What I Pack In My Theme Park Backpack
After many times visiting theme parks and toting anywhere from one to five children (yes five!), I consider myself an expert at packing the essentials in my backpack without overburdening myself. It’s about the only time when my mom won’t even bring a purse because she knows I have everything she could need! No matter the weather conditions, I am prepared and you can be too with these easily packable essentials!
Backpack: First you’ll need a durable, but light backpack. I’ve experimented with a bunch of different ones over the years. I’ve used my everyday backpack I would bring to work commuting on the train to the super stylish Disney Loungefly (like this one) to the flimsy, nylon drawstring backpacks. I could probably write a whole post on my experiences with these three types of bags alone, but I’ll focus on my tried and true. The BeeGreen Drawstring Backpack is where it’s at! It’s much lighter than your typical bookbag like a drawstring backpack but is sturdier with great storage pockets including pouches for water bottles. I highly recommend it for a theme park day to carry all of your essentials easily.
Water Bottle: Above all else you need to have reusable water bottles. Hydrating in the Florida heat is essential. Take it from someone who succumbed to heat stroke this past July in EPCOT. I like RTIC insulated bottles. They are built the same as YETI but much less expensive. They’ll keep your drink cold all day even in the peak of summer. I can’t recommend them enough.
Reusable Straws: This isn’t exactly an essential, but the Disney parks no longer provide plastic straws and I hate the paper straws. I carry two different kinds. I always have these collapsible straws that come in their own holder with cleaners. They also have a handy hook to attach them to the outside of your backpack or purse. I also like these iridescent-looking straws too that come in their own carrying bag.
Poncho: If you’re going to Florida, especially during the summer, it will likely rain at least once during the day. The parks have thin, throwaway ponchos, but usually for $10 a pop. Bringing your own pack of throwaway ponchos, or even better, a light, but sturdy reusable one is more cost effective. I’ve used this pack of ponchos in the past because they have both adult and child sizes. They’re small and compact to keep in your backpack or purse as well. I’ve also had great success with this reusable poncho. I tend to keep one of these for each adult in the group in my back pack and the throwaways for the kids.
Mask Chains: Until further notice, keeping mask chains on hand is helpful. You won’t need to dig through your bag or pockets when going indoors looking for your mask if they are hanging round your neck.
Portable Charger: In the age of My Disney Experience, mobile ordering, and Disney Genie, the life of our phones is getting more precarious each day you are in the parks. Carrying a portable charger like this one can be a lifesaver when you have a Rise of the Resistance boarding group or need to order at a quick service location.
Neck Fan: This is a newer addition to my backpack but feels so good on those really hot days. I’ve tried a couple different neck fans and have found this one to be the best. Others look like small versions of the old oscillating fans. These only focus the breeze on a small area, and my hair got stuck in them stopping the fans altogether as well as pulling my hair!
Sunscreen: That Florida sun is strong, and it’s not just redheads like myself who need to keep sunscreen on hand. I found the Bare Republic mineral sunscreen visiting St. Thomas last year. It’s a great sunscreen that doesn’t turn my face all white and smells good too! Carry the spray in your backpack for a quick reapplication every couple of hours in the parks.
Hand Sanitizer: The parks definitely have hand sanitizer dispensers all over, but it’s always handy to have your own small hand sanitizer close by. You probably have a ton of these lying around after the last year, so just throw one into your backpack before you leave.
First Aid Kit: I don’t buy a formal first aid kit, though you can! I just make sure to carry band-aids, blister band-aids, small tubes of hydrocortisone and topical antibiotics, and a mild painkiller that will help in the case of headaches or muscle pains. These come in handy. On my last trip to Universal, I tripped down just two stairs leading to the boat launch from the Royal Pacific hotel and ripped up my knee. I went through so many band-aids over the next few days, I had to stop at first aid in EPCOT as well. It’s always helpful to go prepared!
