A mere 3 days after moving to Los Angeles 11 years ago, I got a Disneyland annual pass. I’ve since visited over 300 times—yes, you read that number right.
I know the park backwards and forwards (and upside down, if you count the Incredicoaster), but as a self-professed "Disney adult," my Disneyland hacks extend far beyond which snacks to grab from the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café or how to avoid long ride wait times.
My perfect Disneyland day begins with what I pack for the day inside my strategically chosen backpack. These are the essentials that take me from rope drop to park closing to ensure the happiest day on earth.
In this article
Loungefly Mini Backpack
Any Disney day needs a good bag to store all your stuff, but choose one too large and you could end up in pain, or too small, and you could be stuck without something important.
After trial and error, I now use my Disney-themed Loungefly Mini Backpack for every single visit.
The brand regularly updates its designs with new characters or franchises, so the options are likely to include your favorites. I own multiple and switch them out depending on the time of year. For example, I have a “Hocus Pocus” backpack I pull out every Halloween, and I love being able to showcase my #DisneyStyle this way.
Despite the name, a Loungefly mini backpack is big enough to hold every item I’m toting around without being uncomfortable to wear all day, and it fits easily onto any ride.
Most also have multiple interior and exterior pockets so you can easily stash hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and a sweatshirt.
Hot tip: Put it on the ground and snake the shoulder straps around your legs and knees when you’re on a roller coaster like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad so it doesn’t fly away.
Kizik Athens Sneakers
Comfortable sneakers are an absolute non-negotiable must for Disneyland.
A typical day at the parks sees me walking at least 20,000 steps. Since I broke my ankle a decade ago, I also need shoes that are super supportive, and the Kizik Athens sneakers have been my go-tos for over five years.
I’ve lost count of how many miles I’ve walked in these sneakers, but it numbers in the upper hundreds. I own them in multiple colors, and I’ve worn them not just at Disneyland, but around the globe. And I’ve gotten my mom in on the action, so now she wears them on repeat, too.
By far, my favorite design feature is their HandsFree Labs technology, which lets me step in and out without bending down to tie them.
Beyond that, though, they have four-way stretch knit uppers, molded EVA foam midsoles, and cushioned insoles, and the rubber outsoles provide traction to keep me from slipping or sliding, even on slick surfaces.
Minnie Ears
Fun fact: On a Disney World trip in 2011, I bought the very first design of Minnie ears ever introduced (the black sequined ones with the red shimmery bow).
I’ve since fallen down the “Alice in Wonderland” rabbit hole, so to speak, and now own over 40 pairs, which I display on a wall in my apartment and pick from before every trip to the parks.
I frequently plan my Disneyland outfit around which ears I’m going to bring. I’ve been known to pack multiple outfits and ears in an extra tote that I store in a locker inside the parks (a small one is $7 and a large one is $10 for the entire day), so that I can create different looks in one visit.
Wearing Minnie ears at Disneyland is a rite of passage, and I’m certainly not the only one to do it, but I look for pairs that are unique (like the Donald Duck butt ears I special-ordered from Tokyo Disney Resort), character-themed (I especially love my “Little Mermaid” ears), or treat-inspired (including ones that look exactly like pretzels).
While I’ve purchased a fair amount of Minnie ears from Disneyland, I know they’re pricey. These days, they run around $40 each when you buy them inside the park.
So no matter which style you want, it can be far cheaper to order some ahead of time and bring your own. I also own multiple pairs from small shops, which I’ve gotten for as little as $10.
Anker Nano Power Bank
Almost everything at the parks is done via the park's official app, like showing your park ticket and booking Lightning Lane ride reservations (a.k.a. skip-the-line fast passes), mobile ordering meals, and finding characters for meet-and-greets.
So much time looking at your screen can zap your battery quick, so you’ll need a reliable way to keep your phone fully juiced. A phone charger may not be the most fun item to bring to Disneyland, but without one in your Loungefly backpack, your phone will likely die before the day is over.
