Backpacks?

[dobball23]

I know I have seen this discussed before, but what are some good backpacks to bring to the parks? It will be just my wife and I (no kids), who are both in our mid-to-late 20s, if that plays a factor in the bag you recommend.

Thanks!

 

[BeckWhy]

It really depends on how much stuff you will be carrying. When I went in January 2004 I carried my JanSport, which is the second largest backpack that they have.. and it was good because it could carry both our sweaters (it was freezing during the morning and at night, but warmer during the day) and my camera bag for my video camera. We probably could have made off with a bit of a smaller backpack.

This upcoming trip I bought a mini-Nike backpack. Since it will be super hot we don't need a big backpack to carry around our sweaters. I will not be bringing my video camera, just my snapshot digi and the camera bag for that is small. It is enough room to carry two bottles of water, my camera bag, an autograph book, and some little misc stuff.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

Strongly suggest to go BAGLESS.

 

[GoofyBaby]

I alwasy bring my standard-size college backpack for carrying water, change of clothes, first-aid stuff, snacks, camera & camera batteries. . .I could never go bagless! I'd feel "naked" without it. My backpack works perfectly for carrying on the rides too.

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

I liked carrying my North Face Vault. You can get it on Ebags and the shoulder straps are nice and soft. It's not so bulky that you can't take it on rides but it will still carry everything you need.

 

[Hope73]

I love the freedome of not having a bag. I put my camera on my belt and love the freedome. Plus you avoid the extra line where they check you bag in the am.

I have seen people with huge bags that describe all of the meds, water bottels and all other crazy things they have. The are nuts if you ask me

 

[Belle's Mom Tink]

I got a small bag at AAA before our trip in May. It was not very big but had enough room for my camera, extra batteries, room keys, tissues, etc. It had a lot of pockets too so you could keep any small things you might buy in the World. It had a nice single strap that you wore across your body and made it a lot easier and not so heavy to carry around. Luckily DBF didn't mind wearing it and he carried it around most of the time! I agree with GoofyBaby, I would feel "naked" if I went with no bag at all, plus my camera is more protected there then anywhere else we would carry it!

 

[toocooltobeMom]

I used to toll quite a few items with me whenever I go to WDW, especially, when my DS was younger. I have to agree that if you are travelling with little ones, it is almost unavoidable to go without the basic tot-stuff.
For the past few years, I have been going bagless. Thanks to cargo shorts. I stopped taking my RX basic such as bandaid bands, anti-bacterial wipes, and pain med. There is always a first aid station in the parks for that purpose.
Another plus to go bagless for my family is the shorter line going into the park, too. Even my DH is opting a smaller canon SD630 digital camera rather than his huge Canon EOS.

 

[LISAMWDW]

If you are going w/out kids, you really shouldn't need a backpack. I go w/my daughter and carry a patagonia sling. It goes across the body and it works great! Plenty of room for what we really need for the parks. It has pocket in the front that we put our resort cards in for easy access. I'd never wear a heavy backpack again!

 

[MissMichelle]

The only place we will carry a backpack is the water parks. But we just bought a Timberland cinch bag (very light weight) I believe they call them Basic Logo Gym *sacks*. We will have it just so we can put away the camera, park passes, extra $$ etc and then put it in a locker so it's not all loose.
Other then that if you don't have kids I say go BAGLESS!!

 

[stina]

I'm a big fan of the backpack in the parks method of travel. I recommend any LLBean waterproof pack that has netting for waterbottles on the sides. Check the LLBean "sale" section, often you'll find very high quality packs for alot less $.

Pros of the backpack:

* Waterproof pack keeps your stuff dry.

* A place for all your necessities during park visits. For me that is: water bottles, sunblock, hats, first aid, refillable mugs (we fill and go from hotel), ponchos, money, tickets, pens, etc.

* You'll end up carrying something anyway if you buy anything in the parks, so why not bring a backpack to throw your purchases in. Makes it easy so you don't accidentally put down your purchases. Also easy to squeeze a backpack on rides. Even on Space Mountain I squeeze my backpack on.


The best thing to do is if you have more than one person with you, bring one backpack and alternate carrying it throughout the day. That way one person always has some time to be pack-free.

Sometimes I put my camera in the pack, but most of the time I have a small camera case worn in a strap around my shoulder so I can whip that out quickly.

Can't say enough about the backpack method. This fall will be my 3rd week long Disney trip employing the backpack method and it really has been fantastic.

Good luck!

stina

 

[Jackmonkey]

If you have a camera too, try to find a camera bag that is big enough for the camera and a some extra room for all the rest of your stuff. Most good camera bags are water resistant, which comes in handy in Flordia. I found one at Circut City by Tamrac, that has room for camera and lenses in the bottom, and a small backpack area up top. the whole thing is about the size of one of those Camelback packs, so it it won't be too much in the way, and is simple enough that it won't get me stuck in the bag check station.
Note on bag-check stations: I have found that if I approach bag-check stations with all the compartments already un-zipped, and hold them open for the checker, it really cuts the time spent there.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

What I am planning on trying out next year is a safari vest. I haven't purchased one yet, but there are plenty out there to choose from. Lots of little pockets for bandaids, keys, money, etc. Plus a lot of them have a pouch in back to store ponchos or a light sweater. I went with one of those one-strap backpacks last year and it worked great. But I'm hoping the safari vest will allow me to go backpack-less.