WITH ALL THE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN PLANNING YOUR DISNEYLAND VACATION, DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR DAY BAG FOR THE PARKS!  BEING PREPARED CAN MAKE YOUR TRIP ALL THAT MORE MAGICAL, SO BE SURE TO USE THIS LIST OF 9 ITEMS THAT YOU’LL WANT TO PACK FOR DISNEYLAND!

When planning your next magical vacation, be sure to spend some time going over your list of what to pack for Disneyland.  Specifically, how to pack for your day in the park! 

Over the years, we’ve learned a few tips and tricks that we can share with you to make sure that you have the most magical, memorable visit possible!  Here is our list of 9 must-pack items for Disneyland that will help you have a Fantasmic time!!

A Good Backpack

Choosing the right day pack for Disneyland is crucial.  I’ve been to the Disneyland Resort well over 20 times now, and I have tried every sort of bag out there.  Cross-body, belt bag, purse, wristlet – they all have their pros and cons, but often more cons than pros.  Backpacks, however, are ideal.  You want to be sure that your bag isn’t too big, for two main reasons.  You don’t want it getting too heavy, and you want it to fit onto the rides with you. 

Backpacks allow you to carry your water bottle, your battery pack, all your other essentials (like maybe a couple of small snacks) and any small purchases you might make during the day.  The weight is evenly distributed across your shoulders, so you’ll feel less fatigued by the end of the day.  And if you really want to get into the Disneyland spirit of things, there’s nothing better than a Disney Loungefly Backpack.  They are so cute and fun and isn’t that what Disneyland is all about?

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Gone are the days that I could walk for 16 hours in flip-flops.  Now I rely on real comfort.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’ll still try to do at least part of the day sans runners, but when my feet talk, I listen. 

Bring comfortable walking shoes or runners, and NOT new ones.  Be sure they are broken in and don’t create blisters or aches of any kind.  These runners are hands-down the BEST running shoes I have ever bought!  Mikaela’s favourites are these runners, but they are getting harder and harder to find.  And you might want to check out my favourite sandals as well.  I generally pack two pairs of each, so that I have fresh footwear each time we take a break at our hotel.

Reusable Water Bottle

It can get darn hot standing in the sun, waiting for your turn to get on Toy Story or Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and having reusable water bottles with you is good planning!  I will often purchase water in the hotel gift shop, or possibly even make a run down to Walgreens, CVS or Target on South Harbour Boulevard, and keep it in the fridge in our room. 

I fill up my water bottle each morning with cold water, and then throughout the day, I can stop in at any quick-service restaurant and ask for a glass of cold water or a glass of ice.  Staying hydrated really does make your trip so much more fun!

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Flip-Flops or Water Shoes

Yes, I know, I did say that comfortable shoes are a MUST, but even the most comfortable shoes will feel awful if they are wet!  If you plan on riding Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run, there is an extremely good chance you’ll get wet.  There’s also a very good chance you’ll be soaked!  This is fine on a hot summer day, but if your shoes get wet, you will suffer. 

Before you get onto those rides, slip out of the socks and runners and put on water-safe shoes, like these super cute Crocs or a fun pair of flip-flops.  Trust me, you’ll thank me for this one!!  

Umbrellas and/or Ponchos

So, speaking of water rides like Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run, there are some people that, while they really enjoy those attractions, just don’t want to get wet.  Keeping a poncho in your backpack for this is just good planning.  You can stock up on them at your local dollar store (might not be the best quality) or you can order these super cute reusable ponchos!  Please DO NOT try to use an umbrella on the rides – it’s just not going to happen.  However, for rainy days in the parks, a cute umbrella is just what you need.  

Cell Phone Portable Chargers and Power Banks

Since I rarely bring a full-size camera to Disneyland with me, I use my iPhone to take pictures.  You’ll want to snap photos all day, both inside and outside the resort!  All those pictures can burn through your phone battery fairly quickly, and trying to connect to WiFi throughout the park can also put a dent in the juice!  Keep a portable charger in your bag for those emergency situations.

Small First Aid Kit

You’re going to do A LOT of walking in Disneyland, out in the sun, surrounded by noise.  You know what that means – pain relievers, band-aids, sunscreen and after-burn for when you forget your sunscreen.  Bring all these items with you to avoid having to purchase them either in the park or at your hotel.  Yes, there are larger stores near the resort, but if you discover a blister early in the day, you may not want to leave the park to deal with it.  Keep a small kit in your backpack for just these types of emergencies.  Gather up items from your home and keep them in a Ziploc or small cosmetics bag.

Hand Sanitizer

At any time, you should be careful of what you are touching and make sure your hands are clean before eating.  Now, more than ever, hand sanitizing is essential to your enjoyment of the parks.  Have a travel-sized sanitizer with you at all times and be sure you are protecting your health.  Keep in mind, hand sanitizing DOES NOT replace washing your hands.  In fact, after applying sanitizer 5 times (not washing in between), it is no longer effective.  Be diligent with hand-washing and use sanitizer as an added measure of protection for yourself and your family.

Our Helpful Tips

When setting out for Disneyland, you want to have as much information as you can!  We’ve prepared a super-simple cheat sheet of all the Height Requirements throughout the Disneyland Resort, including both Disneyland and California Adventure.  

Regardless of when and how you travel to Disneyland, you’ll want to have the best time!  Remember to follow our pro tips and pack our top picks to help keep your vacation magical!

Want to remember this?  Be sure to save this list of 9 Must-Pack Items for Disneyland to your favourite Pinterest Boards!