Baggallini Messenger-returning-need new recommendation

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

Purchased a baggallini messenger bag. I am so disappointed. Today I filled it with some of the stuff I will need and it is just too small. I am a Mom of two young boys 5 & 3-1/2. Dad is taking care of carring in his bag the camera & video (extra batteries & stuff) snacks and a few small items.

Things I need to carry & problems with bag.

change of cloths for ea boy-still potty training (undies, shorts, shirt - put in a ziploc bag)
travel wipes
sunscreen
extra socks (also in ziploc bag)
rain ponchos for me & one child (dad will carry the other)
Tickets, maps, etc
my phone is too big for slot & wont zip all the way
too difficult to put a small water bottle in slot.

All these items made it very full & I didn't even put the small stuff in yet. (gum, cc cards, etc)

Is there another bag that someone could recommend??????????????????????
I would like something a little bigger, but not a full size backpack.

 

[fancythemouse]

I bought a mini back pack for disneyworld recently from sport chalet but you might find it elsewhere

it may look small but it has several compartments and its pretty roomy

 

[munchkinsmom]

How about something like this from Timbuk2 Bags:

Timbuk2's "Lula Day Pack"

The dimensions are: 10" x 13.25" x 5"

OR...

this from Baby Sherpa:

Baby Sherpa "ShortHaul"

The dimensions are: 10.5" x 17" x 6"

Both very good quality bags.

FYI: Just for comparison, your Bagallini bag's dimensions were: 13" x 10" x 4"

HTH!

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

munchkinsmom

do you if these are avaiable in any store? I like to look at and feel before I purchase.

 

[babywewe]

Think your best bet is to go to a large sporting goods store (most have great, roomy, backpacks). OR go to a luggage store (some have backpacks/day bags).

Since you have speific needs you probally want to see the bag first.

 

[munchkinsmom]

munchkinsmom

do you if these are avaiable in any store? I like to look at and feel before I purchase.

I know exactly what you mean about needing to see it. Unfortunately, I don't know.

I know that REI carries Timbuk2 products in their stores. Since the Lula is a new product, you might want to e-mail either Timbuk2 or REI to see if they have it in stock before you make the trek to one of their stores.

Timbuk2: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/cms/contact.htm

REI: http://www.rei.com/rei/help/hintro.html

I had purchased my Baby Sherpa (the bigger one) at "The Right Start" in Southern California a little over a year ago, but "The Right Start" doesn't carry it anymore. You might want to contact the company to see if the Shorthaul is distributed near where you live:

http://www.babysherpa.com/findastore.asp

Since their US headquarters is in Illinois (Wheaton, to be exact) I'd bet there are stores near you that carry both bags.

Good luck and hope you find the perfect bag for you!

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

I know exactly what you mean about needing to see it. Unfortunately, I don't know.

I know that REI carries Timbuk2 products in their stores. Since the Lula is a new product, you might want to e-mail either Timbuk2 or REI to see if they have it in stock before you make the trek to one of their stores.

Timbuk2: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/cms/contact.htm

REI: http://www.rei.com/rei/help/hintro.html

I had purchased my Baby Sherpa (the bigger one) at "The Right Start" in Southern California a little over a year ago, but "The Right Start" doesn't carry it anymore. You might want to contact the company to see if the Shorthaul is distributed near where you live:

http://www.babysherpa.com/findastore.asp

Since their US headquarters is in Illinois (Wheaton, to be exact) I'd bet there are stores near you that carry both bags.

Good luck and hope you find the perfect bag for you!

Thanks so much for the info. I will try your suggestions.

 

[molly2004]

Since your boys are young, will you be taking a stroller(s)? The larger items and such can be stowed in the stroller leaving you with more room in your bag. After a day of walking around will all that paraphenalia can be exhausting. Besides, carrying all that stuff with you on rides may make it uncomfortable to fit in the seats with the safety bars in place. If you stow everything in the stroller, you'll have more room in your current bag for YOUR things (I'm a mom too; it's nice to reclaim a little space for yourself! )

 

[5kwallace]

I would buy something cheap. On our 1st trip to WDW with our DS, I ruined a very nice diaper bag. My bags always seem to get very dirty. You drag them on and off rides, buses, floors of restaurants etc. I now take a backpack or bag that I find on clearance somewhere (K-Mart usually has Disney themed backpacks). I usually take all the items that you listed and then some. Just my opinion but this always seems to work for me. Have a great trip!

 

[Disnicole]

i keep a small storage bag on the stroller to
hold items that I don't need to have with me on the rides( plus if they got taken I wouldn't be out a fortune) This is where I leave the diapers, wipes, change of clothes, ponchos, and in the small bag I carry with me, I bring camera, snacks, money and valuables.

I got my stroller bag from One Step Ahead, it has a shoulder strap if you choose to take it off the stroller, and it has straps with snaps that attach it to the stroller, it also has insulated pockets. We take it off on the bus, to fold our stroller as small as possible, but it really works out.

 

[bobcat]

I use a healthy back backpack from Ameribag. It is the teardrop shaped bag and it works great. I have an xs bag that I can fit tons of stuff in. My kids are a little older but I still put a ton of stuff in it. I carry my cell phone, camera/case, ponchos, mini first aid kit, sunscreen, light up toys, etc. and I have also fit the kids jackets in there as well as Pal Mickey when needed (that was a tight fit). I have had this bag for about 4 years and it still looks great. I carry it not only on vacation but also as a purse when I get home because I hate to change out of it. There are a ton of pockets to keep everything organized. They make larger sizes as well. Your local AAA office might carry these, this is where i got mine and had a discount as well.