4th of July -- No bag; no stroller?

[famy27]

We are going to WDW for the weekend from July 2nd through the 4th. I'm considering going to the parks without a bag or a stroller. I've seen the bag check lines, and I don't have any interest in dealing with that for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Our group consists of me, DH, DD(10), and DD(4). Younger DD has been reliably potty trained for over a year, and has been to WDW twice since she was potty trained with no issues. She does tend to spill, so stained outfits are a possibility. We are staying at YC and only plan to do EP and maybe HS this trip. I figure I could run back to the hotel for a new outfit if there were a fashion emergency.

In terms of the stroller, we don't plan to do a ton of time in the parks. We have FPs for our must-dos (although still waiting impatiently for FEA), but I don't think we'll spend more than a few hours in the parks each day. We plan to do quite a bit of time at SAB. DH can carry DD on his shoulders if she gets tired, and we can rent a stroller if needed.

We'll be doing the DVC dessert party at the Contemporary on the 3rd, so we'll be able to bring a bag along to that.

Has anyone gone stroller and bagless with a smaller child? Did you regret it or was it worth it to skip the lines?

 

[maxiesmom]

You still have the risk of being put thru the metal detector. I wouldn't go out of my way to be bagless, just to avoid the line. And if Epcot is in your plans, I would definitely have a stroller for the 4 year old. It will not be comfortable for her or your husband to be up on his shoulders in that heat.

 

[famy27]

I saw spring break pictures from HS where people were reporting bag check lines of 45 minutes. In 95 degree heat, I would love to avoid that. The only things we really need are phones MBs IDs, and cash, and we should be able to stash those in our pockets. We normally bring little bottles of water flavoring, ponchos, extra outfits for younger DD and autograph books. I think we can do without most of that. We've gone bagless at Six Flags before, but I've never attempted it at WDW. Perhaps I'll try it on the first day and then reevaluate if it doesn't work.

 

[crazylady]

Coming from YC, you won't have an issue with bag/stroller check into the back entrance to EPCOT so I would bring it to EPCOT but ditch it on the way to HS if you think it will be a problem.

 

[Accident]

my guess is a holiday, everyone gets the full security shakedown.

It's really not a big deal and just ask the person at the metal detector if your child needs to go through. many times they will say, that young is ok but someitmes they want them to pass also.. It's not a big deal, the line to scan your ticket after that is much worse than the security delay.

 

[MrsHull]

I agree to try it and see. If needed, you can buy ponchos. A small squeeze bottle of water flavoring can fit in your pocket. At four, perhaps the extra outfit isn't super-necessary. Photoshop can take out an amazing array of stains.

 

[loves to dive]

When my son was around 3, we went without a stroller and had no problems. He hated the things and would much rather walk then ride in one. We did go slower and did a lot of stopping and sitting, but it was all good. Like PP said, at the IG bag check is really not that bad but I'd try to do it without at HS. Push comes to shove, you rent a stroller. Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We are going to WDW for the weekend from July 2nd through the 4th. I'm considering going to the parks without a bag or a stroller. I've seen the bag check lines, and I don't have any interest in dealing with that for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Our group consists of me, DH, DD(10), and DD(4). Younger DD has been reliably potty trained for over a year, and has been to WDW twice since she was potty trained with no issues. She does tend to spill, so stained outfits are a possibility. We are staying at YC and only plan to do EP and maybe HS this trip. I figure I could run back to the hotel for a new outfit if there were a fashion emergency.

In terms of the stroller, we don't plan to do a ton of time in the parks. We have FPs for our must-dos (although still waiting impatiently for FEA), but I don't think we'll spend more than a few hours in the parks each day. We plan to do quite a bit of time at SAB. DH can carry DD on his shoulders if she gets tired, and we can rent a stroller if needed.

We'll be doing the DVC dessert party at the Contemporary on the 3rd, so we'll be able to bring a bag along to that.

Has anyone gone stroller and bagless with a smaller child? Did you regret it or was it worth it to skip the lines?

I would bring the stroller, you don't have to go thru bag check line unless you have bag under stroller. since you are going in summer I would fold a t-shirt and maybe a pair of shorts in a pocket of my shorts. take them out and put under stroller after entering the park. know my grandkids would not be happy with having to leave park to change clothes after spill. just an idea

 

[maxiesmom]

I saw spring break pictures from HS where people were reporting bag check lines of 45 minutes. In 95 degree heat, I would love to avoid that. The only things we really need are phones MBs IDs, and cash, and we should be able to stash those in our pockets. We normally bring little bottles of water flavoring, ponchos, extra outfits for younger DD and autograph books. I think we can do without most of that. We've gone bagless at Six Flags before, but I've never attempted it at WDW. Perhaps I'll try it on the first day and then reevaluate if it doesn't work.

It is not unheard of for CMs to send people with full pockets thru the bag check line. As another poster pointed out you won't be going thru the main gate, so the line won't be as long. I've been to Epcot on the 4th of July and no way was the bag check 45 minutes long. But I did get to the park shortly after open, and that makes a huge difference. Try to go in at 10 am and the lines will be longer.

 

[famy27]

We won't be able to get there too early on the 2nd, as our flight doesn't land until 9:30 am. Our first FPs are for early afternoon. I was hoping IG would be better than the front entrance, but I didn't know how bad it would get. This is our first July 4th trip. We've only done YC in Sept, so I have nothing to gauge it against.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We are going to WDW for the weekend from July 2nd through the 4th. I'm considering going to the parks without a bag or a stroller. I've seen the bag check lines, and I don't have any interest in dealing with that for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Our group consists of me, DH, DD(10), and DD(4). Younger DD has been reliably potty trained for over a year, and has been to WDW twice since she was potty trained with no issues. She does tend to spill, so stained outfits are a possibility. We are staying at YC and only plan to do EP and maybe HS this trip. I figure I could run back to the hotel for a new outfit if there were a fashion emergency.

In terms of the stroller, we don't plan to do a ton of time in the parks. We have FPs for our must-dos (although still waiting impatiently for FEA), but I don't think we'll spend more than a few hours in the parks each day. We plan to do quite a bit of time at SAB. DH can carry DD on his shoulders if she gets tired, and we can rent a stroller if needed.

We'll be doing the DVC dessert party at the Contemporary on the 3rd, so we'll be able to bring a bag along to that.

Has anyone gone stroller and bagless with a smaller child? Did you regret it or was it worth it to skip the lines?

We went bagless and stroller free with 2 of our DGC very close to your two. (Youngest was 4)
DH (papa bear) wore cargo shorts, and my shorts had pockets as well. We took no food and each of us carried a small water bottle. Phones were in our pockets. Sun hats on heads, small sunscreen sticks in pockets. (Everyone was slathered pre park)
Granted it was before the metal detectors, BUT, after that we stopped carrying any bags ever!
Amazing freedom.
I recognize that not everyone can afford to not carry their snacks etc. And each family has to make choices. But for us it worked, and continues to work!
Have a great trip!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've never used a stroller for a child over 4. We do sunscreen in the room and just take a small sunscreen stick that fits in a pocket. We sometimes take a water bottle, but not always.