Aldi Licensed Disney Mini Backpacks vs. Loungefly Mini Backpacks

Back in May, Aldi released a bunch of affordable licensed Disney merch, including clothing, ear headbands, tennis shoes, water bottles, earrings, and mini backpacks. I bought a pair of ears and a Minnie Mouse-themed mini backpack for a summer trip to Disney World, figuring if there was anywhere to put this stuff through the paces, it was in the actual Disney parks. Halfway through our trip, I also purchased a name-brand Loungefly mini backpack, so of course I had to do a comparison with the Aldi mini backpack.

What is Loungefly?

If you go to Disney, it’s quickly going to become apparent that one mini backpack brand dominates. I saw a lot of people walking around the parks with Loungefly mini backpacks. Loungefly is a high-end company specializing in bags that feature various pop culture themes and characters, and they sell a lot of Disney-themed bags. Loungefly also sells some clothing, stationery, and other items, but mini backpacks are what they seem to be most well known for.

I’m not sure there was a single Disney gift shop I went into where there weren’t a few Loungefly mini backpacks on the shelves. In the parks, you could find limited-edition bags celebrating the Disney parks and Disney Vacation Club. There are also endless variations featuring beloved Disney characters in unique designs that you just won’t find anywhere else.

But those premium designs come at a high cost. On average, Loungefly mini backpacks range from $70 to even $100 each. Despite their price, it seems like at least a fourth of park guests I saw had them, so it makes sense why Aldi would carry a cheaper knockoff of such a popular item.

Putting the Aldi and Loungefly Backpacks to the Test:

The licensed Disney mini backpacks were an Aldi Find back at the start of May 2024, which meant each store got one shipment, and once they were gone, they were gone. They cost $14.99 and came in designs featuring Minnie, Donald, and two different designs with Mickey. I purchased the Minnie Mouse bag, which has 3D ears and a bow, similar to the 3D features Loungefly does with a lot of their bags.

The Loungefly I purchased at Disney was a limited edition Walt Disney World bag that was originally $79, but I got it on sale for $40 at Disney Springs, a large outdoor shopping center on Disney property. I had already carried the Aldi mini backpack around the parks for several days before purchasing and transitioning to using the Loungefly mini backpack, so I got a good idea of how well each backpack brand functioned.

At first glance, someone passing through the park would likely think the Aldi mini backpack is a Loungefly. It has all the same elements, and the measurements are almost identical, with the Loungefly only about an inch wider.

The differences between the Loungefly and Aldi bags reveal themselves in the smaller details. First, in lieu of the metal Loungefly logo, the front of the Aldi bag has a patch on the small front pocket that has Minnie’s name. Loungefly even added a printed Disney fabric on the inside of my bag because why not?

The Loungefly also had significantly more structure and stiffness to the bag portion. The Loungefly keeps its shape even if there are only a few small items in it, while the Aldi bag tends to cave in more if it isn’t full.

In addition, the Loungefly felt more supportive when I wore it, since the straps are padded, whereas the Aldi straps are more of a thin nylon ribbon material. The Aldi straps weren’t uncomfortable, though.

If I want to get really picky, the zippers on the Loungefly also felt stronger compared to the Aldi bag, which made it easier to zip and unzip while we rushed to pack away small items such as phones or glasses while getting in line for the next ride. And, of course, the Loungefly bag has a branded zipper pull tab.

As a side note, if you have a Loungefly mini backpack and are planning to take it to Universal Studios Florida, since the Disney and Universal parks are so close, beware that the Loungefly’s stiff structure can become its weakness at Universal. At Disney World, there was only one ride (Tron) that we couldn’t take bags on, and Disney provided free lockers for that ride that were fairly spacious. On the rest of the rides I rode at Disney, even coasters, you store bags at your feet, where there is plenty of room.

However, at Universal, many rides require you to store all loose items in lockers before getting in line. The free lockers are tiny, measuring 14″ x 5.5″ x 16.9″, and you have to pay extra if you want a bigger one. I found myself cramming and smushing my stiff Loungefly to fit into the small 5.5″ tall free locker compartments. I had to take some things out of my backpack and put them next to my backpack in the locker to squish the bag down more. I probably wouldn’t have had that problem if I’d used the Aldi bag, which is more flexible and could more easily be pushed down.

The Verdict:

The Loungefly Disney mini backpack wins over the Aldi Disney mini backpack when it comes to quality and attention to the details. But I really want to be clear that while there is a winner, there isn’t a loser here. Before getting my Loungefly, I had zero complaints with the Aldi mini backpack. I wasn’t sure how comfortable it would be, but I used it in Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom from open to close and never felt liked it weighed me down or made the experience at Disney less fun.

If you were able to snag one of the Aldi bags, don’t underestimate it. I can guarantee it will serve you well on any trip you take. A Disney trip is pricey enough as it is, so I was very happy getting a cheaper backpack that I knew would last me through the trip, and hopefully well into the future.