The 9 Best Bags and Backpacks for Disney of 2023

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Best Bags and Backpacks for Disney

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

There’s nothing more magical than spending time at Disney with your family. But if you’re not carrying the right bag, this can mean the difference between a good day and a less-than-enjoyable one. It’s crucial to carry something that fits all your family’s supplies and then some (you never know when you might need to fit an extra souvenir in your bag) but doesn’t cause any aches and pains by the end of the day. To that end, a backpack with padded, adjustable shoulder straps and a contoured back is key. If you’re going with a tote, just make sure it’s comfy enough for all-day wear, with thick, reinforced handles. Your bag or backpack should also have rugged, rip-proof materials, and it shouldn’t be too bulky or cumbersome.   

Read on to see the best bags and backpacks for Disney. 

The Rundown

Best Overall: OutdoorMaster Sling Bag at Amazon

"The teardrop shape spreads out the bag's weight, making it comfortable to wear all day."

Best Budget: Waterfly Sling Backpack at Amazon

"A casual, durable sling bag to hold all your Disney essentials."

Best Crossbody Bag: Baggallini Everywhere Bagg at Amazon

"Perfect to comfortably hold all your essentials for a day at Disney."

Best Men's Backpack: Under Armour Hustle Backpack at Amazon

"Extremely durable, sturdy, and strong."
Best Sling Bag: Maleden Sling Bag at Amazon

"With an adjustable, padded strap, this bag can work as a shoulder pack or sling bag."

Best Women's Backpack: Patagonia Refugio 26L Pack at Nordstrom

"Custom-designed to fit a woman's torso and body shape."

Best Fanny Pack: Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack at Amazon

"Rather than lugging around a backpack all day, go hands-free with this compact fanny pack from Herschel."

Best Diaper Bag: Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack at Dagne Dover

"Structured and spacious enough to fit diapers and other must-have baby paraphernalia."

Best Lightweight: Zomake Ultra Lightweight Backpack at Amazon

"The 8.8-ounce backpack easily folds up into a compact pouch to save on packing space."

Best Overall: OutdoorMaster Sling Bag

OutdoorMaster Sling Bag - Small Crossbody Backpack for Men & Women
Courtesy of Amazon
5
What We Like
  • Anti-theft pocket

  • Reversible, padded strap

  • 12-liter capacity

What We Don't Like
  • Not suited for heavy packers or a large family

Whether you prefer sling bags, crossbody bags, or backpacks, you won't regret taking this versatile OutdoorMaster bag for a day at Disney. The bag earns high marks for its quality, style, affordability, and functionality. The teardrop shape spreads out the bag's weight, making it comfortable to wear all day. It's made of lightweight, water-resistant polyester material and features a spacious main pocket with plenty of room for your camera, phone, umbrella, sunscreen, and other essentials.

This bag has several smaller pockets to keep you organized while trekking around the park, including a hidden anti-theft pocket and an external water bottle holder. The padded shoulder strap is wide, comfortable, and reversible, so righties and lefties can switch it to the direction that suits them best. The back of the pack has thick mesh padding, which provides airflow to your back, keeping you comfortable, even in the heat of the day. This bag is available in black, gray, camo-green, and dark blue and works for men, women, and teens.

"We were pleasantly surprised by its sleek teardrop shape and its storage capacity," our tester said after taking this bag to a zoo. "We fit a full package of baby wipes, several diapers, items like hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and a change of clothes for two toddlers. On another day, we could stuff two tightly rolled adult hoodies into the bag. There's also an inner elastic pocket big enough to hold an iPad."

Our tester liked the bag's several smaller compartments and outer mesh water bottle pocket with an elastic bungee cord, which was easy to reach when wearing the bag. They also liked the headphone strap and the large, easy-to-grip zippers, which move smoothly.

"The bag isn't large enough to hold a 13-inch laptop—but we actually appreciated the small size and maneuverability," the tester reported. "The mesh back provides plenty of airflow, and the padded shoulder strap is pretty comfortable for those long stretches of walking. And when we wore the bag during an afternoon of light sprinkling, we found that the bag and our belongings stayed dry."

Price at time of publication: $30

Size: 18 x 12.8 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Material: Polyester

OutdoorMaster Sling Bag

TripSavvy / Danielle Directo-Meston

Best Budget: Waterfly Sling Backpack

What We Like
  • Easy to clean

  • Affordable

  • Umbrella pocket

What We Don't Like
  • Pockets can be small

If you’re looking for a casual, durable sling bag to hold all your Disney essentials, the Waterfly Sling Chest Backpack is a very budget-friendly option. The lightweight nylon fabric is soft, washable, tear-resistant, and water-resistant, so your stuff will stay dry and protected if it starts raining at the park. It features a strap pocket, which can hold your phone, a roomy main pouch, and a rear zipped pocket for valuables. The adjustable strap is soft and breathable, so it’s comfortable, even during a long day at Disney.

