Any tips on what to bring into the parks

[Kate-n-sam]

Hi
We have 3 kids 7, 3, and 1. I've done this a 'million' times, but always way over pack for the parks. Some of the things I bring:extra shoes or flip flops in case it rains or for running in fountains, extra clothes for everyone, a small towel to dry with, sunscreens, first aid items, ponchos, 2 cameras, water bottles of course all the stuff for the baby: diapers, wipes, diaper bag with all the little needs, clothes, rain cover for the stroller, bottles, small cooler for her snacks and drinks. I'm sure that's not all...

It's really out of control, but I think these items are all necessary, lol . It's really getting to be a pain and with security checks, well, you get the idea.

Any tips on how to streamline all this stuff? What do you bring when traveling with youngsters?

Oh, we are staying off site this time, so running back to our resort won't be that easy...

Thanks for your great advice!

 

[The VWL Five]

We have a 5, 4 and 3 yro. We always stay onsite so our list might be different from yours.

Just pack the REAL essentials. We pack diapers and wipes of course for my son who is still not potty trained. Some snacks in case we need to bribe them or get them to sit down for a bit. Other small odds and ends but no extra clothes, shoes etc. If we go the AK, we may pack clothes for them in case they get wet form the Rapid ride. We used to bring juice bags and other stuff but really we can get them at the park.

Bottom line, unless you absolutely, no doubt about it need it, leave it back at the room.

 

[tiggercrazy]

We were at WDW last Easter with our kids DS8, DS6, DD5, and DD1. We also stayed offsite. All of the kids have their own fanny packs and we put a frozen juice, bubbles and a couple of snacks in each. They liked having their own packs to carry. Then in a bag that hung on the stroller, we put all of the diapers, wipes, sunscreen, and a couple of extra snacks. We did not bring extra shoes and clothes for the older kids and never felt we needed them. I did throw in an extra outfit for the baby, though. Those Mickey bars got really messy for a 1 year old!

 

[MemphisDad]

We have gone several times with just our 9 year old, but this June we're going with our 9yo, and 16 month old. We carry 1 backpack, which I used to wear but which will now probably go on the stroller any time it can. We pack 2 bottles of water, the camera, video camera (not every day though), wet wipes, and towel. This is not really that heavy and leaves room for most souveneirs. I carry everyone's park passes, money, etc. in my wallet. This time we will also bring 1 diaper bag containing only diapers, wipes, snacks, a drinking cup, and a bib. We have never brough extra clothes or shoes. I once brough an extra shirt on a day when we rented the mouse boats, and I was glad I did, but unless you know you are definitely going to get wet, leave the clothes and shoes at the hotel, except for perhaps an extra pair of socks.

Last time we went with my parents and one thing I have found you should definitely bring if you can is extra people to help you carry stuff.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Since you are staying off site, I would pack the car with all the what if stuff. Extra clothes, shoes whatever. Take into the park only what you must have. We are down to one fanny pack!!! Remember that except perhaps your babies brand of formual, there is nothing that you can not get in the park if you absolutly need something you forgot. You might have to pay more for it but it can be gotten. That includes juice, film, cameras to rent, clothes, diapers, sunscreen etc. We love the idea of not carrying a lot of extra stuff. On rainly days we sometimes get a locker to stash stuff that we might need later.



Jordans' mom

 

[deb305]

Last trip DD was 4.5, and DS just turned 1. For DS in a ziploc bag I took 3 diapers,wipes in a sandwich size bag, and plastic bag for old diaper. In another ziploc bag I took pair of shirt and shorts for each. The advantage of ziploc is you can squeeze air out of them, so they take very little space. We kept these in stroller and breezed through security since they could see through everything. Fanny pack had Kleenex, money and disposable camera. In the warmer weather kids dried off from wet rides just fine, and if it is cold the wet rides are toned down alot.