Many people get overwhelmed when it comes to packing a bag for a day in the Disney parks. There’s often an internal struggle between wanting to be minimalist (so you don’t have to carry a bunch of unnecessary items around all day) and wanting to be prepared (so you don’t get caught in a situation that would potentially dampen your day).
This article will give you an overview of some of the most common essential items for your Disney park bag. Having these items within arms reach will set you up for a successful day.
Also, it’s always good to be reminded that you aren’t traveling to the middle of the wilderness! If you truly have an issue arise where you are in immediate need of something you didn’t pack, chances are you can find it in the park. There are gift shops everywhere that carry park day basics, and each park has a First Aid station should you need something in terms of medical care or supplies.
With that being said, here are 10 items you want to carry with you for your Disney days:
Magic Band or Park Ticket – It might seem obvious, but don’t forget your park ticket, whether that be a Magic Band or physical ticket. Keep in mind you can also just use your mobile ticket via the My Disney Experience app, but many guests find it easier to use a physical method. If you are using an actual park ticket (which looks like a hotel key card), you may also want to consider a lanyard to attach it to for easy access throughout the day.
Hand Sanitizer – You will be in many crowded places with lots of people throughout the day. It’s good practice to sanitize your hands after getting off rides, before eating meals, and just randomly throughout the day to minimize the spread of germs.
Sunscreen – Did I mention that Florida is hot and sunny? While it’s good practice to apply sunscreen in the morning before you even leave your resort, it will also be necessary to reapply throughout the day. Consider taking a small travel size sunscreen or the roll on sunscreen stick to minimize space in your bag.
Sunglasses/Hat/Visor – Florida is sunny! You will either want to wear something or have something with you that will protect your face and eyes from the sun. It’s also not a bad idea to have a sunglasses case or strap so you are able to easily transition from the outside sun to the dark inside ride queues easily.
Portable Charger – You probably don’t need to be reminded to bring your cell phone, but you might not think to pack a portable charger. Phone batteries drain quickly at Disney so make sure to bring some type of small charging device to help your battery last throughout the entire day.
Refillable Water Bottle – You can save yourself a lot of money if you don’t have to purchase water every time you are thirsty. Consider bringing a reusable water bottle that you can fill from the various water stations around the park, including all quick service dining locations, which will provide free cups of water and ice that you can pour into your own bottle. You can also bring your own bottled water in a small soft-sided cooler.
Snacks – Take note: hanger doesn’t just happen to the kids! Disney allows you to bring in outside food and beverages (with the exception of no alcohol and no glass containers), so it’s a good idea to pack a few snacks in your bag. It can be simple things like crackers or granola bars, but just having something to reach for until you get to your next meal can help keep everyone’s mood happy and energy level high.
Ponchos – Some months at Disney are known to be more prone to rainy weather than others, however ponchos are generally a small and compact item that you can carry with you regardless. The nice thing about rain in Disney is that many times it comes and goes quickly, but having a method to keep yourself dry in the instance of a pop up shower can make a big difference in being soaking wet versus being dry and comfortable to carry on with your day.
Portable Fan or Cooling Towel – These are items that tend to come in handy during the summer months, but when it’s hot you will appreciate having a method for cooling yourself on hand. There are various types of fans you can get (i.e. neck fan, handheld fan, etc), but many of them are small enough that they don’t take up a ton of space in your bag.
Sweatshirt or Light Jacket – This is another seasonal consideration, but from October through March you will likely find it useful to have a light jacket for the early mornings and/or late evenings. If you wear it when you leave the resort in the morning, be sure to have room in your backpack or park bag to store it when it gets warm enough outside.
Keep in mind that your packing essentials list will likely vary if you have small children or babies in your party, in which case you’ll need things like bottles and diapering essentials, but this list should serve as a really great starting point for your basic packing purposes.
As a Smart Moms Travel Agent, a big part of my job is to help you feel prepared for your park days, including everything from determining your priority attractions to creating a successful packing list for your trip. For more tips and tricks and all the latest news coming out of Disney, subscribe to the blog and follow me on Instagram @theorganizeddisneymom.
Not working with a Smart Moms Travel agent yet, but looking for help to plan your family’s upcoming Disney trip? I would be happy to work with you to develop a personalized Disney strategy that meets your family’s needs. You can click here to enlist my help for free!
