1 Child and 10 Adults--A GG to Celebrate DD's 4th Bday :) TR Link is Posted

[Dancegrl624]

We each carry out our bag in the parks:

Madison carries a Tinkerbell backsack. She just has her autograph book, a pen, her pressed penny book and her Hidden Mickey book.

I carry a VB hipster and I bring chapstick, eye drops, hand sanitizer, my cell phone, slim wallet (ID, KTTW cards, Photopass card, credit cards, etc), camera, hand lotion, trip journal and pen.

Tony has carried a messenger bag in the past, but I'm buying him a regular backpack on this trip. He usually carries some bottled water, snacks, ponchos, body glide, sunscreen, Madison's "Guide to the Magic" book, a small folder with park menus (I print them off allears) and I think that's it.

 

[jenny105]

Last year I carried a VB mini-hipster. This year I'm upgrading to the hipster. I usually bring hand sanitizer, camera, chapstick, hairbrush, cell phone, gum (since its NOWHERE to be found in Disney), and a small wallet for cash, kttw card, and credit cards. Just the essentials really! It was hard to fit my camera in the mini-hipster with everything else so I'm getting the regular sized one for this trip!

 

[lexmas]

Oh, you asked for it.

This list is a work in progress, but I'm sure it will be long even before I start typing it! Good question though, I can't wait to get ideas from all these lists

We carry a backpack.

2 water bottles (side pockets)
Diapers/extra Diaper covers/Liners/Cloth Wipes/Wipe Solution/Wetbag/Changing pad (gotta organize this somehow, but I'll get there...it's not as much as it sounds like, I think it can pretty much all fit in a little clutch that I can pop in the bag!)
Seat Reducer for toilet in a wetbag (DS won't poop without it, unfortunately!)
Change of clothes for DS: shorts, undies, socks, soft sole shoes, t-shirt
Change of clothes for DD: dress, babylegs, socks, soft sole shoes, probably extra babylegs for if it's cold for DS or for their arms to make "long sleeve shirts"
Bib Clips for DD
Sunscreen
Toothbrushes/Toothpaste (if at night and we think they'll fall asleep before we get back to the hotel...possibly those little disposable ones, but probably just theirs)
Mei-Tai or Ergo (will probably be worn there so I can nurse DD on the way, but if not, in the bag), maybe an extra Mei-tai for DS for when he might fall asleep so we can still go on rides and carry him on the bus and such.
Snacks
Autograph Books/Pressed Penny Book and money/Animal Cards and Attraction Cards

Under the stroller/in pockets:
Cell phones
KTTW tickets
Ponchos/ stroller rain cover
Cameras

Hmm...that sounds too short. I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I carry a drawstring backpack. Usual contents:

*Tickets/KTTW card/cash inside a a small clutch type purse

*Bandaids

*Kleenex

*Tylenol and/or meds that we may need

*Small pump water mister. This thing is great. It's small and compact. You put cold water in it, pump it a couple of times and press a button for a nice refreshing mist.

*Itinerary cards that I make up and laminate with all of our ADR's, etc.

*Glasses/sunglasses and cleaner

*Hand sanitizer

*Rain gear

*Sunscreen (the cream in a tiny tube)

*Point and shoot digital camera

We also carry the DLSR camera bag with three lenses. That thing is ridiculously heavy. I am trying to cut it down to carrying one lens or maybe two at a time.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

This is a great question - I love seeing everyone's answers!

We don't carry much in to the parks as it's just me and FI, so I'm not sure how much help this will be but here goes!

I also used a VB hipster that was great! The across the body style made getting on an off rides really easy and because of the soft, unstructured fabric I could fit a lot in there. It was also really comfortable. I carried:
~ my bulky camera
~ chapstick
~ hand sanitizer
~ my autograph book and pen!
~ Tylenol
~ my keys since we drove to the parks every day
~ my iPhone of course!
~ And my favorite item: my Dooney and Bourke ID holder. I've used this every tip and it is so convenient. It will hold my resort card, ID and debit card and it makes taking the cards out so much easier than having them in a big wallet. I actually have a hard time transitioning out of using it and going back to my wallet when we get home - it's just so easy to use.

