Now that Disney theme parks have opened up in Orlando, Florida, we can enjoy getting back to the magic safely! First you may want to check out my post on why we think Disney is safe to visit. Even though it looks a bit different, the magic is still there! We have a fancy new fashion accessory (aka face coverings), and we still need “stuff” to make our park days successful and comfortable! So without further ado, here are our favorite items to pack in your bag for Disney (or the zoo or aquarium or sometimes just a trip to Target haha).
I feel like I should add: we take two backpacks into the parks on a “normal” day, as well as a small, soft sided cooler with sandwiches for one of our meals. One backpack has all the necessities and things we would be sad if someone ever stole, and comes with us on every ride (sorry, but even the most magical place can have villains). The second backpack holds the extra clothes, extra snacks and raincoats/umbrellas/sweatshirts for winter visits when evenings or mornings can be chilly.
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Ziplocs
You really can’t have too many Ziplocs in your backpack (more on which diaper bag backpack we love in a minute). Ziplocs are perfect for storing your phone on water rides (Splash Mountain I’m looking at you), stashing dirty clothes after the Mickey Bar melts all over your toddler (I’ve been there), and also for clean clothes that are waiting to be used after said Mickey Bar. I think the beauty of Ziplocs is that they can be thrown away easily, because sometimes it is easier to just toss the messy bag.
Reusable Bags
In the same breath as recommending Ziplocs, having multiple sizes of reusable bags for pretty much anything and everything is a good idea! I have had a few of the Bumkins bags over the years, and they hold up great. I have recently discovered Bumkins have bags with clear fronts on them, which are great for both families who have to fly, as well as for kids to be able to get into the diaper bag on their own and grab what they need. My kids are now 8, 7 and 4, and I’m starting to encourage them to be more self-sufficient. So when they are all yelling for a snack, or their art supplies etc, I can say “go find it!” And they won’t have to (hypothetically) destroy the diaper bag trying to find what they need.
So go grab your pack of 3 smaller Bumkins bags, the clear front Bumkin bags, or the single larger wet bag (great for bathing suits or wet sneakers). Personally, I have all 3 sets (there are SO many different prints as well), and use them for so many different things (Legos for the airplane ride maybe?)! The sky is the limit!
Snack Containers
For awhile I used Ziplocs for snacks like goldfish and mini pretzels, but it turns out that just lends them to be crushed at the bottom of the diaper bag. Once I discovered these containers, the kids and I were both much happier! My kids like the sturdy container with the cute designs to hold their non-crushed items! It’s a win for both of us! You can also find options like the rectangle Ziploc containers at Target as well. My set of these currently have Play-Doh teddy bears in them!
Face Coverings/Masks
Geekily Ever After Mask 
Disney Parks Face Covering 
Medical Mask at Disney Springs
Unfortunately, this is the newest accessory and requirement to be out and about, and they are 100% enforced at Disney. Take a peek at their latest mask policy. However, there are so many creative people out there, which means there’s a lot of choices! My recommendation for Disney is to make sure you follow their requirements, but find the comfiest and most lightweight masks possible.
In addition, take multiple masks per person when you go visit the parks. You sweat, it rains, you may go on a water ride, and kids do weird things like manage to chew their mask from the inside…it’s true and possible, trust me!
I’d also recommend taking clean masks in one of the aforementioned bags (reusable or Ziploc), and then have a Ziploc specifically for dirty masks that can be tossed in the trash at the end of the day (so many germs ew). I label the Ziploc with a Sharpie so there’s no confusion with what goes where.
Our favorite masks are:
Geekily Ever After – Samantha is a very creative designer that sells bowbands, earrings, and now masks! She does big releases every so often, but keeps a smaller selection always on hand. I highly recommend all of her products!
Medical Masks for Kids/Adults– this link will take you to both of them (just click on which size you want). Even though they aren’t nearly as cute or pretty, they are some of the most lightweight, you can toss them after use, and they have the bendable nose piece which can help prevent sunglasses/eyeglasses from fogging up.
Shop Disney Cloth, Reusable Face Coverings– these are actually my favorite masks, after trying on many! I wear a size L in this brand, and my children wear a size M. I have seen sizes S-XL in the parks (and online). They are lightweight and a bit loose, which helps with wearing them all day.
