One of the most exciting parts of preparing for a Disney World vacation is deciding which park bag you’re bringing. In my opinion, your park bag serves two purposes: utility and style. It’s an extension of your park day #OOTD, and it’s fun to coordinate colors and theming to match the parks! That said, its most important job is to hold your park day essentials while sitting on your person comfortably.
I’ve been traveling to the Disney theme parks for years, both as a tourist and as a local. Over those many years, I’ve tried all different styles of bags, from heavy-duty backpacks to small belt bags and everything in between. Not only have I figured out what to pack, but I’ve mastered my list of pros and cons for every bag style.
What I Currently Use
As a Disney theme park expert, I wanted to share with you the exact bags I use when I visit Disney World and Disneyland. On my most recent visits, I’ve opted for this belt bag by Freshly Picked, especially when it’s hot outside. We’ll get more in-depth in discussing why I think belt bags are optimal for summer visits in a little bit!
CLICK TO SHOP: FRESHLY PICKED DISNEY BELT BAG
When I can carry a little more weight, or I need something with more storage, I grab a backpack instead. My specific style of bag is from the Disney Store, which is sadly no longer for sale, but I found a few comparable styles you can look through:
READ MORE: PARK BAG ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU TO DISNEY WORLD
Belt Bags
The smallest bag you’ll probably consider using in the parks is a belt bag. You can try for something like a wristlet or a crossbody phone bag, but I find that you’ll need something with a little more room that can carry essentials like sunscreen, your sunglasses, etc. A belt bag gives you a true hands-free theme park experience, and you can alternate between the bag resting on your front side or on your back. If I know I’m traveling light, this is my preferred bag style.
PROS
- Their small size and light weight make them super easy to carry without getting bogged down, which is a huge plus in the summer months.
- They can rest on your front versus back, making it easy to access without needing to remove it from your person.
- Side note/bonus pro: For Universal Orlando, you can keep your belt bag with you on most (not all) attractions, while backpacks will need to be left behind in lockers.
CONS
- They’re small, which means you won’t be able to pack as many items. This can be especially tricky if you want or need to pack snacks, an extra layer of clothing, or anything beyond your core essential items.
SHOP BELOW FOR MY PICKS FOR BELT BAGS AND CROSSBODY BAGS:
READ MORE: THE BEST RAIN GEAR TO PACK FOR YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Small Backpacks
If you know you prefer backpacks or you know you will need a little extra wiggle room, then a backpack that skews on the smaller side will probably be your best bet. It doesn’t come with all of the bells and whistles of a large backpack, but that’s okay — you know you don’t need all of that extra space. Small backpacks will likely give you the most options when it comes to style, as those highly sought-after Loungefly bags come in this category!
PROS
- They’re in that Goldilocks realm when it comes to size: they aren’t too small, but they aren’t too big, either.
- The smaller size means you are less likely to be weighed down by a ton of unnecessary items. Keeping to a small bag size forces you to be creative and bring the items you truly need and leave the rest behind.
CONS
- In my opinion, any backpack can be uncomfortable in the summer months, regardless of size. Having anything pressed against your back is not at all comfortable when it gets ultra hot.
- You can still be limited by its smaller size if you’re carrying items for multiple people or if you want extra room for sweatshirts, souvenirs, etc.
SHOP BELOW FOR MY PICKS FOR SMALL BACKPACKS:
READ MORE: THE BEST HARDSHELL SUITCASES FOR YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Large Backpacks
The final category are the large backpacks. When you need to carry everything but the kitchen sink, these bags will be a god-send. You may be packing for multiple people, or you may be visiting the parks in the winter months when you need an extra layer of clothes. When I visit the parks any time between November and February, I always bring a larger backpack with me. You never know when you need to start the day off with a jacket or heavier sweatshirt, but you will want a place to store it during the warmer afternoon hours. Trust me on this.
PROS
- They offer the most packing space, which means more flexibility in the parks. You should be able to pack snacks, sweatshirts, water bottles, etc.
- You’ll find that larger backpacks come with more options to keep you comfortable. Think of shopping for a theme park backpack as if you were shopping for a hiking backpack: think shoulder pads, chest straps, breathable backs, etc.
- This is likely your best bet if you’re traveling with kids and don’t want to bring multiple bags. If you have a go-to diaper bag, I’d suggest sticking to what you know rater than investing in an entirely new bag. If you’re in the market for a new bag, I’d recommend looking into Freshly Picked.
CONS
- Their large size allows for over-packing. This might not be a huge issue in the winter, but it can make for an especially uncomfortable experience in the summer heat. Either way, the odds are higher that you’ll be unnecessarily weighed down with a large backpack.
- Having a lot of stuff with you can make it difficult to easily access those theme park essentials. I find that whenever I visit the parks with a larger backpack, the items I need most wind up falling to the bottom and getting buried by other items.
SHOP BELOW FOR MY PICKS FOR LARGE BACKPACKS:
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