Copyright NJ.com
If you’re heading to Disney World soon, your brain is probably on overload about what to pack and everything you really need for your trip. Before you even pack, you need to determine what bag you’re going to bring. If you were to pick a bag based on social media popularity, the obvious answer is either a Loungefly backpack or a Stoney Clover pouchette bag. Both are currently the “it” bags in the parks, but are they actually the best? If you browse Reddit threads and read articles online, most people believe backpacks are the best bag type to bring for a full day in a Disney park. As my team’s resident Disney World expert, I also recommended a backpack (or a medium-to-large shoulder bag). I love Vera Bradley’s Disney Small Banbury Backpack. Of all the types of bags you can bring, backpacks obviously can fit the most. That does depend on the size, as Loungefly backpacks are extremely popular, but aren’t as spacious as you’d think. People love Loungefly backpacks because they’re available in a ton of designs that can fit pretty much any Disney aesthetic, like this Juddy Hopps backpack for the upcoming “Zooptopia 2″ movie. I’ve got an upcoming trip to Disney for Jersey Week, and I’m going to stray from my backpack usage to test out the BAGSMART Shoulder Bag from Amazon. It meets all of my “perfect Disney bag” checklist items and then some. It even has an exterior pocket that can fit a water bottle! Disney Bag Policy This isn’t a sporting event or concert; you won’t need a small, clear bag. Disney’s bag policy accommodates a wide range of bag sizes. You can literally bring a suitcase in! Who needs to stop at a hotel? Head straight from the Orlando Airport to the Magic Kingdom if you want. Are there any bag size limits at Disney World? Yes! While you can bring suitcases, large backpacks and coolers into the park, there are some size restrictions. Per Disney’s website, “Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Reusable ice packs are recommended." That means that your bag, suitcase or cooler needs to be under 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm), so a bag or cooler that measures at 23″ long x 14″ wide x 17″ high (60 cm x 37 cm x 45 cm) should be good to go. While the bag sizes aren’t very restrictive, what you pack in that bag can be. Make sure you don’t have anything on Disney’s prohibited list inside your bag! That includes selfie sticks, funnily enough. The best bags for Disney, from little belt bags up to large backpacks & everything in between What makes a bag “the best” will really depend on what you need to put inside it. If you’re not a parent, you won’t care about diaper bags and probably are going to opt for a smaller bag, like a crossbody bag or a belt bag. As someone who travels to Disney World every year, I have a few requirements for a bag to be qualified as “the best.” The bag needs: Pockets: The perfect bag will have an exterior and interior zip pocket, plus additional interior pockets for a phone or lip gloss. Or to store my travel Pepto. A quality strap: I think every bag should have an adjustable strap. But if the strap isn’t adjustable, then it has to be sturdy and the right length to fit across my body. It cannot be too short, where it will feel like the bag is inside my armpit all day long. It can fit everything I need: This is so specific to me, but if a bag cannot fit all of the stuff I lug around, it just isn’t the best! A belt bag is a little too small for me at Disney. I have to fit my wallet, my phone, a camera, deodorant, meds, a phone charger (or two), sunglasses and other odds & ends in my perfect park bag. I’ve been a backpack girl at Disney, but I’m hoping that the BAGSMART crescent shoulder bag I bought to test out is the perfect medium-sized bag for all of my needs. Belt bags for Disney Small belt bags are great for Disney World for the folks who really only need to carry their phone, wallet and other small items. Disney Mickey & Minnie All-Over Print Fanny Pack for $25 Vera Bradley Disney Woodward Small Belt Bag for $50 Disney X Kate Spade New York Minnie Belt Bag for $74, instead of $99 Fanny packs for Disney If you want something just one size up from a belt bag, a fanny pack offers a bit more room. Fanny packs can be worn the traditional way, or you can wear most of them across your body. BAGSMART Fanny Packs for Women Two Way Zipper for $15, instead of $20 Mickey Mouse Hip Pack by Columbia for $40 Disney Mickey & Friends Fanny Pack for $138 Disney crossbody bags Crossbody bags are a better medium-sized bag for Disney that works best for the folks who cannot fit everything they need into a fanny pack. Think, phone chargers, small water bottles and extra socks (since it always rains in Florida!). BAGSMART Quilted Crossbody Bag for $25, instead of $28 Winnie the Pooh Mini Convertible Crossbody Bag by Lug for $65 Disney Springbrook Sling Crossbody for $109, instead of $155 Shoulder bags for Disney Shoulder bags can typically hold the same amount as a crossbody bag, but offer a different style of bag for those who don’t love to wear a strap across their body. Mickey Mouse Quilted Shoulder Bag for $43 Disney Springbrook Sling Crossbody for $50, instead of $100 Mickey Mouse Standing Shoulder Bag for $54 Tote bags for Disney If you’re buying souvenirs and bringing a ton of things into the park, you’re going to want to pack a tote bag. Disney Princess Flowers Canvas Tote for $17 Mickey Mouse Canvas Tote and Pouch Set for $60 Disney Mini Original Tote for $81, instead of $115 Diaper bags for Disney You’ll most likely already own a diaper bag if you’re traveling to Disney with kids, but if you’re shopping for the trip, there are a few Disney-specific diaper bags you can shop. Disney Minnie Mouse Diaper Bag Backpack for $34 BabbleRoo Diaper Bag Backpack for $37, instead of $43 Disney X Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Backpack Diaper Bag for $184 Backpacks for Disney Backpacks are best for people who are thinking of packing an extra pair of shoes. Backpacks are best for those of us who wear HOKA sneakers to the park, but change into our Crocs halfway through the day. coowoz Large Travel Backpack for $22 Mickey Mouse Icon Peppermint Swirl Loungefly Mini Backpack for $90 Vera Bradley Disney Small Banbury Backpack for $100, instead of $110 If you’re feeling extra fancy, some designers even have exclusive collaborations that feature Mickey and Minnie. Coach has its own Disney collection, as does Kate Spade Outlet.