Cosmetic Bag
This is my catch all bag that sits on the bottom of my diaper bag. I keep essential oils (peppermint for going on spinning rides like teacups or Flight of Passage, lavender for helping calm before new rides), Band-Aids, Aquaphor, Advil, Zarbee’s individual cough syrup servings, any prescription medications, extra hair ties, hair clips and bug bite itch stopper. I’ve been told by friends I am overprepared, and I think I agree, but I’m too lazy to walk to the First Aid/nursery areas at the parks just for a Band-Aid. If I had to fly to get to Disney I think I’d carry less, but since we are driving distance, I just bring these items with me!
This Vera Bradley Minnie Mouse Garden Party Bag is the cutest- if I didn’t love my Tinkerbell one so much (also from Shop Disney), I’d be getting it!
Fans/Cooling Towels
OK, I’ll admit, this one is new to me- for the most part, I’ve been a “nah I’ll just deal with the heat” kind of gal, but having kids changes things! Also, face masks change things as well! So, when I saw this awesome blog post from Tina over at A Magical Life For Me, I decided to try some portable fans ! We bought two types, but Tina swears by the wrap around your neck hands free kind as well! Regardless of which ones you choose, be sure to get the ones that are rechargeable via USB port, because then you don’t have to carry extra batteries with you!
Tripole Mini Handheld Fan This one is fun because it can sit on a desk or a rock or table so you can enjoy a breeze no matter what you are doing at Disney (model-eque hair tossing pic in front of the castle anyone?)! It can last at least 1.5 hours on one charge.
OUTXE Necklace Fan 108° Rotating Free Adjustment, Mini Portable USB Personal Fan This one was my kids’ favorite because they could wear it around their necks, which they thought was super cool (literally :P).
Sukeen 4 Pack Cooling Towels– generally this is another thing that could be seen as “extra,” but it made my daughter happy when we were at the Passholder Preview in July, so that translates into a win for Mom and Dad! This is the kind of item that could also keep a baby busy if they are in a chewing stage! Maybe freeze one the night before??
Portable USB Charger
We own the Anker Powercore, and it will charge my iPhone 7 (I know I’m behind the times) 4 times no problem. It also works on my iPad and even my son’s Kid Fire Tablet. One time I forgot my portable charger and I was searching around for a regular plug while we ate lunch at Epcot!!! It was a mess! This is really one of the most important items on this list!! I video and take pictures constantly on my phone (as we all do), so to be without it would be so sad for me!
Things to do in Line/at a Restaurant/in Your Hotel Room
This section doesn’t have a link, but I go to the Target dollar section or my local dollar store before a trip. I usually have a basket in my laundry room as well with things to grab on our way out the door to a restaurant.
We definitely use our phones sometimes, but I usually want to conserve battery life, so I try for small figurines, “fake” Legos (these come around a few times a year at Target), or small notepads with fun seasonal pencils, cars, even puzzles, word searches for older kids, and even books! Whatever your kids are into! I have a great memory of keeping my oldest busy in line at Sea World by giving him stickers- he stuck them all on my husband’s face!
If you do have that portable USB charger, you can use your phone to play the games on the Disney Parks app, or maybe try the game/app called Heads Up! (if your kids can read there is a young kid option on the app that they love).
Water Bottles!
Freeze a couple the night before! You can bring food and drinks into the park, just be sure to read the following restrictions. I find my family does best if we have one sit down meal each day (it doesn’t have to be fancy, even the quick service options are good). Especially with the mask requirements, having a sit down meal you can count on would be a good idea. Everyone can de-mask and relax for the duration of the meal. Be sure to grab a reservation on the Disney app ahead of time!
Usually in Disney you can grab cups of ice water at any quick service location. Even if it’s a mobile order location you can walk up to the cast member who is guarding the door and request to go inside for water. It is very important to hydrate!!!! Sometimes your temperature can creep up a tiny bit if you aren’t properly hydrated. Drinking water brings it right back down. Don’t let dehydration be the reason you fail the temperature screening going into the parks or a dining reservation.
Diaper Bag Backpack!
If you’re anything like me, you love to be hands free! Whether you have kids in tow or are on a park date with your other half or mom besties, a backpack is my go to bag of choice. JuJuBe has awesome bags, and the best part is…drumroll please…they are machine washable!!! I’ve had two over the course of being a mom (8.5 years), and they are both going strong. I usually choose a neutral color like grey or black so my husband won’t have a problem wearing it if needed. I am currently using the Be Right Back Backpack, but the BFF was my first JuJuBe bag (how adorable is the polka dot print?? It screams Mickey Mouse to me!).
