Prepare for Chilly Weather! The Ultimate Disneyland Paris backpack list for Winter – 10 things you need to pack

You’ve been dreaming of your visit to Disneyland Paris for months, and now it’s finally here! But before you head to the park, there’s one essential task at hand: packing your bag for wintery weather. To ensure you have the most enjoyable and stress-free day possible, I have compiled the ultimate Disneyland Paris backpack list to keep you warm. I’ll also share my 5 favourite backpacks for a full day of winter park-hopping adventures!

The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Packing List: What You Need in Your Backpack

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1. Dress For the Winter Season 

While we’re going to focus mainly on what to put in your Disneyland Paris backpack, it’s important to chat first about what else you might be needing while you’re outdoors in late autumn or winter.

The Best Coat

Dressing for winter at Disneyland Paris is different than dressing for your usual wintery day because you need to account for weight.

✏️ PRO TIP: Unless you’re lucky enough to be pushing a pram (I miss those days!), you will be lugging that big winter coat with you for 20,000 steps on a typical park day. So you might want to leave that fur-trimmed heavy parka at home.

My favourite coat for winter at Disneyland Paris is a lightweight longline puffer jacket with a hood like this one from Superdry or this one from Amazon.

If the weather is dry and temperatures not too low, I also recommend a faux fur/teddy bear coat as they are so cosy. I got mine from The White Company a few years ago and it’s still going strong.

Layer Up

The secret to being comfortably warm in the parks is layers. So do yourself a favour, wear layers such as a vest, a T-shirt and a light jumper. Cover it all with a light, water-resistant jacket. Then, as you hop on and off rides, or change from outside to inside conditions, you can take a layer or two off. Or put them back on throughout the day.

A large backpack will serve you well because you can roll up your coat and tuck it away if you don’t need it. Or, you can pack a thick sweatshirt or fleece for those chilly evening fireworks.

Mind Your Extremities

If I have one recommendation for winter packing, it’s don’t forget your hat, scarf and gloves. Fingers and faces get really cold at Disneyland Paris in winter. Wrap up tight in a warm beanie hat, a snuggly scarf and a pair of gloves. I love theses Fairisle touchscreen gloves so I can keep them on when I use my phone.

➡️ For lots more tips on clothing, check out What to wear to Disneyland Paris in Winter.

2. Sun, Rain and Snow at Disneyland Paris 

Winter can be a real mixed bag of conditions. It’s best to double-check the Paris forecast 2-3 days before your trip, and be prepared if it might rain or snow.

Protect your face

It probably sounds mad as we are discussing cold wintery weather, but don’t forget your sunscreen. A good SPF for your face is essential for being outside all day in the parks.

Stay dry

Another must-have item for your Disneyland Paris backpack is an emergency poncho. Showers happen when you least expect it and being wet is no fun. I like to take an extra-large poncho so I can pull it over my backpack, too.

Avoid Wet, Freezing Feet

My most recent GENIUS packing list item is shoe covers. They are so fantastic because they fold up, are lightweight and keep my shoes completely dry. No more packing heavy boots when there’s only a small chance of rain.

I also make sure to pack an extra pair of dry cosy socks. My kids always seem to get a surprise attack from a deep puddle! Having a dry pair of socks on hand has saved us from trooping back to the hotel.

Keep Your Hands Warm

In snowy weather or just when temperatures really dip, pack travel hand warmers! These are so cosy to have warming your coat pockets and gloves.

3. Tip for Being Hydrated and Energised 

Sometimes we forget that wintery weather can be just as drying as summer sun. Here are my best tips for water bottles and hot drinks. And a list of my favourite snacks for Disneyland Paris.

Water Bottles and Water Fountains 

Make sure to bring a water bottle with you (this collapsible bottle has served us well. Or these Sistema bottles – the 460ml size is big enough to get enough water and small enough to fit in the side pocket of most backpacks).

