First, we'll explore the type of park bags we like to use. If you're going to be pushing a stroller then you will have a lot more room to store things than the rest of us so go ahead and take as much as you can pack. Anyone without a stroller will need to consider the size of the bag they want to carry and the absolute necessities for a day at the park(s). We consider ourselves minimalists but there are some super efficient people out there that put our good planning to shame. These are the fanny-pack-toting people of the world, and most have upgraded to the new running belts. No idea what I'm talking about? Take a look:
These handy belts can be found at a lot of stores now - even Groupon and Walmart. Prices start at $10-$15 and they appear to be a good solution for someone that just needs the basics. I have not tried them myself yet but it's a very attractive solution! The best part is that these belts can hide under your shirt so nobody has to know you're wearing one, which may mean that you don't have to go through bag check at security (the same as putting these items inside cargo pockets on your pants) and it may keep you safer in the parks by not advertising your belongings.
Another minimalist solution is the cross-body bag. This often functions as a purse but is small in size and is meant to wear across the body for comfort and security. These bags aren't designed to hold huge wallets so be sure to plan accordingly and only take what you'll need. I will often use the cross-body bag on days when I don't feel like reaching for Patrick's backpack every 10 seconds to grab my phone or chapstick.
Similar to the cross-body bag, Disney also has a few options available in their souvenir stores and online. My favorite is this Haunted Mansion-inspired cross-body smartphone bag that is big enough for a phone, an ID, and a credit card or two. I tried to fit my phone in this case on my last Disneyland trip and I am sorry to report that my iPhone 7 was too big. There were plenty of other options, though!
And finally, we arrive at my final suggestion: the trusty backpack. A lot of families take backpacks into the parks and stuff them full of snacks, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen but the person tasked with carrying those heavy bags often appears worn out by midday. As mentioned, Patrick carries our backpack most of the day but we never pack our bag full and we try to utilize a small daypack whenever possible. The only time we upgrade the size of our bag is when we need to carry an extra pair of shoes (planning for water rides, usually). Remember, if you have a MagicBand then your room key, credit card, park tickets, and fastpasses are already on your wrist and that takes a lot of the necessary items off of your park bag list!
Next let's talk about securing your bags on certain rides. I'll keep this brief because you'll have to find what works best for you but we've found that keeping your bag completely dry on a water ride is nearly impossible. You would have to hold your bag on your lap and be completely covered by a poncho to accomplish this feat but most Disney castmembers won't give you enough time to make it happen before sending you to your watery doom. Disney parks have lockers available so if you are carrying something that absolutely can't get wet and can't be placed in a plastic bag inside your park bag (medication, important documents, etc.), then you may want to consider stowing your belongings for a short time.
Rides with inverted loops are another concern and I mostly mention them because I nearly lost my bag on Rock n' Rollercoaster my first trip. Since then, I've learned to either keep my cross-body bag on my person (if the cast member doesn't find it unsafe) or loop the straps of the bag around my feet. Make sure all zippers are closed, too!
Now we'll move on to the main topic of this post - the packing list for a park bag. For this purpose, we'll consider the options that everyone could use and then move on to more customized suggestions. Here is what we take in our bag on an average day:
- chapstick with spf
- sunscreen (usually a spray bottle for easier application)
- band-aids
- sunglasses (worn most of the day)
- allergy, headache, routine medication
- park maps
- phones
- identification (especially if planning to partake in adult beverages)
- backup credit card in case MagicBand doesn't work or systems go down
- snacks, water, gum
- plastic ziploc bags to keep phones dry on water rides
Families may also consider taking the aforementioned wet wipes and hand sanitizer, necessary baby or toddler items, souvenirs that have been purchased ahead of time (to save money from not buying them in the parks), and tissues. I'm sure there are items I've missed but please let us know what you take to the parks so we can all benefit from this learning experience! I'm always looking for a more efficient way to carry my stuff in the parks and I would love to get your feedback :-)
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