A few questions for veteran "park go-ers"

[WishingOnAStar]

I'm obsessing over everything now, so I just HAVE to know the answers to these questions:

1. If you bring moleskin in a fanny pack or backpack - and bring scissors - are they allowed in the park? I set off alarms twice last month at Six Flags because of it, but even when they searched my fanny pack, they didn't see it. (makes me wonder what else they missed those days..................................)

2. I have a list of things I "must have" with us in the parks and it's too much to fit in fanny packs. If we take a back pack, are there places to leave them at every ride. (I know we never have a problem at Hershey Park, but I've only taken fanny packs to Six Flags).

3. Do you bring your own beach towels to the water parks? Are coolers allowed there at all?

4. Do adults need swimsuits/change of clothes in MK or Epcot? (I know the kids will probably get wet from fountains - but there aren't any/many water rides, right?)

Thanks in advance!

(edited to add question #4)

 

[chattwdw]

I no where near a Dis veteran, but from what I read over the last few month most people take the backpack on the ride with them and put a strap around their leg. I have read many suggestion on taking the smallest backpack you can find, but many have agreed a fanny pack is to small. I will test this theory in November when I return for the first time in 15 years. Sorry I can't be more help, but I am sure the true dis vets will be along soon

hth

 

[Kaycee]

1. I always carry little manicure scissors to cut the moleskin and, in 4 trips, security has never questioned it. I don't go out of my way to hide them, they're right there in the fanny pack, but I can't say for sure security ever saw them.

2. I can't really help with this one because if it won't fit in my fanny pack it gets left behind. We like to travel light in the parks.

3. We did bring our own beach towels to Typhoon Lagoon. As far as coolers go, I'm not sure but I think I've read about people taking them to the water parks.

4. We've never taken a change of clothes to MK or Epcot. You may get just a bit wet on Splash Mountain, but not enough to need to change clothes. We've never gotten wet on any other rides in these two parks, even though they each have several boat rides.

 

[chyam]

There aren't really any places to stash backpacks at the rides themselves, there are lockers you can rent for the day although I would think that would be a pain since they are up near the front of the parks. Most people just take the backpacks on the rides with them. I have a found a little larger fanny pack works out best, perhaps one for each of you and kinda divide up the stuff. Toting a backpack when it is hot and humid at least to me becomes a real drag.
As far as the scissors I don't see a real problem especially if it is a pair of the fold up type. They do go through the packs etc but I found that it is not a really thorough search.
Check out some of your sporting goods stores and find a bigger fanny pack, I have one that holds a camera, sunglasses, wipe alls (in a ziploc) travel size sunscreen, chap stick etc. and the front section has places for credit cards, a zip compartment for cash and other personal stuff, I actually bought it at Disney and love it!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I found the fanny pack to be a hassle! It was a rather large hiking pack that I borrowed from my SIL. I hated it. It was ALWAYS in my way when I was trying to get on rides....going to the rest room was a pain....I ended up carrying it over my shoulder most of the time!

Now we always take a back pack! We bring our own water bottles, some snacks (nothing that will melt though.....choc. covered granola bars can get r-e-a-l-l-y messy ), camera, walkie-talkies, sweatshirts/ponchos (weather depending....)....as the day progresses, the pack usually gets lighter as the water, etc. is consumed...


Important to note, I think, is that you MUST have someone who is willing to CARRY the pack....don't take it if it's just going to cause issues!

 

[Deb T.]

Hi WishingOnAStar, I hope I can help with your questions.

1. If you are worried about carrying scissors, you can always go to the First Aid Station. There is one in every park, and the staff is always welcoming and accommodating. I'm sure they would be more than happy to supply you with a pair of scissors to cut your moleskin with.

2. We always carry a backpack in the parks. Not only is it a great way to carry ponchos, sunscreen, snacks, camera, etc., it's also a nice place to store souvineers. Whenever I'm worried that I might lose my backpack on a ride, I stick it between my feet and put one let though one of the straps and the other leg through the other strap, then I pull the straps up to the top of my lap. You'd really only have to do this on the roller coasters.

3. We've taken beach towels and a small cooler into the water parks in the past with no problem.

4. We wear ponchos on Kali River Ride and Splash Mountain to stay dry and avoid having to take extra clothes. We buy the ponchos 2-for-$1 at Dollar Tree. I would definitely suggest an extra change of clothes for young children. I'm pretty sure each park has at least one water area for kids to play in.

Have a great trip! Feel free to post here or pm me if you have any other questions I can help you with!

 

[Luv2Travel]

1. I just cut a few little strips and squares up to put in my fanny pack before we go to a park. I have never had to use them. Wear thick socks and good shoes and you won't have to either.

2. Ditto to what Kaycee said, if it doesn't fit, I don't need it! But if I really think I need it, then I try to fit it in someone else's fanny pack. We used to do the backpack thing with snacks, water bottles, cameras, etc., but it was breaking our backs and too much of a hassle for us to keep up with. So I went and bought each kid, myself, and DH a fanny pack. We each put in a little candy or snack. The kids take their autograph books if they want them. They carry a game boy or mickey hand held game. They carry their own disposable camera, and sometimes a little hand held fan. They also carry a drink strap in case they buy a bottled drink and need to carry it around for awhile. I carry pictures of my kids incase they get away from me. I also carry a very small first aid kit with wipes, band aids, and moleskin. I carry the tickets, money, credit cards, and hotel keys. Finally, I make sure I have tissue and sunglasses and I'm ready to hit the parks.

3. I highly recommend taking your own beach towels to the water parks - the lines to get one can get long. We have also taken our own cooler in, but no glass is allowed. I also highly recommend buying a refillable mug if you don't bring your own drinks. They make great souvenniers and are cheap to refill.

4. I don't think it would be necessary for an adult to have to change at any park. You might want to have a rain poncho handy for Kali River Rapids at AK (and even that doesn't help sometimes ), but I don't think you'd ever feel the need to change.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

Thank you all! Those were exactly the sort of replies I was looking for!
Luv2Travel - I don't know why I didn't think of cutting the moleskin in advance - big "DUH" to me!

Everyone does have a fanny pack, although dh HATES to wear his! I we bring a backpack, I will definitely be the one to carry it - unless I bribe dh with the backpack by "allowing" him to give up the fanny pack!


Thank you!