backpack cooler??

[pkwoo84]

Can anyone recommend a good backpack cooler to carry in the parks? And, at a decent price. This is the first time we will be visiting without the dining plan cause we are staying offsite. I would like to take lunches in. I figured a backpack style cooler would be best but I am open to other suggestions too!

 

[buzz5985]

We use a Camelback - but that's for water. We freeze the 2 liter bladder and it's cold most of the day. DH claims to have "air conditioning" on his back.

During the summer months - I don't think you could find a cooler that would keep your food cold enough to not risk illness.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have this one and like it.

But just b/c you're staying offsite and don't have the dining plan doesn't mean you can't eat there. Not having the Plan gives you the freedom to order exactly what you want; if someone wants an appetizer for dinner, they can! If someone just wants a salad, go for it! Go ahead and share if you want!

 

[pershing]

We have this one and like it.

But just b/c you're staying offsite and don't have the dining plan doesn't mean you can't eat there. Not having the Plan gives you the freedom to order exactly what you want; if someone wants an appetizer for dinner, they can! If someone just wants a salad, go for it! Go ahead and share if you want!

I've been researching this also, and I have read reviews galore. I've narrowed it down to two:

1)Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler Backpack
http://www.amazon.com/Picnic-Time-Insulated-Cooler-Backpack/dp/B00363HUOW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331567647&sr=8-1

and

2)OAGear - COOLER SPORTS PACK
http://www.amazon.com/OAGear-COOLER-SPORTS-PACK-GRAY/dp/B003I7CLB8/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1331567772&sr=1-1-catcorr

The OAgrear has the best reviews, but of course it does not have free shipping!

I really like this following, but reviews are mixed:

3)California Innovations Whataday Totepack & Cooler in One - Red
http://www.amazon.com/California-In...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1331567903&sr=1-1

I will probably get the OAgear as 2 of us drink water and have 20 oz water bottles. The others insist on cold sodas and that's where I'm trying to save money on by having a pack that keeps sodas really cold and doesn't leak. Just wish I could find a deal on it. I've checked all over and it seems they have their prices as set as Sony does with the Playstation!

I'd be interested in seeing what you pick.

 

[coastiewifern]

We have the maxcold by igloo. I believe it was under $30 at Target. I love the size. We also always carry a camelback for water.

 

[disgrits]

We have this one and like it.

But just b/c you're staying offsite and don't have the dining plan doesn't mean you can't eat there. Not having the Plan gives you the freedom to order exactly what you want; if someone wants an appetizer for dinner, they can! If someone just wants a salad, go for it! Go ahead and share if you want!

I have this one, too, and it is great. It has extra pockets so we carry everything, e.g., wallets, tickets, trivia book ,etc., in it. It's not only for food/drinks. Very convenient!

 

[4MCMICKEY]

I have this one, too, and it is great. It has extra pockets so we carry everything, e.g., wallets, tickets, trivia book ,etc., in it. It's not only for food/drinks. Very convenient!

I also have this one and love it! I like that you have seperate pockets for all other items that you can carry.

 

[famousmockingbird]

We did a regular backpack, but put a small "sack lunch" type of cooler down in it with ice packs. Of course, we weren't carrying a whole lot of bottled waters or anything heavy..just some sandwiches and baggies of carrots.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We were also wondering about this since our kids are too big for a stroller this year, we'll have to carry all our stuff. I wondered about bringing a cooler for heavy stuff (extra water/food) and leaving it in a locker so we don't have to lug it around all day...

 

[kevinshuman]

Thats a good idea to take what you can into the parks. Prices have really gone up since I was there in the early 2000's.

Ticket prices were $40 then now like $100 wow.

 

[kuhltiffany]

 

[lsenquiz]

I really like this following, but reviews are mixed:

3)California Innovations Whataday Totepack & Cooler in One - Red
http://www.amazon.com/California-In...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1331567903&sr=1-1

I have this one and hate it. It just does not distribute the weight very well and feels like it hangs down too far. We used it once and then never again.

 

[KristinU]

Add us to the Maxcold Igloo club. We love ours and use it a lot, not just at Disney. I agree with the PP that said the pockets and pouches are great for the non-food stuff that you like to carry along - water bottles in the side, trail maps/park maps, wallet/cards/keys in the top zipper pouch. The size is noice and compact and doesn't feel enormous.

