Bag for park - how big is the baggallini???

[mom2aredhead]

Help me other parents of toddlers!

Last trip DS was still wearing pull ups, but now we're completely diaper free However, I still find myself carrying a pseudo-diaper bag when we go out for the day with all of the other "stuff" that toddlers require...snack/drink/clothes/toy/book/etc

In October we had a backpack that had all the usual park stuff + usual diaper bag stuff in it, plus a digital camera and camcorder (both of which are the older, bulkier variety). I SWEAR I spent more time DIGGING thru that bag than doing almost anything else. Anything I needed, regardless of what it was at that moment, had sunk to the bottom. I can't figure out if I bring too much stuff, or I just need a better bag.
I really don't know if the baggallini will work for me. I'm having a hard time really comprehending how big it is, but I'm not picturing all of my stuff fitting in it

Normally I would be carrying:

- Full change of clothes for DS - smashed in a ziploc of course
(we're diaper-free, but you never know)
- wipes
- hand sanitizer
- sunscreen
- camcorder
- camera
- small first aid kit w/bandaids (smaller than a wallet)
- rain ponchos
- light jacket for DS (also smashed in a ziploc - it's amazing how small things get with the air squeezed out - another great tip )
- autograph book and sharpies
- hats
- tissues
- small snacks (minimal - goldfish, granola bar, fruit snacks)
- crayons/stickers/book/travel magnadoodle to kill time in lines and at meals
- maybe ?? pajamas for DS to change into before we leave the park (we're pm EMH people) and he ALWAYS fell asleep on the bus and ended up taking a bath in the morning...
- the 5 other small things I know I'm forgetting right now

Any suggestions from those of you who were there recently? From baggallini owners? Anyone?

TIA!

 

[disnutt]

I'm amazed that you can carry all that stuff! You must be very strong!

I just got back and used my baggalini and loved it! However, I don't think all that stuff would fit. I've never been the Boy Scout type of mother so I travel kind of light. Only carried:
- basic change of clothes for the 3 yo who is potty trained
- small camera and batteries
- sunscreen
- chapstick
- ponchos in packets for 4
- toddler harness (just in case he got crazy)
- mini hand sanitizer
- bottle of water in outer pocket
- bag(s) of Goofy Gummies my favorite snack at WDW!

There was more room but I don't know about all the clothes. I did love the bag. It didn't shift around on my shoulder and has lots of pockets to organize things.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think you should be able to fit most of that, with the possible exception of the ponchos. They can be pretty heavy. While it is a great bag you don't want to weigh it down too much or it becomes tiresome. It is not comfortable packed too big either.

I used mine for the 1st time this past trip and we really loved it. I did spent less time digging. It worked great for my cell phone and camera.

We also had a 2nd bag that we hung off the stroller for more bulky things, but stuff we didn't need all the time and it was no big deal if it got "lost"

I also didn't like the fact I had it across my chest for a number of pictures. Oh well. All in all it worked great for us. I plan on using it more.

 

[Wendy31]

For the past 2 years, I've carried a Baggallini in the parks. In May 2005, our kids were 3 & 5. Last June, they were 4 & 6. Anyway, I carried the following in my Baggallini:

* change of clothes for DD in ziplock bag (shorts, shirt, socks, & underwear)
* change of clothes for DS in ziplock bag (shorts, shirt, socks, & underwear)
* 4 ponchos
* extra gallon-size & sandwich-size ziplock bags
* wet washcloth in a ziplock bag
* park maps & a piece of paper w/ our "plan" (ADR #'s & times, parade times, etc.)
* small pad of paper w/ pen
* 2 autograph books w/ pen
* wipes
* antibacterial gel
* bandaids
* Neosporin
* medicated alcohol pads
* travel-size bug spray
* sun screen
* lip balm w/ sun screen
* travel-size anti-itch spray
* liquid children's Benodryl
* liquid children's Tylenol
* ziplock bag w/ Tylenol, Advil, Benodryl, & Tums for me & DH
* travel-size sewing kit w/ safety pins
* Shout wipes
* lipstick
* compact
* travel-size tissues
* 1 emergency... uh... personal item... for me
* kids' sunglasses
* DD's, DS's, & my "Key to the World" cards (DH carried his)
* my ID
* small snacks for DD & DS
* Crystal-lite drink pouches
* mini flashlight (we stayed at FW, & the walk from the bus to our cabin loop was sometimes dark, & I have this "thing" about accidentally stepping on a unassuming snack who has slithered onto the pavement to absorb the heat from the day...)
* extra batteries for the camera
* cell phone

Additionally, in May 2005, I carried my Passporter book. This past June, I didn't because I never used it. I ended up tearing out the tour suggestion pages in the Unofficial Guide & putting them w/ the park maps. And, the first year, I carried a ziplock bag of crayons - this past year I didn't.

