, this does not happen to everyone, but those of us who are so lucky to be blessed with cold sores can get one in a heartbeat after a long day in the sun. You also increase your risk for skin cancer every time you burn. Look for a moisturizing lip balm with spf 15 or above to help protect the sensitive skin of your lips.
- Cooling towel- these take up little room and can be a game changer (really, heat stroke is real and can ruin your day). Just hit up a cold water fountain and slap that baby around your neck and you will feel so much better in the sweltering heat! Try one of these options that come in multiple colors so you can assign everyone a color, and have a handy clip for your bag.TowelTouch Cooling Towel Workout, Gym, Fitness, Golf, Yoga, Camping, Hiking, Bowling, Travel, Outdoor Sports Towel for Instant Cooling Relief (4 Packs)We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
- Credit card and a photo ID- I don’t think you would forget these but you never know! If you have a Disney Visa just pack that one- some restaurants offer special discounts and some parks have special Meet and Greets for Disney Visa Cardholders. Additionally. you get a higher percentage of “points” for spending money at Disney on your Disney Visa. More money to spend next time!
- Cell Phone- Definitely don’t forget this one, you would have a rough day….and it now replaces your magic band at WDW, and your ticket/card at Disneyland.
- Hair bands/ponytail holders- if you have anyone in your party with long hair they will thank you!
- Bandaids- blisters really hurt and keep in mind you are walking 10k steps plus every day! I recommend packing some bandaids with blister protection.All Health All Health Extreme Hydrocolloid Gel Blister Cushion Bandages, Assorted Sizes Variety Pack, 12 ct | Long Lasting Protection Against Rubbing and Friction for Blisters$8.26We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.10/12/2024 05:29 pm GMT
- Small snack- you never know when you will be stuck in a long line and need a snack or have a hungry kid, partner, friend, etc. A protein bar or a bag of nuts/seeds/dried fruit can go a long way towards fending off “hangry” or a blood sugar crash!
- Collapsible water bottle- this one you can clip to the outside of your bag. This way you save on plastic and can fill up at any water fountain or quick service stop.
2) Medium-size bag (think a Loungefly-type Disney Parks Bag)
- A poncho or small umbrella– the parks in Florida get consistent rain, especially in the spring and summer. The storms are usually short but they can be heavy so take them seriously! Anaheim does not get as much rain but still it’s good to be prepared there as well. Ponchos can run double duty as protection on water rides, while umbrellas can be a great shield from the sun!
- Ears- if you are a Minnie ears-wearing kind of person or someone in your party is then you should be able to fit a pair into a medium sized bag like this. While not an essential they can make for a more festive day and fun pictures! Loungefly Disney Disney100 Sketchbook Ears Headband
Classic Ears featuring Mickey and Minnie to celebrate 100 Years of Disney!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. - Healing Skin Balm- My favorite for dry, chapped skin, insect bites or rashes is Desert Essence soothing skin ointment. It’s all-natural and contains sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, and vitamin E to soothe and moisturize. Another all-natural and organic option I like, particularly for areas that might chafe if you get really sweaty, is Makes 3 Organic Miracle Body Balm. It has simple, organic ingredients and the base is coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax, which is a great emollient to beat the chafe!
- Hand wipes- sometimes sanitizer is not enough for sticky hands or surfaces! Look for 75% alcohol options to keep it simple and safe for your skin. I like these as they have aloe and essential oils to soothe as they clean.
- Sunglasses- don’t forget to protect your eyes too! A bigger bag means more room for a case for your sunglasses so they don’t get scratched up but you may be able to fit them in the smaller purse above too.
- More room=more snacks. Think healthy, portable options like mini bags of baby carrots, clementines, nuts, and small bags of popcorn. Most of us are not choosing healthy items when we hit up our favorite quick service or table service spots so it’s good to balance it out with our own healthy options and save ourselves some time and our guts some misery later on!
- Anti-nausea meds- many people get vertigo or nausea while on spinny rides, or even any kind of drop ride. Be prepared by packing a traditional option like Dramamine, or a natural option like ginger chews/tabs.GIN GINS® Original Chewy Ginger Candy by The Ginger People® - Anti-Nausea and Digestion Aid, Individually Wrapped Healthy Candy - Original Ginger Flavor, Large 1 lb Bag (16oz) - Pack of 1$24.20
I love these- I used them when I was pregnant and for my kids when they had motion sickness. They are real ginger so be prepared for a spicy kick!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.05/13/2024 01:15 pm GMT - Painkiller- you never know when the sun, rides, crowds, sugar, or family drama involved in a Disney trip will bring on a headache. If you take ibuprofen or Tylenol you can pack a travel-sized bottle or tube. Remember if you take ibuprofen always take it with food! I like natural options so I always bring a small tube of topical and/or oral arnica montana. This is a homeopathic option for aches, pains, inflammation, or bruising. A small jar of Tiger Balm can also help soothe tired joints. Just follow the dose on the label of any of the above.
3) Regular Size Backpack as a Disney Park Bag
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You could choose a themed larger backpack like the one featured above, or just your favorite backpack from home. We have even used a backpack cooler (here’s a supercute Mickey themed Igloo option I couldn’t resist featuring here). This could give you lots of space and allow for cold snacks! So, now that we have more real estate to work with here we have more options. I recommend including all of the above plus:
- Cold drinks/snacks- did you know you can bring any kind of food or drink into WDW or Disneyland parks? As long as they are not in glass containers and, of course, no alcohol either. You can pack an insulated backpack or a backpack that can hold a small cooler bag. This will give you more options to avoid the long lines and the expense of eating at Disney! Our family has packed PB&J ingredients, fruit, popcorn, and even some fun but healthier treat options like chocolate or trail mixes.
- Ziplock bags– these can protect your electronics from getting wet, or a place to store a wet poncho. They also serve as to-go packages for your leftovers, and can store wet clothes, socks, or shoes.
- An extra pair of shoes– I like to wear sandals but my family all choose sneakers. In Florida, a rain storm is almost always a moment away, and it really stinks to have wet, soggy socks and sneakers. A larger bag allows you room to pack extra flip-flops, Tevas or another comfy shoe.
- Camera and tripod- I get by with my phone and a portable charger, but I have lots of friends and family who are great photographers. They like to bring a real camera and portable tripod, and a larger bag allows for this!
- A change of clothes– The rain can show up out of nowhere. And if you have little ones they might get wet or have an accident- so it’s great to be prepared. Also, if you are going outside of the summer at Disneyland you may need a light layer for the morning or evening. In Orlando, you may need this extra layer in the late fall to early spring.
- Small Toys– If you have young kids it’s a great idea to pack some small toys. This way you don’t have to dish out tons of money and wait in line to buy new ones!
- Queue Games- If you have older kids try passing the time in line by playing HeadsUp. This is an easy app to download. They have Disney-themed options, or Harry Potter too- among many, many other options, some paid and some free. You can also pack a MadLibs to throw back to your own childhood. This brings me to one thing I forgot that can fit in all bags- A Pen! You never know when you will need this!
So, did I cover all of your favorites? Let me know your ultimate Disney Park Bag in the comments!
This blog was all about the Ultimate Disney Park Bag List….and how to pack them!
Recommended Reads:
Disney Parks Loungefly Bags Review: Are they the Best Disney Park Bags?
The BEST Disney World for Grown Ups Guide & Packing List!
5 Essential Disney Packing Tips: How to Pack and Plan like a Pro for any Disney vacation!
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