The no bag line at Disneyland, awkwardly phrased on the sign outside the security checkpoint as “Guest Without Bag” may finally be here to stay. Disneyland Resort guests have complained for years that they have to stand in line for whole minutes at a time behind pack mules…er, moms…to get through the security checkpoint that is the threshold to the next wait at the gate line. (To be followed by waiting in a ride line, unless one ponies up the extra $10 per ticket per day for MaxPass.)

Who are these Disneyland guests who write actual letters to Disneyland demanding a No Bag Line?

Well, they’re not moms, that’s for sure.

We’ve seen the no bag line in beta testing a few times over the years but it looks like Disneyland’s no bag line is here for good…or at least for now. Live it up, boys—you may only have a few weeks to experience no bag line bliss.

No Moms Allowed: The No Bag Line at Disneyland

I’m thinking that nobody was thinking this one through. Who goes to Disneyland without a bag?

Teenagers and dads.

And why doesn’t Dad carry a bag at Disneyland? That’s right! Because Mom is always left holding the bag.

It is So Very Important That Each and Every Person Feels Absolutely Included in Everything! Just kidding. People are different. Girls are different than boys. Moms are different than dads. While the no bag line at Disneyland doesn’t help me personally, it doesn’t bother me that it exists. Because really, what am I going to do? Complain that Disneyland needs a Moms Only line? Or maybe not carry a bag at all? Ha.

My kids are big. That means no stroller, no diaper bag, no sippy cup, no snacks, no stuffed Mickey, no pacifier, no extra clothes for the inevitable diaper blowout/potty training fail. It is a glorious time in a mom’s life when her kids are all over 8.

[Tweet “It is a glorious time in a mom’s life when her kids are all over 8. The No Bag Line at Disneyland”]

I pack light for Disneyland days, but yes, what I carry must be carried in a bag—I can barely slip a credit card into the back pocket of my jeans after a corn dog and a churro. I’m more than happy to haul a dozen problem solving products in my purse that I know I could buy at Disneyland if I needed them, but who wants to pay $2 for 4 Bandaids or 2 Advil? I guess dads do, on the rare occasion either of those items is required, because my husband certainly does not double check his pockets before we head to Disneyland to make sure he has the aforementioned Bandaids and Advil, or the other 10 things I schlep in my Disneyland bag just in case.

It’s not just me; all moms carry a bag to Disneyland. I went through the Harbor Blvd. Disneyland security checkpoint 4 times this week and I saw exactly ONE adult woman in the no bag line. Read on for my Disneyland tips on how to make the most of the No Bag Line at Disneyland!

You won't see any moms in the No Bag Line at Disneyland! Here are 3 ideas for what the heck to do when you get separated from your family at Disneyland thanks to the no bag line. Disneyland tips from a 12-year Disneyland Annual Passholder! — You won’t see any moms in the No Bag Line at Disneyland!

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail: How to Find Your Family At Disneyland

There are really only three choices when a family approaches the security checkpoint at Disneyland:

Everybody sticks together and waits in the regular security checkpoint line.

Dad and the kiddos go through the no bag line like they’re in the Indy Fastpass line run-walking past the Standby suckers while Mom waits in the long security line behind morons who ignored three No Selfie Sticks signs they passed on the way from the parking lot, and people arguing with the security guards that pot is legal in California.

(#2 is the Most Likely Choice.)

Dad gallantly takes Mom’s bag and she goes through the no bag line. Mom gleefully trips down Buena Vista street to walk on to Guardians of the Galaxy—twice—before Dad and the kiddos catch up to her.

One can dream.

Here are 3 ideas for what the heck to do when you get separated from your family at Disneyland thanks to the no bag line. I’ll assume that your scenario is #2 above, but these tips work for Mom or Dad. (That means, don’t write a comment calling me sexist.)

1. Decide whether you’re starting at Disneyland or California Adventure.

Choose the first 2 rides Dad and the kiddos will walk on to.
- That way, if Mom’s security line takes longer than expected, Dad and the kiddos can keep riding.
- If they’re headed for Fantasyland, they can conceivably ride all the rides in that land in less than 20 minutes (except Peter Pan), so tell Dad to check his phone each time they get off a ride—Disneyland is loud, and you can’t always hear your phone ringing.

At this point, your strategy depends on whether or not you have MaxPass.

2A. If You Have MaxPass

Dad and the kids can go ahead into Disneyland while Mom waits in the security line, then
As soon as Mom is inside the Disneyland or California Adventure gate, she can book Fastpasses for everyone through the Disneyland app.
If you have MaxPass, choose which ride you want the first Fastpass for.
- For people unfamiliar with Disneyland, get a Fastpass for:
  - Space Mountain in Disneyland.
  - The Incredicoaster (if you have big kids 48″ or taller) or Radiator Springs Racers (if you have medium kids 40″ or taller) in California Adventure.
- For veteran Disneylanders, choose the Fastpass with the shortest return time, pick up Dad and the kids, check in to that ride, and choose your next Fastpass….

2B: If You DON’T Have MaxPass

If you don’t have MaxPass, you’ll have to meet up with your family to get their tickets so you can get Fastpasses for the whole family at the same time.
Dad can wait in the Fastpass line while Mom takes the kids on a ride nearby. Fair’s fair.

3. Caffeine

Last but not least, Dad and the kiddos can get Mom a cup of coffee and a chocolate muffin. If they don’t use mobile ordering, their Starbucks line will be longer than your security line.