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW: Most of the water fountains at Disneyland Paris don’t work in the winter because their pipes would freeze up.

Here’s a handy list of what water fountains are open in winter:

🚰Winter water fountains open – Disneyland Paris (Main Park) 

• Arcades on the left side of Main Street. Near Casey’s Corner the outdoor toilets have an automatic bottle filler
• Discoveryland: Café Hyperion, near the toilets
• Discoveryland: Toilets right behind Autopia
• Frontierland: In the queue to Big Thunder Mountain (not the one at the exit)
• Fantasyland: The toilets by Bella Notte

🚰 Winter water fountains open – Walt Disney Studios 

• Disney Studio 1: As you come to the end of the shops there are toilets on the left side and water fountains
• Worlds of Pixar: Near Souvenirs of Paris (by the gourmet food stalls) there are toilets with water fountains
• Avengers Campus: There is a water bottle refill point near the toilets outside PYM Kitchen

✏️ PRO TIP: Water is also safe for drinking from the regular taps inside the toilets

Hot Drinks

When temperatures are low and rain or snow is forecast, I pack a flask for hot drinks.

You can fill it with a hot drink from your Disney hotel (they’re available from the hot drinks machines – ask at reception for details).

Or, if you have a travel kettle, make yourself a hot drink in the hotel room.

Sometimes I just grab an extra-large (Venti) coffee from Starbucks and put that in my flask for later. My flask can keep it warm for hours.

If you like herbal tea, bring a tea bag with you. The refreshment stands can usually oblige you with a cup of hot water.

Not brought anything with you? Don’t worry, you can buy them in the parks. The hot chocolate and crepes combo is a must-do at Disneyland Paris. It’s heavenly to enjoy in front of the castle. (So good, I named this blog after it!)

Snacks

Having a few snacks in your Disneyland Paris backpack will make those winter queues much more enjoyable.

❓FAQ: Can I bring drinks and snacks into Disneyland Paris?

Yes! You can absolutely bring refreshments and food into the parks.

You can’t bring anything that needs cooking, any alcohol or glass bottles. Cool boxes are not allowed either.

Some of my family’s favourite Disney park snacks are:

• Wrapped pastries (ie pain au chocolat)
• Protein bars
• Nutrigrain Strawberry or Blueberry bars
• Plain rice cakes, caramel rice cakes or chocolate rice cakes
• Popcorn or crisps
• Fruit Yo-Yo Bear
• Tiny bags of Haribo
• Graze boxes, flapjacks, corn nuts
• Dried mango, banana chips
• Fruit and nuts, macadamia and dried cranberry
• Maryland chocolate chip cookies
• Rice Krispy bars
• Small juice boxes
• Mini cans of soda
• Mini squeezy squash to flavour water

4. Tech, Apps and Entertainment 

If you’re visiting during the busy Christmas and New Year season, you will no doubt find yourself in a sizeable queue at some point. Here are the things you need to survive the waits and navigate the parks.

✔️ A sizeable power bank

Taking hundreds of photos and checking the Disneyland Paris app frequently with your phone will seriously drain your battery.

So make sure you have enough power for everything.

Perhaps one of the most important things to pack in your Disneyland Paris backpack is a good power bank. I love this Anker battery pack because it can power 2 devices at the same time and has 20,000mAH (enough to charge my phone 4 times). In other words, it will really last your whole day!

✔️ Apps to help you at Disneyland Paris

Before you leave home, make sure to download these two essential apps to your phone:

• The Disneyland Paris official app. It has character meets, parade times, fireworks, shows, a map, mobile food orders and more. It’s your lifeline for visiting the parks.
• MagiPark app. This app is fantastic for wait times. You can also get wait times in the DLP app, but MagiPark is easier to use. Best of all, you can save your favourite rides as a widget. Then, every time you tap your phone, the ride times will come on. That saves me loads of time (and phone battery, too).

✔️ Games to play in line

There are sometimes when you’ve just had enough of talking to your family, right?

