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Can You Bring A Backpack Into Disney World?

Disney World guests who want to travel light can find everything they need for a day at the parks, from tasty food and refreshing drinks to hats and clothing – even umbrellas and sunscreen to help manage the Florida weather. 

However, some visitors still choose to bring a few things and need to know the best way to pack.

Parkgoers can bring a backpack into Disney World if it meets Disney’s size restrictions. The backpack must be 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) or smaller and free of prohibited items such as weapons, artificial noisemakers, and glass containers (except baby food jars). Guests can bring their backpacks on most rides; if they can’t, Disney offers storage options like single-use or all-day rental lockers.

This article explains what types of bags are permitted at Disney World, what can and can’t be packed, ride storage options, and the price of rental lockers.

What Types of Bags Are Allowed at Disney World?

Photo of a yellow backpack with five assorted stickers.

At Disney World, any bags, coolers, or backpacks, with or without wheels, are permitted in the parks as long as they’re 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) or under.

Visitors should keep in mind that there are security checks at the front gates, so someone will assess whether backpacks (and their contents) meet park requirements.

What Can I Bring in My Backpack at Disney World?

While having the right size backpack is necessary, knowing what you can pack is just as important.

Essential Items

Whether traveling alone, with children, or with a group of friends, there are various essentials guests could need during their trip to Disney World.

Some essential items might include:

  • Cellphone 
  • ID
  • Phone charger
  • Travel first aid kit
  • Wet wipes or tissues
  • Diapers
  • Medications
  • Rain poncho or waterproof bags 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Cash, credit, or debit cards.

Disney Experience-Related Items

There are some Disney-related items that parkgoers might choose to bring along, such as autograph books for characters to sign or Disney trading pins.

Guests should also remember they might enter the parks with little to carry but could leave with armfuls of park-exclusive souvenirs from the Disney shops.

It’s common for visitors to bring a backpack for convenience since they know they’re unlikely to leave empty-handed and want an easy way to carry their stuff.

Food Items

Guests at Disney World can bring food or snacks from home as long as all beverages are non-alcoholic, nothing is packaged in glass containers, and the food doesn’t need to be refrigerated, reheated, cooked, or processed.

While Disney World parks have plenty of dining options, it’s perfectly understandable that some visitors will need or want to pack their own snacks.

For parkgoers bringing their own food items, some good options might be:

  • Water bottles
  • Small snacks, such as granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, or trail mix
  • Baby formula or baby food (can be in glass containers)
  • Food stored in coolers no larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) using reusable ice packs (loose ice is not permitted).

What Can’t I Pack in My Backpack at Disney World?

Flat lay photo of a blue, orange, and gray backpack on the floor with sunglasses beside it.

To avoid awkward situations with front gate security, you should be aware of all the items you’re not allowed to bring into the parks.

Prohibited items at Disney World include:

  • Firearms or weapons of any kind (or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons)
  • Marijuana and cannabis products
  • Fireworks
  • Alcoholic beverages (except at Disney Resort hotels, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, and Disney Springs, where wine can be consumed at select table services)
  • Artificial noise makers (whistles, horns, or large megaphones)
  • Glass containers (except for baby food or at Disney World Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser)
  • Strollers bigger than 31” (79 cm) wide and 52” (132 cm) long or stroller wagons
  • Folding chairs
  • Dry or loose ice
  • Tripods or monopod stands that don’t fit inside standard backpacks or that extend more than 6’ (182 cm).

The list of prohibited items is detailed and lengthy, and before packing a backpack, guests should familiarize themselves with Disney’s park rules.

Can I Bring My Backpack Onto Disney World Rides?

While most rides have pouches or designated areas where riders can store their backpacks, some of these options might not be big enough.

Conveniently, there are alternatives for guests who can’t (or don’t want to) bring their stuff on rides.

For example, Soarin’ Around the World only has a small on-ride storage space for bags. 

If a backpack doesn’t fit the space, Soarin’ Cast Members will move it to a safe place until the ride is over.

There are also locker options on wet rides like Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain or for guests who don’t want to stress about their belongings altogether.

Kali River Rapids is known for soaking riders (and their possessions), so it’s the only ride offering free standard-sized lockers on a first-come, first-served basis. 

These complimentary lockers are 12” x 10” x 17” (30.4 cm x 25.4 cm x 43.1 cm) and have a two-hour time limit. 

If guests require more space for their backpacks, they’ll have to pay for a larger locker, and anyone wanting to store their bags at other wet or thrilling rides will need to use the daily rental lockers. 

How Much Do Daily Lockers Cost at Disney World?

Close-up photo of yellow lockers.

Renting a locker at Disney World is reasonably priced and fairly easy. 

Guests paying with cash or credit can use the self-service kiosk in the designated rental area.

Parkgoers paying with a gift card or ​​MagicBand need to visit the merchandise location closest to the lockers to get help from a Cast Member.

Locker locations can be found via virtual maps on the Disney World official website or the My Disney Experience App.  

Theme Park Lockers

There are two locker sizes available at all Walt Disney World theme parks.

Small lockers are 12” x 10” x 17” (30.4 cm x 25.4 cm x 43.1 cm) and cost $10 per day.

Large lockers are $12 per day and measure 15.5” x 13” x 17” (39.3 cm x 33 cm x 43.1 cm).

EPCOT and Magic Kingdom offer jumbo-sized lockers, which are 17” x 22” x 26” (43.1 cm x 55.8 cm x 66 cm) and cost $15 per day. 

Water Park Lockers

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks offer standard and large lockers.

Standard lockers cost $10 for a full day and measure 12” x 10” x 17” (30.4 cm x 25.4 cm x 43.1 cm).

Large lockers are 15.5” x 13” x 17” (39.3 cm x 33 cm x 43.1 cm) and cost $15 per day.

Guests should confirm the size of their backpacks before heading to the parks, so they’ll know if it fits in the locker they want.

Conclusion

Parkgoers can bring a backpack into Disney World as long as it is no larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm).

When packing, guests should understand what items are permitted in the parks or risk being turned away by security or having things confiscated.

Although most rides accommodate carry-ons, some might not guarantee that belongings will be kept safe and dry.

Visitors concerned about their backpacks or don’t want to carry them all day can store them in rental lockers available throughout the parks.