Have you ever been in the middle of a long park day, only to realize you’re in need of a basic you don’t have? Even the lack of something small, like pain reliever or a poncho, can put a damper on your trip.
Magic Kingdom
Instead of paying park prices for these basics just bring your own in a park bag! Even those who usually prefer to pack light should bring some sort of bag with them to carry a few necessities with them.
While you may be tempted to just pack whatever old bag you can find, just like everything else you plan to bring you should put thought into how it will perform during your trip. You want to make sure you’re choosing the best bag for you or else it will just be another thing to carry! These are our tips for picking the best backpack to bring with you on your next Disney World vacation.
Best Backpack Features for Disney World
When picking a backpack, you want to follow the Goldilocks rule: not too big, not too little, but just right! Consider what you’ll be bringing into the parks: if you like to be prepared for any possibility and are planning on carrying around a lot of items, go bigger. For those who want to stick to the bare bones, there’s no sense in bringing a giant bag you won’t use. While the weight of the bag is important, you can find lightweight backpacks in a variety of sizes. Just be sure to check out what the weight is ahead of time. The average empty backpack weighs between 1 and 6 pounds, and after adding your belongings the final weight needs to be something you’ll be comfortable carrying around for 10+ hours.
You’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet, so you’ll want a backpack that won’t weigh you down
Other features to keep an eye out for are comfortable straps, hidden pockets (for storing valuables), and charging ports for plugging in your phone on the go. You can also find water resistant bags, which are especially useful when visiting from July to September, Florida’s rainy season. There are a ton of features you can find across different backpack brands and styles — consider which aspects will be most useful to you and let that guide your choice!
Best Overall Backpack for Disney World
Our pick for the best overall is the Mickey Mouse Travel Backpack from shopDisney. This bag combines utilitarianism with Disney flair effortlessly. There are tons of pockets with space to organize all of your items, and some of the pockets even have pockets INSIDE them. Pocket-ception.
Mickey Mouse Travel Backpack
Each of the zipper pulls are durable and bright red so they’re easy to spot when you’re looking for something in a rush. Besides being practical, this bag is also a fun bright blue and has a sweet Mickey Mouse on the front!
Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Travel Backpack!
Best Budget Backpack for Disney World
On a budget? We’ve got the bag for you! You won’t have to give up functionality with the Abshoo Classical Travel Backpack. Not only is there plenty of space, it’s made of water resistant fabric to protect your belongings even if you happen to get spit on by the camel in Magic Kingdom.
Abshoo Classical Travel Backpack
The mesh pockets on both sides are the perfect spots for holding water bottles, making it easy to access at any time. You can pick from a wide rainbow of colors, and you can easily personalize it with pins and patches!
Click here to buy the Abshoo Classical Travel Backpack!
Best Disney-Themed Backpack for Disney World
When it comes to Disney-themed bags, Loungefly is the brand you want to shop. They have tons of designs based on different characters, movies, parks, rides, and almost anything Disney you can think of! There are plenty of designs available right now on shopDisney, with one of the most popular being this Walt Disney World 100th Anniversary Backpack.
100th Anniversary Loungefly Backpack
This is a limited edition bag features the 100th logo in shimmering foil.
Click here to buy the Walt Disney World 100th Anniversary Loungefly Mini Backpack!
They also have cute character designs, like this Minnie Mouse Sequined Loungefly Mini Backpack. Most of the Loungefly mini backpacks follow this shape, with a large zippered main compartment and a smaller zippered pocket on the front. There is also a slip pocket on either side for easy access to small items like your cell phone or lip balm.
Minnie Mouse Sequined Loungefly Mini Backpack
Their mini backpacks are also a great size if you prefer smaller bags. You also can’t deny this Minnie Mouse design is ridiculously cute, from the sequin ears to the polka dot bow!
Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse Sequined Loungefly Mini Backpack!
Best Kids Backpack for Disney World
As your child gets older they may want their own special bag to bring with them to the parks. The Simple Modern Disney Kids Backpack is the perfect size for them, and they’re sure to love the classic Mickey Mouse print!
Simple Modern Disney Kids Backpack
Parents will be happy to know this backpack is made of easy to clean polyester. The straps are padded for comfort and adjustable so it can grow with them.
Click here to buy the Simple Modern Disney Kids Backpack!
Best Sling Backpack for Disney World
Sling backpacks are a favorite amongst our staff due to their size and convenience. They can be worn across your chest comfortably which gives you more control and makes it easier to access your bag’s contents without having to stop, take it off, and rifle through.
Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Sling Backpack
The Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Sling Backpack is a great choice not only for its size and shape but its amount of pockets. Even small bags can be tricky to organize, but these are made with enough compartments you won’t lose anything.
Click here to buy the Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Sling Backpack!Â
Best Diaper Bag Backpack for Disney World
Parents of young children: you deserve a nice diaper bag. When it comes to Disney, Petunia Pickle Bottom is by far our favorite brand! Their designs, like this Axis Backpack, are made to look like a fancy bag while providing you with the functionality that you need.
Petunia Pickle Bottom Axis Backpack
The top compartment can actually separate from the insulated bottom section, and this bag comes with snazzy features like a top grab handle, a D-ring to attach to strollers, 7 different pockets, AND a removable changing pad. What CAN’T this bag do?
Click here to buy the Petunia Pickle Bottom Axis Backpack!
Best Designer Backpack for Disney World
Looking for something that will pair well with the outfits you have picked? Kate Spade has partnered with Disney to create bags in the past, and this leather Minnie Dome Backpack is probably the most stylish way to carry sunscreen ever.
Kate Spade Minnie Dome Backpack
We love the unique shape to this bag, which has both a top zipper as well as a lower one that opens to a bottom compartment. The gold hardware pairs perfectly with Minnie’s classic red, white, and black color scheme!
Click here to buy the Kate Spade Minnie Dome Backpack!
Best Backpack with Charging Port for Disney World
This bag blends modern tech with vintage charm. Between taking pictures, using the My Disney Experience App, and Genie+, you’re sure to run through your phone battery quickly. Charge your phone on the go with the MANCIO Vintage Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port!
MANCIO Vintage Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port
Add your portable charger to the inside and plug it in, then you can plug your phone in to the port on its exterior. Either carry your phone while it charges or let it sit in the side slip pocket; either way, you won’t have choose between carrying your charger in your hands or leaving your phone in your bag.
Click here to buy the MANCIO Vintage Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port!
When it comes to picking a backpack, just make sure you do your research and prioritize what you will need most when you’re walking around the parks. For more helpful tips, stay tuned to our site!
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What do you do with your backpack if you can’t bring it on a ride? I know at a local small park near us, we always feared our bags would be stolen as we are on a ride, so we always got a locker, but it was a small park, Disney is so big, you won’t be near the lockers all the time and it’ll be a walk to which ever one you pick. So is theft an issue at Disney parks? that is my biggest concern.
I might be incorrect, but I don’t believe there are any rides at Disney that you cannot take your backpack. I can’t think of any. The exception is going to be Tron, but they will have lockers AT the ride.
I use the Vera Bradley Reactive sling pack. It’s waterproof. I use a slap bracelet through the D-ring or through the straps to attach my Minnie ears. I’m amazed at how much stuff it will hold.