Hi Jackie!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Thank you for sending in this question, as I am sure other Guests might want to know what to do with their bags. I always wear a small cross-body bag which I continue to wear, and never need to remove on any ride. It is a very compact size. However, I have to remove my backpack on most rides. Firstly, safety is always a priority and it is important we sit back comfortably in our seat. If the ride provides a lap-bar (such as
Haunted Mansion) or a shoulder harness (
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith) or safety belt (
Test Track) this has to fit properly before the ride will be allowed to continue. If you ride
Soarin' Around the World you will be required to leave your bag on the floor, away from your seat, before take-off, unless you have small items or bags that can fit in the pocket under your seat. If you were wearing a backpack this would impair the secure fitting of any safety device. Some rides have small elasticated pockets in the back of the seat in front of you, into which you can put smaller bags, hats, Mickey ears! etc. I usually put my backpack on the floor, and hook the strap over my knee to make it secure. Another reason to remove your backpack would be that you would find the ride quite uncomfortable if you have a large backpack sharing the seat with you!
If your backpack is very large, and you don't need constant access to it, there are
lockers available to rent at the entrances to all the theme parks. However, there are no lockers available at the individual ride entrances.
I try to bring as little as possible into the theme parks, just so that I don't have to carry heavy bags around all day. Also, when you arrive at the parks, every bag has to be checked by security.
Please come back and visit us again if you have any further questions. We will be happy to help you plan your magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort.
Sue