 

[RobertLC]

2)OAGear - COOLER SPORTS PACK
http://www.amazon.com/OAGear-COOLER-SPORTS-PACK-GRAY/dp/B003I7CLB8/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1331567772&sr=1-1-catcorr

I ordered this one last week. Should be here within next 5 business days.

 

[pershing]

Hi!

Just bringing back this thread as I did go to Target and get the Maxcold Backpack Cooler by Igloo and absolutely loved it! We tromped around WDW for 8 days-5 before cruise and 3 after. I saved alot of money with pre-bought sodas, gatorades, juices and water bottles in this backpack.

After I filled it up in the morning, I would take it to the ice machine and put ice in it. I find that the drinks stay cold, but the ice melts during the course of the day. It does not leak at all when the ice becomes all liquid if you keep it mostly vertical. If you lay it on its side, you're gonna get some wetness but not alot. However, I was using the front pockets in lieu of a purse. So, I would take the remaining drinks out and dump the watered ice out and put the drinks back in. The pack still would keep the drinks cool even at the end of the day.

Previous posters have mentioned the seemingly hidden pockets. This backpack cooler is very deceiving. It doesn't look like much when you pick it up at Target, but those little outside pockets are deeper than you think! I especially loved the top pocket for easy access to tickets, phone, and sunglasses. The front mesh pocket was great for trail bars and other snacks.

I initially thought it was too small, but quickly began to love how it fit on my back.

The design of Maxcold is so practical and efficient. Well worth the money. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I'm so glad I bought it!

 

[DawnM]

We have an older style of the Igloo MaxCold and have used it for YEARS now. We originally bought it for Disney but we find we take it with us all the time. It has held up well.

Hint: A can of pringles fits nicely in the side pocket.

It can hold sandwiches for 5, waters for 5, plus chips, cookies, carrots, granola bars, trail mix, and rain ponchos.

We usually are fine for the day.

 

[disneymarie]

We did a regular backpack, but put a small "sack lunch" type of cooler down in it with ice packs. Of course, we weren't carrying a whole lot of bottled waters or anything heavy..just some sandwiches and baggies of carrots.

This is what we do also. I have a hard side interior cooler so it won't leak, and put it in the center section of my back pack. Then there is room for everything else in pockets and pouches.

Freeze a bottle of water so you do not worry about water leaking.

 

[pershing]

This is what we do also. I have a hard side interior cooler so it won't leak, and put it in the center section of my back pack. Then there is room for everything else in pockets and pouches.

Freeze a bottle of water so you do not worry about water leaking.

We did those things in the past but this trip I was specifically trying not to buy ANY drinks in the parks at that what-$2.50 a whack! It's hard to do when it gets so hot!

Even with a full Maxcold Igloo Backpack each day, we still ended up buying one day. I had 4 teenage boys with me though-one drinking water like me! It definitely saved money when we were buying counter service meals without drinks.

I did make use of asking for ice water at various counter service places. Mostly the little van-like ones. That disboard tip saved me money for sure. All in all, I spent alot less this trip due to that backpack! Which was great!

 

[thelionqueen]

We freeze our water bottles (one for each) 2/3 full, and 2 unfrozen and put in the backpack. The frozen bottles serve as ice for our fruit, sandwiches, etc. And the unfrozen water we put in the frozen bottles to have ice water. By the end of the day, we've had plenty of ice cold water, kept our food cold and don't have to worry about leakage.

The backpack is pretty heavy for the 1st hour, but then gets lighter and worth it's weight in gold. This is one of the biggest money saving tips I have and use 100% of the time. Think of the last time you had real ice water in Disney...they do a good job of keeping it cold, but never as cold as ours

 

[pershing]

We freeze our water bottles (one for each) 2/3 full, and 2 unfrozen and put in the backpack. The frozen bottles serve as ice for our fruit, sandwiches, etc. And the unfrozen water we put in the frozen bottles to have ice water. By the end of the day, we've had plenty of ice cold water, kept our food cold and don't have to worry about leakage.

The backpack is pretty heavy for the 1st hour, but then gets lighter and worth it's weight in gold. This is one of the biggest money saving tips I have and use 100% of the time. Think of the last time you had real ice water in Disney...they do a good job of keeping it cold, but never as cold as ours

That's a great idea! Not sure how I would freeze the bottles though on a daily basis. We usually stay at a DVC studio and those little fridge's only have that little shelf to freeze things. In fact, I'm not sure if it even had that last time.

The ice machine is one you hold a bucket underneath too. Not one you can stick things in to keep cold.

So, how do you freeze your bottles overnight?