In the past, we've also carried a back pack but we found we really didn't need it. It carried all of the above items plus some drinks that we took into the park. We used one of those hot/cold insulated bags to hold ice and drinks. We filled gallon ziplock bags with ice every morning at the hotel and then carried a few drinks in. However, that didn't last long since one of the ziplock bags was jarred open on Space Mountain and we ended up with a very messy backpack. Although, I would think if you used an insulated bag like that and had a stroller to leave it in, it probably would work really well and save some money in the parks

 

[MaryAz]

I have my snazzy new mailbag in it will be
new DSLR-extra lens-battery
sm wallet with AP, $$ etc
hand sanitizer
wet ones wipes
sunscreen/meds
print out of spread sheet/ADR conf #s

Dh carries a backpack
water bottles
snacks
extra clothes/swimsuits/panchos
pins/lanyardsautograph books
first aid kit
video camera

Hmmm think thats it

 

[MHTeacher]

Ok, Stephanie, I have carried a Vera Bradley hipster and a VB backpack into the parks on different occasions.

This year I am carrying a large VB backpack. In it I will carry:

1. sunglasses
2. reading glasses (disadvantage of being old! )
3. tissues
4. gum
5. cell phone
6. autograph book/pen
7. Nintendo DS/Game case
8. sm. cosmetic case (w/ pressed powder, chap stick, advil)
9. 1 large index card ( On it, I write any ADR #s, and the park hours for each park for that day)
10. foldable hairbrush/mirror
11. VB card case ( I carry my AP, KTTW in it)
12. sm. wallet w/drivers license, and TIW card, credit card and cash)
13. shout wipes/Tide to go pen
14. hand sanitizer
15. disposable ponchos
16. extra hair rubber bands
17. Camera-DSLR---Anytime I'm riding anything where I don't want it out.

Now that I've seen everyone else's list, and looked at mine, I think I may be carrying too much stuff in the park !!

 

[mousescrapper]

I hope to have another update posted sometime this weekend but for now I thought perhaps you all would humor me and do another question and answer session! Here goes:

What type of park bag do you like to carry and what things do you like to take into the parks with you?

Something I am starting to thinking about and I would like to get rolling on my daily packing lists for my park bag. Care to help out my lists by responding?

Great Question Stephanie and good lists all.... we seem like clones

So I have yet to sit down and make the 2010 list....but this will give you an idea of what we have done in the past and what I think we will do this yr....

We have done 1 HUGE backpack carried by DH, 1 larger bag and 1 smaller bag, things stuffed under stroller, etc....

We are a Family of 6

Last yr 09 (kids ages 9, 9, 6, 2-in diapers then)

Me: my parks bag was a VB backsack (am changing it to a VB hispter which I love!) the back sack was good, but anytime I needed something had to take off my shoulders/back and open...became a pain in the end. Only good thing was the little zipper pocket on the front I kept our KTTW, Nathan's GAC, and our DL's in a zip lock baggie that I could pull out and put in w/out removing the bag.

Contents:

zip-lock baggie w/ KTTW, GAC, DL's any FP cards as applicable, gift cards and/ or Disney Dollars
lipstick
kleenex
contact lenz wet drops
sunglasses
cell-phone
watch
lotion
hand-sanitizer
camera
video camera
pen
emergency meds (asthma inhalor, tylonel, Nathan's med, tums, lactaid tablets)
bronzer brush
bandaids and moleskin
trip-note taking book
Cash only on TS days for tip

Diaper bag: (won't be using this yr, but some things will still need to be packed somewhere) this stayed on stroller at all times.

Contents:
diapers at least 5 already folded inside each diaper was a disposable changing cloth
wipes
disposable dirty diaper bags
change of clothes for (then) 2 yr plus change of underwear for (then) 6 yr
snacks in a plastic snack cup
sunscreen and face sunscreen
sunglasses for 2 yr
empty cup and a filled cup that was hooked on a strap attached to the stroller
stuffed animal attached to a strap on the stroller
cooler bag as needed for juice/water
distraction toys (mini slinkies, bubbles, etc)
disposable bib
blankie

the bold items will need to be packed for this yr probably in the below bag:

Park-Essentials-Stroller bag: this is a durable cloth bag actually bought at WDW in 08 that stays in the stroller

Contents:

ponchos (carried at all times, 1 per person, plus 1 for the stroller)
lightweight towel and clips
daily intinerary laminated cards and maps
book for Nathan
light-up toys & glow bracelets (always pack extras to hand out to our "friends" we wait w/) for evenings (only pack this for those nights)
sweatshirts as applicable
water bottles as applicable
ziplock bag w/ autograph books, pens, pressed penny book and $, Nathan's special guidebook as needed
water bottle mister fan

Older children's bags: last yr was the first time the twins Nathan and Bekah (almost 10) carried their own bags w/ stuff...

