Disney Park Bag Packing List: by Bag Type

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Wondering what to pack for a day in the parks? Take a look at our Disney Park Bag Packing List broken down by bag type!

Planning your perfect Disney day? One of the most important decisions you’ll make (besides which attraction to hit first!) is what kind of bag to bring to the parks. The right bag can make or break your experience—it needs to be comfortable, functional, and spacious enough to hold all your essentials without weighing you down. Whether you’re a minimalist who only needs the basics or someone who likes to be prepared for every possible scenario, we’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into the best bag options for a magical day at Disney. ✨

At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you don’t need to worry about where to stash your belongings while enjoying the attractions—bags and backpacks are allowed on all rides! This means you can keep your essentials with you at all times, making your park day a breeze.

At Universal Orlando, things work a little differently. Many of their rides require guests to store bags and loose items in complimentary lockers before boarding. These lockers are conveniently located near the attractions but tend to be on the smaller side, so packing lighter is definitely the way to go when visiting their parks. For larger bags, paid lockers are available, but minimizing what you bring can save both time and hassle.

To make choosing the perfect park bag even easier, we’ve broken down a packing guide based on bag size and style. Whether you’re opting for a versatile backpack, a compact sling bag, or the ever-fabulous and hands-free fanny pack, we’ve got recommendations tailored to your park-day needs!

Backpack

If you’re planning a long day in the parks or are traveling with a large group or little ones, a backpack is your best friend. It provides plenty of space for all the essentials: snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, extra clothes, and even those adorable souvenirs you pick up along the way. Look for one with padded straps for comfort and multiple compartments for easy organization. 

Sling Bag

For a slightly smaller option that still holds the must-haves, a sling bag is a great choice. These are perfect for solo travelers or couples who want to stay light while still keeping necessities like a portable charger, wallet, and water bottle within easy reach.

Fanny Pack

For the ultimate in simplicity and style, you can’t go wrong with a fanny pack! It’s ideal for those who like to keep things minimal—think phone, wallet, and a travel-size sunscreen. Plus, it’s small enough that you can breeze through security checkpoints and often keep it on during rides at any park. **See HERE our article on what to pack in your fanny pack for the parks.

No matter which bag you choose, the key is packing smart and staying comfortable so you can focus on what really matters: making magical memories!

Items to consider packing depending on your trip and bag size:

  • Cell phone
  • Park tickets or Magic Band
  • Lanyards – for offsite guests to hold park tickets
  • Battery pack and charging cables – don’t cheap out here. Bringing a good quality battery pack that can charge your device more than once is important. There’s nothing worse than having a dead cell phone at Magic Kingdom halfway through the afternoon. 
  • Photo ID and credit card – let’s be honest here, Magic Bands a great, but sometimes technology fails and you need a backup plan
  • Sunscreen 
  • Lip balm
  • Fan or mister
  • Wet wipes 
  • Bandaids
  • Autograph book & pen – some characters have big hands, so larger click-style sharpies are perfect. 
  • Park maps
  • Water bottles – you can fill up at any water fountain or ask for complimentary ice water wherever you see a fountain drink station throughout the parks. 
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • Ponchos or raincoat – not only is there a lot of liquid sunshine in Florida, but you might want to have a poncho or raincoat for rides like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids. 
  • Portable fan or mister 
  • Sunscreen – we already mentioned sunscreen but it’s worth repeating.
  • Sunglasses – not only for yourself, but for the kids in your party.
  • Light jacket or fleece – it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings and you don’t want to get stuck buying one at the gift shop if you don’t have to. 
  • Any medications you take regularly
  • Epipen for guests with allergies
  • Mini first aid kit – we like to include bandaids, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, antacids, etc. Each theme park has a first aid station, but it’s nice to have your own supplies on hand.
  • Antibacterial wipes or gel
  • Tissues
  • Bug Spray
  • Glow sticks and bracelets – we like to stock up at a discount/dollar store.
  • Coins for pressing – there are fun penny press machines throughout the parks. Each press will require 1 penny to press, and 2 quarters to operate the machine. You can reuse a mini M&M container or a cleaned pill bottle to hold them in. 
  • Bubbles 
  • Sticker sheets
  • Dollar activity packs
  • Snacks – you can bring all the snacks you want into the parks. Goldfish crackers, trail mix, fruit and cheese sticks are some of our favorite snacks to pack. 

Weather related items:

  • Ponchos or raincoat – not only is there a lot of liquid sunshine in Florida, but you might want to have a poncho or raincoat for rides like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids. 
  • Portable fan or mister 
  • Sunscreen – we already mentioned sunscreen but it’s worth repeating.
  • Sunglasses – not only for yourself, but for the kids in your party.
  • Light jacket or fleece – it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings and you don’t want to get stuck buying one at the gift shop if you don’t have to. 

 

Health and first aid:

  • Any medications you take regularly
  • Epipen for guests with allergies
  • Mini first aid kit – we like to include bandaids, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, antacids, etc. Each theme park has a first aid station, but it’s nice to have your own supplies on hand.
  • Antibacterial wipes or gel
  • Tissues
  • Bug Spray

Kids items:

  • Glow sticks and bracelets – we like to stock up at a discount/dollar store.
  • Coins for pressing – there are fun penny press machines throughout the parks. Each press will require 1 penny to press, and 2 quarters to operate the machine. You can reuse a mini M&M container or a cleaned pill bottle to hold them in. 
  • Bubbles 
  • Sticker sheets
  • Dollar activity packs
  • Snacks – you can bring all the snacks you want into the parks. Goldfish crackers, trail mix, fruit and cheese sticks are some of our favorite snacks to pack. 

Misc:

  • Small towel – great for wiping off wet seats on rainy days.
  • Light blanket – perfect for sitting on during the parades and for staying warm in the cool evenings while watching the fireworks! 
  • Change of clothes – kids have accidents, and fluffy princess dresses get hot, so throw an extra set of clothes into your bag to avoid possible meltdowns. 

Your best tool in packing for the parks is your travel advisor! If you are looking for some inside tips, contact our partner agency, Winds in the East Travel today!

**This article contains links that earn commission from Amazon.

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