Backpacks and Touring Questions

[StatlerNotWaldorf]

Our first trip back in 2012 we had a stroller and my wife wasn't riding many rides due to an illness. This time no stroller and we will all be riding almost everything together. We are a bigger family, Mom , Dan and three kids. With that a few questions

1. Backpack - Good idea?
2. Are there rides we could not take it on?
3. Better options? (no fanny packs please)

Thanks for any input.

 

[kaymil]

Unlike Universal, Disney allows you to take backpacks on any ride, as long as it is reasonable. On rollercosters, I usually just put my feet through both straps and kept our bag at my feet and was good to go. I personally think backpacks are a good option. I like having a place to store purchases throughout the day and have yet to find it too cumbersome.

 

[PrincessDaisyDuck]

I think a backpack is a great idea. We use a rather large LL Bean backpack since we have two little kids and seem to always need to bring a lot of stuff. We've never had a problem taking it on rides although I wonder if Kali River Rapids might be an issue. We haven't rode it in years but I remember the storage thing in the middle of the raft being a bit small.

 

[mountdew1]

No reason not to use a backpack. Reasonable sized daypack should be more than sufficient if you keep the extraneous stuff to a minimum. You cannot take bags on Sum of All Thrills (they have lockers) and Soarin (they put it in the same place they put wheelchairs if it doesn't fit under the seat). Every other ride you take it with you. Many you are sticking it at your feet, I just wrap the strap around my leg on coasters and it's fine.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i would suggest that each person (if old enough to be responsible for it) takes a SMALL backpack or a cross body purse.
it may seem like one or two larger backpack would be more convenient but its not if you start putting too much in them and don't have enough people that can switch off and carry them.

i've been able to bring my belongings on every attraction i've gone on at the theme parks.
for mild attractions you can hold it on your lap, set it on the seat next to you if there's room, or set it on the floor of the ride vehicle or theater.
for some thrill rides like space mountain and soarin there are mesh pouchess right at the seat but if your belongings don't fit on space mountain i recommend looping a strap around the lap bar and on soarin you can set your belongings off to the side.
on other thrill rides like tower of terror and rock n roller coaster i recommend looping a strap around your leg to ensure it stays put.

some people recommend that if you can't fit it in a pocket to not bring it.
personally i do not recommend doing this.
i recommend that you should bring what you feel you will need.
personally for me thats my wallet, phone, external charger, eye glass case, poncho, small brush, chap stick, advil and meds for upset stomach.

 

[butsy113]

Backpacks were fine when we had to use them. Like a PP said slip your feet in the straps and place it by your feet. Like another PP it will be a problem on Kali. I'm not sure the ages or sex of children, but we now use at least 2 cross body bags for our family of 4.

DD11 carries her 31 cross body bag with her SOTMK card book, pins to trade, sunglasses, and a bottle of water. I carry my cross body pin bag with a small card wallet, bottle of water, tylenol, sunglasses, external charger, charging cords, and misc stuff. DS13 carries his pin bag across him with his SOTMK cards in a wallet book in it.

It is much nicer now that I don't have to carry everyones stuff!!

 

[Mome Rath]

Our first trip back in 2012 we had a stroller and my wife wasn't riding many rides due to an illness. This time no stroller and we will all be riding almost everything together. We are a bigger family, Mom , Dan and three kids. With that a few questions

1. Backpack - Good idea?
2. Are there rides we could not take it on?
3. Better options? (no fanny packs please)

Thanks for any input.

When I want something in the park with me, I do indeed carry a pack. With 3 kids, I'd say at least 2 packs would be needed, unless you have older kids that won't need much. Try not to overload one person, and remember that anyone who carries one will always need to go through bag check. I've always had good luck with my backpack on rides, and have never had to leave it somewhere. On roller coasters, I put it on the floor and slide my foot or feet in the straps to secure it. You do need to get used to taking it off and on when going into shows or places where you sit.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Our first trip back in 2012 we had a stroller and my wife wasn't riding many rides due to an illness. This time no stroller and we will all be riding almost everything together. We are a bigger family, Mom , Dan and three kids. With that a few questions

1. Backpack - Good idea?
2. Are there rides we could not take it on?
3. Better options? (no fanny packs please)

Thanks for any input.

