Before You Go

What to Pack in Your In-Park Walt Disney World Backpack

Essentials for a magical day, plus what to leave behind.

Planning your Disney day is almost as exciting as living it, but don’t forget one important detail: your in-park backpack. This is the bag you’ll carry all day, not the one for your flight or your resort. Having the right things on hand really can make all the difference, and it’ll save you both time and money out in the parks.

Here’s a look at what to pack, and what to leave behind, for a smooth and magical day at Disney.

Essentials for a Crossbody or Small Bag

If you’re a minimalist or traveling with older kids, a small crossbody or fanny pack might be all you need. Here’s what I’d bring:

ID, credit cards, cash, and phone.
Portable charger and cord.
Mini first aid kit: pain relievers, Benadryl, Excedrin, and a few band-aids.
Poncho: Florida weather can turn on a dime.
Hand sanitizer and wipes.
Cosmetics: lip balm, facial mist, and blotting wipes to stay fresh.
Sunglasses.

Backpack Essentials for Families

If you’re traveling with little ones or just need more supplies, a comfortable backpack will be your best friend. Here’s what I recommend:

Water bottles! Do not pay Disney prices for water.
Ponchos: I pack 1.5 per person. They’re not just for rain. They protect strollers and 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 and charger: bring a larger battery and a wall charger so your devices stay powered.
Sunscreen: do not underestimate Florida’s sunshine.
Extended first aid kit: add moleskin, Neosporin, extra band-aids, and pain relievers for unexpected aches or blisters.
Reusable straws: the parks mostly use paper straws now, and those can get soggy fast.
Glow sticks: great for kids waiting on fireworks, and they add a little nighttime magic.
Jacket or cooling towel: depending on the weather, you may want a light layer or something to cool you down.

A little tip

Disney has switched over to paper straws almost everywhere in the parks. If you’re not a fan of the soggy paper situation, toss a few of your own reusable or plastic straws in your bag. Your future self, three sips into an iced coffee, will thank you.

Organizing Your Backpack

Using clear cosmetic bags or Ziplocs to organize your backpack makes it so much easier to find what you need without digging around. Most of the time you’ll walk through the security scanners with your bag on, but if they do need to search it, clear pouches make that go faster. Bonus: you’re a lot less likely to lose something while you’re rummaging in line or at a table.

And if you already have a backpack you love, bring it along! There’s no need to buy a new one just for Disney.

My Park Must-Haves

I’ve rounded up all my tried-and-true park favorites, the cooling towels, water bottle bag, portable fan, and everything else I never head into the parks without, in one place. Tap below to shop my Amazon storefront and see exactly what I use.

Shop My Amazon Storefront

Want it all in one checklist? Grab my printable and editable packing list and check things off as you go.

Download the Packing List

What Not to Bring

Disney has a few park policies worth knowing before you pack. Here are some things to leave at home:

Strollers larger than 31″ wide and 52″ long (most strollers meet this).
Wagons or stroller wagons, which aren’t permitted.
Loose or dry ice in coolers. Use reusable ice packs instead.
Selfie sticks, flags, or banners.
Balloons and plastic straws at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and select locations.
Costumes for guests over 14. Younger guests can wear costumes within certain guidelines.
Unattended children: kids under 7 must be with someone 14 or older to enter the parks and board attractions.
Smoking is only allowed in designated areas outside the parks.

You can always view Disney’s full list of policies at DisneyWorld.com/Rules. They update the rules as needed, so it’s a good idea to give them a quick look before your trip.