One thing I consistently see when I visit the Disney parks are guests who bring WAY too much "stuff" with them (and I'm not talking about personal baggage and drama, this time - that's for another post). While I do think it's important to be prepared, especially when visiting Walt Disney World and it's variable weather, I always try to pack as light as possible for a single day in the parks. Check out the list below of what I like to keep in my "Disney day bag."
2. Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF I'm sure you've been told and read many times that it's important to lather up on the SPF for a Disney day. But I'll often see people only doing so in the morning and and go into the parks without extra for re-application later in the day. Then they'll either not reapply at all, or have to buy sunscreen from a gift shop (which comes at a Disney price, not a regular drugstore price). Save yourself potential frustration and throw some sunscreen in your day bag - You'll be thankful for it around lunchtime when you've got that pinchy feeling on your shoulders and forehead. Remember your lip balm or chapstick with SPF, too! 3. Rain poncho Another given you've probably heard a million times, especially for trips to Walt Disney World. While this one doesn't quite apply to Disneyland as much, it's a lightweight item that doesn't hurt to have in your bag either way. I recommend getting your poncho beforehand outside of the parks from your local big box store, dollar store, drugstore, etc., as Disney prices apply here as well. And if you do get caught in the rain, don't throw that poncho away after the first use - Hang it up in your hotel room overnight to dry! I've gotten many uses out of ponchos. 4. Sunglasses While many Disney souvenir stores at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will have a variety of sunnies for sale, I recommend bringing a pair you already have into the parks. Even more so, I'd consider bringing a pair that are less valuable, in the event you drop them, they get nicked, or if they get lost. The backpack I typically use has side pockets that are perfect for my go-to pair of plastic sunglasses, which makes it easy to store while enjoying the rides, shopping, etc. 5. Hand sanitizer/wet wipes The Disney custodial team does an impeccable job at keeping the parks show ready and as clean as possible throughout the day, but I always make sure to throw travel-sized hand sanitizer and or wet wipes in my bag. Between all of the handrails you lean on while waiting in line for attractions, safety bars you clutch while riding the rides, and doors you open/close, there are plenty of opportunities to pick something up. And if you have kiddos in tow, don't forget to wipe down your stroller handles throughout the day - Cast members often have to move them around to create pathways around highly congested areas, which means more germ potential. 6. Rechargeable battery I love to unplug while visiting the Disney theme parks and just enjoy experiencing all of the sights and sounds. But if you want to share your day with friends and family over social media, or fill up your phone/camera storage space with as many photos as possible, your battery can drain really fast. Outlets can be hard to come by (albeit a few charging stations can be found in the parks now), so I throw a fully-charged rechargeable battery into my bag at the beginning of the day for when I need extra juice. You can also use the new Fuel Rod stations to purchase and swap out batteries whenever you need - But I'd recommend buying the Fuel Rod itself outside of the parks first. You can still swap them for free! 7. Small pouch for valuables I personally don't like carrying my full wallet around for a day in the parks, so I put my ID, annual pass, credit cards, and a few cash bills in a small pouch. Magic Bands at Walt Disney World allow you to go cashless and cardless in the parks, but I still like to have these on-hand in the event of a technical glitch or I get carded buying alcohol. And I put this small pouch within the largest section of my backpack, the one with a zip closure, to keep it all safely tucked away during the day. 8. Aleve/pain reliever Some rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland can give me a headache (looking at you, Matterhorn), so I like to carry a small bottle of my preferred pain reliever if I need any throughout the day. It's not uncommon for me to get headaches from longer exposure to sun/light in my eyes as well, so having Aleve in my bag is especially critical for me in the Summer months. Again, you can buy some at various Disney gift shops if you're in a pinch, but they usually sell small/individual dosages at a higher cost. 9. Travel first aid kit This is one I always make sure to throw in my day bag when I'm visiting the parks as part of a RunDisney race-cation (check out one of my previous posts for more on planning a race-cation). The kit includes some band-aids, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, and more pain reliever. I just like to have it for additional peace of mind, and replenish it every so often to make sure it's full. My kit in particular was put together by Johnson & Johnson, if you want to check out your local pharmacy for one that's pre-built. 10. Pins for trading And the last thing that's more for fun than necessity are pins for trading! I have quite a few pins in my collection, and some of them are duplicates from trying to complete mystery sets. So I like to keep some in my day bag if I see other guests or Cast Members with pins that I'd like to trade for. Just be warned - Once you start collecting Disney pins, it's hard to stop! When visiting the Disney parks, you want to enjoy your day and be as stress-free as possible. I recommend only carrying the essentials in your day bag, to keep things light on your back/shoulders. That being said, I also like to be prepared with some go-to items I might need to feel my best. What do you always include in your Disney day bag? Let me know if the comments below!
Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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