What Goes In My Park Bag
The park bag. It's a much discussed topic among Walt Disney World regulars. Some swear that now that there is bag search and free ice water at Quick Service locations, a park bag is unnecessary. Others still pack a bag with great care and argue over what goes in it.
In today's blog, I want to share what goes in my park bag. Keep in mind that what works for me might not work for everyone. If you have little kids still in diapers or in need of a stroller, for example, that changes the game. Or if you are saving money by bringing in your own cooler and food, again, that changes the game.
Personally, I prefer to opt for a cross body backpack. I currently have a lime green Baggallini which I love because it's bright, has lots of pockets, isn't so large that it can't fit on a ride, and is water resistant so barring submersion or a downpour for more than a half hour, it keeps things pretty dry. My favorite feature of my backpack is the pocket located on the strap itself, which puts it right about at my chest. This pocket is not big, but it's big enough to hold a credit card or two. Very nice when paying for things at food carts or gift shops.
When I pack my park bag, I have taken to using gallon size Ziploc bags to organize items and keep things separate. This helps me organize my bag in the morning depending on my plans for the day. Security at bag check also seems to appreciate this too because they can move the clear bags around and see what's in them without having to mess up the contents of my bag. It makes bag search so much quicker.
So what's in these Ziploc bags? Here's what I typically have in my park bag:
At least one refillable water bottle
Debit card and small amount of cash in the front strap
Magic bands (usually on my wrist)
Sunscreen
Hat, visor, or sunglasses
Ponchos (depending on weather forecast and rides I'm planning)
A light layer for later like a cardigan or windbreaker
Blister bandaids
Antibacterial gel
Gum (you can't buy it on property, so bring it in if you want it)
My phone (which also serves as my camera)
Some trivia or brain teaser cards to keep us busy if we find ourselves in a long queue
Possibly an autograph book and large sharpie-style pen
Possibly my pin trading pins if I plan to do any trading
There are a few things I never need in my park bag. These include:
Bug Spray - through the "magic of Disney", I have never been bothered by bugs in the parks
More than $40 cash - Disney is almost fully card friendly at this point. Cash is useful mostly for tips only or some "street vendors" like balloon vendors or theater vendors
Blankets for sitting on during a parade - there won't be room. Just trust me on this one. Parades are not some sort of spread out event at Walt Disney World. They are jam-packed. But the good news is, the pavement at Disney is immaculately clean.
Expensive and large cameras - unless you were going just to do professional photography, leave the big camera behind. It's going to get heavy and you'll worry about it getting smashed on rides or in crowds. Same is true for selfie sticks, though this item is not only a suggestion, but a banned item from the parks.... you CAN'T bring a selfie stick. Sorry.
Snacks - I can understand having some snacks on hand for picky and unpredictable children. But as an adult with a grade school to preteen aged child, it's no longer necessary. There are so many great snacks at Walt Disney World and you're going to want them instead of your banana in your bag.
I feel a bit like a Capitol One commercial, but what's in YOUR park bag? Share with us in the comments or on our Facebook page. We'll see you next week!
