What to Pack by Age (and Which Bag Wins)
If there’s one thing that can make or break a Disney day, it’s your bag setup. The right backpack keeps everyone happy, hydrated, and hands-free—from baby blowouts to teen snack attacks. I’ve done park days with a stroller, without a stroller, solo, and with a whole gaggle of kids, and this is the system that actually works.
First, choose your bag strategy
1) The Loungefly Mini (small-but-mighty)
Loungefly-style minis are compact, cute, and surprisingly roomy for one person’s essentials. They’re perfect if you’re solo, a “light packer,” or each adult wants to carry their own basics. Think of this as your grab-and-go ride bag—you can tuck it at your feet on most attractions and it keeps weight off your shoulders.
What fits more easily than you’d think: phone + slim wallet, sunscreen stick, lip balm, portable charger + cord, sunglasses, mini hand sanitizer, a couple snack bars, mini first-aid pouch, poncho, and a collapsible water bottle.
2) The Full-Size Daypack (family HQ)
A full-size backpack is your home base when you’re packing for multiple people. It carries layers, snacks, diapers, and “just in case” items without playing Tetris every time someone needs something. Pair it with a locker if you don’t want to lug it all day, and keep a tiny “ride pouch” (or a Loungefly) for the essentials.
Pro tip: If your group spans ages, do both—one full-size family bag + one small personal bag. Park the big bag in a locker during ride-heavy stretches, then retrieve it for parades, character meets, or meal breaks.
Always check the official Disneyland app/site for current bag and locker guidelines before you go.
Pro tip: If your group spans ages, do both—one full-size family bag + one small personal bag. Park the big bag in a locker during ride-heavy stretches, then retrieve it for parades, character meets, or meal breaks.
Essentials for every age (pack these no matter what)
- Refillable water bottle (stainless keeps it cold)
- Portable charger + phone cord
- Travel sunscreen (stick + small lotion)
- Hand sanitizer + wipes
- Mini first-aid (bandaids, blister cushions, pain reliever, kids’ meds as needed)
- Zip-top bags (leftover snacks, wet socks, “save that cookie for later!”)
- Lightweight poncho (weather or water rides)
- Sunglasses/hat
- Park tickets/payment method/ID
- Tiny stain stick + tissues
- Foldable tote (for souvenirs or layering clothes later)
What to pack by age
Babies (0–12 months)
- Diapers for the day + slim changing pad
- Wipes (travel size in an easy-grab pocket)
- Diaper cream in a leak-proof pouch
- 1–2 outfit changes in a gallon zip bag (instant wet-clothes bag)
- Muslin blanket (nursing cover, shade, parade seat, or chilly evening layer)
- Bottles, formula, or baby food pouches + bib
- Pacifier clip + backup paci
- Small toy or crinkle book
- Bonus: If you’re bringing a stroller, stash extras there and keep only a “quick-change kit” in your backpack for bathroom runs.
Toddlers (1–3)
- Pull-ups/diapers + wipes + seat covers (if potty training)
- Spare outfit (top, bottom, socks)
- Easy snacks they’ll actually eat (puffs, bars, fruit leather)
- Sippy cup or straw cup
- Tiny bubble wand or stickers for lines
- Portable fan or cooling towel in hot months
- Pro move: Pack snacks in tiny, clear pouches—hand one over at rope drop and one mid-afternoon.
Preschool & Grade-School (4–9)
- Snacks they love (mix sweet + salty)
- Collapsible water bottle + clip
- Light jacket or sun shirt depending on season
- Autograph book + click pen
- Mini activity (playing cards, tiny fidget) for long queues
- Blister cushions (yes, even kids)
- Tip: Let them “own” a small pouch inside the big bag; it cuts down on constant rummaging.
Tweens & Teens (10–17)
- Their own small crossbody or Loungefly with: phone, charger, chapstick, cash card, sunglasses
- Deodorant wipe + gum/mints
- Compact hairbrush/elastic
- Poncho (they won’t want to share yours 😉)
- Protein snack they actually like
- Tip: Agree on a meet-up plan and battery check times; keep a charger in the family bag and one in their mini.