1. I love a backpack. I have a very small one that fits close to the body and has a chest and waist strap so it's not flapping on my back all day - totally comfortable.
2. Nope, unless it was crazy big.
3. My husband sometimes carries a cross body messenger bag, but not all day - he'll use it for shorter times like just the evening.

 

[dgramling]

I wear a backpack every time I'm in the park. A few things to consider is the weight it may seem like nothing in the hotel room but after hour 12 in the park you will feel it. I'm use to backpacking so it's not an issue for me, most security guards make a comment on how heavy my bag is during the check. Rides you will have an issue on is Kali river Rapids if others also are carrying backpacks and purses space gets used up quick. Mission space the basket is small, last time I rode it the ride attendant saw I was having trouble and let me leave it between my feet.

 

[FFMickey]

I use a canvas messenger bag that I picked up at Disney last year. I used to use those drawstring bags and I hate stuffing my pockets and trying to get through the crowds. I'll deal with a little bag, but the trick is only carry the essentials so you aren't overloaded.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Between DW and I, at least one of us always has a backpack in the parks. It is now a necessity, due to them forcing us to use the MDE app, their WiFi issues constantly drains phone batteries. But between notebooks, chargers, etc. a backpack is definitely needed in our book. The only rides it gets a little uncomfortable on is Space Mountain and 7DMT. There is very little space beneath your feet to put the bag, but once you are situated, it can rest comfortably on top of the safety bar.

 

[disnut8]

Our first trip back in 2012 we had a stroller and my wife wasn't riding many rides due to an illness. This time no stroller and we will all be riding almost everything together. We are a bigger family, Mom , Dan and three kids. With that a few questions

1. Backpack - Good idea?
2. Are there rides we could not take it on?
3. Better options? (no fanny packs please)

Thanks for any input.

Not sure of the ages of the kids (I wold say the youngest is about four or five since you used a stroller in 2012?) but if they carry a backpack to school, they can carry one in the parks. If you think about it, they would be more used to a backpack than their parents. They can then carry whatever they need/want in the parks.

For mom and dad, who probably are not used to a backpack, I suggest getting one at Wal Mart but each getting a smaller one and then do the same as the kids.

I would also suggest that before you leave home, the five of you determine what you really need in the parks and lay it all out on a bed. Then look over everything and make sure it's what you *nned* and it's just not there "in case". If you have "in case" things, pack those in one backpack and store it in a locker so you aren't carting around "in case" things. Then go through what is left and figure out how many backpacks will be needed and, more importantly, who will be carrying them.

As others have mentioned, bags of all kinds are permitted on Disney rides. What I would suggest is to take a large Ziploc (or similar) bag for each person to store things in case of rain or potential water on a ride. You can also use those for leftover food and the bags fit easily into an outside pocket of a backpack.

 

[tyson127]

My wife and I like to be prepared in the parks. Should there be rain, ridiculous sun exposure, impromptu Christmas shopping in mid-April, headaches, or the pregnant wife needing immediate sustinence, we have it covered. Being that our little one isn't here just yet and two parentless people rolling around with a stroller full of Lacroix and Tylenol might get us some extra special time with the rat patrol, we (me) takes a daypack.

I use a Camelback Cloudwalker. It's a fairly standard sized daypack and has two outside pockets for the water we are currently drinking. I can comfortably carry about 10 lbs but near 15lbs gets bothersome as that is not what this bag is designed for.

The bag does not get in the way on rides. Disney is great at making bag storage spaces available on the rides and to date I can't remember a single time the bag kept me from enjoying the experience.

 

[Luv2Run]

During the summer months, I always bring a Camelbak backpack with me to the parks:

The only ride this was even slightly an issue on was RnR at DHS, where (like PP mentioned) I couldn't fit it in the mesh netting for riders' bags so I just put it on the floor of the ride with my feet through the arm loops and it did just fine. I had everything I needed in it (including the water bladder): sunscreen, hanky, snacks, umbrella, poncho, sunglasses case, wallet, medications, and my Canon DSLR camera with spare lenses.

