The Best Bags for Disney (and What to Put in Them)

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Families planning a Disney vacation are known for planning down to the smallest detail well in advance. That even includes trying to decide on the best bag for Disney.

Yes, you heard that right, there is such a thing. Not all bags are created equal when it comes to a full day at the Disney parks.

So what exactly goes into choosing the best Disney park bag? What are some factors to consider? What are Disney’s rules for carrying bags into the park?

This post will take a shot at answering all of these questions, as well as, take a look at some specific examples (Updated March 2, 2025).

Overall Best Bag for Disney – My Top Pick

So, in one of my greatest disappointments, my absolute favorite bag for Disney is currently unavailable. I’m going to put a link to the SEEU Ultralight Sling Bag here just in case it comes back.

In the absence of my old faithful bag, I found the closest match that I could. And let me tell you, it’s almost identical, just in less loud colors. Which isn’t a bad thing.

That makes the Waterfly Crossbody Sling Bag my new overall best bag for Disney World!

Here’s a brief summary of why this bag is so great for Disney. Then we’ll talk about why some of these features are so important.

Further on in the post we’ll explore all manner of other great options for your Disney trip.

What kind of bag should I bring to Disney?

Let’s start off with perhaps the most relevant question: What kind of bag should I bring to Disney? The answer to this question is going to vary depending on each family’s needs.

There are so many different types of bags to choose from. Throughout this article we’ll take a look at a variety of different options and look at pros and cons of each.

In general, here are some important features to look for when choosing the best bag for Disney.

• Comfort
• Size to meet your needs
• Pockets
• Water resistance

Let’s take a look at this in more detail. Because if you’re reading this, you’re clearly already curious about this!

Comfort

Frankly, this is probably the number 1 consideration when choosing the type of bag to use at Disney. Think about it, you’re going to wear this bag for hours and hours a day, multiple days in a row.

While you of course need to take other factors into consideration, please make sure you choose a bag for Disney that’s comfortable.

So what goes into making a bag comfortable?

Comfortable Straps

If at all possible, padded straps are going to make your experience a whole lot better. The wider they are, they more the weight and pressure is going to be distributed.

In the end, this makes the bag more comfortable for all day use.

I’ve seen many people use those drawstring backpacks in the parks, and I urge you not to do this! Those straps are so narrow that once you put any sort of weight into that bag they are going to dig right into your shoulders.

Breathability

Picture wearing a backpack for 10+ hours, with the material pressing against your back. Now picture doing that while in 90+ degree weather with high humidity.

There’s the high potential here for your back to be absolutely soaked very early on in the day.

This makes breathability a key factor in terms of comfort. Many bags come with mesh backs and channels to allow some air flow. Your back will still sweat, but at least not as bad as it could.

Extra Support Straps

This one isn’t necessary for everyone, but something to consider regardless. Having extra support straps can help distribute the weight of your bag better.

What do I mean by extra support straps? Have you ever seen those backpacks that have straps and buckles that connect across your chest? That’s what I mean.

By using those straps, it helps use more of your body to carry the weight, not just your shoulders. This helps relieve the pressure on your shoulders.

Also, bags that have straps that hook around your waist are a major plus. The same principle is at work here.

By doing this, much of the weight of the bag is now supported by your hips. This drastically helps reduce fatigue on your back and shoulders.

Size to Meet Your Needs

We’re looking for the butter zone in terms of weight and size. Many people default to choosing the largest bag they can handle so they know they have enough room.

The problem with this? If you have the space, you WILL fill it. And the more you fill it, the heavier the bag becomes.

Again, picture carrying that weight around for 10+ hours a day in 90 degrees.

Start out looking for a bag that’s as lightweight as possible to begin with. No thick and clunky materials to add weight.

From there, figure out the size of bag required to carry just what you NEED to bring, and not a bit more.

Easy Access Pockets

You might be scratching your head over this one. Why on earth are pockets so gosh darn important?

It’s all about easy access and organization, my friend.

Clearly, your bag will need a main pocket, but do you also want water bottle pockets? How about smaller pockets for easily accessible items? Do you want a tablet pocket?

I think you see where I’m going with this. Think about how you generally need to use the bag and let that guide your decisions.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is perhaps not an absolute need for your Disney park bag, but it certainly comes in handy.

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Florida is called the Sunshine State. But don’t be fooled, when it rains, it pours. Literally.

And in the wet season, this usually happens for 20 minutes or so, every single afternoon. Sheets and sheets of rain.

I’m sure you see where this is going.

