We’ve talked endlessly about the best things to pack in the bag you’re taking into the Disney Parks — but what about what NOT to pack??
Magic Kingdom
We have shared with you the bag that everyone takes to the parks. We have talked about the bags our reporters use every day — and they had A LOT of opinions. You probably have your park bag essentials list memorized by now. Spray Deordarnt? Check. Poncho? Check. But today, we’re here to help save you from a ruined park day by telling you what NOT to pack in your park bag.
Believe it or not, there are just some things you definitely do not want to put in your park bag. Let’s get into it.
Snacks — Hear Us Out
We love our Disney snacks, but not when they ruin our bags! Sometimes the Disney snack you grabbed is just too good and you want to save it for later. However, you do NOT want to put that snack in your bag without a container. For example, if you want to save the Blondie Pie for a late-night hotel snack, you’ll want to put it in something to hold it together. These get crumbly, and the next thing you know, you’ll be picking out crumbs from your bag for the rest of the week (not to mention the melted chocolate getting everywhere!).
Blondie Pie topped with chopped TWIX
You could also bring packaged snacks with you in your bag. However, your bag might get full of souvenirs and other essentials, which could crush the snacks you brought. In order to save the snacks, bring a hard container with you.
Gold Fish
You’ll want something that doesn’t take up a lot of space and is durable.
Grab a Stackable Container Like This One!
©Amazon
This Whiskware Stackable Container is a great option. It is 3 separate containers that can stack on top of each other so it takes up minimal space in your bag. These twist together so no worries about them popping open like other container options. It comes in a variety of Disney characters as well.
Certain Water Bottles
Listen, we aren’t saying you don’t need a water bottle because you DEFINITELY do (that Orlando heat is no joke!). But we are saying you need one that can fully close. You want to make sure the bottle you have either has a closed straw or is a twist top in order to prevent it from leaking into your bag.
Refill Station By TRON
You don’t want an open bottle to spill and ruin your other essentials (like a phone charger) — this may or may not have happened to us on multiple occasions 😬.
A leak-proof water bottle is a must, though! Luckily, Disney has plenty of water bottle refill stations so you’ll want to bring one to stay hydrated. Just make sure it can fully close before throwing it into your bag.
Get These Simply Modern Disney Water Bottles
©Amazon
Water bottles like these Disney ones from Simply Modern on Amazon are a good option. They are a twist lid with a closeable straw to prevent any leaks. They are 220z so they can hold a lot of water and their Disney designs are adorable.
Wet Ponchos
Depending on the time of year you visit Disney World, you could run into some serious rain when you’re here. Having a poncho is essential, but having a wet poncho balled up inside of your bag overnight can ruin your items and the poncho. You’ll want to make sure to take your poncho out of your bag as soon as you get back to your hotel and hang it up to dry. Leaving it in your bag overnight can keep it wet and could cause your whole bag to smell.
It’s probably going to rain
You can bring along a large Ziploc bag to keep your wet poncho separate from your other items!
These Reusable Ponchos Come in Handy
©Amazon
These Reusable Ponchos are a must-have in your park bag. Storms can pop up at any time in Florida and you don’t want to be caught having to run to buy a Disney poncho. You’ll be so glad you got a pack of these that are reusable and easy to store.
Used Cooling Towels
Just like having a poncho is essential, cooling towels really help cool you down in the hot and humid weather at Disney World. However, throwing a wet, used cooling towel in your bag is just as bad as a wet poncho. The towels can collect sweat off of you so they can really stink if left in your bag. You’ll want to take these out every night and hang them up. If you have the ability to wash them, that’s a bonus.
EPCOT
You can also get cooling towels that come with a carrying case to prevent them from getting your bag wet.
Grab These Reusable Cooling Towels with Carrying Case
©Amazon
These Reusable Cooling Towels come in a 4 pack and each has its own carrying case. This will make it easy to keep your other items in your bag dry when you’re done using the towel. They come in a variety of colors so each family member can have their own and no one is swapping towels.
Metal Tins/Eye Glasses Case
At Disney World, you’ll have to go through a metal detector before you can enter every park and Disney Springs. There are certain items that set off those detectors, including metal tins (like band-aid or first-aid containers) and eyeglasses cases.
Magic Kingdom Security
While these items ARE allowed inside the parks, you will have to stop and wait in line for security to check your bag. Sometimes these lines can be long and if you’re park hopping, the time can add up having to stop each time. If you want to avoid this, place the items in another bag that’s plastic or cloth.
Full Wallet
While you WILL need your wallet of course, you don’t necessarily want to carry around your full wallet with you in the parks. You will want a smaller wallet that just holds what you need that day — credit card or cash, your ID, and your ticket. In the event you lose your bag (which has also happened to us), you don’t want every card and all your money to be in that wallet.
Main Street USA
So instead, pick up a smaller wallet to throw in your park bag.
Try This Small Loungefly Flap Wallet!
©Amazon
This Mickey and Minnie Sweets Flap Wallet from Loungefly is the perfect size wallet for your park bag. It won’t take up too much space in your bag and it is still big enough to hold the things you’ll need for the day. Plus, it’s too cute with the Mickey donuts and the Minnie cupcakes.
Prohibited Items
You might not PLAN to bring a prohibited item, but it can easily happen accidentally. The list includes weapons, self-defense or restraining devices, objects or toys that look like weapons, any illegal substances, explosives, alcohol, glass containers, noise makers, wagons, trailers, selfie sticks, and more. Check your bag before your visit so you don’t forget to take something out!
Pirate Sword
For more Disney tips and tricks, be sure to follow us at Disney Food Blog.
Check out 11 Target essentials you NEED in your Disney World park bag.
Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know
Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip
Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe
What is something you have regretted putting in your Disney park bag? Let us know in the comments.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
You can take the eyeglasses case out of your bag at security and hold it straight out in front of you, along with your umbrella, to go through the metal detectors. This will generally prevent you from having to have your bag checked. It worked for us all but 2 times, and the one time it was because someone got too close behind my daughter and their item set off the detector and SHE was the one who was pulled aside. The other time was just a CM that was pulling everyone with a bag, regardless of whether it pinged or not. It was in the afternoon and it wasn’t busy and I think she thought she was helping by giving the bag checkers something to do.