Keeping Your Disney Park Bag Organized

From the car to the park bag, I try to stay as organized as possible on vacation.

Even on vacation I try to stay as organized as possible.  It’s not always easy traveling with two little ones but I certainly try to make an effort.  Today I’m going to share a few tricks I’ve learned to help keep my park bag organized during our trip.  With everyone rooting through the bag looking for stuff, it can quickly become a mess and things are purchased because they couldn’t be found in the bag.

• Only take what you’ll need.  This is a tough one for me because I’m a “what if” kinda girl.  I tend to pack for every possible scenario for the day but I try to limit myself with the park bag.
• If you’re taking a break, pack for day then change out stuff for evening.  If you’re going back to your hotel or resort for a break, swap out the stuff in your bag from day to night.  You may not need the sunglasses and hats but now need a jacket or pair of gloves (yes it occasionally does get cold inFlorida).
• Pack like items together.  When I’m gathering stuff to pack in our park bag, I pack everything in a gallon size zip top bag.  Snacks all go in one bag, a change of clothes for each of the boys goes in a bag (with their name on the outside), ect.  Not only does this keep everything safe and dry if anything leaks or it starts to rain, it’s very easy to find things.  The bags will also help you limit what to take with you into the parks and because they’re clear, they won’t hold you up when going through security.

Here’s a quick rundown of the things you can pretty much always find in my park bag:

• Change of Clothes Bags – I make sure to take a change of clothes for each of my kids with me.  When they were younger, I’d also take a change of clothes for hubby and me (we’ve had to purchase clothes when diapers leaked so we learned quickly a change for us is just as important as for the kids).
• Water Stuff – If you’re planning on hitting any of the water rides and are not wearing your swim suit or clothes to get wet in to the park, be sure to take them with you.  If we travel when it’s warm out, I always have my boy’s bathing suits and swim shirts with me.  A water break is a little surprise during the day.
• Medical Supplies – Because of my oldest son’s allergies, I’ve got the “blue bag” that we take wherever we go that contains his Benadryl, Epi Pen and other medications we might need during our outings.  Make sure you have medicine cups, spoons or syringes for the medications you’re taking to the park with you.
• Park Supplies – My boys like to take their autograph books and pens with them to the parks.  They’ve also each got a small camera that they take.  Give each child a bag for them to put their items for the park into.  My boys like to include their sunglasses and baseball caps.
• Sunscreen – I keep this in its own bag just in case it leaks so the damage is minimal.
• Cameras – We take our small video camera, a point and shoot camera and my “fancy” camera into the parks with us most days.  I primarily use my DSLR camera to take pictures in the parks but if my husband and I split up, I’ll send the point and shoot camera with him.
• Time Wasters – I try to pick up a few things before our trip to entertain the boys while we wait in lines or for parades or shows to begin.  At night, I would pack glow sticks and light up toys purchased before the trip to keep from having to buy something at the parks.

There are things you’ll pick up throughout the parks that you’ll want or need to put into your bag as well like park maps and times guides.  Have a predetermined spot for these items as well.  It could be a pocket in your bag, a separate zip top bag or another space.

What are some things you can’t go to the park without?  How do you keep your park must haves organized?

Lynn Wiltse is the mom of two boys and is always planning a Disney trip.  Find her on Facebook or Twitter.  Lynn is also the creator of My Pixie Dust Diary.

Tags: Packing for the Parks, Park Bag, Walt Disney World

This entry was posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:00 AM and is filed under Columns, Planning, Tips, Touring. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.