Having a bag with at least some water resistance could come in handy if/when it rains. Do you know how much heavier a water logged backpack will get?

Aside from weight, of course you don’t want all your carefully packed items to end up soaked. That entirely defeats the purpose of having them in the first place.

What is Disney’s Bag Policy?

While Disney is pretty darn flexible with their bag policy, they do have some basic rules to understand when choosing your Disney park bag.

The first thing to understand is that all bags are subject to screening/security checks. This is a lot easier now than it used to be. Now, you mainly just walk through a screening device and go on your way.

However, you should still be prepared for the possibility of having your bag checked as they do pull people aside for this.

In terms of size, bags must be smaller than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high. These dimensions also include suitcases and coolers, with or without wheels.

Note, that size is only for bags to bring into the parks. This doesn’t include the luggage you take to the resorts.

Keep in mind, Disney does have a list of prohibited items for the parks. Make sure you read through Disney’s official prohibited items list so you don’t bring any of them on accident.

Can you bring a bag on Disney rides?

Since we all agree that most families need to carry a bag, this becomes a highly relevant question. Because if you can’t bring it on the rides, what exactly would you do with it?

The good news: Yes! You can bring a bag on most Disney rides.

In fact, I highly recommend that you do so. Please don’t leave your bag sitting in a parked stroller while you ride.

Keep all of your valuables and ID in the Disney park bag that will go on the rides with you. Simply place the bag on the floor of the ride vehicle and you’re good to go.

On the roller coasters (especially Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster because it goes upside down), I loop the strap around my leg so I know it’s secure.

Or, go for the hands free approach and wear a fanny pack. You won’t even need to take it off to ride.

The only ride that does not allow ANY bags at all is the new Tron Lightcycle Run rollercoaster in Magic Kingdom. For that ride all bags must be stored in lockers.

The Best Bags for Disney

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, let’s get down to the business of choosing the best bag for Disney.

I’m going to take a look at various different categories of bags as different people have different preferences.

So, from backpacks to sling bags to fanny packs, let’s dive in.

Best Backpack for Disney

Let’s face it, a backpack is definitely the preferred type of bag for most people going on any sort of trip. But trust me, any old backpack won’t work. You need the best lightweight backpack for Disney.

When looking for a backpack for Disney, please make sure you think through the size and functionality. You really don’t want to lug around the equivalent of a small suitcase on your back.

When searching, use keywords like “small hiking backpack“. This will give you bags that often have chest straps, multiple pockets, are water resistant, and lightweight.

Let’s highlight a couple of specific examples of the best backpack for Disney.

This bag doesn’t just have a chest strap, it has one that adjusts up and down the shoulder straps. This makes it customizable for your ultimate comfort.

It also has a waist strap for added support, again to help minimize shoulder and back fatigue. However, some reviewers to comment that the waist strap is likely not large enough to fit a variety of body types.

There are not one, but two mesh water bottle pockets, in addition to 3 other pockets to allow ultimate organization of your stuff.

The backpack is made of water resistant, lightweight nylon. There are also padded and breathable shoulder straps and a breathable back.

I deliberately chose this bag for it’s somewhat smaller size. It’s still capable of fitting a good amount of stuff, but it won’t allow you to pack everything plus the kitchen sink.

This bag has 4.5 stars with over 6000 reviews on Amazon. It’s been tried and tested by thousands of people in various situations and holds up beautifully.

This backpack is a more traditionally sized backpack so allows you to carry a lot of items. It has a variety of pockets to improve your organization and easy access.

It also has two mesh water bottle pockets on the sides. The pockets are generously sized so they hold even larger water bottles securely.

And of course, this bag has both the chest clip and the waist clip to help battle all that shoulder fatigue.

It comes in a variety of colors and is definitely a more stylish backpack. It is made from water resistant material to help slow down the rate your stuff gets wet in a rainstorm.

This helps blend the best of both worlds when it comes to a backpack for Disney.

If you noticed my #1 pick for the best bag for Disney at the beginning of this post, then you already know I’m a huge fan of sling bags.

In fact, slings bags are my preference for Disney World instead of backpacks.

I simply feel that they give you the best of all worlds and benefits. So, what are some examples of the best sling bag for Disney?

As you can tell, we’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of this bag.

I already mentioned above all of the various specs that make this bag perfect for Disney. But here’s my personal anecdotal experiences.

Even though it’s smaller than most backpacks, it is large enough to fit everything you truly need for a day at Disney. Remember, the larger the bag, the more stuff you WILL put into it. And that makes it heavy and bulky on your back for a bazillion hours a day.