Rather than hunt for power outlets, I use the Anker Nano Power Bank, which is petite enough to fit inside the smallest purse but packs a pretty major charging wallop. It has a USB-C port and a foldable USB-C connector, with a total output up to 22.5 watts, which keeps my phone juiced for a full day. I own three of them.
If you forget yours, though, don’t worry. You can buy a replaceable FuelRod charger at kiosks around Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. The initial outlay is $40, but you get unlimited swaps every time thereafter. These days, I sometimes rely more on those than carrying one of my Anker chargers, since I know I can just get a new one every time the power runs out.
Disney Minnie Mouse & Touchland Hand Sanitizer
Let’s face it, spending all day at an amusement park means I’m touching surfaces that thousands of other people touched, too. I always have hand sanitizer on hand (pun intended), since I don’t want to catch anyone’s germs after stepping off a ride.
There’s really nothing cuter or more Disney-appropriate than the Disney Minnie Mouse & Touchland hand sanitizer, which nestles Touchland’s Vanilla Blossom Power Mist inside a silicone case topped with, what else, red-and-white polka-dot Minnie ears. It also has a keyring at one corner so you can easily hook it to a purse or backpack strap.
Not only do a few spritzes make my hands feel instantly fresh and clean, but it smells delicious, thanks to notes of mandarin, coconut water, and vanilla bean. It’s perfectly photo-worthy with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background, too.
Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray
I’m very pale and burn within 15 minutes in the sun, so I never leave home without a good bottle of sunscreen. Many of Disneyland’s dining areas and ride lines aren’t shaded, so this becomes imperative on a park day.
My favorite by far is the Coola Clear Sunscreen Spray, which coats my skin with SPF 50 without feeling sticky, greasy, or tacky. I prefer the fragrance-free version, but it also comes in a variety of scents, such as guava mango, piña colada, and peach blossom.
There are both full- and travel-sized versions, the latter of which, at 2 ounces, is definitely large enough for an entire day at the park with reapplication. It’s also small enough to fit inside a backpack, a small travel purse, or fanny pack without feeling obtrusive.
Lightweight Layers
I’m going to be honest with you, my Disneyland outfits are extremely well-planned, and I’m not just talking about breathable fabrics that won’t make me sweat on a 95-degree day.
As you can probably tell from my aforementioned Minnie ears collection, I take #DisneyStyle and #MinnieStyle seriously, and I think about what I’m wearing as soon as I book my park ticket. (Bonus points if I’m wearing something with polka dots, since that’s very Minnie Mouse-coded.)
Whatever my outfit may be, though, I plan on lightweight layers that can be switched out for multiple daily temperatures and keep me cool. I’m a fan of breezy tees or tanks paired with pull-on leggings, since jeans are way too heavy and hot. The brand doesn’t matter as much as the airflow does.
Or I wear an airy dress with bike shorts underneath, so my thighs don’t chafe after walking at least 8 miles around the park.
Since temperatures drop at night, especially in the fall and winter, I always pack a sweatshirt or light denim jacket that fits inside my Loungefly backpack. I own multiple sweatshirts with Mickey Mouse printed or embroidered on the front, because what better place to wear something like that than at Disneyland, right?
I will also store a sweatshirt in a locker on Main Street if I don’t feel like carrying it all day, and then run to grab it when I feel cold.
The Shortcut
Go smaller on the bag than you think. A mini backpack holds a full park day, and on Space Mountain you can wrap the straps around your legs so it doesn't go flying.
The Disneyland app runs your whole day, and your battery won't last until close. Bring a charger, or plan to buy a swappable one at a park kiosk.
Buy your Minnie ears before you go. They run about $40 in the park, and small shops sell pairs for as little as $10.
It gets cold after dark. Stash a sweatshirt in a Main Street locker instead of carrying it all day.
