Planning for Disney: What's in my Park Bag?
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"What's a park bag?" you might ask? I can't wait to tell you! Park bags are more of an art than a science and everyone has to figure out what's best for them. One person wants to walk around in Disney style with a LoungeFly bag:
Another might keep it simple with a fanny pack:
And still others minimize with a running belt:Rain
I'm from the Pacific Northwest where we are comfortable with rain. If you see someone with an umbrella, they're either trying to block the sun, or they're a tourist. But the type of rain we're used to is a light, drizzly, constant rain. In Florida they do things different! It's pretty likely if you've got a trip of four days or more that you'll encounter rain. And Florida rain is drenching!! But our Disney time is precious and we don't want to waste any for a little H2o! So, dress in something that will dry quickly (NOT jeans!) and bring a poncho:
Hydration
Staying hydrated is super important, and even more so when you're in a Disney park. The average guest walks 7-10 miles per day and is coming from somewhere with a different climate. For me, I'll be looking at a 20 degree temperature difference at least. Add to that rides and queues and park food and you need to make sure you're getting plenty of hydrating liquid in! For us, that comes in the form of carrying a fabulous Disney Water Bottle!
I really like the Simple Modern water bottles because they have a great track record of NOT SPILLING OR LEAKING in your bag. They can hold hot or cold beverages, so if you want to take your coffee to go in the morning you're set. There are water bottle refill stations in the park where you can fill up, and you're always welcome to ask for a glass of free ice water at any quick service restaurant. The thing is, the water may not have the same flavor you're used to. Also, to many, water can get boring. Enter water flavor packets! My personal favorite is the True Lime. This, along with the True Orange, is made from pure crystalized fruit with no added sugar or chemicals. I add one to my water bottle at home almost every day. The kids like the sweet though, so I also got a box of the Crystal Light variety pack.
But when you're adding things to your water, or putting things besides water in your bottle, they get icky. So we bring along bottle brushes, travel containers of dish soap, and straw brushes. And that's how we stay hydrated!
Food
So what about meals and snacks? Well, we really believe that park food is part of the experience and we budget for that, but I'll be bringing some of my go-to gluten free low-carb snack options:
Some families are frugal and want to bring in their own snack, but keep it fun and Disney inspired, so these are really cool options!
Dealing with the Sun
Us Washingtonians just don't have the base layer it would require to get through a park day in Florida without a world-class sunburn. Even my daughter learned this lesson on a recent trip to Hawaii! We'll be packing excellent sunscreen in the gallon bottle (just kidding) for our hotel rooms, but it's a good idea to have something in your park bag as well to re-apply. I like this Cetaphil stick for just those little spots that are exposed to the sun.
As I mentioned above, it'll be a lot warmer in Florida than it is at home and I invested in these cooling towels with great recommendations. I really hope they live up to the hype!Health
Being miserable on vacation is, well, miserable. I'll put up with a lot at home before I resort to treatment options, otherwise I'd be downing pain meds 24/7, but while I'm on a trip and wanting to enjoy time with my family, I'll go the extra mile in being comfortable. I know I'm not the only one who might end up with sore muscles or an upset tummy, I made up these medicine kits for our whole group using these pill boxes:
I also made sure that everyone had some lip balm and lotion:
And I learned on my first trip to Florida the importance of blister pads, even when you're riding in a wheelchair!
Miscellaneous
These things didn't fit into another category, but they are SO IMPORTANT!
You will use your phone in Disney A LOT! You use the My Disney Experience app to find your way around, book your lightning lanes, and order food. Of course, you'll be taking pictures too. All of that eats battery and even the best phone battery is unlikely to withstand a full day in the parks! Fortunately there's fuel rod. You can buy a fuel rod in the park at convenient kiosks all over, or you can buy it before you go to the park for a fraction of the price. Either way, you can exchange a spent fuel rod for a fully charged one for free all over. With another power bank, you only get one charge for the day, this way it can keep you going strong all day long!Magic Bands are pricey little conveniences, and they have an unfortunate habit of popping open easily and flying off. On a ride. When you go through a doorway. Anywhere. Almost every video I watched that people put on YouTube included a story about someone in their party losing their magic band. These little gadgets are cheap, and while they can't guarantee that you won't lose it, they'll make it a lot harder!
Here's the Thing: Will your park day be wonderful and amazing even if you don't have any of these things? Yes. I hope it will be. Do I feel a little more prepared and confident about tackling potential challenges? Yes. I definitely do. I hope you found something in here that might help you too!
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