Hence why I recommend deliberately keeping the bag on the smaller side.

But really, the most important part is the overall comfort of using it all day long. The waist strap is the true game changer for me. By hooking that strap it helps relieve so much pressure on my shoulders and back.

Also, the hooked waist strap actually lets the back slouch so there’s minimal contact on my back. I can’t tell you how much this cuts down on that lovely back sweat.

And when one shoulder does get a little tired after 8 hours of walking around, I switch the direction of the shoulder strap and move it to the other shoulder. It’s like a second wind!

A downside of the bag is definitely the fact that there’s only one water bottle slot. Heavier water bottles are also prone to falling out, depending on which shoulder you carry the bag on.

However, while researching this post I discovered there is actually an elastic strap with a toggle to hold the water bottle in place. You can’t imagine how excited I was to figure out what that little strap was for.

Ever since this discovery I’ve tested it with my heavy metal insulated water bottle, and it’s now snug and secure, not falling out a single time.

My only other quibble with the bag is I wish the pocket on the chest strap was a little larger. If you have a larger phone it might not fit. But if your phone doesn’t fit, it’s nice to have an easy access pocket for sunglasses, Chapstick, or any other little items you want access to without taking the bag off your back.

And let’s face it, it’s a bit more stylish than the other one as well. I also like the larger size of the chest strap pocket. That should easily fit a cell phone, as long as you don’t have an enormous one.

This bag is smaller in size as well, which helps keep you from packing too much stuff, but is a problem if it’s too small for your needs.

The material is stiffer than a nylon ripstop so isn’t as packable as other options. It also doesn’t have a waist strap to provide extra support for shoulder fatigue.

Fanny packs are back, baby! And personally, I feel like they could be the best way to carry your stuff at Disney.

On a recent trip, I purchased a fanny pack for the sole purpose of testing it out. And let me just tell you, I’m a convert now.

Because I know how polarizing fanny packs can be, I’ve added a pros and cons section just for fanny packs.

Frankly, I think those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s are slightly traumatized by the un-coolness of fanny packs at the time. But trust me, it’s time to let that go.

**If you are going to Universal Studios, I HIGHLY recommend using fanny packs instead of backpacks. Universal doesn’t allow bags on many rides so you constantly have to use the ride lockers. However, you can ride almost everything with your fanny pack strapped around your waist!

That’s because it’s technically designed for hiking and therefore has a place to carry water. The lack of a place to store water bottles is probably the biggest downside to using a waist pack in Disney World. This fanny pack lets you have the best of both worlds.

You can fit up to a 30oz water bottle in the pocket, and there’s an elastic strap that allows the bottle to stay in place securely. This opens up options for bring your own insulated water bottle into the park with you. You can then fill it up with free ice water from quick service restaurants.

Seriously, if you haven’t done so already, look at the price of a single bottle of water at the Disney parks. They are insanely overpriced. Bringing a refillable water bottle with you can save money.

The larger size of the overall fanny pack also gives you a bit of extra space to play with in terms of what you can fit into it. However, because of the water bottle pocket, you lose some width in terms of storage. If you have an oversized phone or need to fit longer things, the shape of this might not work for you.

On the interior, there is a built in card holder to keep your ID and credit cards more organized so you don’t need to fit a wallet.

It’s made of water repellant nylon and has a comfortable breathable layer on the back.

It comes in a variety of colors so you can choose your favorite. It’s also very affordable, more so than most backpacks and bags.

Part of what makes it more attractive is the smaller size. It’s not some big honkin’ thing strapped to your waist. However, that means that you definitely can’t fit as much in this waist pack as some others.

That aside, it’s still very functional for people who want it for just that reason: carrying less stuff around Disney.

The very smart layout of this bag is a large portion of why it’s so functional. There are 2 small front pockets are easily accessible for small items that are easier to find when corralled. I typically put my travel wallet, chapstick, car key and nail clippers in these pockets.

In addition, there are 2 large pockets as well. The largest pocket also has a card organizer directly in it if you want to avoid carrying a wallet at all.

The material is water resistant and the heathered color options are more attractive than ripstop fabric.

Surprisingly, I really like having the headphone hole, though I didn’t think I would actually use it when I first ordered it. However, that hole is perfect for threading the charging cord through when I’m using my favorite portable charger (a must on a Disney vacation).

This allows me to leave the charger zippered into my fanny pack, thread the cord through the access hole in the pouch, and use my phone while it charges.