Also, the Baggallini has 2 outside pockets on each side. During the day, the pockets normally held water bottles. At night, the pockets held the kids' light spinners.

Admittedly, my bag was stuffed. Last June, by the end of the week, I wasn't carrying it into the parks at night if I didn't think we'd need anything. Of course, the one night I didn't carry it, it rained, & we ended up buying ponchos! And, yes, lots of times, DH carried the bag. In May 2005, we used strollers, so, most of the time, the bag rode on the back of the strollers & we only carried it into queues & attractions. But, in June, we didn't use the strollers as much & we ended up carrying the bag much more.

I possibly carried too much, but I can imagine very real scenarios in which I could possibly need the items. I didn't feel like I carried superflous stuff. I was just well prepared.

But, anyway, I was able to fit everything I needed into the bag. The nice thing about Baggallini messenger bags is that there are lots of pockets & slots - so your stuff isn't just dumped in - it's easy to find what you need w/o too much digging.

edited to add: It does get heavy, of course, the more stuff you add to it. And I too didn't like the way I looked w/ the strap across my body (I'm kind of short...), so, for pics, I always took it off. And lots of times, DH ended up carrying it. W/ kids, you just need all kinds of "stuff". But, there were a couple of times I went into the MK w/ just my Key to the World card & my ID, & it was so "freeing"!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

Sounds like it may work after all - the poncho's I was talking about are the very small (disposable) ones that are folded almost credit card size when they start out - I got them at either Target or Walmart for about 89 cents. Based on what Wendy said she got in hers, I think I'll give it a shot. I guess it's bigger than it looks in the picture - her bag sounds a lot like mine...we'll also have our stroller from home, so we could leave some things we don't care too much about in the basket underneath.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Sounds like it may work after all - the poncho's I was talking about are the very small (disposable) ones that are folded almost credit card size when they start out - I got them at either Target or Walmart for about 89 cents. Based on what Wendy said she got in hers, I think I'll give it a shot. I guess it's bigger than it looks in the picture - her bag sounds a lot like mine...we'll also have our stroller from home, so we could leave some things we don't care too much about in the basket underneath.

You should be fine then. Our ponchos seem to take up a bit of room. Especially if they had been used before. If the changes of cloths are too big, or if you need warmer clothes you should be able to keep them under the stroller.

My Dh really loved that fact that instead of searching the bottom of the bag, I knew where everything was at all times. The lady on the plane laughed at me and called it my little magic bag with everything you might need in it.

I found digital camera fit perfectly in the outside side pocket with a flap.

 

[pperfectmom]

Wow, if I can even get half that stuff in mine I'll be excited! The trick for me is to get DS(almost 2) potty trained before the end of September. Please tell me I have a chance. His sister was easy so he'll probably be 5 before it happens.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Wow, if I can even get half that stuff in mine I'll be excited! The trick for me is to get DS(almost 2) potty trained before the end of September. Please tell me I have a chance. His sister was easy so he'll probably be 5 before it happens.

I think you have a chance, it is along way until the end of September.

I have to say if you are close or just newly potty trained it is much better just to be in diapers. My 2 year old was using the potty very well before we left. I brought a foldable potty seat just in case.

She did not use the potty one time during the whole trip. Not even in our resort room. Also I witnessed many of people who stood in line for 20 min, only to have to leave right before their turn to use the potty.

Don't forget little post it notes in that bag, to cover the sensor on the auto flush toilets. My 5 year old DD is really bothered by them. The post it note worked great.

I do hope she is trained by May when we go on a cruise because there is a lot she can't do if she isn't. Still she won't be 3 until Aug so I am not holding my breath.