My kids are all potty trained now, so I don’t have to stuff the backpack full of diapers, but this holds up well to multiple heavy cups and all the snacks, camera gear, Go Pro, portable charger and a change of clothes for the youngest kiddo. Be sure to look on the official JuJuBe website, as sometimes they have some great discounts as well (and all of their prints are there, too)!
Check out this video from JuJuBe of what the Be Right Back Backpack looks like inside!
Easy Stroller Hooks
I am not a fan of the stroller clips that close all the way, at least not for at Disney. Inevitably we are rushing off to a Fast Pass or a dining reservation, and it’s hard to stop and use two hands to get the bag off of the stroller. We have these Think King Mighty Buggy Hooks and I think they work REALLY well! One of us grabs our kid’s hands, and the other one gets the diaper bag.
Ponchos or Umbrella or Rain Coat
This can be a bit of a hot topic in our house! The kids really don’t like rain coats, as they feel hot in them pretty quickly.
Some people don’t like umbrellas because they can get in people’s way (though at the time of this writing the parks don’t have this problem). Another con to umbrellas is the rain can blow sideways if it’s bad enough, which defeats the purpose of the umbrella! I will say my kids used their umbrellas for awhile at Animal Kingdom last month and loved them. When we were done we hung them on the stroller bar, or stuck them under our stroller. I personally like umbrellas because you can use them for sun protection on a hot day OR for light rain without having to stop and pull out everyone’s rain coats and argue with the kids about putting them on!
However, the easiest solution is most likely disposable ponchos. It rains often in the summer in Florida. It doesn’t always last long, but it can be very heavy. If you are stuck out in it, you will get drenched! Ponchos can fit over your backpack and even kids if necessary (I’ve done this before when I used a baby carrier a lot). When the rain is done, you tear it off and toss it. Ponchos are also good for wet rides like Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom.
Don’t forget a sun hat and sunscreen as well! Florida weather can be pretty unpredictable!
Baby/Toddler Carrier
When my kids were very tiny, this was the BEST way to get around theme parks with them (we were Sea World passholders for several years before I became addicted to Disney). Carriers are comfy, cozy and made them feel so secure to be right on Mommy all day. It was also nice when the third kid came along, but the older two weren’t quite old enough to walk all day around a theme park! It saved us from having to try and find a bigger stroller.
We also had a fun experience once when we just went to Epcot for a few hours on the day we arrived at our resort. We wanted to take advantage of the bus system (the kids thought it was the best ride ever- who needs theme parks? Just ride the bus all day), and didn’t want to mess with the double stroller. So, I stuck my littlest on my back (she was 3 years old and about 32 pounds at this point), and away we went!
I wouldn’t have been able to carry her all day in it, but it worked great for a few hours.
I LOVE my ErgoBaby carrier. It’s an investment, but mine lasted through all three kids, and was so much easier for me to pop on at Target, Publix, or a theme park, without having to figure out how to wrap myself and babe in the sling carrier. I loved the idea of the Moby wrap (my sister swears by it), but after a few times standing outside my van trying to figure it out while kids got restless inside the car, I gave up and just used my Ergo for EVERYTHING.
Baby/toddler can be worn on your front, back or side (I never did side but it is possible), and can be use from 7lbs – 45lbs. I love the Adapt because I didn’t have to fuss with the infant insert, as you can use it with a newborn, provided they are at least 7lbs.
Shortly after I started using the Adapt, they came out with the 360 version, where the baby can be facing outward safely, without putting any pressure on their hips – this looks amazing and I’ve seen many a happy baby chilling around Disney in this carrier. I just didn’t want to buy a second carrier!
Minnie/Mickey Mouse Ears/Magic Bands
The most popular Minnie and Mickey ear headbands are found in the parks, at Disney Springs or on ShopDisney.com, but there are also some less expensive options at Target (like my patriotic ones in the picture below- they can be found in the party planning aisles), as well as on Etsy (I have several pairs of these!)
Magic Bands can be bought from Shop Disney, OR through your online Disney account. Plain colors cost $5 with your resort stay, while fun patterns and themes are more (but are still less than retail price). If you stay at a Disney resort, you can attach a credit card to your band via the Disney website, and use it to pay while anywhere on Disney property. They also serve as your room key and park entry pass.
Well, friends, I’m sure I could come up with all kinds of ideas all day long for what to take in your bag to Disney, but these are my top choices, and things we usually use every time we are there (exceptions being fans in February, and it doesn’t rain every time we are at Disney). Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or if there are items I am missing!!
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Tina
Such a great list!! I’m glad you checked out the fans!!