Planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland? Here’s a list of what to pack in a Disney Park Bag with a free printable checklist to help your prepare for your Disney Trip.
A day at one of the Disney theme parks can be both super fun but also a very long day. You’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to be prepared.
As a mom of 4, I like to pack the essentials without too much extra, as my husband and I take turns carrying our park bag – and a heavy bag is not the way to have a great day.
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Best Park Bag for Disney
First off, you’ll want to choose a good park bag. Honestly, this is trial and error. Different people like different things.
My husband Jeremy really likes to carry a lightweight backpack. This is the one we have:
- 【Comfortable&Durable Daypack 】The 35L backpack meets size requirements for most airlines, with enough room for a couple of days’ trips. Breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder. Widened and thickened S-type shoulder straps and high elastic breathable back support for best ventilation and easing burden.
Jeremy likes that this backpack has great support and he doesn’t mind toting it around all day as long as it isn’t too heavy.
If you don’t have a big family to carry things for, you might be able to get away with using a crossbody bag.
- MACHINE WASHABLE RECYCLED COTTON – The cotton fabric that you’re familiar with has been reimagined; the exterior fabric is made with 50% recycled cotton fibers and has all of the comfort, softness, and vibrancy that you know and love.
I have one similar to this Vera Bradley bag that I like to use for the parks.
It’s nice to have lots of zippers. This can help you quickly access what you need.
I like to place my phone in it’s own compartment.
Really you just want to have a comfortable bag that you can easily carry all day long.
So whether that is a fanny pack, a comfy little backpack or a full size bag, pick something that will be comfortable for your long park days.
What to Pack in your Park Bag
Now that you have a bag, let’s talk about the essentials for a fun day at the parks.
1) Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a non negotiable for me. Eye protection is a must for long days in the Florida sun.
I usually wear my sunglasses, but definitely pack them in your park bag if you don’t have them on your face.
2) Phone
You’ll need your phone for lots of things at Disney. Be sure to get familiar with the My Disney Experience App.
This app will help you check wait times so that you can avoid long lines. You can also reserve Lightning Lanes with it as well.
3) Portable Phone Charger
- The Anker Advantage: Join the 50 million+ powered by our leading technology.
- Remarkably Compact: One of the smallest and lightest 10,000mAh portable chargers. Provides almost three-and-a-half iPhone 8 charges or two-and-a-half Galaxy S8 charges.
This is the Anker Power Core portable charger we use. It has enough power to recharge both of our phones.
This is a necessity in the park as you will be using your cell phone to check wait times, book lightning lanes, use the map on the app, mobile order food, and take pictures, of course!
Make sure you pack a short USB cord to plug it in!
- THE LAST CHARGER YOU WILL EVER NEED TO BUY: FuelRod is the first sleek and compact portable charger that allows you to recharge or SWAP your used Rod for a freshly charged one at any of the FuelRod touch-free* kiosk. FuelRod makes it fast and easy to power your phone or tablet on the go, never run out of battery again!
Another great option is the FuelRod. I’ve heard good things about this. This is a small charger that fits in your purse. You can exchange your empty FuelRod for a new one at the kiosks around the park.
4) Rain Ponchos
- 50% THICKER FAMILY PACK: Avoid the cheap ponchos and get a durable and thick material rain poncho with drawstrings Men , Women, Teens and children individually packaged
We carry disposable ponchos with us every day. You never know when there will be a pop up pour down rain shower in Florida.
These ponchos are great for keeping yourself and your kids dry and comfortable.
5) Wallet
This one is obvious – but don’t forget it! I recommend bringing your Driver’s License, a credit card or two, and some cash.
6) Wet Wipes
- TSA-APPROVED TRAVEL WIPES that kill 99.99% of germs*
- WET ONES INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED HAND WIPES, perfect for lunchboxes, sports bags, backpacks and more
- HAND SANITIZING WIPES that take care of germs and messes — Leaving hands feeling smooth, soft, and clean
I like to pack these Individually wrapped Wet Wipes for those times when you just need a wipe! These come in handy if you want to disinfect your hands before a meal or having a snack.
I love that you can pack just a few with you without having to bring along a huge pack.
Alternatively, you could bring a small hand sanitizer – but I prefer these wipes personally.
7) Band-Aids
- 80-count box of Band-Aid Brand Tru-Stay Sheer Strips Adhesive Bandages to help minor cuts and scrapes heal.
Pop a few Band-Aids into your bag. They literally take up no space and it will save you from having to hunt down a First Aid Station across the park.
8) Ziplock Bags
- One 90 count box of Ziploc Sandwich and Snack Bags perfect for storing and transporting sandwiches and snacks
- Each Ziploc Sandwich bag features an extended tab and an easy-grip texture that makes them easy to use
I like to pack at least one Ziploc Bag in my park bag because I like to put my phone in it on water rides.
Plastic bags are an easy way to protect your phone on those really wet rides.
Ziploc bags also come in handy for sharing snacks with little ones.
9) Snacks or Breakfast on the Go
We usually feed our kids breakfast in the hotel room – but I take a little longer to get ready in the morning and I have girls’ hair to do as well, so my breakfast is usually eaten as we wait for rope drop.
I like to pack granola bars for breakfast. We also pack along one snack for the family. Sometimes it’s a canister of Lay’s Stacks and other times it’s individually portioned chip bags.
Fruit Snacks are also a great option for a little pick-me up snack as you wait in a line.
