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What I pack in my Disneyland backpack

By Megan duBois

|Updated
Everything I keep in my Disneyland backpack for a trip to the parks

Everything I keep in my Disneyland backpack for a trip to the parks

Courtesy of Megan DuBois, Special to Hearst

The Disneyland Resort is one of my favorite places, but it does take some planning to have a successful Disney day. One of the things I always plan out is do I want to take a backpack or just a fanny pack into the parks for the day. On days when it's cooler, or I know I’m going to be in the parks from open until close, I take a backpack. Not only does this allow me to have everything I need for the entire day, but I usually have a little extra room in my backpack for items I may buy, like sweets to bring home, trading pins, or yet another Mickey Mouse-emblazoned coffee mug.

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I’ve been using the same park backpack for years. In fact, this Kipling Mary Poppins Returns Experience backpack has traveled to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, on Disney Cruise Line sailings, and across the world with Adventures by Disney. While this particular backpack is no longer for sale, Kipling does have a similar option with its Seoul Extra Large backpack

I love both of these backpacks because of how many compartments there are. The larger compartment is great for souvenirs and sweatshirts, while the smaller front compartments are nice for smaller things like phone chargers. I always try to find a backpack that has at least one side pocket, but two are best.

Geared up for Disneyland!

Geared up for Disneyland!

Courtesy of Megan DuBois, Special to Hearst

On one side I always have a reusable cup that I can refill throughout the day instead of buying water at Disneyland, and on the other side, I have sunglasses. The pocket with the sunglasses is also where I put my phone while I’m at attractions. 

So what exactly do I pack in my backpack for a successful Disneyland day? Here’s my list.

The particular sweatshirt that I have isn’t available to purchase since it’s a few years old, but this one from ShopDisney is cute with Mickey in his classic pose, along with the Disneyland logo underneath. The sweatshirt comes in three colors, whitegray, and blue, so you can pick the one that fits your style the best. A sweatshirt will come in handy on those cooler California mornings and chilly Disneyland evenings. 

I love wearing ear headbands to the parks. Not only does it keep the wind from blowing my hair in my face, but it’s just cute. I typically only bring a pair or two on any Disney trip with me, and I try to be sure I can mix and match both sets with every outfit I have planned. My favorite pair are bright red sequins with a red bow, but they are no longer available. As an alternative, I also love these classic Minnie Mouse ears that are fully decked out in sequins, even the iconic polka dot bow. 

This card case is my go-to wallet at Disneyland. The front of the wallet has six slots, which I fill with my park ticket, hotel room key, my ID, and credit cards. There is an open pouch just behind the card slots where I keep my business cards because you never know who you’re going to meet, and the zipped area is where I keep a few dollars in cash. 

There’s nothing worse than walking around Disneyland and having to stop for water, especially when you have a Lightning Lane that’s getting ready to expire on the opposite side of the park. This is why I always carry a refillable water bottle with me, and my favorite is the Corkcicle Canteen. It holds 25 ounces of water and can keep it cold for over 24 hours. Before I leave the hotel in the morning I fill the bottle up with as much ice as I can, then fill it with water. The ice usually lasts all day so I can drink cold water even at 7:00 p.m. while waiting for Wondrous Journeys to start at Disneyland Park. When the bottle needs a refill, I head to one of the refill stations located around both parks or get a free cup of water from one of the many quick-service restaurants.

Geared up for Disneyland!

Geared up for Disneyland!

Courtesy of Megan DuBois, Special to Hearst

One of the biggest challenges at Disneyland, besides trying to get a spot in the virtual queue for a new attraction, is keeping my cell phone going all day. With all of the photos and videos I take, plus trying to secure Lightning Lanes with Disney Genie+, phone batteries die quickly. One charger that I always have with me is a FuelRod. While they never charge my phone all the way, I do like that there are free swap stations all over the Disneyland Resort, so when the charger is dead, I can swap it out for a new one. This kit also comes with compatible phone cords, but they are so short I never use them. 

In lieu of the FuelRod charging cord, I opt for a six-foot lightning cable. This allows me to keep the charger and most of the cord in the small front pouch of my backpack and still use my phone while it’s charging and not have to hold the external battery. These six-foot cords are also great for hotel rooms where the nearest plug may not be right next to the bed. 

In the front pouch of my backpack, I always have an extra lipstick in the same color that I put on at the hotel. Most of the time, that means having Mac Lipstick Matte in Red Rock. Mac lipsticks tend to last for most of the day with limited touch-ups needed, though your mileage may vary depending on what Disney snacks you plan to indulge in. I also like NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dragon Girl as a bright red alternative. 

For the days when the Santa Ana winds are really strong, or if I’ve worn drying lipstick too many days in a row, I always carry the Clinique Moisture Surge Lip Hydro-Plump Treatment. This lip mask is great for relieving dryness and making sure dry cracked lips never happen. 

The one must-have item I carry in my backpack is Bonine, which is a motion-sickness relief tablet. These chewable pills are the reason I’m able to do some of my favorite rides like WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disneyland. While Bonine can cause drowsiness, I’ve never had a problem with it. Always consult your doctor before trying a new medication. 

The last thing I grab to put in my backpack before heading out the door of the hotel is my sunglasses. For Disneyland, I love these heart-shaped ones in bright red. Whenever I put them on I instantly feel like Taylor Swift, and I always get compliments on them in the parks. I like that the plastic lenses are very dark to keep the sun out of my eyes. I also love the price, at just over $5, so if they get lost or broken it's not a big deal. 

Megan duBois is a freelance travel writer from Jacksonville, Florida. Her work has been published across the internet and in print with Delish, Insider, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Travelocity and more. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter for more tips and tricks.