Before our first trip to Disney, I read about what type of bag/backpack to take. Many people recommended a Baggallini, but I had a perfectly good backpack, so I decided to just use what I had.

My backpack was ok, but the hassle of taking that thing off at every attraction was enough to make me crazy. Plus, with the lack of pockets and organization attributes, I was constantly digging in the thing. And, I mean digging, because it always worked out where whatever I was searching for was at the bottom!

The next year, I knew that I had to have a Baggallini. I do the Coke Rewards system and (at that time) one of the products that you could redeem points from was eBags. I saved my points until I had enough to get a gift certificate and ordered the DISboards traditional lime green.

I’m not endorsed by eBags, but I will tell you that I’ve had great luck with them. (My in-laws used them to buy two more bags the following year.) They are fast, constantly run specials and have great products.

Here is a link directly to the bag that I bought. A Baggallini Messenger Sling Bag in Rip Stop Nylon. (There are nine colors that are available from eBags.com.)

The reason I endorse this bag at Disney – or anywhere else for that matter – is that it easily slides to the front of your body without having to take it off. On the days that I loaded it down, I could also switch shoulders every now and then, and wear it on the front of my body. Imagine going an entire day without having to take the bag off of your body … It’s heaven.

This little thing holds A TON!!! Here’s what I pack: (I realize that this is probably over the top for most people, but I’m not letting anything get me down when I’m on vacation – so I bring it all.)

Front Zipper Pocket

I use this for wet wipes. I put them in a Ziploc bag for a couple of reasons. (1) I hate the ones that have the tab-stick thing. They leak if they are squashed and the chances of them being squashed are very good. (2) We use these constantly. It’s cheaper for me to bring a big pack and refill my Ziploc bag each day.

Front Pocket:

A retractable sharpie for Character autographs. (The characters have an easier time signing with a larger pen.) Retractable ensures that we won’t lose the lid.

Kleenex

Hand Sanitizer

Face Sunscreen

Travel Tylenol and Advil

Earplugs (Piper is really sensitive to loud sounds and the fireworks make her nuts!)

Tums

Pepto Tablets (for kids); Immodium (for grownups)

Big Middle Pocket:

This is where all the extra stuff goes. Extra sharpie (still in the packaging), extra batteries, ponchos, etc.

2 Tips: Buy your ponchos at Wal-Mart before you go. They are in the hunting section. They run about $1 a piece. We buy A LOT. In fact, since we go in November/December, it can be chilly (sometimes). The kids want to ride the water rides, but don’t want to walk about in wet clothes all day, so they wear ponchos on those rides too. (They wear adult sized ponchos, and I just cut them off with scissors.) Since we’ve only paid $1 for the poncho, we throw it away when we’re finished and don’t worry about folding it back up. Park ponchos will run you upwards of $7 a piece.

Second tip: If your daughter is doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney, bring shower caps. You won’t want that salon hair messed up by an Orlando passing shower! It works like a charm to save their royal ‘do!

Back Pocket:

Because this pocket sits against my back, I put my wallet in here, as well as anything else like my park ticket/room key, phone, etc.

I’ve never had anything stolen in the parks, but I figure my chances go down considerably when they’d have to put a hand right on my back!

Let me know if you’ve got something tried and true. I’d love to hear what works for you when packing for a day in the park!