Packing your Disney park bag is an art. You want to make sure you have everything you are going to need, right? As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
On the other hand, you don’t want to be lugging a huge heavy bag around all day in the blazing sun.
After a lot of trial and error, here are the must-have items you are going to want to make sure you pack for a day at the Disney parks.
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Top 15 Must-Have Items for Your Disney Park Bag
1. Portable phone charger
From Genie + to mobile order to snapping pictures by the castle, you will use your phone A LOT during your day at Disney.
You are definitely going to want to have a portable charger to make sure you don’t end up with a dead phone battery before you make it to the fireworks.
I have always had a good experience with Anker products. I find they work well and are reasonably priced.
Anker Portable Charger
2. Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is so important while you’re at Disney. But you don’t want to end up wasting time and money buying bottled water every time you need a drink.
We love to pack these water bottles because they are Disney-themed and keep your water super cold even on a really hot day. They are easy to fill up when you stop for meals or snacks. We also pack the smaller version for our kids.
Simple Modern Disney Water Bottle
3. Sunscreen
This is another item you are definitely going to want to pack unless you want to spend your vacation with a painful sunburn.
You can buy sunscreen at the parks, but you will end up paying way more for it. I like the spray sunscreen because it is so easy and quick.
Banana Boat Sport Performance Cool Zone
My absolute sunscreen for my face is the one below. I use it year-round as a makeup primer and it also protects me from the sun.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
4. Lip Balm with Sunscreen
While we are on the topic of sun protection, don’t forget your lips! The heat and air conditioning can make my lips really dry.
This is my favorite lip balm to use when I’m going to be out in the sun.
COOLA Organic Liplux Lip Balm and Sunscreen
5. Sunglasses
I can’t be trusted with expensive sunglasses, especially on vacation. I like these because they look great, and they’re inexpensive enough that I can have a backup pair if they get lost.
SOJOS Classic Round Sunglasses
6. Rain Ponchos
Ok, I will admit this one isn’t super exciting or fun. But neither is paying $100 for ponchos for your family in the park when it starts to rain. Plus, if you are superstitious like me, just having these in your bag makes it more likely you’ll have sunny weather, right?
HAGON PRO Disposable Rain Ponchos
7. Cooling Towels
These are great to have to help you cool down on a hot, sunny day.
I like this brand because they cool really well and they are lightweight.
Mission Original Cooling Towel
8. Misting Fan
Misting fans are awesome for two reasons. 1.) They are really refreshing when it gets hot. 2.) They can provide endless entertainment for your kids while you are waiting in lines.
On our first trip to Disney with our kids we broke down and bought a misting bottle in Magic Kingdom. It was expensive, bulky, and leaked all over.
Since then we won’t be caught in the parks without packing our own.
HandFan Portable Handheld Misting Fan
9. Reusable Straws
Disney has phased out plastic straws because of their environmental impact. If you are like me, and can’t stand soggy paper straws, you may want to consider packing reusable straws. These are great because they are dishwasher safe.
Softy Straws Premium Reusable Drinking Straws
10. Reusable Storage Bags
These are great for packing snacks to bring with you to the parks. We always like to have goldfish crackers and pretzels with us in case someone gets hungry.
Bring some empty bags to pack up those giant cookies or treats that your kids don’t finish so you can save them for later.
These bags are also great for keeping things dry in the rain or on water rides.
Reusable Food Storage Bags
11. Lightweight Sweatshirt
It probably seems like you won’t need a sweater in Disney World, but the air conditioning can get pretty cold.
I can’t tell you how many times someone in our group gets cold at night while we’re waiting for the fireworks to start. You can save yourself from buying a $60 sweatshirt by bringing your own.
Hanes Women’s Full Zip Slub Cotton Jersey Hoodie
12. Minnie Mouse Ears
There is something about wearing a pair of Minnie ears that makes the day feel more fun.
I like to pack these in my park bag because they are lighter and a bit smaller than the version you can buy in the parks. They are a lot less expensive too!
Mouse Ears Bow Headbands
13. Hand Sanitizer
This one goes without saying nowadays. While there are still sanitizer stations all over the parks, they are often empty. I like to have my own with me, and this one smells nice.
Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray
14. Wipes
I always have wipes in my bag, even now that my kids are a bit older. They are great to have for sticky hands, drippy ice creams, and dirty tables.
Babyganics Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Wipes
15. Autograph Book
Disney meet and greets are back, YAY! You can now hug your favorite characters in the parks and get them to sign your autograph book.
Bonus tip: Bring a sharpie or a chunky pen to make it easier for costumed characters to sign.
Disney Mickey and Friends Autograph Book
There you have it. These are my picks for what you really NEED to bring in your Disney Park bag.
Leave me a comment and let me know what is the most important item you always bring with you to the parks?
