Packing a theme park bag sounds easy. Grab a backpack, throw in a few things, and assume you’ll just buy whatever you need once you get there.
I used to do that too.
But after missed rides and spending way too much on random snacks, I knew I had think harder about what I really needed to bring.
As a travel advisor and a mom who has done a lot of park days, I don’t just pack the practical things, I think about things I wish I had when things didn’t go exactly as planned.
Because the truth is, the right theme park bag does way more than save you a little bit of money. It keeps the day from falling apart.
Let’s Start Here
Before we talk about what goes inside your bagg, let’s talk about the bag, itself.
You have to remember that you’ll end up bringing your bag with you on most rides, so it has to be something big enough to carry your “stuff”, but small enough to fit on the ride with you.
Personally, I always use a lightweight backpack or small crossbody, depending on whether my family is with me or I’m there by myself for work. I just need something that’s easy to wear for hours and won’t dig into my shoulders.
The smaller the bag, the less “stuff” you can throw into it, so I like to keep it as small as possible to keep myself from throwing my entire suitcase into it…”just in case”.
There’s a fine balance between being prepared and bringing too much.
Refillable Water Bottles
I’m sure you’ve heard that you can get free cups of ice water at quick service locations. But, cups are small and you need to wait in line to get them.
I’ve watched families lose 20 minutes just grabbing drinks, only to repeat it again an hour later.
That’s why we bring out own water bottles. You just find a water bottle refill station and move on.
You don’t waste half a day in line.
Snacks That Won’t Melt
The best way to save money in the parks is to bring your own snacks. But, not every snack belongs in a theme park bag. I’ve seen so many packing lists ention granola bars. But, there are better options.
Many granola bars have chocolate or coatings that melt once they’re sitting in a backpack for a few hours. By the time you pull one out, it’s squished, sticky, and falling apart. Not exactly what you want to deal with while standing in line.
That’s why I pack snacks that can handle being in my bag all day, like Crispy Green dried fruit, pretzels, and protein bars without chocolate. They don’t melt, they don’t make a mess, and they’re easy to grab when you need them.
Packing our own snacks have saved me more times than I can count. We pull them out as soon as someone starts saying they’re hungry, before everyone melts down and the whole day gets thrown off.
And as a bonus, you’re not blowing your food budget on random snacks. It leaves room in the budget to enjoy your favorite treat later in the day.
Cooling Towel and Small Fan
There’s hot and then there’s Orlando theme park hot. They are not the same thing.
I’ve worn a neck fan through heat, humidity, and even surprise rainstorms. There’s a photo of me riding the Disney Skyliner with my neck fan still going. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And it works.
I’m not going to pretend a neck fan or cooling towel fixes everything. But having steady air on your neck and a cold towel to cool down makes the heat a lot more manageable.
This is also one of those things people end up buying in the parks once they’re already hot and uncomfortable. Disney and Universal sell fans and cooling towels, but they cost more than buying them ahead of time. Do yourself a favor and get them ahead of time.
Portable Phone Charger
Whether you’re going to Disney or Universal, your phone is your park tool.
You use it for wait times, mobile ordering food, photos, maps, and keeping your group together. When your phone dies, everything feels harder than it needs to be.
A portable charger is not optional in my theme park bag. I bring one every single time, and I remind clients to do the same.
Wipes and Sunscreen
A small pack of wipes lives in my theme park bag at all times. Sticky hands, spilled snacks, quick cleanups. You will use them more than you think.
I also bring a travel sized sunscreen for park days. I like a nice spray for larger areas, but I find stick sunscreen is easier to reapply while you’re waiting in line.
Sunburn ruins the rest of the day. This is an easy problem to prevent.
Why I Pack My Theme Park Bag This Way
Whether I’m packing my own bag or I’m talking to a client, I’m always thinking a few steps ahead.
- What do we need if lines are long?
- How can we make sure that everyone stays well hydrated?
- What snacks can we bring for when it’s not quite time to eat, but everyone is suddenly hungry?
- Is there something we can bring when everyone is starting to melt down?
Everything in my theme park bag has a purpose. Each item is there to solve a small problem.
A theme park bag is not just a bag. It’s a tool. And when I pack it right, it saves time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress.
This is the same way I think about the rest of a theme park trip. The small decisions are usually the ones that make everything feel easier once you’re there.
If you’re planning a theme park trip and have questions about what would make it feel easier, you can always email me. I’m happy to help point you in the right direction.
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I received Crispy Green snack for free. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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