To entertain everybody there’s a game app you can download called HeadsUp. You will definitely see other families playing it, too! It’s a popular and fun game with family-friendly categories.

Other classic games you can play in the queue that don’t require your phone:

• Rock, Paper, Scissors
• Eye Spy
• Alphabet Game
• I went to the shop. I bought…
• Fortunately/Unfortunately (make it as silly as possible for the best effect)

5. Health and Hygiene

It never hurts to bring a little something in case someone in your group has an accident or is not feeling well.

Headaches and Motion Sickness

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW: Paracetamol can only be bought from the Pharmacie, you won’t find it in Disney. Be sure to pack some with you and bring Calpol for the kids.

If you suffer from motion sickness, consider packing a box of Kwells for the more intense rides (you can find it at Boots).

Mini First Aid Kit

My older children don’t fall down that much anymore, but when they were little I always packed a little pot of Savlon, Arnica and a few plasters. Disneyland is so exciting and it’s easy to run along and scrap a knee or bump an elbow.

Keeping Clean

I always, always pack anti-bacterial hand gel in my Disneyland Paris backpack.

✏️ PRO TIP: Anti-bac spray is great for kids, especially as you’re coming off a ride or about to eat. You can usually find it at Ocado and Amazon.

My children love eating at the buffets, but you can imagine how many hands are touching all those serving spoons. Anti-bac gel and spray help us swerve some of those germs.

My backpack also has hand wipes; they are not only terrific for sticky fingers but for wiping up messy tables, too. I like the biodegradable wipes from Panda.

And finally, travel tissues are another must-have. If only for dabbing my eyes that somehow become wet during the fireworks…

6. Fun Disney Stuff

Much more exciting than hand gel and power banks – let’s talk about fun stuff for your Disneyland Paris backpack!

• Planning on seeing a few characters? Bring an autograph book and Sharpie pens. There are some in the park but they are hard to find, often sell out, and are a little bit expensive. I like the personalised autograph books from Etsy. Don’t forget your Sharpies.

• My favourite item in my Disney park bag has to be my Minnie Mouse Ears. I collect them in all colours and designs, and they serve as a lovely keepsake when I get back home, too. In the parks they range from €18-35, depending on design.

✏️ PRO TIP: I love having a Mouse Ears clip for my bag. When my Ear Headband starts giving me a headache, I just clip them on to my backpack, so that they don’t get crushed inside it. I found my amazing Mouse Ears Holder on Etsy, and the seller customised it with my name and favourite colours.

• Another item to pack is a Disney Trading pin or two. They need to be authentic and there are only a few places that do trading in the park. But it’s so fun! The best place to buy and trade pins is Pueblo’s Trading Post (near Lion King) or the Thunder Mesa Mercantile Building. You can also buy pins ahead of time from the Shop Disney UK store.

• Planning on staying till after dark? Glowsticks are another fun thing for your park bag, especially for kids. We like to give away our extra glowstick bracelets when waiting for the fireworks.

7. More Bags!

A ‘nice to have’ item for your Disneyland Paris backpack is an extra plastic bag. If there’s a shower, it’s great to put a wet poncho or hoody in it. You could also use it to keep things extra dry within your backpack.

I also like to pack a few sandwich bags. They’re great for tucking away a half-eaten lollipop or some leftover snacks/lunch we want to eat later.

It’s also nice to have an extra carrier bag to bring souvenirs back to your hotel.

8. Valuable Essentials

Don’t forget to pack all the valuable essentials you normally have on you at home.

Your mobile phone is (of course) absolutely integral. Wi-Fi is available for free in the parks. If you need to make calls, check with your mobile service provider before you leave home.

Also pack a travel wallet with your ID, debit/credit cards, and a small amount of cash in Euros. If you are visiting from the UK, make sure to have your GHIC (health card) and travel insurance on you in case of any health emergencies.

