Backpacks

[jrtoastyman]

Normally, when I tour the parks, I have my daughter with me and, accordingly, a stroller to put all of my gear. I'm about to do a single day solo trip in a couple of days, however, and was contemplating bringing a backpack to store my gear. Basically, I'm going to be doing a 9 a.m. to midnight, "how much can I get done" sort of trip, so I thought I'd bring a fresh shirt, change of shoes, that sort of thing so I'm less disgusting by the end of the day.

For those of you that wear backpacks in the parks, how does it go for you? Is it a necessary evil, or do you find it useful? Any tips/tricks? Does it get in the way on attractions?

Full disclosure, this is actually for a trip to Disneyland, but I this is more of a touring-with-a-backpack question than anything park specific, so this seemed to be the best place to put it. Mods, feel free to move it if you disagree.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I would ditch the spare shoes and just carry a drawstring backpack. Less is more when it comes to carrying weight all day long.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Have a backpack and a smaller bag for essentials. Store the big back pack in a locker and enjoy touring with a lighter bag.

 

[subtchr]

I carry a backpack every day in the parks, because I am a group tour director and need my binder and some other stuff. I never find it a problem, always just putting it at my feet on rides.

 

[ForeverAlice]

I do the drawstring pack so does DH. I don't think either a drawstring or regular pack would be a big problem on rides... It never has been for us! Have a nice trip!

 

[ThumpersMommy]

I always carry a large over the shoulder bag and my son carries a standard backpack every trip and it works out fine. Both our bags fit on every ride fine and we have not had any issue. I would feel lost without it actually. The only tip is that I place it in between my lower legs/feet off the bottom of the ride vehicle on any rides that I might get wet (like Splash Mountain). Otherwise the bottom of the bag (if not waterproof) may get soaked. If the ride has a netted pocket for stuff, my large bag always fits in it just fine. Have a great time.

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

bought and tested this one all day at our local six flags just last week. worked great! definitely taking it to wdw in October!

http://www.amazon.com/Gonex-Lightweight-Travelling-Backpacking-Ultralight/dp/B00P8UE53K

 

[Flynnismine]

I second the suggestion of renting a locker for the day if your pack has mainly things you won't really need throughout the day. Return prior to dinner, do a quick freshen up and then back in the locker it goes.

 

[jrtoastyman]

I second the suggestion of renting a locker for the day if your pack has mainly things you won't really need throughout the day. Return prior to dinner, do a quick freshen up and then back in the locker it goes.

I think this sounds like a pretty good plan. One of the driving forces here is having a change of clothes if I end up getting drenched on one of the water rides, and that won't really help me too much if my bag is in the boat with me. It really is just about having something to change into -- not things that I'll need on the regular -- so this should work out well.

Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Normally, when I tour the parks, I have my daughter with me and, accordingly, a stroller to put all of my gear. I'm about to do a single day solo trip in a couple of days, however, and was contemplating bringing a backpack to store my gear. Basically, I'm going to be doing a 9 a.m. to midnight, "how much can I get done" sort of trip, so I thought I'd bring a fresh shirt, change of shoes, that sort of thing so I'm less disgusting by the end of the day.

For those of you that wear backpacks in the parks, how does it go for you? Is it a necessary evil, or do you find it useful? Any tips/tricks? Does it get in the way on attractions?

Full disclosure, this is actually for a trip to Disneyland, but I this is more of a touring-with-a-backpack question than anything park specific, so this seemed to be the best place to put it. Mods, feel free to move it if you disagree.

I don't bring anything that doesn't fit in my pocket. Saves time entering the park. Easier going on rides without worrying about forgetting the backpack or having to stow it in a locker for some rides. Even if I sweat I shower every morning so other than a wet shirt, no one will be affected. I bring my wallet (front left pocket), and normally a comb, my phone, keys to my car and my medication (I often wear shorts with 4 front pockets so it all fits nicely without being uncomfortable.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

As for getting "drenched" the only parks that is an issue is MK and AK . And in the summer sun I will be dry shortly thereafter. And to be honest in this heat, being wet is a positive thing.

 

[margot31]

DH and I use a camelback most times we go. Has the water already and just add the few items we need like ID's and cell phones, and sunglasses case.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

for cell phones, I bring a ziplock bag and put the phone in there for the water rides.

 

[mom2rtk]

I always carry a standard size backpack because I usually have a couple spare camera lenses, and while I usually have my camera out, I need a place to put it from time to time. It also helps to have a nice place to store our ears on fast rides.

I have taken it on every single ride at Disney. It goes on the floor of the ride vehicle with my foot through the strap.

 

[kay1864]

I went pockets-only for HS and did fine. But I did carry around a refillable water bottle to avoid soft drink / bottled water charges. No need for locker, just carried bottle with me on rides.

 

[hskaggs11]

I LOVE my Thirty-One Slingback bag for park touring! It's a one strap backpack type bag that has a zipper down the side, so you can pull the bag around your front and be able to open it and then just zip it back and sling it back on your back. It has 2 mesh pockets on the side perfect for water bottles (even with 2 waterbottles, it doesn't weigh the bag down). There are front pockets that are perfect for storing makeup compacts for touchups, and for me contact lens case and mini lens solution in case I have an eye issue. Another front pocket use for me is for phone cord and portable battery charger, as you want to be able to use your smartphone and MDE app all day. I packed 2 small chargers just incase. I like to read in line if I'm by myself, so I packed my e-reader. Plenty of room for a shirt change, and for a poncho--it would be horrible if a small rain shower messed up your whole day! No need for a bulky wallet, I just store my mickey visa (you need to show it for the discounts even if it's linked to your magicband) and healthcare cards in one of the pockets. Pack a mini deodorant too, as well as some baby powder to take care of sweaty areas.

This bag comes in some super cute prints if you are a female, and if you are a guy, it does come in all black, and is very unisex in design so you wont feel like you are carrying a purse.

 

[jrmasm]

bought and tested this one all day at our local six flags just last week. worked great! definitely taking it to wdw in October!

http://www.amazon.com/Gonex-Lightweight-Travelling-Backpacking-Ultralight/dp/B00P8UE53K

This looks great! Thanks for the link.

 

[Newsies]

I always use a backpack when I go solo. Granted, I don't pack spare clothes/shoes. Last year I used a VS PINK brand one, this year I'm using this:

It's not as big as it looks in the photo. It's about as big as the one I had last year- which never got in the way with me on the rides.

 

[rwdavis2]

I've done solo days at Disneyland and did never took a backpack. It may not be necessary.

 

[jrtoastyman]

As for getting "drenched" the only parks that is an issue is MK and AK . And in the summer sun I will be dry shortly thereafter. And to be honest in this heat, being wet is a positive thing.

I'll actually be at Disneyland, so I'm basically looking at Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run (which I understand to be pretty similar to Kali) that I have to worry about. I did find that Splash got me quite a bit more wet at DLR than the MK version -- not sure why, but while with the MK version I might get a little wet, my daughter might as well have jumped in a pool when we went on the DL version. I could literally wring her clothes out.