Adults
- Tickets/IDs/payment
- Chargers, sunglasses, pain reliever, motion sickness tabs (if needed)
- Layers for evening (packable jacket or spirit jersey)
- Mini repair kit (safety pin, moleskin, small scissors/nail clipper if permitted)
- Comfort add-on: Foot-care kit (blister cushions, body glide, extra socks)
Sample loadouts
The Solo/Pair “Loungefly Loadout”
- Phone + slim wallet
- Mini sunscreen stick + lip SPF
- Collapsible bottle (refill at fountains/restaurants)
- Charger + short cord
- 2–3 snack bars or a baggie of trail mix
- Hand sanitizer, wipes, bandaids
- Poncho compressed at the bottom
- Tiny zip bag for receipts/pins
The Family Daypack (2 adults + 2 kids)
- Front pocket: charger kit, park tickets, lip balm, sanitizer
- Main compartment:
- Packing cube #1: snacks
- Packing cube #2: kid layers (rolled)
- Packing cube #3: diapers/potty kit
- Thin picnic blanket or parade mat (optional)
- Ponchos in side sleeve
- Side pockets: water bottles
- Top lid: first-aid mini + sunglasses case
- Clip-on: hand sanitizer, collapsible trash bag (for parade spots)
Organizing so you’re not the “bag black hole”
- Pouches > piles. Group by task: “first-aid,” “snacks,” “sun,” “tech.”
- Color code. Blue pouch = snacks, red = first-aid, etc. Even kids can fetch the right one.
- Pre-portion snacks. No crinkly family-size bags in queues.
- Ride pouch. Keep a micro-pouch (phone, cord, lip balm, sanitizer, one snack) to grab for rides if you stash the big bag in a locker.
- Weight check. If it’s hurting your shoulders in the driveway, it’ll be worse by 3 p.m. Trim it.
Weather & season add-ons
- Hot days: cooling towel, portable fan, electrolyte packets, extra socks
- Rainy days: ponchos for all, quick-dry socks, gallon bags for wet items
- Chilly evenings: beanie and gloves in a tiny pouch, packable blanket for parades
- Sun-sensitive crew: UPF shirt, wide-brim hat, sunscreen reapply timer on your phone
Snacks that don’t melt (or get smashed)
- Granola or protein bars (not chocolate-coated on hot days)
- Applesauce/fruit pouches
- Beef sticks or jerky
- Trail mix with pretzels/dried fruit
- Rice cakes or crackers in a hard-sided snack case
- Lollipops for “line morale”
Outside food rules exist—generally simple snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are fine, but always review the official policy before packing.
Where a Loungefly shines vs. When to go full-size
Choose the Loungefly when…
- You’re solo or it’s just you + one other person.
- You want a bag that’s easy on rides and during photos.
- You’re comfortable buying some snacks/drinks in-park to keep load light.
Choose the full-size when…
- You’re carrying for multiple people or little ones.
- You want to bring your own snacks, layers, and rain gear to save money.
- You like having a “mobile basecamp” without constant refills.
Best of both: Full-size bag carries the family gear; a Loungefly holds your quick-grabs. Use a locker during thrill-ride sprints.
Quick checklist (copy/paste to your notes)
Everyone: water, sunscreen, sanitizer, wipes, charger, lip balm, bandaids
Baby/Toddler: diapers/pull-ups, wipes, change of clothes, cup, snacks, small toy
Kids: snacks, water, light layer, autograph book, queue activity
Teens: mini bag, charger, deodorant wipe, poncho, sunglasses, snack
Adults: IDs/payment, meds, first-aid mini, layers, foot-care, poncho
Final tip
Lay everything out the night before, pack by pouches, and do a two-minute morning audit: water filled, charger packed, weather add-ons in. Whether you’re rocking a cute little Loungefly or a pack-for-everyone daybag, you’ll walk through the gates feeling like the most prepared version of you—ready for rope drop to fireworks.