And it is important to have a printed copy of your Disney park ticket and park reservation (unless you have a Magic Card from your Disney hotel). Although electronic tickets work at the barriers, a paper ticket and reservation will move you through the cast member checks before the entrance much faster.

9. Personal Care

No backpack list is complete without those little daily essentials we use all the time to make ourselves comfortable – especially in colder weather.

So pack yourself a zip case with lip balm, hand cream and a mini nail file. Because that dry winter weather plays havoc with lips, hands and nails.  You can pop your makeup, passport or snacks in there, too.

You should also add to your backpack list those things that are important to you like spare contact lenses, medication and asthma sprays.

Feminine hygiene products are an easy one to forget, so pack a few necessities if you think you might need them. If you get caught short, they don’t have anything in the restrooms, but you can buy them at the stroller rental store.

And finally, small children will need special items like changing bags, spare clothes, and comfort toys.

➡️ Check out my complete list of What to Pack for Kids

10. Backpack safety

It pains me to say it because Disney should be all about pixie dust and Mickey ice cream bars. But, every once in a while, you hear of someone who falls prey to a nasty thief while on their holiday. So be especially careful with your backpack while watching the fireworks and when using a hotel shuttle.

Make sure to tuck valuables in a zipped pocket inside of your bag. And consider backpacks that have two zippers so that you can use a lock to secure them together so the bag can’t be opened. I have this mini padlock and it works great for luggage, too.

You could also think about using a fanny pack to keep your money and valuables hidden away. This money belt comes in different colours and has RFID protection for your credit cards.

I really love my phone lanyard – it keeps my phone safely tight to my body. It’s also handy for grabbing character photos on the fly! I bought a phone rope from Primark and also this one from Amazon.

🌟 BONUS: The 5 best Disneyland Paris backpacks

Now that you know everything to put inside your bag, what about the backpack itself?

I am really fussy about my Disney park bag because I go to the parks so often. They have to be lightweight (for my aching back), have lots of pockets so I can be organised, and be big enough to hold everything on my Disneyland Paris backpack list.

These are my favourites

1. The best bag for charging your phone and keeping safe: This pink waterproof backpack has a USB port and double zips so you can lock it for safety (it comes in black too).
2. The classic Fjallraven Kanken is the backpack my family buys again and again. We all have this bag (in multiple colours) because it has great pockets for your water bottle, it’s lightweight and the small handle is perfect for scooting it on and off rides quickly. Plus, Kanken is such good quality and they last forever. I especially recommend it for flights.
3. This Korean schoolgirl backpack is what I’m using right now. I love the Kawaii-style for displaying my Disney characters and pins. It has loads of pockets and is the perfect size.
4. Best Mickey bag for kids: Asda always pulls through for a great selection of Disney apparel that doesn’t cost the earth. Their stock changes all the time, but currently, they have a Disney 100 bag that is too cute not to buy! 
5. For die-hard fans: The Loungefly Backpack. You will see so many of these at Disneyland Paris. And for good reason – they are stunning! I honestly can’t pick a favourite Loungefly, there are hundreds of thousands of designs in literally every movie, every character and every theme you can possibly imagine. I own three of these marvellous creations. And while they are a work of art, they unfortunately don’t carry everything I need for a park day. 😭So, if you’re like me, plan on bringing a partner with a bigger bag to hold more (my husband has extra room in his backpack) or a second bag/carrier bag for your larger items. 

All that’s left is to get packing

This concludes your ultimate Disneyland Paris backpack packing list. You are now fully prepared for a day of magic and adventure even on the coldest, wettest days in winter.

With these tips in mind, you will can keep warm, keep safe and snap a thousand photos. Your Disney winter adventure awaits – so get packing!

➡️ Read Next: If you liked this Disneyland Paris Backpack list, you should also check out:

• 17 of the Best Tips for First-timers at Disneyland Paris
• Get the inside scoop on what to Wear in Winter to Disneyland Paris
• Everything you need to know about Travelling on the Eurostar before your next trip