Here’s an example of what I was able to fit into this fanny pack:

• Small travel wallet
• Chapstick
• Car key
• Nail clippers
• Cell phone
• USB charger with cord
• Tissues
• Feminine hygiene products
• Travel size sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Packet of hydration powder
• Pain reliever/bandages

Don’t get me wrong, when all of this is in there, it’s a tight fit and I have to make sure it’s all in the proper place. But most of the time my phone is in my pocket anyway and that frees up space.

Waterfly also makes smaller and larger sized fanny packs, so check those out as well if this one doesn’t suit your needs.

It can basically be summed up as follows: hands free easy accessibility.

Everything you need is right at your fingertips, directly in front of your body. There’s no need to take the bag off in order to retrieve your stuff.

You can even wear it on most of the rides, so no need to fuss around with where to put your bag while on the rides.

You definitely need to play around with just where to position the bag with some of the safety bars/harnesses, but trust me, it’s doable.

The smaller size of fanny packs also force you to prioritize bringing only the items that you absolutely need to have.

Quite simply it’s the most convenient and easy to use option for a day at Disney.

Cons to Using a Fanny Pack at Disney

There aren’t too many cons as far as I’m concerned, but there are definitely some.

Unless you bring a fanny pack that’s designed for hiking, there’s no place to put a water bottle.

Also, the smaller size can definitely be limiting. For families that really do need to bring a lot of things, fanny packs probably aren’t the best option.

When you have younger kids you simply tend to carry more things. If that’s the case for you, a fanny pack might not work out. If you are bringing a stroller, I would suggest keeping a diaper bag or other inexpensive bag that just stays in the stroller and hold the items of less importance.

Then, I’d wear a fanny pack to carry the items I need at my fingertips. Every time you park the stroller, you already have your bag with the valuable and necessities strapped to your waist!

Best Purse for Disney World

For some people, a purse is the way to go and that’s that! If that’s that case, you must consider the best type of purse to bring to Disney. If you do plan to carry a purse, make sure it’s a crossbody style.

Again, the crossbody style helps to distribute the weight of the bag a little bit better. Crossbody bags also allow you to go completely hands free. No need to hold the purse or the strap to keep it on your shoulder.

My personal preference would be to avoid carrying a purse at Disney World. I really think any of the other options listed above would be more functional. However, if you do plan to carry a purse, here are my suggestions.

It’s a smaller size bag so you aren’t carrying around a suitcase on your shoulder. However, it has multiple pockets, allowing you to keep your belongings organized.

The material is water resistant and lightweight. One of the interior pockets has card slots to keep you ID and credit cards organized. This is a nice feature to avoid carrying a bulky wallet. More room for other stuff!

The Baggalini Triple Zip comes in a variety of colors and a few patterns. It even has belt loops on the back of the bag, giving you the option to convert it to a fanny pack. Perhaps this bag is the best of both worlds!

The Travelon Classic Messenger Bag is a great purse for Disney, or any sort of travel, really.

It has a 5-point anti-theft security system, including RFID blocking, slash resistant shoulder straps and body panels, and locking straps and compartments.

In a real coup for a purse, there are two mesh zippered water bottle compartments on the outside of the bag. There are also 2 multi-organizational compartments.

This bag is on the larger size for a purse, allowing you to fit a fair number of items in it. It measures 11″x10″x4.5″.

There is a also a card organizing section, again, allowing you to leave the bulky wallet at home.

The shoulder strap is adjustable but doesn’t have any sort of padding to increase comfort. Travelon bags also tend to be a bit pricier than most other crossbody bags because of all the safety features.

If this Travelon bag isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, do not fear, there are a ton more sizes and styles to choose from.

In fact, my sister has used this exact Travelon bag on quite a few occasions when she came with me to Disney.

There are a few categories of bags I want to include in this post. I still maintain that the ones listed above are the best bags to carry at Disney World. However, there are some other options to consider as well.

Let’s face it, everything I listed above is all about practicality, sometimes at the sacrifice of cuteness. But as you walk around Disney, you’ll see so many people carrying Disney themed bags.

These bags don’t necessarily tick all the boxes for what I think is necessary for a day at Disney, but it’s always nice to explore the more stylish options.

And the last option listed is a great one for families trying to save some money on dining at Disney.

But you don’t have to wait until you get to Disney World to buy one. There are tons of Loungefly styles to choose from on Amazon.

There are princess themed bags, Mickey bags, Minnie bags, Disney dogs, Pixar, seriously, you name it and there’s probably a Loungefly bag made with that theme.