Contents:

some of the items from the stroller bag went into their bags

both carried: autograph books, pens,
pin lanyards (when not being worn)
sunglasses
maps
small flashlights
Nathan carried an oral chew tube and sound canceling headphones (sensory issues due to autism) and a reading book, plus pencil and small notepad

Bekah carried Rachel's (then 6 yr) autograph book and lanyard, pencil and notepad, kleenex, eye glass case


DH carries nothing but a small flashlight and tiny pocket knife w/ sizzors (comes in handy)

The kids all have hats too!

For 2010 I figure we basically emlimate 1 bag the diaper bag and diapers...but we will still have a stroller and the "park essentials" bag w/ some of the diaper bag contents plus I will need to carry food for Naomi-Ruth due to her allergies, have to decide how this will all work still.

Great pre-thinking task for me! Here I was all excited not to need the diapers/diaper bag...but wow alot to carry for Naomi-Ruth still even though she'll be 4 at time of travel...but happy to only go through security w/ 2 bags now...figure the food will go in sep bag inside the stroller bag. Oh well

my biggest advice....pack the Park stuff and any thing not valuble to just stay in the stroller...less carrying into restaurants and on attractions the easier. Have some type of bag you can just pull out to move into these places plus a zip lock baggie or some type of holder for the KTTW and personal id...

For your DD at least 1 cup, snack cup and 1 favorite item (if she needs) it. Wipes even if potty trained, and a change of clothes...

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I think I'm going to revamp my park bag this year. Last year I used a baggalini, and although it worked really well, it was a little heavy. Now that the kids are bigger (6 & 9) we really don't need to bring as much. So I'm interested in all your responses too. I'm thinking a mini hipster might be just right for me. Anyone have a picture with theirs?

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Trying to remember what I had in my backpack last year!

The kids autograph books and pens
my inhaler (asthma)
benadryl (food allergies)
KTTW card
some cash (not much, enough for dining tips)
my license
hand sanitizer
camera
park plans on my index cards
bandaids and antibacterial ( I know there's 1st aid, but it's nice to have it right there with you)

 

[Charlefours]

Thanks everyone for responding to my question! I see a common theme of a lot of you like VB but I already knew that. Here is what we are thinking at the moment:

Our main bag is going to be a backpack. I am a little unsure on what to do with when we get on rides such as BTMRR. There is a good chance that it should never pose an issue since we would carry it onto rides we all ride (which their will be a few--DMIL is not much of a ride person) or we will leave it with whomever is not riding, I think. For those of you carrying backpacks, what do you do with it on rides?

The backpack we have right is a LL Bean that is in great shape. DH is slightly worried it might bulk out to much (it is my school back when I am on campus or I head off to study somewhere else). The advantages is it is extremely comfortable and holds a good amount. We can also clip on water bottles onto the straps if we do not just have them in the stroller pocket.

My bag will most likely will be my camera bag I just got:



It is not a traditional camera bag but I can slip in my camera with lens and there would be space to get another lens in their comfortably. It also has a space for me to put wallet/card holder, sunglasses, first aid supplies, wet ones, pen/pencil and small notebook. I probably will also have the point-and-shoot-camera that either DH or Lilian would use.

Where I am torn:

Lilian's essentials: snack, drink, coloring book/crayons/pencils for at TS restaurants. I am not sure if her change of clothes in a ziplock to be able to put dirty/wet ones back into and autograph book would go in her bag or the backpack. Her bag would be the Minnie Bling bag I got a while back:

We will give her her bag either when we enter into Florida on Saturday morning or at the resort before heading into the park.

I want to have some small things to help Lilian pass the time in line if we run into long ones (hopefully not). I am envisioning mini playdough container and small figurines at the moment. So this stuff will need to be something that is out of her bag since I am envisioning that one staying in the bottom of the stroller. I like the idea of having a park essentials bag with the ponchos, water bottles, sunscreen and all the other assorted things.

I need to sit down and really go over what I really feel we need, pack the bags and see what works best in what bag I think.

Feedback anyone?

 

[Dancegrl624]

When I was in HS and would go to the local amusement park, I'd always bring my backpack with me. (didn't really have a choice) I'd usually put my leg through one of the shoulder straps and it was just fine. I'd even do that for upsidedown rollercoasters (I'd put BOTH legs through the straps!).

I love the idea of Lillian having her own little bag with goodies in it. What a clever idea! Hopefully, you won't run into any long lines, so she won't need anything to help her pass the time!

Your camera bag looks like the pefect size to carry through the parks. Not too small and not too big and bulky.

 

[wlwilliams9]

You come with a lot of baggage!!

We usually have a couple of figurines in the stroller pocket for Emily to play with too. The TS restaurants always have crayons and coloring pages for the kiddies.

