What to Pack in Your Disney Park Bag – 33 Essential Items
Wondering what to pack in your Disney park bag for your theme park adventure? It can be overwhelming, but we can help!
Planning our Disney trips took serious time, especially with four kids in tow!
One of our earliest lessons? When you’re travelling with kids, being ready with all the essentials is a game-changer for everyone’s comfort and happiness.
And why spend extra cash on things like ponchos or water bottles when you can grab them for less back home?
But hey, don’t stress! We’ve put together a list of 33 must-have items for your Disney World Park bag to ensure your visit is super comfy and stress-free.
Best Backpack to Bring to Disney
🎒 Looking for the best backpack for Disney? The Osprey Sirrus or Daylite Backpacks are our favourite way to carry all of our gear comfortably. We even have 2!
Can You Bring a Backpack into Disney World?
Disney World allows backpacks into the parks, provided you do not pack any prohibited items.
However, keep in mind, that all bags, strollers and purses will be subject to screening and security checks before entering the parks.
Security and Screening
Before you can make your way to the turnstiles, and enter the Disney parks, you will need to pass through the security screening area.
It is here, that security personnel will thoroughly check your bags.
You can help speed up the process by making sure that all compartments in your bags are open.
If you can remove some contents from your bag to make the inspection process easier, it’s a good idea.
I usually take out my sweaters or extra clothing, just so it’s easier to see all the smaller contents of my Disney park bag.
Another tip to consider; if you are carrying in a large backpack with a ton of small items inside, consider grouping the items in see-through storage bags to make the security check go quickly.
👍🏻 Pro Tip: Guests without bags get to bypass this security screening. Look for signs to the No Bags line, which will probably save you a lot of time.
33 Essential Items to Pack in Your Disney Park Bag
You definitely need to be prepared when spending the entire day at a theme park.
After all, you want to be as comfortable as possible, without having to spend a ton of money on items that you could have brought with you.
Our list includes 33 essential items that you should have in your Disney park bag, to make your day go as smoothly as possible.
It sounds like a big number, but trust me when I tell you, you will not regret having any of these items with you!
1. Magic Bands and Park Tickets
One of the perks of staying at one of the on-site Disney resorts is being issued free MagicBands.
The bands are loaded with your theme park tickets, FastPasses, photo passes, meal credits and reservations (if you are on a dining plan).
The bands can also unlock your room and be linked with a credit card, so you can make purchases throughout the parks, without even taking out your wallet!
The MagicBands are easily managed with the free My Disney Experience app. Your resort-issued bands can also be customized in advance, with your colour choice and name added.
If you have a more discerning palate, bands can be purchased at all gift shops, or even custom-designed, with every theme imaginable. Styles vary from shop to shop and park to park.
Prices usually range from about $14.99 to about $29.99. Keep in mind, that the bands can be used for future Disney visits!
If you are staying off-site, you have the option of purchasing your MagicBands in the parks.
Otherwise, off-site guests will need to have their park tickets handy for entry, as well as to use as their Disney Genie.
2. Bottled Water/Refillable Water Bottle
Purchasing bottles of water in the park for close to $4 each can get expensive pretty quickly! Disney does allow you to bring water into the park.
But if you are not excited about carrying a lot of water around, consider bringing in a refillable water bottle.
You can either refill the water at fountains located throughout the park, or most quick-service restaurants will refill it for you.
3. Personal Misting Fans or Cooling Towels
Misting Fans
If you are going to Disney in the scorching summer months, you absolutely have to bring along a misting fan to help keep cool.
These hand-held, battery-operated fans, spray mist at you, which is really welcome when the Florida sun becomes too hot to handle.
You can purchase misting fans in the parks, but you’ll pay a premium for that convenience.
So unless you absolutely MUST have a character mister, you’re better off buying it before you go and sticking it in your luggage.
Try to find a misting fan that comes with a strap. These can be conveniently attached to your backpack or the stroller.
Otherwise, you may want to put them in a zipper bag to prevent leaks in your Disney park bag!
Misting Water Bottle
Similar to the misting fans are misting water bottles.
These dual-purpose water bottles can be used for drinking, as well as for staying cool!
The water bottles operate without a battery, as it’s just a squeeze of the trigger to produce the mist. The downside, of course, is you don’t get the cooling sensation from a fan.
Cooling Towels
A cooling towel is another option you can use to help stay cool!
Cooling towels are made from a special material, that once activated by water, feels quite cool to the touch, while absorbing and evaporating sweat from your body.
Place the cooling towel on the back of your neck for instant relief from the scorching heat.
