We were listening to the Zadd Crew Podcast recently and the topic was park bags. Well, we just got a new bag for our trips to the parks. Hot Topic has great deals on bookbags often and we were able to pick up a Loungefly Classic Minnie bookbag. So what do we normally add to our bag for a day at the park? Here’s our necessities. . .

• iPhones

Between the two of us, we have an iPhone 6S and an iPhone 8 Plus. We’re not professional photographers and are happy with using the cameras on our iPhones. With portrait mode on the iPhone 8 Plus, we are able to take beautiful floral shots throughout the parks as well as get additions to our Mommy/Daughter photo bank.

• Jackets w/ hoods

Don’t let the rain ruin your fun while at any amusement park. Living in Florida you never know when a rainstorm will pop up. During the summer months, expect rain for at least 15 minutes daily. And during hurricane season it could be an entire day.

• Portable chargers

So Disney has started placing charging throughout the parks and in some resorts. For approximately $30, you can buy a Fuel Rod for that unexpected dead battery. You may think $30 is a lot for a charger, but the positive outcome of this is you get to exchange the rod at any location for a new one. So $30 upfront for unlimited charging opportunities.

• Water Bottle

Walt Disney World is located in Florida. Florida is known as the Sunshine State. And during the summer months, the sunshine can be overbearing. The motto of each day is STAY HYDRATED. Disney offers free water cups at all of their counter service restaurants.   And if you look hard enough, you can find water fountains to fill up your reusable water bottles. Our favorite water bottles to use are not surprisingly both rose gold. We’ve been going through a rose gold moment since the birthday month and it’s still going strong. The first water bottle is

• Reusable straws

If you haven’t heard yet, we’re not sure where you’ve been. A lot of companies are realizing the need to protect the environment more. By mid-2019, The Walt Disney Company will eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe, amounting to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually (Disney Parks Blog, July 2018). In order to support this cause, we pack our park bag with reusable straws. We found a dual pack on amazon – one pink, one black. The straws are four-section stainless steel about 9inch /23cm, and can be easily folded to fit into a keychain-sized recycled ABS container that is included.

• Carmex/Lip Balm

Must keep the lips fresh for all the Instagramable pictures you’re going to take around the parks and resorts. We personally use Carmex as its thick wax is a long term protectant. While visiting multiple locations we don’t want to always have to touch up our faces. Especially if there’s a line for a great photo op.

• Fruit Snacks

We like to take advantage of a full day at the parks or resort hopping. If you’ve been reading our blogs regularly, you know how much of a planner I am. I’m a big believer of not just doing something just because it’s right in your face. I’m speaking specifically about those cute and at times irresistible desserts that Disney displays in their spotless glass windows. lol Keeping a pack or two of Gushers or Simply Balanced strawberry fruit ropes will keep us from a Hangry Experience.

• Wallet w/ ID, debit cards, Disney gift cards, and/or cash

This is self explained. Although, being in Disney it feels like you can go through the day walking on clouds of magic, we must remember things happen and in this case, you will need to be identified. Even though Disney now provides the option of having information linked to your MagicBand, sometimes its best to have your actual ID and some cash on hand — just in case.