These are called “mini-backpacks”, and while there might be slight size differences from one bag to another, they are typically 9″ x 10″ x 4.5″.

While you won’t be able to fit a ton in it, there should be enough room for one person’s things, plus a little extra.

Some of the styles have padded straps, but not all. Take that into consideration when choosing your style. This will clearly impact that overall comfort of the bag.

As long as you don’t pack it with a lot of heavy things, you should be fine.

My daughter has a Loungefly bag she’s used at Disney and she loves it. Then again, she’s 16 and has that young person energy and endurance.

I have a Loungefly bag that I use in my day to day life and I love it. It makes a great purse, and I can fit a fair amount of items in it, including a 20oz metal water bottle.

In that sense, Loungefly bags really are great for Disney World. And you will be perfectly on theme.

Many people don’t realize that you can bring a cooler full of meals into Disney. This is one of the biggest ways to save money on food at Disney.

This backpack has a large enough capacity to hold 25 cans, which I think is inadvisable from a weight standpoint, but it lets you see how large it is.

There are three compartments, two of them not insulated to hold some of your standard necessities. You also get two mesh water bottle pockets on the sides.

This type of bag forces you to either pare down the amount of other items you bring into the parks, or have a second person in your group carry a bag too.

This is the question that naturally comes along when considering the best Disney park bag. And there is a wide array of opinions on what you should and shouldn’t pack in your bag.

Everyone falls into different camps: some are minimalists and want to carry the bare minimum (some people even go bagless!), while others are over packers.

I will admit I fall into the overpacking category. However, I think I’ve learned how to pare everything down so I’m carrying a reasonable amount of stuff.

I mean come on, I manage to wear only a fanny pack now!

In light of this, I want to break this section down to two categories: 1) Absolute must haves, and 2) Can be nice if you have space.

Disney Park Bag Must Haves

Ok, here are the things that I deem essential to have with you during a long day at the parks.

• Portable Phone Charger with charging cord
• Cell Phone
• ID
• Disney gift cards
• Credit card/cash just in case
• Sunglasses
• Travel size sunscreen (smaller bottle size to minimize space and weight)
• Lip balm with SPF
• A few Band-Aids – yes, you can get them for free at the first aid station at each of the parks, but they don’t take up much room and I prefer to have access to them the moment I need them
• Pain reliever/any necessary medication

If you want to go minimalistic, then this is a solid list to start with. I fit more than this in my fanny pack during my last trip.

A Word About Portable Phone Chargers at Disney…

There is a reason why I’m listing this first. If you bring nothing else with you other than your ID, it needs to be a portable phone charger.

I’m serious, even if you go without a bag, get one to fit into your pocket. You’ll be glad you did.

A day at a Disney park relies heavily on your cell phone for all manner of things. Just taking pictures alone will drain your battery.

But if you are using the MagicMobile Pass on your cell phone, it starts upping the usage. And then you can add in checking wait times, using Disney Genie, and so on.

Your battery drains seriously fast. That’s why you should always bring a portable phone charger and a charging cord.

I’ve tried a few chargers, and my favorite is this INIU charger. It’s on the cheaper end for portable chargers but it works phenomenally.

I’m able to get multiple charges done without it losing its juice.

At this point, I own 3 different INIU charger styles. Some might say I have a bit of a problem. I just say that I never have to worry about having a dead battery on the my phone!

I have a post all about keeping your phone charged at Disney, so take a look at that to get some more details.

Other Disney Park Bag Items

Ok, this is where the list can start to get extensive. There are a million and one items out there which could potentially make your day easier.

Please, don’t bring all of them. You won’t need everything. And some things you might need only during certain times of the year.

So use your judgement when it comes to these suggestions.

• Cooling towel like this one – this one can be handy during the very hot summer months, helps keep you cool even when it’s 95 degrees out. I’ve personally used this brand and it works great.
• Ponchos/Umbrella
• Sun hat
• Portable neck fan – another one that’s specifically for the hottest months
• Hydration packets – this might seem weird, but dehydration at Disney is very real. Adding these to a standard bottle of water helps boost your hydration
• Moleskin – this helps to provide extra cushion to prevent blisters
• Reusable water bottle – this is a great way to save some money on beverages during the day (P.S. you can get free ice water at all dining locations)
• Reusable metal straws – if you really don’t like using paper or noodle straws, this might be a must have for you (there are no plastic straws at Disney)

Your Thoughts

So which do you think is the best way to carry stuff at Disney? Are you team backpack, or will you go nuts and give a fanny pack a try? Let me know in the comments below.

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