Bag Recommendations?

[Minnmom]

First timer here - (posting and traveling to Disney!)

What are anyone's recommendations for a bag to bring in to the parks with us?

• We are a family of 4 - kids are 7 and 9 so no stroller or diaper bag needed.
• I dislike backpacks
• I don't want something super bulky, but I'm unsure of how much space for stuff I really need.

Anyone have great luck with anything specific? Brands? Styles?

Thank you!

 

[monorailmom]

Welcome to the DIS boards.

I also hate backpacks. It depends on how much you want to carry, but I really like the Vera Bradley hipster. It's big enough to carry my wallet, a water bottle, chapstick, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and bandaids,etc.

I recently purchased a Vera Bradley mailbag. It's also a cross body bag, but a bit larger than the hipster. I took my son to a baseball game the other day, and was able to not only have the above listed items, but a baseball cap and other items as well with room to spare.

Cross body bags are great in that they keep the weight/heat off your back and on your hip where you can reach it! I also can almost always just leave them on when riding attractions which is so convenient.

 

[loves to dive]

How much are you planning on taking in? I only carry my phone, some cash, cc, ID, AP card, my reading glasses around my neck and sunglasses on my face. If I'm not wearing some kind of cargo capris I carry a small crossbody, normally D&B. If it's rainy season it's big enough to fold down my rain jacket as well. Last year I bought a cute cross body at WDW that I also take with me since my rain jacket fits in it a little better.
http://www.disneystore.com/disney-sketch-crossbody-bag-by-dooney-bourke/mp/1386369/1000291/
http://www.disneystore.com/mickey-mouse-canvas-bag-happiest-hipster-on-earth/mp/1338596/1000291/

 

[tami82]

What do you plan on bringing with you? If you don't like backpacks a cross body would work. I usually carry a smaller leather backpack type bag but need something bigger this time around so I have room for rain ponchos, and other stuff that wont fit in my smaller bag. I sew and made my own cross body/tote bag in the Vera Bradley Mickey fabric. It has two sets of straps, starts as a cross body and turns bigger into a tote if I need more room. The best thing to do is go shopping and look at what is out there and may work for you. I have also seen bags (I know you don't like backpacks) that convert from a backpack to cross body by changing the straps.

 

[Aliceacc]

This will be my first trip without my traditional "park bag": http://www.baggallini.com/backpacks...l#prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=blue&start=10

I'm hoping that, with 3 teenagers, I can get away with far less stuff!!

But that bag holds everything, and has a spot for everything.

For this trip, I've gotten a much smaller baggalini cross body http://www.baggallini.com/crossbody...94#prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=blue&start=1

 

[jevs]

Depends on how much you want to carry into the parks. I use a small crossover bag, and one of the kids wears a backpack.

I do find that if I over fill my bag it does start to dig into me by the end of the day.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Prior to DS, I really loved the Patagonia Atom. It was great for the stuff that DH and I and our two girls needed.

Now we are back to a diaper bag, but I can't wait to get back to my Atom!

 

[gemologygal]

I've always carried a LeSportsac bag, specifically the Everyday Deluxe Handbag, because they weigh almost nothing and have the perfect amount of pockets and space to keep my stuff organized.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I carry a LeSportsac crossbody bag. I particularly like the small Cleo style. It's lightweight, small, but can carry a LOT of stuff. I can fit a small wallet (I always carry cash, insurance card, driver's licenxe and cc with me), sunscreen, three ponchos and a water bottle in it! It's really comfortable and incredibly durable.

 

[happymommy]

Many days I just bring my regular purse with me. I do have a nice small Baggalini that I got at TJ Maxx a few years ago that's nice.

 

[MichaelWill&Megan'sMom]

First timer here - (posting and traveling to Disney!)

What are anyone's recommendations for a bag to bring in to the parks with us?

• We are a family of 4 - kids are 7 and 9 so no stroller or diaper bag needed.
• I dislike backpacks
• I don't want something super bulky, but I'm unsure of how much space for stuff I really need.

Anyone have great luck with anything specific? Brands? Styles?

Thank you!

I am a mom of 3 (9, 10, 13). For the last several trips, each of us have carried a small camelback backpack. I know you don't like backpacks, but having your own ice water on your back not only keeps you cool, but hydrated and happy. The each have room for phones/iPods, small cooling towel, ID, ziplock bag, some wipes, disposable poncho, small fan and hand sanitizer hanging off of each. Best part...no one complains about being thirsty, and everyone is responsible for their own stuff. Plus, we quickly put them on backward for the rides with no issues. Food for thought!
Have a great trip we will be back on July 19!!

 

[Sagginit]

I got a cheaper pleather crossbody years ago at TJMaxx in black as my park bag. I forget the brand but it had lots of pockets and compartments with a thick cross body strap in a seat belt like material that adjusts to long or under the arm single strap. I like the pockets and built in ID type slots so its easier to find things quickly (photopass for example goes in a clear ID slot on the front flap). It is just long enough to fit an autograph book, I can't easily fit a poncho in it, but I did clip one once to the strap as it came in its own pouch. Due to water from rides and overall dirtiness of the park days I don't want to use anything expensive. I actually stained 2 pairs of light color shorts on park trips from sitting on rides that had mystery dirt/grease on them.

I also have a eddie bauer small hiking style backpack that has one single diagonal strap. The cross body works great except I can only carry a small snack or two, I don't have anywhere for a water bottle. The backpack let's me carry more and has a side pocket for a water bottle. Its light so the weight reduces as I eat/drink what I put inside. I can also store a baseball cap inside if I decide to take it off. Can't do that with the cross body. Cross body needs to go over the head when I get on rides with those mesh pockets, the backpack has a clip so I can quickly take it off. The backpack is also shared between me and the other person where if I use a cross body we each need our own bag. The backpack is closest to this one. I got mine at the outlet for about $15 4-5 years ago. http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/s...11&backToCat=&previousPage=SRC&tab=&color=102

You might want to have one or two styles to switch off if you aren't sure what will work well for you.