Price at time of publication: $33

Size: 18.5 x 12.2 x 51 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Linen

Best Men’s Backpack: Under Armour Hustle Backpack

4.7
What We Like
  • Comfortable for all-day wear

  • Spacious design

  • Durable

What We Don't Like
  • No mesh padding on back panel or straps

Made of lightweight, water-resistant polyester fabric, the Under Armour Hustle Backpack is highly durable, sturdy, and strong. It features several different compartments to keep your park essentials organized, including a padded section for electronic devices and hard items, two water bottle mesh holders, an extensive main section, another center section with two big pockets, and a small front zippered compartment to keep phones in.

"The backpack has light padding on the shoulder straps and back for comfort," our tester reported. "We wished that it had mesh padding to increase airflow, but it fared surprisingly well during a moderately hot summer afternoon at the zoo (though we did pack lightly). The bag also does well standing on its own: The padded back and gusseted laundry/shoe pocket lend some structure, as does the abrasion-resistant bottom panel. Under Armour's proprietary water-repellent HeatGear fabric kept our stuff dry when we sprayed the bag with water. The backpack was also easy to clean, as most minor stains and light dirt wiped off easily."

Price at time of publication: $55

Size: 9.3 x 13.6 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Material: Polyester

Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

TripSavvy / Danielle-Directo Meston

Best Sling Bag: Maleden Sling Bag

What We Like
  • Multiple ways to wear it

  • Interior dividers for small electronics

What We Don't Like
  • Only ideal for light packers

Sling bags are very popular at Disney and other amusement parks because they’re comfortable and spacious enough to hold the essentials without being too bulky. This affordable sling backpack from Maleden will keep you organized, with three larger compartments for water and bigger necessities and a smaller zippered bag for a phone, wallet, and smaller items.

There’s also an open compartment with a nylon band to easily access other items, such as sunglasses, snacks, and sunscreen. With an adjustable, padded, comfortable strap, this bag is versatile and can work as a crossbody backpack, shoulder pack, or chest bag. The water-resistant, anti-scratch nylon material is lightweight and breathable, so it won’t make you sweat. This bag is unisex and available in several colors, including black, blue, red, green, purple, and orange.

Price at time of publication: $19

Size: 13.78 x 7 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 8 ounces | Material: Nylon

Best Fanny Pack: Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack

Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack

Courtesy of Herschel

What We Like
  • Waterproof zipper

  • Stylish striped interior lining

  • Adjustable belt

What We Don't Like
  • The material can feel stiff

Rather than lugging around a backpack all day, go hands-free with this compact fanny pack from Herschel. The front pocket's waterproof zipper means you can still wear the pack on water rides like Splash Mountain, while the main compartment is spacious enough to store the essentials like your keys, phone, wallet, and other small items. For added versatility, the pack can also be worn over the shoulder. Choose from various colors and patterns, including camo, floral, blush, denim, black, and more.

Price at time of publication: $32

Size: 6.5 x 13 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 0.4 pounds | Material: Polyester

Best Diaper Bag: Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack

Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack

Courtesy of Dagne Dover

What We Like
  • Easily clips to a stroller

  • 17-liter capacity

  • Available in stylish colorways

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

Here’s the thing. Your diaper bag doesn’t necessarily have to have a zillion compartments and be ten times bigger than your baby. Diaper bags can be stylish, too, provided that it’s structured and spacious enough to fit diapers, toys, snacks, and other must-have baby paraphernalia, which is why we love the Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack. The zippered main compartment is roomy enough to hold all your gear, but this bag has an elegant, versatile aesthetic that’s a far cry from most other options.

This diaper bag will undoubtedly withstand the wear-and-tear of long days at Disney—the reinforced base provides plenty of structure, and the carrying handles are super-solid—and you’ll even be able to transition it to a work bag when the diaper phase is over. The Indi is available in dark moss, storm, ash blue, and grey.

Price at time of publication: $215

Size: 12.25 x 6 x 13.75 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Material: Neoprene

Best Lightweight: Zomake Ultra Lightweight Backpack

What We Like
  • Compact design

  • Reinforced shoulder straps

  • Available in a dozen colors

What We Don't Like
  • Isn't suitable for heavy downpours

If you want to minimize as much weight as possible in a bag, look no further than the Zomake Ultra Lightweight Backpack. Its 20-liter storage space will hold everything you'll need for the parks, while multiple pockets—including a front pocket, an internal pocket, and two open-mesh side pockets—keep your essentials organized. The bag's water-resistant nylon construction also means you can tote it during water rides or rainy days. All this, and the 8.8-ounce backpack easily folds into a compact pouch, so you can stow it in your luggage to save packing space. This light yet durable backpack is also ideal for backpacking, camping, or other day trips.

