Can you ever carry too much around the parks?

[brown eyed girl]

Between water bottles, snacks, ponchos, camera, suntan lotion, wipes and I won't even mention what you need for a baby...are there some days when you leave the poncho in the room or the snacks in the cabin? The last time we were lugging so much around it was annoying. It never rained which was good and the water bottles were always too warm by the time we wanted a drink Is there some items that you don't drag around every day. I don't care what kind of bag you have...sometimes its nice to go to the parks without everything you own!

 

[Rellagirl]

On our first few days there, we took nothing that wouldn't fit in a pocket or the fanny pak. We bought drinks during the day as needed. I hate warm water or pop. We loaded on the sunscreen in the morning and left it in the room. We didn't have any problems. Mind you, if going in the summer months, I'd definitely bring sunscreen with us. Later in our trip, I used my small back pack purse, unfortunately, both straps ended up breaking so that was real fun to lug around. Guess there was a reason it was on sale. I personally think less is better, unless you have a baby then it's a different story.

 

[Chipmunk89]

Yes, I know fanny packs aren't "hip" or "cool". And God knows, I certainly don't need to have my fanny look any bigger than it already is! But I never bring anything more than my fannypack. It holds my small wallet(money, debit and photopass), a camera, cellphone, one or two ponchos, sanitizer, medicine and sunscreen.

DS8 carries his own with his autograph book, pen and his wallet.

DH refuses the fanny pack. So he goes with the traditional wallet in one pocket, cellphone in the other pocket.

Anything we buy we have sent to the resort.

 

[J&J'sMOM]

My husband detests the fanny pack, but in WDW he always wears it!!

 

[suzimar57]

many years ago used to carry backpack - big mistake: seems the larger the bag, the more crap you wind up schlepping around the parks....

no more fanny packs either - instead, small shoulder bag (about the same size as a fanny pack, but with a strap) - the tiny interior forces me to take less stuff - if it doesn't fit easily inside, it doesn't go in

 

[OKW Lover]

If you have anything that doesn't fit into your pockets then you are carrying too much around the parks. Our goal is to carry as little as possible. We don't look at this as a major expedition into the uncharted wilds. We're very familiar with the parks, know where we are going (even if we aren't going anywhere), where to get a drink of water, etc.

Less is more.

 

[of2dbeach]

you can get most anything you want/need in the parks anyways not sure why i carry what i do carry but i still have one in a stroller so that helps . i wouldnt go without my camera, water bottle from Walmart with ice thingy inside it, sunscreen and my dl, credit card and some cash.i dont carry a wallet and only take in the one car key to open the doors and perhaps the alarm button in case i loose the Suv at midnight i can cheat and hit the button ( oh shush ya'll know you do this too ! ) other then that i think thats all i really bring and maybe a snack or two for Emma who is 5. But then again you bring it then they see something else they want wont eat what you brought and you and DH are drinking juice boxes so you dont have to lug around warm juicys all day long. sometimes it dosent pay to be cheap lol

 

[mommytoone]

I carry a bag with my "junk". It holds my camera, wallet, video camera, extra tapes, film for fil camera, DD camera, autograph book & pen. This time I got smart, DD is carrying her own bag with her own crap. This time maybe my back won't hurt I can't imagine lugging water, but this time maybe some snacks.

 

[Goofyfamily4]

Less is more! Last year when we went we started out by carrying every thing we could cram into our small back pack! By the 2nd day we had about every thing out except the camera, 1 water bottle, key to the world, small amout of cash, ressie info, & autograph books! It was a lot more enjoyable this way, how ever we don't have a baby so that makes life a lot easier!!

 

[Tribe0701]

I hate feeling like a pack mule in the parks. I have a small "vacation" purse that I carry. It holds a small wallet, cell phone, camera, and tickets. My hubby doesn't carry anything other than his wallet, and my DD 11 will sometimes carry a bag or backpack with her stuff in it. We don't do all day in the park though, we take a break and go back to the room, then back to the park at night.

 

[snickerboo]

Yes, you can. I do take a lot. If the forecast doesn't predict rain, I don't take the rain gear. I take food and sport water bottles (the trick is to fill the bottles with ice from the hotel vending machine and only top up with water, then wrap in a hotel towel and keep out of the sun (preferrably in the backpack). I did not take bandaids to SeaWorld last year and dd got a blister, and when we went to the Shamu show, she got salt water in the blister and we had to go to the first aid place to get it cleaned out and badaged well enough to keep any other salt water from getting in. So, next time, bandages are a must for us. Must take cameras, sunblock, extra batteries for camera, money, etc.

Both dh and I have backpacks , which helps, and we take a cheapo umbrella stroller for our ds and put the backpacks on it if our backs get tired.

 

[ntsammy5]

DW always wants to take a ton of stuff. She puts in a back pack and makes me carry it.

 

[srwarden1928]

DW carries a SMALL purse thats big enough for the camera, cellphone, wallet, bee medicine. I carry wallet, cellphone, keys, admission card in my pockets. I dont see the need to carry anything else--want maybe but not need--and I hate lugging stuff on the rides.

