Those Park Bags...What Do You Really Need?

If you are anything like me - every single thing goes in your park bag. This includes things you never need, things you sometimes need, and as usual the things you actually need were...left out. Let's diagnose this problem and get a fully functional park bag.

Picking Your Bag

Certainly, we weren't going to talk park bags without actually talking about the bag itself, right? Here are a few options for park bags to consider:

1. Loungefly - you've seen them. The trendy little backpacks that come in every adorable print imaginable with new ones added literally every day. These guys are small but they are mighty in what they can hold! Some have side pockets, some have that snazzy front zip pocket, and I've even seen one that has an extra pocket to store your Minnie ears.

2. Regular Backpack - sometimes what you have on hand is what works best! I have seen plenty of standard backpacks around the parks, just don't opt for anything too big or bulky and avoid multiple hidden pockets that you might have to dig through while in line at security.

3. Draw String Sports Bags - This was my favorite option before I was corrupted by Loungefly. These guys are lightweight, but hold so much! Most options also have that added benefit of being waterproof, or at least easily cleanable.

4. Diaper Bags - If you have one of those top shelf diaper backpacks, those come in handy when you also have a long park day. Whether you honestly need to tote around baby supplies, or just a few extra essentials for bigger kids these things were made to handle all the "what-ifs."

What is ESSENTIAL?

Not everything is a must have item when it comes to spending a day at the park. You also have to ask yourself the question: are you staying the whole day or coming back to your hotel room mid-day. You won't need to bring as much if you aren't planning to be out as long. Here are some things that the pros bring to have a smooth day:

1. Portable Phone Charger - between taking 100 pictures of just the castle at 9am, and using Genie+ constantly, your phone battery is going to disappear fast. Having a portable charger, preloaded is considered a new park essential. Added bonus: if you buy a Fuel Rod from Amazon you can charge them up before your trip and Disney World has multiple locations in each park where you can swap out your used one for a fresh one completely free.

2. Hand Sanitizer - let's not forget the times, hand sanitizer has become the essential for just about any place you go, and the parks are no exception.

3. Water Bottle - the parks allow you to bring in your own water bottles. They only ask that they are not glass. I fill up my water bottle in the morning, and at most quick service locations when I am ordering food, I just ask for a few cups of water (free) to refill it. They also have those water bottle refill stations strategically placed throughout the park as well. Moral of this story: never get dehydrated at the parks! There are options for water, you just have to remember to ask!

4. Sunscreen - it was 6:30 that morning the last time you put sunscreen on and it's now 2:00 and you are in the dead heat of the day in an outdoor queue....reapply that sunscreen to save yourself the burn later!

5. Extra Masks - Walt Disney World has recently changed their mask policy, but we never know when it could change again. Having one on hand saves you the trouble of having to buy one last minute - or be denied entry on transportation.

6. Medicine - after long days, snacking constantly, lots of noise, rides that shake you all about - you're probably starting to get a headache, or a backache, or a tummy ache. Bring a travel container loaded with some Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, or whatever essentials you're used to having at home. Disney does sell single doses of these at the Baby Care Centers, but it is an added cost.

7. Umbrella/Poncho - Florida rain comes precisely when it wants to. That being said - you need to have something you can throw on in a pinch, or at least something to get you safely indoors. Ponchos can be purchased from most dollar stores, sporting good stores, or get some packs of them on Amazon. You definitely do not want to get caught in a Disney rain storm and then be at the mercy of Disney prices to stay dry. I also recommend a travel umbrella. I got mine from Target, the brand is Totes and it fits even in those teensy Loungefly backpacks.

8. Ziplock Bags - Yeah, probably not your first guess either but hear me out. Bringing a handful of sandwich size bags, and about 2-3 of the quart or gallon size bags is the lifesaver you didn't know you needed. When going on water rides I like to put my phone in a sandwich bag just in case. When I order a big snack, I like to keep the rest fresh until I get back to my room. Sometimes I just use the bigger bag just to hold most of those park essentials mentioned above so that they don't rattle around and spill inside my bag. These have become a very handy necessity in my opinion, so it's worth the extra room.

9. Extra pairs of socks - speaking of those water rides, if you are a tennis shoe wearer (like myself) you might want to have a dry pair of socks handy for all members of your party. I have rarely needed to use them - but it's nice to have just in case!

10. Snacks - those lines are long, and while Disney snacks are iconic and worth every penny - budgets aren't unlimited here and well I can't go get a snack if I am in line! Disney will allow you to bring your own snacks into the park as long as they do not need to be refrigerated and nothing in a glass container. Families with kiddos - you're going to want to have those snacks handy!

Well there you have it! Just a few tried and true items we have brought with us on our rope drop to close days. With the right bag, and as many travel sized items you can get, having a backpack will not feel bulky or annoying to have all day. I'm very much in the camp of "bring it, then not need it" than needing to purchase something in an emergency.