Price at time of publication: $19

Size: 11.4 x 16.5 x 7 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Material: Nylon

Best Crossbody Bag: Baggallini Everywhere Bagg

5
What We Like
  • Convenient exterior pockets

  • Easy to spot clean

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • No internal dividers

If you prefer crossbody bags to shoulder bags or backpacks, the Baggallini Everywhere Bagg is perfect for comfortably holding all your essentials for a day at Disney. With thoughtfully designed pockets and compartments, there's plenty of space to stay organized. Some sections feature RFID-blocking technology so that you can protect your personal information on credit cards, passports, and key cards. The bag features a super lightweight material that's water-resistant, so your stuff will stay dry and protected in case of bad weather. With cool colors and a stylish design, this bag can easily go from the theme park to a professional setting, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a very functional, multi-purpose bag.

"We tested the Baggallini Everywhere Bagg during everyday errands, a day at the zoo, and even a dust-filled Renaissance fair," our tester said. "We found it functional and substantial without feeling clunky, thanks to its many interior and exterior pockets. The main compartment has plenty of organized storage, eight credit card slots, a zipper pocket, a key leash, two pen loops, and a removable RFID wristlet. They were handy for stashing snacks, receipts, and other smaller items that tend to get lost. Crucially, a back pocket unzips at the bottom and converts into a sleeve that can be slipped over a luggage handle. The one element we felt was missing was an inner divider."

Our tester liked how the material was easy to spot-clean (tested after a fruit juice spill) and the durability of the adjustable nylon strap.

Size: 9 x 13.5 x 5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Material: Polyester

Baggallini Everywhere Bagg

TripSavvy / Danielle Directo-Meston 

Best Women’s Backpack: Patagonia Refugio 26L Pack

Patagonia Refugio 26L Pack

Backcountry

What We Like
  • 26-liter capacity

  • Front zip pocket is easy to access

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

The sleek Patagonia Refugio 26L Pack is custom-designed to fit a woman's torso and body shape offering soft, lightweight shoulder straps crafted from breathable mesh that taper to fit the female form—aka, it's ideal for long days at Disney. The bag has plenty of storage in addition to its smart fit; there's a sizable main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve (capable of holding 15-inch models), a zippered pocket that's perfect for keeping your cords and other small items organized, a front stash pocket, and stretchy side pockets that fit water bottles of virtually all shapes and sizes.

The Refugio is made from 630-denier nylon (50 percent of which is recycled), sturdy polyurethane, and recycled polyester lining, and finished with a durable water repellent that effectively keeps it from getting dirty or stained on the road. Patagonia is known for creating superior travel accessories, and the Refugio 26L Pack is no exception.   

Size: 17 x 11 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Materials: Recycled nylon and polyester

What to Look for in a Bag or Backpack for Disney

Type

Backpacks distribute their weight more evenly and tend to have padding, but some find them too hot and difficult to access. Bags, however, are more accessible but can dig into your shoulders if they get too heavy. You can also get a sling bag, which combines a crossbody's comfort with a backpack's engineering.

Size

Think about what you’ll be carrying during a day at the park. Anything too small might not have the space you need, and something too big might tempt you to lug around more than is necessary.

Organization

Sure, it’s much easier to chuck that bottle of sunscreen in a tote after applying it, but it can be a chore to retrieve it when the time comes. Opt for an organized space that’s divided into pockets and sections you’ll actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can you carry food and drinks into Disney?

    Yes, guests are allowed to bring outside food and (non-alcoholic) beverages into the park, as long as they’re not in glass containers and don’t require heating or refrigerating. 

  • What supplies should you pack?

    Having the right essentials on hand is everything when you’re at Disney. Aside from the requisite snacks and water, don’t forget sunglasses, strong sunblock, first aid supplies (Band-Aids, wet wipes, etc.), and, depending on the weather, lightweight jackets or rain jackets. If it’s extra hot outside, you may want to consider bringing a spray mister. It’s also worth bringing an external battery charger for your phone if you’re running low on power and aren’t near an outlet.  

  • Does Disney have size restrictions for bags?

    Yes. Bags and coolers cannot be larger than 24 x 15 x 18 inches. The park rules are updated regularly, so it’s worth checking before you go. 

  • What materials should you look for in a bag or backpack?

    Most heavy-duty bags and backpacks usually feature a strong nylon or polyester material. Canvas and leather are also solid choices when it comes to durability.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Christine Luff is a freelance writer specializing in travel and health. Christine has held staff positions are Reader's Digest and Ladies' Home Journal and has written for numerous magazines, including Allure, Women's Health, and Cosmopolitan.

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