Having a Disney Park bag packed with your go-to survival goodies is a must for any perfect Disney park day. Let’s face it, if you don’t have the right things packed in your Disney Park day bag, it could result in a rather less than magical experience. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite items that we never go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World (or Disney cruise) without!

To make the list a little bit easier to digest, we’ve broken everything down my category.

Technology

• Cell Phone: We know, this is a no-brainer. However, make sure you have the appropriate applications installed prior to your visit. There’s an official Disney app for every major Disney park where you can edit your plans and view wait times. There’s also an app for Disney Cruise Line which provides a digital version of the daily navigator.

• Portable Charger: Nothing’s worse than running out of juice when you need to check your plans or you want to snap a picture with Mickey.

• Cord for Charger: We’ve accidentally left ours at home. What good is a portable charger without the cord?

Weather Necessities

• Sunscreen: It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold, the sun can still burn you!

• Change of Socks: Every Disney park has some water rides; and I don’t know about you, but walking around wearing wet socks makes me miserable. This is especially important to pack if you’re traveling to Disney World® — it rains almost every day in the summer! (We fell in love with these waterproof socks.)

• A Rain Poncho: Sure, Disney sells them at the parks, but it’s much cheaper if you buy them prior to your park visit. You can use these for both water rides and in case of inclement weather. (Genie Tip: Many of the parks won’t allow guests to use umbrellas during nighttime spectaculars because they block the view of guests behind them.)

• A Pull-Over Sweater or Jacket: You never know when the weather might get cold. (It’s much cooler in Southern California during the nighttime due to the sea breeze, and many Disney restaurants are cold in general.)

• Pocket Warmers: You might never need them when visiting Disney World, but if you’re visiting Disneyland in the winter, or Shanghai Disneyland, it does get cold. When we went to Shanghai Disneyland in February, they saved our lives!

Toiletries

• Hand Sanitizer/Wet-Wipes: When there are people, there are germs. When there are swarms of people, there are swarms of germs.

• Breath Mints/Gum & Disposable Toothbrushes: What’s the next best thing to Disney attractions? Disney food! But, let’s be honest, you’re not going to have the best breath afterwards. Be kind to your travel party.

• Over-the-Counter Medicines (Optional): Here we’re talking about things for a tummy ache, headache, etc. We say optional because every Disney park and Disney cruise ship has a first aid room where you can get these medications for free. But sometimes, you don’t feel like walking to the front of the park (or ship).

Miscellaneous

• A Photo-Frame Mat: You need something for the Disney characters to sign. (We’ve got a list of ideas here.) And don’t forget the autograph pen!

• Pre-Packaged Snacks/Food: Yes! Disney will let you bring them in. It’s always good to have something to refuel and recharge your body for more magic.

It also helps to make sure your backpack is actually waterproof too. And, even more important, because you’re going to put so much into your backpack, make sure the backpack itself is light.