4. Hat
It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Disney World, the sun is pretty strong.
Wearing a hat will keep your head protected, shade your eyes, and possibly even prevent headaches.
I prefer a ball cap, but a hat with a wide brim will also shade your neck on those scorching hot Florida days.
5. Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses will shield your eyes from the strong rays of the sun, as well as the glare from water and other surfaces. I find they also help me from getting headaches.
Make sure to take them off before going on the rides though! We recommend bringing an inexpensive pair to theme parks.
This way, if they are lost or damaged, they can easily be replaced.
6. Sunscreen
Having enough sun protection to get you through the day is pretty important.
After all, the Florida sun is pretty strong! And even on days when it is overcast, you are still exposed to UV rays that can cause sunburn.
Make sure you apply your sunscreen before arriving at the parks. Then be sure to reapply every few hours while there.
We make sure to have an SPF of at least 60 for the kids, to ensure nobody ends up with an uncomfortable burn.
7. Lip Balm
Lip balm is one of the items in our Disney park bag that most people forget!
Our lips dry out pretty quickly on a hot or windy day. Reapply often to prevent uncomfortable cracking.
Make sure that the lip balm you are carrying also offers protection from the sun. An SPF of 30 is what we usually look for. My favourite is Burts Bees.
8. Mouse Ears
One of the big things I love about Disney World is the fact that people are not afraid to ‘dress’ for the occasion!
Whether it is coordinating shirts for the whole family, funky character socks, hats, or Mouse Ears, it really does add to the whole magical experience.
And if you are going to pick just one of the aforementioned items, we think a pair of Mouse Ears are something you really do need to have when visiting Disney!
With so many choices available, and more varieties constantly being introduced, there is bound to be a pair that you fall in love with!
You can save some money by purchasing your Mouse Ears online before you head to Orlando.
Or, wait to see what Disney has to offer and do your shopping there! In general, you are looking at spending approximately $30 and up for Mouse Ears in the parks.
9. Autograph Books & Pens
If your kids want character autographs, you will definitely want to carry an autograph book.
These can be purchased at Disney World, or better yet, you can save a ton of money and bring one from home (which is what we did).
Make sure to also bring along a thick-barreled pen so that the characters can easily grasp it in their gloved hands.
We found the best pens for the job were retractable Sharpies.
Keep in mind, that characters are not allowed to sign clothing or anything the guest is wearing.
10. Lanyard and Disney Pins
A lanyard was one item that we didn’t think to bring on our last trip to Disney World.
The kids don’t have large pin collections yet, but they would have loved to show them off on our trip.
Lanyards make it easy to not only display your pin collection but also to have easy access should you decide that you would like to trade.
🏰 Pro Tip: Any cast member that has pins on their vest/board/lanyard will trade with you! However, there are two exceptions: 1) Cast members cannot have two identical pins on the same board/lanyard/vest, and 2) If the board is green, that means that the pins found on it are reserved for trading with children only.
And aside from holding your Disney pin collection, the lanyard is also useful for holding your park ticket if you are an off-site Guest.
Since your park ticket will also act as your Fast Pass, it’s far more convenient to have it ready to go, rather than having to dig for it before every ride.
11. Rain Poncho
A rain poncho is definitely a necessity when going to a Florida theme park. You can usually expect at least one rain shower in the afternoon during summer visits.
And when that happens, you don’t want to be caught unprepared.
We definitely recommend bringing your own reusable ponchos with you. Disney World does sell ponchos in their gift shops, but they are pretty overpriced.
And considering most dollar stores at home carry a decent product for a much better price, it’s worth grabbing them before you arrive!
12. Camera
Although I tend to reach for my phone first, Hubby still likes to use our camera to capture all those magical moments.
Don’t forget to have an extra SD memory card and battery with you for those long days in the parks!
13. Cell Phone
As I mentioned, I prefer to use my cell phone for taking pictures while out in the parks.
But your phone can also be used for many other things! Especially since free Wi-Fi can be found throughout the parks!
We found that our cell phones came in pretty handy to keep the kids entertained while waiting in ride lines, and for accessing the My Disney Experience App.
Do yourself a favour and DOWNLOAD THE APP!
Just like with Universal, the Disney app makes a lot of information like a list of attractions with detailed descriptions, park maps, dining and hotel information, and showtimes, available at your fingertips.
14. Phone Charger
Because you are going to be using your smartphone for so many things, you will definitely need to bring a portable power bank to the parks with you.
Since you do not want to waste time looking for somewhere to charge your phone, having a backup battery will ensure that you are always good to go.
