Here are the 10 Mistakes Not To Make With Your Disney Park Bag:
1. Packing too much – If you are staying in a Disney Resort and plan to use the bus transportation, you are going to have to deal with all your bags when you get on and off the bus since you have to fold the stroller. Keep in mind how much you can physically hold as you work on what you will bring to the parks.
2. Not taking a change of clothes for the kids – If your little ones could have a potty accident, food accident or might get overly excited in the pop jet fountains, make sure you pack them a change of clothes. You don’t want to have to pay Disney’s prices for clothing!
3. Not taking sunglasses – The sun shines brightly in Florida. Your eyes will appreciate it if you bring your sunglasses.
4. Not preparing for cool weather – It’s one thing to be hot at Disney but it is a completely different experience to be cold. Make sure you check the forecast and prepare for cold weather. Bring hats, light jackets and even gloves. It can get as low as 30-35 degrees in the winter months and it is difficult to wait at Rope Drop in those temperatures if you aren’t prepared.
5. Not preparing for rain – Buy some cheap ponchos at The Dollar Tree that you can toss in your bag on days it will rain. That way if you are caught in the downpour you can protect your clothing from getting drenched. Then you can just toss the ponchos away instead of having to deal with toting them around.
6. Not packing snacks – All the walking at Disney will make you hungry. Pack some snacks instead of depending on the snack locations around the parks. Your wallet will thank you! We like to toss in some 100 Calorie Pouches to much on as needed.
7. Not bringing water – Bottles of water are $3 each in the parks now. Bring some water bottles with you for the morning and then ask for FREE ice water at the Counter Service and Snack Service locations (just remember that they have to serve fountain soda in order to have ice water).
8. Forgetting the sunscreen – The sun is brutal at Disney World. Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to reapply it.
9. Carrying the wrong bag – You want a bag that you can wear on your body. Backpacks are a great option. So are crossover bags and slings. You will take your bag on the ride with you so make sure it isn’t too big to deal with stuffing by your feet.
10. Not repacking the bag nightly – I always suggest dumping out all of the contents of your park bag and repacking it each night. This way you can remove any trash, clutter and items that you didn’t end up needing. It will also make the bag organized for the next day in the parks.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
The only thing I would like to say is don’t over pack the backpack. By the end of the day, it gets really heavy if you don’t use it.
this is embarrassing but carry diapers in case of long lines to the bathroom,you can change into one if you see a trend of too much traffic.This is for everyone not just kids…trips to the bathroom are always ridiculous. Maxi pads and handi wipes should be kept on hand in case there is no toilet paper.
Hi can you bring in bottles of water and snacks Universal Studio?
I packed leg warmers two for each person in the bags so if it got cold at the parade we could slip them on and during the day water insulators
We find using a clear bag is the best. Security always comment on how much they like them. Makes going through security quick and easy!!!
I also pack Imodium – learnt that one the hard way in Hawaii once and now I always travel with some. The blister pack is so small it takes up next to no space
When my husband and I (in our 60’s!) do the parks, we also put cheap flip-flops into our bag. At the first sign of a rainshower, we duck into an alcove or shop and change shoes along with putting on the ponchos.(Then our sneakers do not have to try and dry in the humid environment.) Only lightning keeps us from running around outside! After the storm, we dry off in the restrooms and change back into our walking shoes.
Flip flops are great for water rides too!
Also if you stay at the disney resorts with kids, i always bring cereal and milk to put into refrigerator, because it’s cheaper, and the kids don’t want to eat a big breakfast to excited to get to the parks. Or I buy the little boxes of cereal and we buy milk from the resort restaurant. Plus we bring bread and lunchmeat to pre-make sandwiches, get condiments at restaurants, also we all dress in the same bright color t-shirts like florescent so it’s easier to keep eyes on each other, plus we have those wrist leash like, to stay connected with small kids who want to walk.
They will serve free cups of ice water (where available) at all Disney Parks, no purchase required. (They don’t have the free cups of water at most of the snack kiosks).
I have a checklist that makes it easier for me to ensure everything is there when we dump and repack each night
Another idea is to bring bandaids because the attendants won’t give you bandaids only first aid will. Small bottle of Tylenol too.
I always pack bandaids different sizes. It has saved me and I even have given them to moms who forgot and had a small emergency with the lil ones
My hubby and I just got back from the park and we (well, more I; he tans, I burn) really regretted not breaking sunblock with us!! We also wished we would have brought hand sanitizer after watching people sneeze and cough into their hands and then touch EVERYTHING.
Thanks Kristen! Try to pack everything in zip lock bags…. security has gotten much tighter! And the see thru bags make it easier…They check everything! That being said, it takes MUCH longer to get into the parks so plan accordingly!!!
Also a glasses case to put your sun/prescription glasses in while on the rides!
I use a clear cosmetic bag to hold our snacks. It is sturdy enough that it keeps everything from getting crushed. I like that I (and the bag check CMs) can easily see through the bag. I also keep a pack of hand wipes and a few small ziploc bags and small binder clips (to save unfinished snacks) in the bag.
Great ideas in the article AND in the comments! Thanks guys!
Put the contents of your bag in large ziploc bags this way at bag check you just pull out the clear bag and they can check easier. This will also keep your contents dry if it rains, keep leaky items from messing up dry items and, if needed, be a place to store wet clothes etc.
I brought Wet Ones and Ban Cool Cloths with me when I went and they helped me tremendously.
I have done everything on this list every time I travel and it has made it easier to travel.
I would add to bring some kind of hat too.
Followed this idea this yr in June. Great advice. Added some flavor drink pouch single serves to mix with the water.
Also put antiseptic wipes in for snack areas so you don’t have to find a restroom.
Ooh that’s a great idea!
I’m so glad I’m not the only person who thought about drink mixes for the waters!
Great post Kristin! A lot of people don’t think about their park bag until it’s time to go into the park.