Let’s be honest. For most of us, a trip to a Disney park is not an everyday occurrence.(#goals) So when we do get to visit the parks, we are in for long days to make the most of our time while we are there! If you’re going to make it through these long days it’s important to make sure you’ve got a bag packed with the essentials. When I travel to the parks, these are my must haves in my bag for the day.

What’s In My Bag?

Jacket or Raincoat

Rain is a regular occurrence in Orlando, so it’s important to prepare with a raincoat or umbrella. If you can avoid buying an $8 poncho spontaneously during the daily afternoon rain, you should! Save that money for more important things…like Dole Whip! I’m also a cold natured person, so I like to bring a jacket in case I find myself a little chilly in the morning for rope drop or if it’s breezy after hours. The great thing about both jackets and raincoats is that they take up minimal space, which makes them easier to pack away when you don’t need them in the parks!

Mouse Ears

Mouse Ears are a must for me in the parks. I’ve usually got more than one pair in my bag at all times if we’re being honest! I may not start my park day out in ears, so having them in my bag gives me the option to represent when I want.

Portable Phone Charger

Friends don’t let friends go to Disney without a portable phone charger. As one of the most Instagrammed places on the planet, number three to be exact, it’s expected that you’ll be using your phone A LOT while you’re in the parks! By charging your phone throughout the day, you won’t have to worry about missing out on capturing your unforgettable moments while in Disney. I usually pack two portable chargers for the parks because you never know how long you’ll be there!

Hand Sanitizer

Y’all. Did you know Magic Kingdom has over 56,000 guests visit the park per day?! No matter how amazing Disney’s staff is at cleaning up around the parks, it can never hurt to use a little hand sanitizer throughout the day.

Gum

You’re waiting in a lot of lines and doing a lot of walking, might as well have a little refresher throughout the day! Fun fact: Disney does not sell gum anywhere on the property of the parks. So if you enjoy chewing gum like me, you’ll want to stock up before you hit the parks!

Snacks and Sandwiches

One great thing about Disney is that they allow you to bring in food to their parks! This is great for those looking to enjoy the parks for a little less moola or just people who are planning on a rope drop to fireworks kind of day. While I always go for at least one Disney snack while I’m in the parks, it’s nice to have some additional food with me to snack on throughout the day! When my family and I visit Disney and stay off grounds in a house for the week, we like to make sandwiches for lunch. If this seems like a good option for your upcoming trip, I highly suggest it! It saves room in the budget for other Disney essentials like mugs, shirts, and rose gold ears.

Water Bottle

Stay hydrated my friends. While at Disney you’re going to walk a lot more than usual and you’ll probably be dealing with hotter weather than you’re used to. Having a water bottle in the parks is a great way to stay cool! Bonus: There are water fountains throughout the parks, so you can refill yours throughout the day a save some money.

Sunglasses

The don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing! Sunnies are a must in the parks. You don’t want to be the one in the group photos squinting for every shot, so be sure to throw a pair in your bag before heading to Disney!

AP Discount Card, ID, and Disney VISA

As an Annual Passholder, I always bring my AP Discount Card with me to the parks. This helps me to get free parking if I’m staying off grounds and also a 20% discount on merchandise purchases in the parks! I’m also always sure to bring my ID with me. Now that I’m over 21, I want to make sure I can drink around the world in Epcot or get my dole whip with rum in Animal Kingdom! One thing I never forget to bring in the parks is my Disney VISA. Aside from cash back on my purchases while in the parks, I’m also eligible for special photo opportunities and other perks. These are very important items that I don’t want to lose in the parks, so I like to keep them close to me in my Disney crossbody purse.

Ziploc Bag

This seems random, but it can be a life saver! Pro Tip: Put your phone or anything you need to keep from getting wet on rides in a Ziploc Bag. You can enjoy favorites like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids worry free knowing that your devices are safe from damage!

When it comes to choosing a bag for the parks, I prefer cute and functional! My current Disney parks backpack is a royal blue Jansport bag. I went with a solid color because I’m planning to customize it with Disney patches from my favorite small shops! My other go to Disney bag is my Vera Bradley crossbody. This bag is perfect for popping over to the park for a few hours!

If you’re looking for Disney park bag inspiration, here are a few of my favorites:

What are your must have essentials while you’re visiting Disney?

Ready to plan your vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Click here to fill out a form to receive a free no obligation quote from The Vacationeer, an official travel partner for Kait Around The Kingdom.  The Vacationeer specializes in vacation planning for Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Universal Studios, Adventures by Disney, and beyond! The best part about their services is that they are absolutely FREE. Fill out this form to start planning your dream Disney vacation today!