From the enchanting rides and beloved characters to the overall feeling of magic in the air — there’s nothing quite like a Walt Disney World vacation! And while you may already have your itinerary, park tickets, and an epic Disney-themed vacation rental all picked out, what about your park bag?
If you’re planning to spend the day at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” you’ll need some essentials. Here’s everything you need to know on how to pack for your perfect day at Disney.
Disney Bag Rules
Photo Credit: Mike_shots
First things first, let’s cover what type of bag you can bring and what items are prohibited at Disney Parks.
Bag Size
Disney doesn’t place restrictions on the type of bag you can bring, but bag size is important. Bags must be no larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high. So, yes — you can bring your favorite Mickey Mouse Loungefly Backpack on your Disney trip!
Security Rules
All bags brought into Disney Parks will also have to pass through a security screening, so don’t try to sneak in a larger bag (or any prohibited items, or you may face having to head back to the car to store your things.
Prohibited Items
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When packing your park bag, be sure not to bring any of the following prohibited items:
- Selfie sticks or any devices with an extendable pole
- Drones or any type of remote-controlled device or toy
- Firearms, knives, or weapons of any kind, including pepper spray
- Alcohol, cannabis, or any illegal substances
- Glass containers (excluding baby food)
- Loose ice (reusable ice packs for food and drink are permitted)
- Whistles, horns, or noisemakers
- Fireworks of any type, including sparklers
- Plastic straws (not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
The Best Bag to Bring to Disney Parks
When deciding which bag you’ll bring to the park, it’s important to consider what fits the size requirements, has room for all of your essentials, and, most importantly, is comfortable — after all, you’ll be carrying this with you all day.
A Bag for Every Type of Park Goer
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For some parkgoers, especially those traveling with children and a stroller, a tote bag, diaper bag, or backpack might be the best choice. For those who can travel a little lighter, a mini backpack, crossbody bag, or fanny pack might do the trick. Whatever bag you decide to bring, consider one with adjustable straps and water-resistant material for optimal comfort and durability.
Secure Closures
You’ll also want to ensure that your bag is secure. Open compartments, loose straps, or unsecured closures don’t fare well on some of the rides. To avoid losing anything, make sure your bag has secure closures.
Most rides have an area to secure your bag, or it can be stowed at your feet. A few rides, such as Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, offer free lockers for guests to secure their belongings while on the ride.
Packing Your Disney World Park Bag
Photo Credit: bagstory
When getting ready for a day at Disney Parks, you’ll want to ensure you have all the essentials, some optional comfort items, and fun extras (if you have the space). Let us break it down for you:
Park Essentials
- Identification: A photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport
- Currency: Credit cards and/or some cash for purchases
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Hand sanitizer or wipes: For quick cleanups and wiping down seats, tables, etc.
- Water bottle: To stay hydrated, there are filling stations throughout the park
- Packable poncho: For unexpected rain or to keep dry on water rides
- Medications: Any prescriptions or essential medications you might need throughout the day
- Charging bank and cables: For your cell phone and any other electronics
- Extra batteries/chargers: For any battery-operated camera equipment
- Mini fan: A must-have when visiting during the summer
- Hair ties: If you have long hair
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to tailor these essentials accordingly, i.e., child-safe sunscreen, your kid’s favorite snacks, juice boxes, etc. For babies, make sure you bring enough diapers, wipes, bottles, and/or baby food for the whole day. Disney also sells most of these items in its Baby Care Centers in case you forget anything or unexpectedly run out.
Optional Comfort Items
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- Snacks: If you want to save a little time and money, pack some snacks, but stick to non-perishables like protein bars, crackers, nuts, or fruit, or bring ice packs to keep everything cool
- Mini first-aid kit: Bring a few bandaids in case of blisters and some headache and stomach medicine, just in case (you can also purchase these items in the parks)
- Ziploc bags: Helpful to keep important items dry in a rainstorm or while on water rides
- Light jacket: In case you get cold while indoors or if visiting during cooler periods
- Cooling towel: A “nice-to-have” item during the summer to help stay cool
- Extra pair of socks: In case you get drenched on a water ride or caught in a downpour (walking in wet socks is a recipe for blisters)
- Personal care items: Things you might need to freshen up throughout the day, like eye drops, chafing sticks, mini deodorant, lip balm, wipes, travel lotion, etc.
- Headphones: To use during downtime or to block out noise (can be especially helpful for little ones with sensory issues)
- Fidget spinners or small toys: To occupy little ones while waiting in long lines
Fun Extras
Photo Credit: ItzaVU
- Mickey Ears: If you want to snag those Instagram-worthy shots you’ve seen from all your favorite Disney influencers (don’t worry, you can purchase these in the parks too)
- Character autograph book and pen: Makes a great keepsake, especially for kids (you can find these on Amazon or Etsy beforehand, or purchase them at the park)
- Coins: For the coin press machines, if you want to take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir
Packing for Florida Weather
Keep an eye on the weather forecast while packing your Disney bag. While ponchos and mini-fans are great additions to the essentials list, depending on the forecast for your visit, you may want some additional items.
If it looks like it’ll be a rainy day, you may want to bring towels, a change of clothes, or additional rain gear like umbrellas or rain jackets.
The Florida heat can be intense during the summer, so you may want to consider bringing extra cooling gear, sun jackets, and perhaps some electrolyte tablets or sports drinks in your bag to stay hydrated. Underestimating the weather is one of the most common mistakes Disney parkgoers make, so make sure you’re prepared!
Packing Tips for the Park
While there are endless items you could bring to make your day at Disney more enjoyable, it’s also important to streamline your packing.
- Keep it light: The last thing you want is sore shoulders or back pain from lugging around a heavy bag all day.
- Prioritize comfort: If you’re stuck between making room in your bag for something fun vs. something for comfort, go with the comfort item. Plus, you can buy lots of fun souvenirs while you’re in the park.
- Decide what to bring vs. buy: While packing your own snacks and drinks is never a bad idea, if you’re short on space, you can buy these items in the park. Plus, you’ll probably want to try some of those iconic Disney treats anyway. Other items like mini-fans, ponchos, socks, etc., can also be purchased in the park if you find yourself needing them but don’t have the space in your bag beforehand.
- Utilize the lockers: Whether you overpacked your bag or bought too many souvenirs, don’t forget that Disney has lockers you can use if your bag starts to feel a little too heavy.
How to Choose the Most Magical Vacation Home
The fun doesn’t have to stop once you leave the theme park. Book your stay with Element Vacation Homes for never-ending fun for the whole family with themed rooms, private pools, arcades, mini-golf, Tiki bars, and much more.
You’ll be just minutes from Walt Disney World, and all the other can’t miss Central Florida attractions, so you can keep the magic going throughout your entire stay!