 

[Tiger926]

We don't take very much into the parks at all, and we've travelled with babies. In my opinion, people take way too much into the parks, and parents of small kids are the worst offenders! I've seen people loaded down with multiple outfits, bottles, etc. and they really looked wiped out lugging all of that around. We don't take much, as we find our babes don't need much as long as we are there - as a breastfeeding mom, this is the best too as I don't have to worry about much. We take 1 spare outfit for baby, and none for our daughter who is almost 5 because if she needs a new item of clothing due to a spill, we just buy one. We also make very good use of the Baby Centers and lockers if necessary. We can't stomach Orlando water, so we also only buy water in the parks - we like fresh and cold water since we mostly travel in the summer, so lugging water bottles around to save a few dollars doesn't make any sense to us. Too heavy and cumbersome, not to mention the water tastes nasty as it's hot!

Kids don't need most of what parents pack for the 'just in case' times, so you bring up a good point about people bringing way too much into the parks. Perhaps if people realized how hot and heavy it can be lugging around all of that mostly unneccessary stuff, they will pack a little better?

Good luck, Tiger

 

[Happyathome]

last time we went I was a pack mule. My own fault, since I brought a fairly large backpack. I thought i needed one that big to keep everything in it, so everyone else could really enjoy themselves. I stuffed jackets for 3 kids, ponchos, maps, a folder with all of my printouts, snacks, water bottles, camera, autograph books, you name it all in my bag. I literally knocked one of my kids over turning around in line once. Enough is enough!! this time I bought a Bagallini, and whatever doesn't fit, TOUGH!! I know I'll be happier with a lighter, smaller bag, I just hope I don't forget something

I'm such an over-packer. I'm working on that...

 

[SuziQZee]

Two years ago, my husband actually took a picture of me. He laughed so hard cuz he said I looked like I stole Batman's utility belt! Last year was a little better for me but I like to be prepared. I can't stand it if I need something and don't have it. Especially something small like bandaids, moleskin, sunscreen, etc.

 

[jpeka65844]

Ha ha...glad I found this thread. DS, DH and I are going with the IL's in June and my MIL believes in "Being ready for anything" Here's hoping she doesn't make ME carry it!

I try to travel as light as possible as well. It was just DH and I in December and it was heavenly! I got a stroller organizer that loops over the back of the stroller that will hold diapers, wipes, and snacks. In my Baggallini messenger bag will be the ponchos, $$, bandaids, small amount of medicine, sunblock, and hand sanitizer.

Not sure yet what to do about the cameras. DH hinted that he wanted to take BOTH the digital camera and the camcorder but I don't know.....I hope he's ready to carry it.

 

[coolbeans]

we are taking a stroller with a diaper bag attached for all DS's stuff (diapers, wipes, change of clothes, band aids, sunscreen, ponchos, water bottles, autograph books, sharpie, etc..)
I will carry a small backpack (my Vera Bradley that I LOVE!) with wallet (money), camera, tickets, ADR information, hair brush, hand lotion, pennies and quarters for pressed penny machines.
DH says he is going to carry his camelbak bag for any extras but I think we will be okay, and anything DD needs we can put in the diaper bag or my bag. The diaper bag will stay on the stroller so nothing of value will be left behind.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

I have always carried a small back pack to the parks, because like some of the PP I hate be caught needing something I don't have. With that being said, I do have my kiddos carry their own autograph books, pins and one bottle of water.

I have a new Vera Bradley bag too for this years trip and I am going to use the heck out of it cause it is way CUTE!

Anyhow, I digress, carry what you thing are essentials, and you should be fine....if you like gum...bring it along, it is one of the very few things you CANNOT buy on property.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I'm very lucky because both my DDs are willing to wear fanny packs and help carry the load. We have one hair brush (small), one deoderant for the girls and one for DH, sunscreen (small), Small wallet, advil, plastic bags to put the fanny packs in on the water rides or if it rains, cell phone, wet wipes, hand sanitizer (small), my glass case (I have one pair of sunglasses and one regular for inside), pennies and quarters for pressed pennies (the bags get lighter as the day goes on), and touring plans (laminated of course). I might be forgetting something but you get the idea.

Everything is as small as possible. I know that may cost more, but I like the convenience. We have extra ones at the hotel if we run out.

DH carries his wallet attached with a chain (his wallet was lost/stolen one time at EPCOT), cell phone, and camera (on his belt)

We start the day with one water bottle each and then either refill or buy as we go. We don't mind carrying them.

We do not carry rain gear. We just get wet or find a place inside. We have been extrememly lucky with this. We also don't do the autograph thing, just pictures.

The best present DH gave us last year was that he offered to carry his backpack with everything in it on the last day so we didn't have to wear our fanny packs.
I was a little worried about having all the items in one bag but it worked out great.

I love the way Disney has places for your belongings on the rides as opposed to leaving it behind on the platform like Hershey Park.

Of course, if I had a baby none of this would apply.

Have Fun