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I carried this backpack all through Disneyland and I now understand why everyone is obsessed
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland lately you’ve probably noticed the sea of Disney-themed mini backpacks on everyone from kids to adults. What are they, you ask? The coveted and highly collectible Loungefly mini backpacks, of course. With an average price between $50 and $80, these collectible bags are quickly becoming the hottest Disney souvenir around — they may even rival Mickey and Minnie ears as the park's most popular accessory! I recently visited Disneyland in California with my kids and we brought two of the bags (Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie and the Peter Pan 70th Anniversary You Can Fly) with us to try out.
As a longtime fanny pack aficionado, I was skeptical about schlepping a bigger bag with us, but I wanted to find out what makes these mini backpacks a must-have. "They have become an outfit staple for fans to be able to wear their fandom," Loungefly’s Senior Vice President of Creative, Innovation & Vision Derrick Baca told Yahoo Life. “The size is perfect for carrying all of your essential park needs."
Loungefly Disney100 Mickey Mouse Club Mini Backpack
Loungefly Disney Cinderella Castle Mini Backpack
Loungefly Minnie Mouse Pastel Sequin Mini Backpack
Loungefly Disney Stitch Shoppe Classic Disney Books Crossbody Bag
It's true: At 9.5 inches and 10.5 inches tall, we fit a surprising amount in the bags. Unbeknownst to me, my seven-year-old pre-packed the Peter Pan bag at home with a large notebook (“in case I need to write a song”), markers and even a stuffed bear. My more practical nine-year-old put a pair of Minnie ears in her bag, and I was able to add my small umbrella, phone charger (because head's up: using the Disney app all day will drain your cell power), and a water bottle. I stashed rain jacket for the kids in the bags as well since it was a rare rainy day in Anaheim. A friend asked me to get her a picnic blanket from Toontown and I easily popped that into the backpack, too, along with park maps and other Disney souvenirs.
Now, let's talk about functionality. The Loungefly mini backpack's zippers are smooth and strong and I was impressed by the quality hardware. The backpack's vegan leather (polyurethane) exteriors held up extremely well to the inclement weather— nothing inside got damaged or wet after a damp day. Score! My only qualm was that the adjustable backpack straps didn't shrink down to child size. Insider tip: Add a knot to the straps to make them smaller for little shoulders.
The bags can be purchased at stores all over Disney parks or online ahead of your visit. New runs are always coming out, and styles get discontinued, so fans are constantly on the hunt for the latest and greatest. Traditionally, mini backpacks featuring classic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Stitch and Winnie the Pooh have been big hits with park-goers. “But then tertiary characters like Lotso and the Toy Story Aliens always rise to the top when we make them available,” Baca said.
There are tons of Disney-themed mini backpacks on Loungefly’s site, not to mention the Pixar and Star Wars options. New styles range from $50 (sale bags) to $100, and Loungefly mini backpacks are also a staple on Amazon, BoxLunch, Hot Topic, and ShopDisney.com. Some even have great resale value — this Sleeping Beauty Castle bag is listed for $2,295 on Poshmark! Keep in mind that collectors favor the higher-quality backpacks, which sport metal plaques and often feature zipper charms, patterned lining and padded straps — these are the ones you’ll find at the Disney parks.
Scroll down for some of our favorite Disney mini backpacks from Loungefly.