Thanks for the pics of Eva! They turned out cute....how could they not with a face like that? (I'm a little biased! ) Emily enjoyed looking at the pics of Lilian on FB! She turned to Mike and said, "Look Daddy, that's my new best friend Lilian!"

 

[hollybearsmom]

playdo in lines - might melt and stain her outfits, just a thought.
same with regular crayons, colored pencils could be a better choice.
just recalling some issues we had two years ago with crayons

and we gotwhacked with a mini yoyo that a 3yr old let fly, you know your child and what she can handle though, so choose based on her likes...

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I love the camera bag! Where did you get that? I have tried three so far and i hate them all. I'd love a bag like that.

 

[lexmas]

We always just take our backpack on rides. I'm contemplating leaving some things in the stroller and/or just taking the essentials in a small purse-type bag. DH isn't on board, he thinks we need the backpack. I told him, "But wouldn't it be nice to not have a backpack?" He said, "Well, yes it would, but I think we're past that stage in our life now." I think he thinks I'm having a disney-mid-life-crisis!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

I made it over and somewhat caught up on your ptr. Ok heres my response/idea to the bag issues. This worked well for us but everyone is different.

I used a small purse with a long strap that I put over my shoulder across my chest. Similar to your camera bag. In there I put my valuables. Money, KTW cards, camera, etc. This was extremely easy to take on rides. Then we had a backpack which we kept in the stroller when on rides. This housed the diapers/wipes,extra clothes,ponchos,hand towel (this came in handy when it rained and our stroller got wet the kids sat on them), pretty much anything you need to have with you but only will use at potty breaks etc. Our autograph books started in there as well, but once we got into the parks I put those in the little pouch bag our stroller had on the back for easy access. Then if you need some things for meals I would put that in lillian's bag and keep in the stroller. You can put a few small things in your camera bag that she can play with while waiting but there is so much going on I bet you wont need those often. Also keep in mind everytime you enter the parks you have to go through bag check and all bags have to be out and opened. by the middle of our trip I had a system down for the bag checks.

 

[dismagiclover]

We have an LLBean backpack in that exact same color. I love it. It is actually child sized. I originally bought it for my DD way back when she was in kindergarten. But she wanted princesses or something on her backpack so I ended up with it and I love it! Now that she is over characters on her backpack she wants it back, but she isn't getting it

 

[-Hope-]

I love that Keen bag! Super cute.

If you encounter long lines a few toys like you've mentioned will be helpful but I've always found that my kids still need me to entertain them in those situations. You might consider teaching her some 'car trip' games like "A my name is...", 20 questions, or I spy.

 

[Charlefours]

When I was in HS and would go to the local amusement park, I'd always bring my backpack with me. (didn't really have a choice) I'd usually put my leg through one of the shoulder straps and it was just fine. I'd even do that for upsidedown rollercoasters (I'd put BOTH legs through the straps!).

I love the idea of Lillian having her own little bag with goodies in it. What a clever idea! Hopefully, you won't run into any long lines, so she won't need anything to help her pass the time!

Your camera bag looks like the pefect size to carry through the parks. Not too small and not too big and bulky.

Thanks Meghan--I do love that bag! Nice and durable, comfortable strap and some rubber on the bottom to give a little more support.

You come with a lot of baggage!!

We usually have a couple of figurines in the stroller pocket for Emily to play with too. The TS restaurants always have crayons and coloring pages for the kiddies.

Thanks for the pics of Eva! They turned out cute....how could they not with a face like that? (I'm a little biased! ) Emily enjoyed looking at the pics of Lilian on FB! She turned to Mike and said, "Look Daddy, that's my new best friend Lilian!"

Your welcome Wendy! Yup, we do have a lot of bags What can I say I love bags (hence my desire to get a Dooney while down there) and Lilian seems to be taking after me already! Poor DH!

I thinking the backpack is going to be able to stay in the stroller. So the bulk of the time, we may not even need to get it. Lilian's bag will be down there too waiting for when we need it. Her autograph book will go in when we go to a character meal.

playdo in lines - might melt and stain her outfits, just a thought.
same with regular crayons, colored pencils could be a better choice.
just recalling some issues we had two years ago with crayons

and we gotwhacked with a mini yoyo that a 3yr old let fly, you know your child and what she can handle though, so choose based on her likes...

Oh there is no way I would give Lilian a yo yo in Disney! Especially at 4 years old. The crayons we are looking at are the twistable Crayola, those do not melt. We took them camping and they never melted in our tent or car the whole week. Playdough, I had not thought about it melting as it has never posed an issue before.