What will you need for a day at Disney World? What kinds of things should you pack for in your Disney World park bag for an enjoyable day? If you’ve never been to Disney World or maybe it’s been a while, you may be unsure what you’d like to carry with you. We have some suggestions as to what we recommend that you pack in your Disney World park bag for a magical day in the parks.
For Everyone
We think the following items are useful whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with a family.
Hand Sanitizer: Even before the pandemic, it has always been important to have a way to clean your hands on the go. There are a lot of people touching the same rides, queues, and more so you’ll want to keep your hands clean throughout the day and before meals. We recommend bringing some travel size hand sanitizer. We especially love these alcohol free hand sanitizer wipes for kids.
Sunscreen: It’s sunny almost year round in Florida! Even if you are traveling in the winter, there’s a good chance that you’ll enjoy some sunny days and will still want to have some sunscreen to apply throughout the day. It’s MUCH cheaper to bring with you than to have to purchase it from a gift shop in the parks.
Portable Phone Charger: Between taking pictures and videos of your magical memories and checking and making dining reservations and FastPass+ selections in your My Disney Experience account, there’s a good chance that your phone battery won’t last all day in the parks. We recommend a portable phone charger to keep your phone charged throughout your day. I’ve heard great things about this Anker portable charger.
Sunglasses:
Water Bottle: You can always ask for a free cup of ice water at any quick service dining location, but in the heat, it can be nice to have your own water bottle to carry with you and refill throughout the parks. If you’re sensitive to the taste of Florida tap water, you may want to bring a drink flavoring. We love collapsible water bottles to save space in your bag when not in use.
Gum: Did you know that you cannot purchase gum at Disney World? It’s true! If you want to enjoy a piece of gum during your visit, you’ll have to bring some with you! We recommend ordering a multipack from Amazon so you won’t run out.
First Aid Kit: From blisters from uncomfortable shoes to scrapes, you never know when you may need a band-aid or even some Neosporin. These Johnson & Johnson Mini First Aid Kits are the perfect size to toss in your bag and go!
Mickey (or Minnie) Ears: Is any park outfit complete without “ears?” There are SO many to choose from! You can show off your style, favorite characters, and more designs. We love these navy blue ears with pink polka dots or you’ll never go wrong with the classic Mickey ears hat. You can even order an inexpensive 3-pack of Minnie ears.
Ziploc Bags: Ziploc bags can prove useful in the parks for a number of reasons! If you have a quick rain shower and end up with wet clothes, have leftover snacks without a resealable container, or a little one with an accident, you may be thankful for carrying a few Ziploc bags in your Disney World park bag.
Lanyards: If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you’ll receive a complimentary magic band with your reservation so you don’t have to worry about carrying a hard card ticket, but you may want to try pin trading. How cute is this Mickey Mouse lanyard or this Star Wars lanyard?
Additional Items When Traveling with Kids
We think the following items are helpful to have in your park bag when you’re traveling with kids.
Mickey Mouse Stroller Hook: Regardless of the size of your stroller, it can be helpful to have an extra place to hang things. We love this Mickey Mouse stroller hook from Petunia Pickle Bottom for hanging jackets, bags, and even the resort refillable drink mugs.
Stroller Tag: If you’ve been to the parks before, then you probably know how many strollers are in the stroller parking areas. With all those strollers so close together, it can be difficult to quickly and easily find yours (especially since cast members often move them so there aren’t open spaces). A fun activity before you go would be to make a sign to hang on your stroller. If you aren’t very crafty or are short on time, these rainbow pom poms can be great to hang on the handle.
Autograph Book (and Sharpie or pen): If you’re planning to meet any characters during your visit, you may want an autograph book for them to sign, especially during character meals. Some guests even like the Disney Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters so each character can sign their corresponding page. Don’t forget to bring a Sharpie or pen for the characters to use as many handlers don’t carry any for you.
Light Up Toys: Light up toys are SO popular in the parks! Kids love playing with these light up toys while they wait for nighttime spectaculars like Happily Ever After. This two pack of Mickey Mouse flashing wands are perfect to keep the Disney magic going. We also love this six pack of flashing Mickey Mouse necklaces or two pack of snowflake wands for any Frozen fan!
Bubble Wand: Bubble toys are another popular souvenir in the parks! These toys can set you back about $25 though so we always try to bring one with us. We love this coloring changing LED bubble wand for less than $15!
Glow Sticks: Glow sticks are a fun and inexpensive treat for the kids while you enjoy the parks at night. You can order a multi-pack of glow sticks so the kids can wear some (or even share with other kids) every night of your stay.
Reusable Straws: Disney Parks have removed plastic straws from the theme parks and resorts. They do offer paper straws at most locations, but these can be difficult for kids to use or even anyone enjoying a frozen beverage. You can bring these stainless steel straws or these collapsible silicone straws that come with a carrying case.
Additional Items When Traveling in the Summer
We think these items are extra useful when traveling in the summer or for our guests who are sensitive to the heat.
Cooling Towels: Cooling towels don’t take up a lot of space in your bag, but can really help keep you cool! These cooling towels use moisture from the towel to draw the sweat away from your skin and stay cool for up to 3 hours! You can order a four pack here.
Handheld Fan or Misting Spray Fan: A handheld fan or misting spray fan can come in handy while waiting for the Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom or just walking throughout the parks. Most of the spray fans are battery operated while many of the handheld fans can be charged with a USB port so you can even use your portable charger for your fan! You can order a misting fan here or a handheld fan here.
Print your own Disney Park Bag checklist here:
We also have a list of ten things to make traveling with a toddler easier.
What do you bring in your Disney World park bag?