 

[TangledInLove]

DH and I bring a backpack to the parks everyday. We have a VERY small one, but it fits everything we need for the day (pins, notebook, sunscreen, bandaids, tylenol, ponchos, lip balm) We also bring our refillable mugs full with us on the bus in the morning and clip them to our bag while we're at the park that way we have them when we get back to the resort and don't have to take another trip to fill them. We never got enough use out of them until we started doing this. With 2 kids I would say depending on their ages you could get away with one standard size backpack. When my family used to go when I was younger we never brought anything other than my mom's fannypack.

If you're looking for a bag to only use at WDW I would suggest looking at a thrift store. That's where I found mine. It will save you money and you might find something you otherwise wouldn't have thought of.

 

[dmband]

Not sure of the ages of the kids (I wold say the youngest is about four or five since you used a stroller in 2012?) but if they carry a backpack to school, they can carry one in the parks. If you think about it, they would be more used to a backpack than their parents. They can then carry whatever they need/want in the parks.

For mom and dad, who probably are not used to a backpack, I suggest getting one at Wal Mart but each getting a smaller one and then do the same as the kids.

I would also suggest that before you leave home, the five of you determine what you really need in the parks and lay it all out on a bed. Then look over everything and make sure it's what you *nned* and it's just not there "in case". If you have "in case" things, pack those in one backpack and store it in a locker so you aren't carting around "in case" things. Then go through what is left and figure out how many backpacks will be needed and, more importantly, who will be carrying them.

As others have mentioned, bags of all kinds are permitted on Disney rides. What I would suggest is to take a large Ziploc (or similar) bag for each person to store things in case of rain or potential water on a ride. You can also use those for leftover food and the bags fit easily into an outside pocket of a backpack.

100% disagree with the first part of young kids like that carrying a backpack or anything really at Disney.
How long do they carry the backpack for school? Maybe 3-5 mins with a break on the bus in between
By the time you got off the bus and to the gate they would be done compared to what they do normally at school
The rest is spot on though IMO

 

[Lovetherodent]

I like a small cross body bag or should bag with a long strap because I don't have to take it on and off (and so don't run the risk of leaving it behind somewhere--I'm really worse than a kid sometimes). I try to keep "stuff" to the bare minimum because, honestly, what do I really need? But my glow-in-the-dark white skin needs sunscreen, my poor middle-aged eyes now need readers to see a menu but sunglasses in the bright light, throw-away ponchos aren't a bad idea...and they don't make women's clothes with that many pockets.

However, our rule for a long time is that if you need something individually, you carry it, even when the kids were little, and we did have our 5 and 6 year olds responsible for their own small backpacks. We kept them light so the kids could wear it without complaining about the weight or being tired.

 

[JennyDrake]

I'm going to echo having several people take smaller packs. And kid DO need to be responsible for their own. It will help minimize all of the toting "stuff."

Also ask yourself whether you REALLY *need* what all you are packing around. A backpack gets real old real fast.

First aid stations have headache and upset tummy meds.

_I_ ONLY carry DL, debit card, insurance card, lip balm and small tube of sunscreen--all of which fit into my pockets or string wallet.

 

[Anne5555]

My husband carried our family backpack containing changes of clothes for 1 child, sunscreen, a small bag of first aid and meds, 4 frog togg towels (which probably took up the most room,) a misting fan, autograph books, disposable ponchos, and more. I just carried a largish camera bag which had a little extra room for things. We also both had hand sanitizer. If the kids had carried bags we would have constantly had to watch them to make sure the bags were not left behind.

 

[greentea]

As everyone has said, you can easily take a backpack if you need to carry a lot. I would recommend the smallest bag you can manage to prevent over-packing. I also like my bag to be water-resistant. I thought of taking my super small, super light daypack, but even that was too big for what I need. I use a sling bag. Easy to swing around to access without taking it off, less hot to wear because it doesn't cover my whole back, and it was super comfortable to wear all day. You can also clip a hat or a light jacket to the outside. I have the Patagonia Atom. It fit everything I needed -- sunscreen, wallet, portable phone charger, medication, small purchases. Sometimes I stuffed a bottle of water in there, too. It also fit very well into all ride pockets. I have back and shoulder/neck problems, so it was important to make sure I couldn't accidentally carry too much, and that the bag was comfortable to wear for a while.