It started simply enough.
While exploring the many stores at Disneyland, I kept noticing these brilliantly designed Disney LoungeFly mini backpacks. They were everywhere. On guests, on shelves, styled around everything from park icons to entire franchises. They caught my eye immediately. Stylish, compact, and bursting with detail, they looked like the perfect combination of fandom and fashion.
I kept returning to look at them in different shops, checking out the linings, the textures, the zips. Some were bold and colourful, others were subtle and cleverly themed. But none of them quite felt like me. Not at that moment, anyway. So, blissfully unaware that these items were actually collectibles, I left Disneyland without one. Rookie mistake.
A Little Mariachi Magic
The first LoungeFly I actually bought was Miguel from Coco in his mariachi outfit. It was more of an impulse purchase really, but it had everything I loved. Beautiful embroidery, vibrant colours and the kind of thoughtful detail that made it feel special. That was it. I was hooked.
Since then, the collection has grown. I now have thirteen Loungefly mini backpacks and counting. They’ve become a bit of an obsession. I love how each one tells a little story. Whether it’s themed to a movie I love or a park experience that sticks with me, they feel more personal than most merchandise.
There’s a whole Loungefly-loving community online, and I’ve definitely fallen down that rabbit hole. One of my favourite YouTubers, Hannah Enchanted, has a collection that completely puts mine to shame. Honestly, watching her videos is like walking into a mini museum of Disney design. She gets the appeal, and clearly shares the same level of obsession I do.
Why so addictive?
What makes Loungeflys so addictive is the craftsmanship. The themed linings. The secret compartments. The fact that some designs feel like easter eggs in bag form. They aren’t just something you buy on a whim. They’re something you spot, admire, think about, and then finally decide you can’t live without.
LoungeFly
Originally founded in the late 1990s and acquired by Funko in 2017, LoungeFly rose to fame for its mini backpacks which launched in 2016, featuring licensed characters from Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, and more.
The brand has released thousands of unique styles over the years, often in limited quantities that sell out quickly and become prized collectibles. Some rare bags have resold for over $1,000 on secondary markets.
Today, Loungefly isn’t just about carrying your things, it’s about showing your fandom with flair.
So yes, I’ve become one of those people. The kind who checks the new releases each month, who will undoubtedly plan which bag matches which park outfit and who’s now run out of shelf space and isn’t sorry about it.
And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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