15. Cell Phone Games
As I just mentioned, having your cell phone comes in pretty handy with keeping the kids occupied during those long waits in ride lines.
I always make sure that I have a few of their favourite games/apps on our phones, just in case.
Of course, one app you need to get while at Disney is the Play Disney Parks app. You can try trivia, see music playlists from different parts of Disney and play special games that you can only access when you’re in the parks.
It was a lot of fun and a great way to enhance our already magical experience!
And just a heads-up, although Disney does have Wi-Fi, we found that in some areas of the parks, it definitely became a little spotty.
As a result, we would recommend getting games or puzzles you can play without an internet connection too.
16. Park Map
Upon entering either of the theme parks, you can pick up a park map in your choice of language.
The maps give a great visual of how the parks are laid out, and where you can find everything you are looking for.
Of course, if you download the My Disney Experience App, you will also have this information, plus much more, right on your phone.
17. Motion Sickness Meds
Some rides at Disney World, especially the simulation rides, can be a challenge if you are prone to motion sickness.
And I can speak from experience, as I learned this lesson the hard way. Mission Space is NOT my friend!
Since Mr. Bump and I are both prone, we always make sure to carry some meds or remedies with us when we visit a theme park.
I don’t tend to go on many rides, but I certainly don’t want our day cut short because one of us is suffering from motion sickness.
18. First Aid Kit
We always carry a travel-size first-aid kit with us whenever we go places with kids. You just never know when a scraped knee or elbow is going to happen.
And especially when walking around a theme park all day, blisters can put a real damper on the day!
19. Cash or Credit Cards
Although there are not too many places left that only accept cash, we usually try to have a small amount with us for incidentals.
Credit or debit cards are now generally more used throughout the parks because they are contactless forms of payment.
And again, if you are staying on the property, you can use your Magic Band to charge many items straight to your room.
Just be aware, that you may be asked for ID when using this feature.
20. Glow Sticks
When the sun goes down, the party really starts at Disney! Having some glow sticks in your Disney park bag will be an awesome treat and surprise for the kids.
Picking up a pack of glow sticks before arriving at the parks, will save you a ton of money!
My kids were really drawn to all the light-up toys and accessories that are sold in the parks after dark. But as with everything else in Disney, they can certainly break the bank!
It was a lot easier to bring our own! You can make necklaces and bracelets, or hand them out to keep the kids occupied while waiting for fireworks or parades.
The added bonus, of course, is that you will be able to pick out your family members much easier too!
✨ Pro Tip: The glow bracelets can also double as stroller markers at night! They will not only help people see the stroller while walking, but you will be able to identify your stroller amongst the crowds in the stroller parking area. This was way more helpful than I ever imagined!
21. M&M Minis Container Full of Pennies and Quarters
These are a definite Disney park bag requirement for kids (and adults!) who collect pressed pennies! The tubes are small and fit the coins perfectly.
Having the tubes is a great way to stay organized while chasing down every machine in the park! Make sure to bring a container for the pressed coins as well!
Of course, if you really want to stay organized, you can always bring along an album to put your pressed coins into right away! My kids filled theirs during our week-long trip. It’s a wonderful souvenir and keepsake.
We purchased our books online prior to arriving at Disney World, but many of the souvenir shops in the parks carry them as well.
22. Small Cooler Bag
Especially if you have a stroller with you, bringing along a small cooler bag is recommended.
This way, you can keep extra water and snacks cool throughout the day.
It’s also great for packing away leftovers, because who likes to waste expensive food? We use small insulated lunch bags that fit perfectly inside our backpacks.
23. Snacks
Disney World allows its guests to bring snacks into the parks, so take advantage!
And even though we usually have a meal plan, we always carry granola bars, or single-portion snack bags with us.
Yes, we love to try the different treats that theme parks offer, but it can also get quite expensive.
So to tide us over between meals, or to prevent kids from getting “Hangry,” while waiting in long ride lines, we always make sure our cooler bag contains something good to munch on.
24. Gum
If you are an avid gum-chewer, then you will need to come prepared with your own supply.
As is Disney policy, you will not find chewing gum available for purchase, ANYWHERE on Disney properties!
25. Reusable Straws
It’s nice to know that Disney is becoming more environmentally conscious. Disney Parks on both coasts are beginning to phase out single-use plastic straws.
If straws are a must-have for your family, consider packing your own. Between bamboo and metal options, the possibilities are endless!
26. Tissues/Wet Wipes
It is a running joke in our family, that I ALWAYS have tissues with me! But considering there are 4 kids in our family, and half of us suffer from seasonal allergies, do you blame me?
