I will never be part of the No Bag Club when I am at Disney World. I just can’t live without my Disney trading pins, a water bottle, camera cards… the list goes on. So that begs the question, can you bring bags on rides at the Disney theme parks? What do you do with your stuff?
Good news! You can take a bag on every attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. From purses to backpacks and diaper bags, your bag will be perfectly safe while with you on the ride. Small bags are usually worn, held or placed in the bag storage nets on the ride, while larger things like backpacks usually go on the floor at your feet while riding.
So don’t worry! You will have no issues taking your bags on any of the rides. I have researched all of the attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland and have hashed out everything you should know about bags on rides at Disney in the rest of this article.
Where Bags On Rides At Disney Are Kept While Riding
Each attraction at the Disney theme parks has a different method of bag storage while riding. Some more tame attractions will let you hold the bag or keep wearing it while you ride, but more thrilling attractions have more specifications.
Bag Storage On Gentle Disney Family Rides
On almost all of the family rides at Disney theme parks, like in Fantasyland for example, will allow you to sit next to your bag or hold it in your lap while you ride. If there is space on the floor you can also put your bag there as well.
This storage setup is used mainly for attractions like It’s A Small World, Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc. All of these types of attractions do not allow bag storage at the ride loading area, and also have no storage pockets onboard the ride vehicles. Therefore, you are usually left holding it on your own, on the bench beside you, or on the floor.
Some rides, like Soarin’, Dumbo or Silly Symphony Swings for example, also let you leave your bag on the ground near the attraction fencing. So you don’t actually have it with you during the ride. This is because the seating area on the ride doesn’t have enough space for most large bags. So be prepared to follow the Cast Members directions and leave it in a safe location on the ground.
Bag Storage On Thrill Rides and Rollercoasters
Rides that are more thrilling, or faster, have more storage options for bags on the ride. Most of these rides have mesh pockets onboard the ride vehicle that will hold your smaller bags and loose items. If your things don’t fit in the mesh pockets provided, you will simply keep the bags at your feet.
I have ridden all of the thrill rides at Disney parks including Rock N Roller Coaster, Incredicoaster, Test Track and more and have never had an issue with having a bag at my feet during the ride. Just keep in mind that things will get jostled around a bit in your bag on these rides, so pack it accordingly.
Taking Bags On Disney Water Rides
The most well known water ride at the Disney parks is Splash Mountain (and it’s also my personal favorite). But there are also the large raft rides like Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom, or Grizzly River Run in California Adventure. Water rides present an extra challenge of taking your bag on the ride with you, which I have outlined in the next section.
The raft rides have better storage options than Splash Mountain because they currently offer free lockers outside of the rides for your things. Splash Mountain on the other hand, has no storage options and you hold the bag yourself instead. Which leaves it up to you to figure out how to keep it dry.
Tips to Keep Bags Dry on Water Rides At Disney
1. Ziplocs
Pack a few extra ziploc bags in your Disney park bag. They come in handy for way more things than you might think and they’re great for protecting your phone or other valuables on the water rides. Disney has also recently partnered with the Ziploc brand and gives out complimentary Ziplocs at Splash Mountain – and they are even Splash Mountain themed! While Ziplocs are great for smaller items, they obviously won’t keep your whole bag dry. But there are still other options for that.
2. Ponchos
To keep your whole bag dry, the best solution on water rides is to use a poncho. This is really the only guaranteed way to make sure your bag stays dry the whole time. I would recommend bringing in your own poncho from Walmart or somewhere outside of the parks to use. Ponchos in the parks are very pricey and may only be sold if it is raining, and then what would be the point anyway?!
3. The Old “Under The Shirt”
Forgot a Ziploc, and a poncho, and need a last resort? Take one from my playbook…If you only have a small cross body bag, fanny pack, pin bag, or something similar, just stick it under your shirt! This has always been my tried and true method of keeping my camera dry when if I don’t have any other options.
Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting you lift up your shirt at a Disney theme park. Instead, just slip it under like you’re itching your stomach or something! This has worked for me to protect against misting and light sprays, and even getting soaked on Splash Mountain in the front row. Sometimes I will even double up the protection by wrapping my hat, if I’m wearing one, around my camera before holding it under my shirt.
Free Lockers for Your Bags While Your Ride The Raft Style Water Rides
Disney has made lockers available to use for free to hold things you want to keep dry while you ride one of these rides. These lockers are free for up to two hours and are available on a first-come first-served basis. Also, if you are riding one of these raft style water rides, make sure to leave everything you do not want to be wet in the locker. There is no dry storage onboard the ride at all.
Location of Lockers for Disney Raft Style Water Rides
- Animal Kingdom – Kali River Rapids: Located across from the entrance to the ride
- California Adventure – Grizzly River Run: Located next to the tall grizzly bear statue at the entrance of the ride.
What To Do With Your Bag If You Don’t Want To Bring It On A Ride
So maybe you don’t need constant access to your bag while you are in the park and don’t want to have the hassle of carrying it around all day. If that’s you, I would say that you have one other option of where to keep your bag (that is not on your person) while on a ride, or in the park in general. You might possibly have two options if you have children with you.
1. General Locker Storage: For When You Really Don’t Want To Take Bags On Rides At Disney But Also Need Security
Locker Rentals at Walt Disney World:
You can rent a locker at all four of the Walt Disney World theme parks, and both of the water parks. Although, keep in mind that lockers are limited and are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are at least two categories of locker sizes available for rent (and a third size at Magic Kingdom and Epcot). Usually, lockers are located right near the park entrance and each park.
- Small lockers: $10.00 per day
- Large lockers: $12.00 per day
- Jumbo lockers: $15.00 per day – Only available at Magic Kingdom and Epcot
Locker Rentals at Disneyland:
Disneyland is unique in that it offers locker rentals both in the parks, and outside of the parks in the Esplanade area located between the two parks. Also, just like at Walt Disney World, the number of lockers available on site is limited and they are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.
Disneyland offers two categories of locker sizes within the parks, and a few different choices outside of the parks in the Esplanade. The lockers within the parks are located near the entrances. While the lockers in the Esplanade are located outside of the main entrance of the parks near Downtown Disney.
- Small lockers: $7.00 per day
- Large lockers: $10.00 per day
2. Stroller Storage: Easy Storage While On A Ride, But Lacks Security
The final option of places you can store your bag in the parks, is on your stroller. Of course, this only works if you have children with you and are actually using a stroller.
The Cons Of Stroller Bag Storage
While walking through the parks you will see tons of strollers with bags on them unattended. That is a normal thing. And while I have not heard of anything being stolen while being left unattended, it is certainly a possibility to keep in mind.
Because of the lack of security with this option, if you have valuable items, I strongly recommend using a locker if you don’t want to carry your bags around. Even if you think your stroller is parked in a safe location, Cast Members are known to move unattended strollers if they are not in the right area.
The Pros of Stroller Bag Storage
However, if you just have a diaper bag or some standard snacks or things, I don’t think it is a problem to leave your items on your stroller while you ride a ride. Many families do this, and they do it often. There are always the lockers available to fall back on if you ultimately decide that stroller storage isn’t your way to go.
Bags on Rides At Disney – Made Easy
The simple answer to all of your bag questions is most likely yes! Yes, you can bring your bags on rides at Disney theme parks. And yes your bag will be safe and secure while riding. This fact is one of the things that makes Disney theme parks so family friendly.
So if you have been to other theme parks like Universal Studios where you have to hassle with lockers on nearly every thrill ride, Disney will seem like a dream! So go on, pack what you want, ride all of the rides, and enjoy your Disney day without worry about your bag!
