Disney World Park Bag What You Really Need

We read a lot of other Blogs here on moderlifeisgood.com. Most of them carry handy information to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation. However, advice on what to take in your Walt Disney World Park Bag is not usually that helpful.

Most sites suggest you carry everything, including the kitchen sink, to anticipate every eventuality. What they tend to forget is that you have to carry it all day. Forget what other blogs say; our guide will tell you what you need in your Disney World Park Bag. Your arms and back will thank you for our advice!

Most guests do not need to take much into Walt Disney World parks. The only exceptions are if you have a medical problem or are traveling with a baby/toddler.

If there are items you must take but do not wish to carry, lockers are available near the entrance at each park. All lockers are subject to availability and come with the following daily charge:

• Small $10 a day (12″ × 10″ × 17″)
• Large $12 a day (15.5″ × 13″ × 17″)
• Jumbo (Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT only) $15 a day (17″ × 22″ × 26″)

Surprisingly, lockers are one of the few things in Walt Disney World that have not increased significantly in price in recent years. In fact, they are the same price as the last few times I revised this post.

While unanticipated events happen, you can usually get everything in the parks you might need for unforeseen emergencies. In our opinion, this is all you need to pack in your Disney World Park Bag:

• MagicBand or Park Ticket. Plus, you can now use MagicMobile and leave the MagicBands at home.
• Cash/Credit card, but not necessary if you have a Magic Band charging facility or can make contactless payments via phone.
• Something to take photos/videos
• Something to get access to park WiFi. Having access to My Disney Experience is essential when visiting Walt Disney World.
• Water or something to carry water in. Plenty of water fountains are in the parks, but it is easier to access some in your bag.
• Sunscreen
• Sunhat
• Waterproof or poncho
• Alcohol hand-gel
• Antibacterial wipes
• Face coverings are no longer required, but you might want to carry one just in case.

While unanticipated events happen, you can usually get everything in the parks you might need for unforeseen emergencies. In our opinion, this is all you need to pack in your Disney World Park Bag:

• MagicBand or park ticket. You can also use MagicMobile and leave the MagicBands at home.
• Cash/credit card (not necessary if you have MagicBand charging enabled or can make contactless payments via phone).
• Something to take photos/videos.
• A way to access park Wi-Fi. Having access to My Disney Experience is essential when visiting Walt Disney World.
• Water or a refillable water bottle. There are plenty of fountains and refill stations, but it’s easier if you carry some with you.
• Sunscreen.
• Sun hat.
• Waterproof or poncho.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Antibacterial wipes.
• Face covering (no longer required, but handy to have).

One thing to note: a good phone can carry out many of the above functions, further lightening your bag.

In addition, you might want to carry the following items:

• An autograph book and pen.
• Sunglasses.
• Dry clothes for kids and possibly adults if doing wet rides.
• Power bank (portable battery) and charging cable — you’ll use your phone a lot.
• Gum (you can’t buy it in the parks).
• A neck fan or a small clip-on waistband/waist fan.
• A water-mist bottle or cooling towel also helps in the heat.
• Blister bandages — a couple can be a lifesaver if you’re clocking up 20,000+ steps.
• Insect repellent is sometimes available free in the parks, but you might prefer to bring your own.
• Face covering (no longer required, but handy to have).

You do not need:

• First aid kit. You are unlikely to need this & everything you could need is available for free at the park first aid.
• Umbrella. When it rains in Orlando, you need to take shelter.
• Games, bubbles, towels, books, lip balm, park map, paper copies of your reservations & the several thousand other things you will see suggested on other blogs.
• Also, the following items are restricted at Walt Disney World. So you better not pack them!

You do not need:

• A complete first aid kit. You are unlikely to need this, except for blisters. Anything essential is available for free at the park’s First Aid.
• An umbrella. When it rains in Orlando, it pours — a poncho is easier to manage in crowds and on rides.
• Games, bubbles, towels, books, lip balm, park map, paper copies of your reservations, and several thousand other things you will see suggested on other blogs.
• Also, note that some items are restricted at Walt Disney World — so don’t pack them!

What you take into the park is very much a personal decision. However, remember you must carry, all day, everything in your Walt Disney World Park Bag. Do you need bubbles?

To ensure you are prepared, list what you need — e.g., camera, water, poncho. Pack your bag the night before and recheck it in the morning. Reassess at the end of the day whether you were carrying unnecessary items or whether essential things were missing.

If you need anything you haven’t packed urgently, don’t return to your resort. Speak to Guest Services or any Cast Member; they’ll direct you to where you can get the item. It’s unlikely there’s anything you can’t buy in the park.

What you take into the park is very much a personal decision. However, remember you must carry everything in your Walt Disney World Park Bag all day. Do you really need to pack those bubbles?

Park Bags if Visiting Universal Orlando

We haven’t done a separate Universal Orlando Post, but signpost to this one. If you are visiting Universal Orlando, remember it is compulsory to use the provided lockers at some attractions. The lockers are pretty small.

To avoid having to pay for larger lockers, do not take one bag for the whole family. Split your belongings between several smaller bags, and you should be fine.

Read More

Our Guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners is a great starting place to plan your vacation. It includes all the latest information and planning tips.