Having a travel pack of tissues and Wet Wipes in your park bag is definitely a necessity when travelling with kids.
Sticky hands, runny noses, and spills are going to happen at some point. So you may as well come prepared!
27. Zipper Bags
Adding a few large zipper-top bags to your Disney park bag is definitely something we recommend. We always carry several in our backpacks!
Not only are they awesome for storing snacks or leftover meals in, but zipper bags also work great for keeping items like phones and cameras dry in the rain, or during a water ride.
The bags are also perfect for putting wet or dirty clothing in so that the rest of your Disney park bag doesn’t get damp or smelly.
28. Change of Clothing
And speaking of clothing, having a lightweight set to change into might be something you might want to consider.
Between the possible rain showers and the fact that there are several water rides and places where you and your family can get wet, it is definitely a smart idea.
We always remember to pack an extra pair of socks. These seem to take the longest to dry. And besides, who likes to walk around in soggy socks?!
Also, while Florida weather is hot during the day, the evenings can cool off quickly, leaving you shivering. We always bring a hoodie, light jacket or sweater with us.
29. Identification
Although a MagicBand or card is your ticket into the parks, it is always a good idea to carry some valid photo ID.
All guests must use the biometrics (fingerprint) scanners before entering each park. Should the biometrics scan fail, you will be asked for a photo ID.
You may also be asked for ID if you are using your MagicBand to make a purchase in the parks. It’s an added level of security, should your band get lost.
Lastly, if you misplace your bag, there’s a better chance of it finding its way back to you, if you put some identification inside.
Just slip a piece of paper with your name, resort/hotel, cell number, and emergency contact information somewhere prominent inside your bag.
Having your identification on a luggage tag attached to your Disney park bag works great!
30. Towel
A small towel in your Disney park bag can be great for multiple uses.
It can be used to wipe off a wet seat on a ride, dry off the seat on your stroller, sit on the curb during a parade, or dry off wet clothes after a water ride.
It doesn’t take up much room, but it will always come in handy! We love microfiber towels as they are lightweight and dry quickly.
31. Mini Deodorant
I always pack a travel-size deodorant in my Disney park bag for those extra hot days.
This gives me the option to reapply throughout the day. The deodorant stick could also be used as a last resort for chaffing relief.
32. Hand Sanitizer
Although Disney World has stepped up its cleaning protocols for high-touch surfaces and rides, it doesn’t hurt to come prepared with your own hand sanitizer.
Especially with kids who have the tendency to ‘touch everything,’ it’s an added peace of mind to be ready with your own bottle whenever you need it.
33. Tile Tracker or Air Tag
Tile Trackers and Air Tags are an awesome way to keep track of your stuff while in the parks.
With all the excitement going on and trying to keep track of kids, it isn’t hard to believe that we may leave something behind!
These devices are easy to set up and even easier to track through an app on your smartphone.
We tuck ours inside our bags, but we have even seen the keychain version attached to kids’ backpacks.
Does Disney Allow You to Bring Your Park Bag on Rides?
Yes! Unlike Universal Orlando, Disney guests are allowed to take their day bags and personal items on all the rides.
This is awesome, in that you don’t have to worry about stowing your gear before every ride!
Depending on the type of ride, you will either be able to stow your belongings in the large open area near your feet or inside a mesh pouch attached to the seat directly in front of you.
We also came across a few rides, like Soarin’, where your items needed to be stored in proximity to you, but not on the actual ride.
What is the Best Backpack to Use for a Disney Park Bag?
We can’t emphasize how important having a good backpack is! If your backpack does not fit you properly, it’s going to be a long and uncomfortable day at the park!
Bring a pack that has comfortable straps, is not too large, and as a bonus, has a ventilated back for those hot days.
As a bonus, it should have plenty of outer pockets to store items that need to be accessed easily (like water bottles, wallets, or phones).
Our favourite backpack, the Osprey Stratos, is the same one we use for hiking, so you know it’s comfortable!
The shoulder straps are padded, there is a padded waist strap, it has plenty of pockets, and best of all, it comes with its own rain cover!
Our Osprey backpack is a much better option than the drawstring bags and cross-body purses we have tried in the past.
It fits better, everything is in one bag, and we only have to keep track of one bag.
Now that the kids are getting a little older, we purchased a second (smaller) Osprey Daylite pack.
This one fits Miss Somersault perfectly (she was 13 at the time). She was able to carry some of her own personal items on trips to the parks.
Can You Bring Your Own Food Into Disney World?
Disney definitely scores bonus points for allowing Guests to bring snacks, and beverages into the parks. You could even bring full meals if you chose to!
