When I’m in the parks, I see all types of guests walking around. I see guests with oversized backpacks weighing them down or no bags; courageous people. After going to Disney consistently for the past few years, I have masted what needs to be packed in your park bag. There are some essential items that guests should always carry with them when visiting. And yes, the articles do vary based on the season.
Before we get into what’s in the bag, we have to narrow down the type of bag. I have three different kinds of bags that I have deemed perfect for the parks depending on the circumstances or time of year.
Hip sacks or Fanny Packs
These small bags worn on your waist or across your chest are great for quick trips to the park or for guests that need enough space for a phone, wallet, and portable charger. I use mine when I’m just going in for the evening for a quick trip, meaning that I know I’ll be out in two hours. I can fit my wallet, phone, portable charger, chapstick, and hand sanitizer in this bag, which are essential items.
Loungefly or other Small Bags
Loungefly bags and bags of a similar style are the perfect sizes for an entire park day, especially in summer. These bags can fit a rain jacket, small umbrella, wallet, phone, portable charger, and more. This is my go-to bag because it can hold many items and is lightweight.
Bookbags
Bookbags are not ideal because they can get heavy and take up a lot of space on attractions, but they are essential for winter. In Central Florida, it can get chilly, and the way to survive is by wearing layers. You can wake up to 48 degrees outside, and by lunchtime, it’s back to 70. These larger bags have space for those layers you remove and must put back on when the sun sets. In this bag, you can also fit snacks and medications.
Now that we have analyzed the different types of bags let’s list the essentials by season.
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Extra Socks (because of the rain)
- Deodorant (the humidity is not friendly in this department)
- Portable Fan
- Portable Charger
- Rain Jacket/Poncho
Fall/Winter Essentials
- Sunscreen (the sun is always intense here)
- Portable Charger
- Extra jacket, scarf, or mittens
- Water
As you can see, some items were repeated in the second section. Having a portable charger with you at the parks has become essential in recent years. The My Disney Experience App will drain your battery quickly, but unfortunately, it’s something you need to have. This app shows wait times, allows guests to make dining reservations, manage tickets, make Lightning Lanes, and use Disney Genie.
Having water at all times is another vital thing to keep with you. It is easy to forget to drink water when it’s cooler outside, but it’s important to remember that dehydration can happen at any temperature. Speaking of temperature, sunscreen is essential. The sun is intense at all times of the year here, so it’s necessary to protect your skin at all times. I wonder if any of you agree or have other items to add to the list.
What do you put in your Disney park bag? Let us know in the comments!