Maia, our marketing manager and a longtime theme park enthusiast, recently returned from a whirlwind trip: spending 7 days across 7 theme parks in Orlando, Florida. Alongside her family, she put a variety of TOM BIHN bags to the test across long days, changing weather, and miles of walking. Whether you’re planning your first theme park visit or looking to fine-tune your go-to setup, she offers practical, hard-earned tips on what to bring, what to skip, and which bags held up best, no matter your theme park style:
A family trip, five bags, and more steps than I want to admit.
Theme parks have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories recall Mickey Mouse ears, rides on Cinderella’s carousel, and firework shows that made me believe in magic. My family started going to Disney World when I was 5 years old and now, 20-plus years later and a dozen-plus visits later, our family has fully earned the title of theme park people. Maybe even theme park experts.
Our most recent trip was a challenge that even I felt unprepared for: 7 theme parks in 7 days.
The stars aligned—my brother wrapping up his time in the Disney College Program (with free tickets to spare), a rare dip in flight prices, and a brand-new park opening on the horizon. So we thought, why not go for it?
Seven days, seven parks, five people, and a whole lot of sunscreen.
In one whirlwind week, we trekked through:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
- Magic Kingdom
- Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Universal Studios
- The all-new Epic Universe
And while each of us navigates a theme park differently, we had one shared constant: each of us carried a TOM BIHN bag.
How We Handle Theme Parks (and What We Carried)
Every member of my family has their own theme park strategy.
My mom? She likes to slow down and take in the details. You’ll find her enjoying a shady bench or catching a theater show while we’re racing to our next thrill ride.
My dad? He’s a planner through and through. Back in the paper FastPass days (iykyk), he’d create an hour-by-hour itinerary to avoid lines at all costs.
My brothers? One loved theme parks so much that he joined the Disney College Program. The other prefers to do his own thing—refusing to follow a schedule unless snacks are involved.
And me? I’ve grown into a thrill chaser. I’ll race across the park for one last ride on VelociCoaster or Stardust Racers without hesitation.
Each of us carried something different, and each bag fit its person perfectly. Here’s the breakdown:
Who Carried What (And What They’d Tell You)
Mom — The Detail-Oriented Wanderer
Bag of choice: Bantam or Everyday Cubelet
My mom opted for the Bantam, which ended up being the perfect fit for her go-with-the-flow park style. She used the external stretch pocket to stash her ID, credit card, and PhotoPass—no wallet necessary. She also personalized her Bantam with bag charms and pins, which sparked more than a few conversations from fellow parkgoers.
Her advice:
“Stick to a plan and make your steps count. Hit the most important attraction first, then explore outward—you’ll avoid retracing your steps and wearing yourself out.”
Dad — The Strategizing Snack Carrier
Bag of choice: Daylight Backpack
As our designated gear hauler, my dad carried the Daylight Backpack. Sunscreen, ponchos (because there’s always rain in Florida), souvenirs, and enough granola bars to feed a scout troop. He loved how lightweight the Daylight Backpack was, even fully loaded.
His advice:
“Shoes are everything. You’ll walk for miles on concrete, so choose the most supportive pair you own—and bring blister pads just in case.”
Brothers — The Minimalists
Elliott: The Theme Park Pro
Bag of choice: Side Effect
Elliott’s a Disney College Program member who knows exactly how to navigate a park. The Side Effect provided him with just enough organization for his essentials without weighing him down—each item had its place: wallet, handheld fan, and sunglasses.
William: The Freestyler
Bag of choice: 3D Organizer Cube (with added strap)
William went ultra-minimalist and swore by it. A small, single-compartment carry meant less to think about and more time to just enjoy the day.
Their shared advice:
“Know your nonnegotiables. Do the things you care most about early in the day—then let the rest unfold.”
Me — The Thrill Chaser
Bags in rotation: Side Effect, Bantam, Everyday Cubelet
Bag I wish I brought: Rogue Sacoche
I rotated between the Side Effect, Bantam, and Everyday Cubelet throughout the trip, depending on the day’s agenda. Each had its perks, but by the end, I found myself wishing I’d brought the Rogue Sacoche. I’m what you’d call a collector (park maps, pins, pressed pennies, and souvenirs), and the Rogue’s adjustable size would’ve come in handy for expanding and compressing throughout the day.
My advice:
Be present. Some of my favorite memories from the trip were made while waiting in line: playing word games with my family, chatting with cast members, or soaking in the themed surroundings. Theme parks operate on what I like to call “Ren Faire rules”—everyone’s there to have fun, step outside the ordinary, and play. So, lean in–sing along, cheer loudly, dance in public. Kindness and enthusiasm go a long way and make the day better for you and everyone around you.
Our Favorite Tiny Essentials (That Made a Big Difference)
- Handheld fans
- Band-Aid for inevitable blisters
- Ziploc bag for soggy socks and slides (because you WILL get soaked on any water ride)
- Compact sunscreen bottle
- Power bank
- Tylenol
- Snacks
- Small notepad and pen (for cast member shoutouts, doodles, or games in line)
- Printed park map (just for nostalgia)
Final Thoughts
By the end of the week, we were sunburned, footsore, and thoroughly overstimulated—but also deeply grateful. Doing this trip together reminded me that joy often comes in small, unexpected moments: the joke someone makes in a tired moment, celebrating a beloved ride's last days in operation (RIP Muppet Vision 3D and Dinosaur, two of my favorite rides growing up), and the quiet peace of being in motion with people you love.
The right gear doesn’t make the trip, but it does make it smoother. And sometimes that little bit of ease is all you need to stay in the moment.
What would your theme park carry look like?
Mary - July 26, 2025
We are former WDW Annual Passholders and my bag of choice was always the packing cube shoulder bag. When it’s not full, it’s floppy enough to just contour to my side and stay out of the way. It held all the essentials for a day in the parks, but it also could be carried in a variety of ways and was never so big that I had to leave it off a ride. I’m not a fan of backpacks in the park because they’re always cumbersome and too hot to wear all day. It was wonderful to read about you enjoying your time with your loved ones!