And as far as food is considered, the only items that are prohibited are glass containers and alcohol.
Since we usually stay at an on-site resort when visiting Disney, we invest in one of the Disney meal plans.
This means we don’t usually have to bring a lot of food into the parks, as our credits will get us pretty much anything we would like to try.
And as much as the Disney Restaurants are amazing, they can get expensive. So for Guests visiting the park for a single day, we would recommend having some snacks with you to munch on at all times!
After all, it is amazing how hangry hungry the kids (and especially teens) get while walking long distances in the parks!
Is it a Good Idea to Bring a Stroller to Disney?
If you have younger children, strollers are a must!
You will be doing a ton of walking, and even if they don’t normally use a stroller, everyone will appreciate the convenience of having somewhere for the kids to rest.
Besides, most strollers have great storage for stashing your gear! It would be nice to have a break from carrying around your Disney park bag, even for a short while!
And to make things even easier, Disney has designated stroller parking areas near the entrances to most rides. We found this to be super convenient during our very first visit to Disney.
🌸 Pro Tip: If you have a common or generic-looking stroller, hang something unique and colourful on it to help distinguish it from the crowd (just like people do with luggage)! A cast member will often move strollers around in order to make room for others, so yours may not be exactly where you left it.
6 Tips on How to Pack Your Disney Park Bag
Now that you have an idea of what should be in your Disney park bag, let’s go over a couple of tips on how to pack the bag!
Pack your Disney park bag before you go
Before you head out to the parks, make sure the items you need to carry will easily fit inside your bag. Try to distribute items as evenly as possible, while keeping most-needed items accessible.
Keep things organized inside your Disney park bag
Use zipper bags or lightweight plastic containers to group smaller items together. The containers can then be reused throughout the day or later in your trip.
A plus to having containers in a variety of shapes and sizes is that you will be able to distinguish the contents of your bag by touch alone.
Some possibilities include small make-up bags, Tupperware containers, zipper-top bags, etc.
Keep things cold inside your Disney park bag
If you have a refrigerator/freezer in your hotel room, freeze a bottle of water or a juice pack and place it in your cooler bag to keep snacks cool.
When the frozen drink thaws, you will then have a pretty refreshing drink to enjoy!
Leave some room in your Disney park bag for items you will collect throughout the day
Items such as maps, small souvenirs, pins or pressed pennies, will need a place in your Disney park bag.
For larger souvenirs, we would recommend that you take advantage of Disney’s package delivery service. This way, you can avoid lugging large items around all day.
Only carry one Disney park bag
It’s definitely easier to keep track of and carry just one Disney park bag! Hubby and I will often carry one bag each, which helps to spread out the load.
But in this case, we are each responsible for our own bag.
Label your Disney park bag
As we mentioned earlier, it is definitely a good idea to label your Disney park bag.
Use a luggage tag printed with your information, or slip a piece of paper placed inside with your contact details.
Either way, if the bag gets lost, you will have a greater chance of getting it back with your identification on it.
Disney Park Bag – FAQs
Just a few additional facts with regard to Disney park bags.
Official Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules state that backpacks, or any other type of bag that you wish to bring into the park, must be no larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high.
Walt Disney World does allow guests to bring a bag with them to every attraction in the theme parks. Smaller bags may be easier to carry around the park, but you will need to consider what items you absolutely want with you and whether they will fit in a small bag.
Clear bags are not currently required at Walt Disney World theme parks. You are welcome to bring whatever type of bag you wish, as long as it does not exceed the maximum size (see above).
Fanny packs are easier to wear on most rides. Because you can just slide the fanny pack to the side and sit comfortably on virtually any Disney ride, they are much more convenient than a backpack. The downside is, they don’t fit much. And if you are travelling with young children, this may be a problem.
You can wear a crossbody bag on all slow-moving rides at Disney. Any ride that does not require any sort of restraint like a harness, lap bar, or seatbelt, will allow you to wear a crossbody bag.
This is definitely more convenient than needing to store a backpack in a cubby. But again, size and how much will fit into the bag will be a big consideration.
Best Backpack to Bring to Disney
🎒 Looking for the best backpack for Disney? The Osprey Sirrus or Daylite Backpacks are our favourite way to carry all of our gear comfortably. We even have 2!
Final Thoughts on What to Pack in Your Disney Park Bag
Hopefully, you have found our list of the 33 items that need to be in your Disney park bag, to be helpful and inspiring.
Being prepared and comfortable when heading out to a full day in a theme park with kids, will help everyone have a much better and truly magical experience!
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