Just remember – don’t pack anything that could melt – like chocolate!
10) Hair Ties
- Goody Elastics: Goody Ouchless Hair Elastics won’t snag or pull hair, so you get a strong, damage-free hold every time. Includes 17 multi-color elastics.
Make sure you have a couple of hair ties in your bag if you or your child has long hair. When it gets hot outside, it’s so nice to pull back your hair into a ponytail.
11) Small Cooler
- EASY TO CARRY: Padded top handle makes lunchbox easy to pull out of a bag and carry around
Our family likes to pack a soft sided cooler with 1 drink for each of us. This usually helps us to get to lunch time fully hydrated.
You might like to bring a refillable water bottle.
My family of 6 finds it tedious to carry that many refillable water bottles, so we just pack one disposable water bottle each so we don’t have to carry those bottles all day.
12) Umbrella
- Compact umbrella for travel: easily portable, our travel umbrella weighs 15 oz and folds down to a mere 11.5″ (29cm). It works great as a pocket umbrella, small umbrella for purse, and car umbrella
If it’s going to be a rainy day, it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella along. Ponchos are great but an umbrella really helps keeps you dry on another level.
13) Moleskin
- Thin design conforms to the foot and fits in all shoes
- Designed to stay on all day
- Cuttable Moleskin can be shaped to any size
Blisters tend to form when you least expect it. I like to keep some of this moleskin pre-cut in my park bag, in case I feel a blister forming.
14) MagicBand
If you have a Magic Band, don’t forget to wear it!
I like to put mine next to my park bag the night before so I don’t forget it.
Wondering how long a Magic Band lasts – here’s everything you need to know!
15) Ginger Candy
- RELIEF FOR OCCASIONAL UPSET STOMACH and tummy troubles so you can get on with your day.*
- 4 REMEDIES IN 1 DROP: An upset stomach can strike at any time for any number of reasons. Upspring Stomach Settle Drops are a soothing herbal solution for relief from occasional nausea from upset stomach, gas, bloating, motion sickness, and pregnancy morning sickness.* Our calming lemon ginger honey flavored drops are made with 4 remedies in 1 one – naturally sourced ginger, spearmint, and lemon, along with vitamin B6. They contain no synthetic colors, no artificial flavors, are gluten free and non-GMO. These drops are individually wrapped, discreet and easy-to-use for travel and on-the-go.
Do you or someone in your family tend to get motion sickness? This ginger candy is awesome for helping you feel better fast.
16) SeaBands
- Sea-Band: Sea-Band, motion sickness wristbands, help relieve nausea from morning sickness, chemotherapy, surgery, car sickness, etc; Sea-Band anti-nausea wristbands are safe, reusable and washable
My son and I wear SeaBands on certain rides at Disney World to help us avoid motion sickness.
To learn more about how to avoid motion sickness at Disney, you can check out our guide here.
17) Tissues
A small tissue pack is always a good idea!
18) Gum or Mints
Did you know that gum is not sold at Disney World? If you want gum you are going to want to bring it in with you.
19) Personal Items
- FLAVORFUL LIP BALM: One package contains four 0.15 oz. lip balm tubes of Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in Beeswax, Cucumber Mint, Watermelon and Sweet Mandarin flavors to moisturize and soften your lips
Don’t forget to pack all those personal items.
You might need things like feminine hygiene products or medications.
Some people like to pack lip balm, a small bottle of sunscreen to reapply, or a cooling towel.
If you have young kids you might need diapers, wipes, and a change of clothing.
20) Itinerary
Have reservations you need to keep track of? Did you make a plan for your day? Be sure keep a copy in your park bag.
21) Map of Park
A map of the park is always fun.
Yes, the My Disney Experience App can function as a map, but there’s just something about using the paper park map that is fun for kids (and me!)
You can find a park map at the front gate of the park.
22) Glow Sticks
Planning on staying late? Be sure to pop a pack of glowsticks into your park bag. This will save you a lot of cash when the park gets dark and the light up toys start to attract the attention of your young children.
Glow bracelets also make a great distraction to play with while your child waits for night time shows to begin.
23) Weather appropriate Gear
If it’s one of the cooler months, you might want to pack a light jacket, hat or mittens.
24) Autograph Book
- Comes with alphabet stickers for personalizing
If you want to get autographs from the Disney Characters, be sure to bring your autograph book with a pen – or better yet a retractable sharpie.
Cast Members have said that retractable sharpies are easier for Characters to write with as they sign your child’s book.
- Same great Sharpie ink, now in a fine point retractable marker that allows easy, one-handed operation- just click and mark
Free Printable Checklist
Ready to print your list of all the essential items?
Just click the download button below to grab this free printable checklist for what to pack in your Disney World park bag.
Download Checklist here:
More Disney Vacation Planning Tips
Looking for more Disney World Vacation tips and advice? We’ve got you covered.
You can find the best Rides for Toddlers at Magic Kingdom here.
There’s a fun list of the Best Souvenirs at Disney here. Know what to scope out at the gift shops at Disney.
Gluten free? Find all the best Gluten Free Food options at both sit down and quick service restaurants here.
On a budget? Find our best Money Saving Tips for your Disney Vacation here.
Check out all the Best Rides in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. We’ve ranked them, best to worst!
Want to watch videos on Disney? Here’s a list of the most helpful Disney World YouTube Channels to check out.
Want to save this these ideas for later? Pin the image below to your Disney Vacation Planning board on Pinterest.
