What to Pack in Your In-Park Disneyland Backpack: Essentials for a Magical Day!
Planning your Disney day is almost as exciting as experiencing it, but don’t forget one critical detail – your “in-park” backpack! This is the bag you’ll carry with you all day, not the one for flights or resort stays. Having the right items handy can make all the difference, helping you save precious time and money.
Here’s a look at what to pack (and what to leave behind!) to ensure a smooth, magical day at Disney.
Essentials for a Crossbody or Small Bag:
If you’re a minimalist or traveling with older kids, you might find that a small crossbody or fanny pack is all you need. Here’s what to bring:
• ID, Credit Cards, Cash, Phone
• Portable Charger & Cord
• Mini First Aid Kit: Include pain relievers, Benadryl, Excedrin, and a few band-aids.
• Poncho: Weather can be unpredictable.
• Hand Sanitizer & Wipes
• Cosmetics: Lip balm, facial mist, and blotting wipes for staying fresh.
• Sunglasses
Backpack Essentials for Families:
If you’re traveling with little ones or need more supplies, a comfortable backpack will be your best friend. Here’s what I recommend:
• Water Bottles!
•Jacket or Sweatshirt: California gets cold at night, even in the summer!
• Ponchos: I pack 1.5 per person – they’re not only useful for rain but can protect strollers or ECVs and keep you dry on water rides.
• Snacks: Protein bars, pretzels, or goldfish are lifesavers between meals.
• Ultra-Absorbent Towel: Perfect for wet benches or for cooling your neck.
• Ziploc Bags: For wet clothes, leftover snacks, or organizing small items.
• Electronics & Charger: Bring a larger battery and wall charger to make sure your devices stay powered.
• Sunscreen: Don’t underestimate the sunshine.
• Extended First Aid Kit: Add moleskin, Neosporin, extra bandaids, and pain relievers for unexpected aches or blisters.
• Reusable Straws: Paper straws in the parks can disintegrate quickly.
• Glow Sticks: These are great for kids waiting for fireworks and add a bit of nighttime magic.
Organizing Your Backpack
Using clear cosmetic bags or Ziplocs to organize your backpack can make it easier to locate what you need without digging around. Most of the time, you’ll go through security scanners with your bag on, but in case they need to search your bag, it’ll be quicker if everything is in clear pouches. This way, you’re less likely to lose anything when you’re rummaging around in line or at a restaurant.
And if you already have a backpack you love, bring it along! There’s no need to purchase a new one just for Disney.
My Park Must-Haves
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Water Bottle Bag
I don’t like big bags in the parks and I recently changed out my belt bag for a water bottle bag and it changed my life.
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Water Bottle
This is my go-to water bottle. I absolutely love it. It fits well in my water bottle bag.
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My Favorite Belt Bag
Simple, inexpensive, and looks good with my outfits. Yes, Yes & Yes.
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The most comfortable sandals ever.
Look, they are Skechers. That may not be cool. But I think they are cool and they are the only shoes I have EVER worn to Disney that did not give me some kind of blister. I have these in two colors.
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My Favorite Park Back Pack
If a fanny pack won’t cut it, I bring a backpack. Not only is it cute, but its functional. Not too big, but still big enough for our water bottles and snacks.
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Ponchos
Pack cheap disposable ponchos, because Disney ponchos are very overpriced!
What Not to Bring:
Disney has some park policies to keep in mind when packing. Here are a few items to leave behind:
Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind.
Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace).
Marijuana (including marijuana enriched products) or any illegal substance.
Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons.
Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines.
Alcoholic beverages, except in the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Wine may be brought in to the Downtown Disney District to be consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply.
Glass containers (excluding small containers such as baby food jars), except in the Disney Resort hotels.
Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers.
Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, bicycles or shoes with built-in wheels.
Strollers that are greater than 31" (79 cm) in width and 52" (132 cm) in length.
Wagons, including stroller wagons.
Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person.
Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered and/or unoccupied. Training wheels and/or modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36" (92 cm) in width and 52" (132 cm) in length.
Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Re-usable ice packs are recommended.
Folding chairs are not allowed in any theme park or the Downtown Disney District.
Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park.
Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’ (182 cm) are not allowed in any theme park.
You can view the full list of Disney’s policies at Disneyland.com/Park-Rules. Rules are updated as needed, so it’s always a good idea to review them before your trip.
Final Tips
With these essentials packed and a well-organized backpack, you’ll be able to focus on making memories. After all, it’s the small details that make a day at Disney truly magical.