What's in My Park Bag

Summary:

• Bring a comfortable bag that won’t hurt your back - highly recommend a hiking backpack
• Pack all the essentials
• If you forget anything, toiletries are sold in the parks, and first aid stations offer basic medical supplies for free

Please note - any links to products shared in this post are not affiliate links so I am not earning a commission by including this here. I just really like the products and want to share them.

Bag  

First, ensure you have a comfortable bag. I have personally experienced and seen many people use a cute purse or bag without supportive straps, and that always ends up with hurt shoulders or backs. Go for comfort over cuteness on this one, your body will thank you.

Personally I bring my hiking backpack to the parks because it is comfortable and holds all my stuff. Here is the link to my specific backpack from L.L. Bean. I bought it for hiking and have used it at the parks many times, and love the comfortable padded straps and how lightweight the bag is.

Essentials  

Within my backpack, I make sure to always bring the following with me to the parks:

• Wallet (I still bring mine with some emergency cash, but if you’re using a Magic Band you can probably leave this at home. Note - if you plan to enjoy an alcoholic beverage then you should still bring your driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Personal toiletries - I personally bring the following:
  • Tissues
  • Chapstick
  • Blister and regular band-aids
  • Medicine (recommend something for headaches, upset stomachs, and nausea to play it safe)
  • Hand sanitizer
• Rain coat/poncho
• Some sort of electrolyte powder to help you stay hydrated (I personally use Liquid IV)
• Snacks - avoid anything with chocolate or other ingredients that can melt in heat or humidity. I personally like pretzels or trail mix
• Portable phone charger (more information below)
• Reusable water bottle (more information below)

Portable Phone Charger  

A day in the parks requires you to use your phone throughout the day, so it is essential to have a portable phone charger on you. Most of your day is reliant on you being able to access the My Disney Experience app so you’ll need to ensure your phone stays charged and relatively cool (the Florida heat can really impact your phone’s battery!).

If you don’t have your own portable charger, Disney works with a third-party provider and has many portable phone charger kiosks around the parks. You can pay a fee to essentially get access to unlimited portable chargers. You pick your first one up, and when the battery runs low, you can return it and get a new one. You can find more information on Disney World’s website if that is something you are interested in. While this is convenient, it can get expensive and forces you to rely on charger availability at the kiosks. As a result, I don’t recommend this unless you don’t have a portable charger at home.

Reusable Water Bottle  

When you’re constantly on the go, it’s essential to stay hydrated—make sure to always carry water with you. In recent years, Disney has started installing water bottle refill stations throughout the park which is highly appreciated as someone who goes everywhere with their emotional support water bottle. They also sell bottled water, but at up to $6 per bottle, that cost adds up quickly. I highly recommend bringing your own water bottle and using the refill stations to save money and also it is better for the environment.

One call out - tap water in Florida has a very, let’s say, unique well-water taste, so unless you are used to the flavor it will not taste good. I personally use a Brita water bottle with a filter in it, and that eliminates the taste completely. You can find several different ones on Amazon, but here is the one I use. It is an insulated one so it is a bit heavier, but keeps the water cooler for longer. My mom has the plastic version, and while it is lighter, her water does get warm much quicker than mine does.

Personal Toiletries  

If you forget anything, Disney does sell the items I listed above throughout the park so you are never without supplies. Each park also has a first aid station where you can get basic medical supplies like band aids, tylenol, and sunscreen for free. Note: Each park has only one first aid station, so if you’re not nearby, be prepared to travel or purchase supplies.