Diaper Bag Debate...

[amygphillips]

We carry 2 backpacks. I wear one and my husband wears one. One is diapers / wipes ,change of clothes ( I bring change of clothes for my 3 youngest) ,bottle/ formula. The other bag has a my Disney notebook that has a hard copy of all of our reservations ( just incase our phone isn't working for some reason), autograph books/pens, water bottles and glow bracelets ( we make our kids...not that they have ever complained... Wear some time of glow bracelet/ necklace to make them more visable at night) sunscreen and bug spray! Hope this helps and yes we always take them on rides, but it has never been a big deal.

 

[MrPTato]

When we went, we just used one of those clinch backpacks with waterproof bags to put the diapers in. Everything else when in alongside the waterproof bag. We just left this in the bottom of the stroller. We have a Tula baby carrier so that, along with the camera, were always our staples on the rides.

 

[kdlucie]

We went in 2013 and had 2 boys that both have inhalers and epi pens, plus at the time a 2 year old still in pull ups, wipes etc. I also had wallets, camera (though mirrorless, smaller than a dslr).

We left our diaper bag with the pull ups, wipes, etc in the stroller. I bought this bag (link below) and LOVED it. It held my wallet, camera, both bags of inhalers and epi pens, keys, and could have held a bottle of water on each side. I wore it on EVERY ride. small enough to stay on your side or fit in your lap depending on the ride.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BKUN4I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02

Good luck!

 

[kwdw]

IMHO - multiple bags gets confusing. One backpack that is the camera bag, diaper bag, snack bag, female wallet carrier, etc. Something like an extra travel pack of wipes, a few more diapers, or cheapo blanket if needed could be left in the bottom of the stroller. While Disney is reasonably safe, things do get stolen.

No kids myself, but I've traveled with family with kids a fair amount and from my non-parent perspective - the families that did the one bag that always went with them when the stroller was parked were much calmer. They never lost or misplaced anything and they knew where everything was. The ones that were debating what to take, what to leave, wondering which bag something was in - were much more stressed about losing something and were more likely to misplace something.

 

[mandis77]

We just used a backpack that was easy to wear while getting on/off resort transportation and through security. Inside I had one of those diaper clutch/changing pads that I could pull out and run to the bathroom for changing. We kept our valuables on us and left the backpack in the stroller underneath a blanket.

 

[Baklava]

We went with an open top diaper bag that held ONLY baby stuff at Disneyland. It was done so that anyone looking for stuff to swipe would see pretty quickly that the bag had no value to them.

Valuables we kept on us. No sense in leaving temptation sitting around. I tend toward purses that are "mini backpack" style which I find handy for touring.

 

[beckysko]

We had a double stroller (rental) with rain cover. We have a Skip Hop Dash diaper bag with the clips that go on the stroller handle. So we brought that, and whenever we left the stroller behind while going on a ride, we would just slip the rain cover over the bag and stroller. We didn't leave our camera in the stroller, DH has a crossbody camera strap for his DSLR, so we would carry it in the diaper bag, but take it on rides/in restaurants. Our diaper bag didn't have anything valuable other than the usual diaper items.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I have a Kyss bag that I'm taking to WDW when I take my 19 month old in December. I will use it as a diaper bag and a bag to secure my valuables (wallet, phone and my DSLR). When there's not a "photo op" (diaper change for example) or I don't need my phone or wallet, I will leave my DSLR, phone and wallet in my Kyss bag, secured to DS's travel system stroller. When there is a "photo op" or I need my wallet or phone, I will have those items in my compact camera backpack (to take on the rides for example).

I doubt someone will steal my stroller. However, just in case, my Kyss bag will be in the seat of the stroller, secured to the stroller. This will make the stroller unusable to them.

I got this Kyss bag when I took DS on a Disney cruise and it was great for keeping our stuff safe while in the water at castaway cay and anytime I needed to leave our stuff (by the pool onboard or to get some food at the buffet). A great purchase, especially since I travel alone with DS as a single parent.

Here's the link, if anyone is interested...
http://kyssbags.com

 

[maxiesmom]

I have a Kyss bag that I'm taking to WDW when I take my 19 month old in December. I will use it as a diaper bag and a bag to secure my valuables (wallet, phone and my DSLR). When there's not a "photo op" (diaper change for example) or I don't need my phone or wallet, I will leave my DSLR, phone and wallet in my Kyss bag, secured to DS's travel system stroller. When there is a "photo op" or I need my wallet or phone, I will have those items in my compact camera backpack (to take on the rides for example).

I doubt someone will steal my stroller. However, just in case, my Kyss bag will be in the seat of the stroller, secured to the stroller. This will make the stroller unusable to them.

I got this Kyss bag when I took DS on a Disney cruise and it was great for keeping our stuff safe while in the water at castaway cay and anytime I needed to leave our stuff (by the pool onboard or to get some food at the buffet). A great purchase, especially since I travel alone with DS as a single parent.

Here's the link, if anyone is interested...
http://kyssbags.com

Stroller theft does happen. Remember there is no one watching them, and CMs have no way of knowing which stroller belongs to what family. I remember a poster who had their stroller taken, and when the thieves were caught they had a bunch of them in their car. Strollers are easy enough to sell of sites like Ebay and Craig's List.

 

[quagmire0]

We've used this bag as our diaper bag for the last couple kids: http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Me...38984240&sr=8-1&keywords=baggallini+messenger. It's smaller, but can fit a lot of stuff, including bottles, wipes, diapers, etc. Depending on the ride, we'll bring it with. Although, I'd be more likely to bring it with if I had a camera in there.

 

[ElenaRN]

We never brought our regular diaper bag to WDW. I do love my Columbia backpack style diaper bag, but it was too bulky for us to bring. I use a little bag we got for free when we bought a case of diapers or wipes once I cant remember. It is just big enough to hold 5-6 diapers, a travel case of wipes, small tube of diaper cream and a small folded up changing pad.
It works for us bc we just have to grab that from bottom of stroller and all the essentials are included. This is also what we took on the plane.

Then I have a small back pack that I use for everything else. I will say this, my kids are still small (1 1/2 & $) so changes of clothes can be folded pretty small.

 

[kiramay]

I used an extra large zip lock bag for my "leave in the stroller" diaper bag. It had diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc, and because it was clear it didn't take long at bag check. Plus, it was protected in the rain, and any thieves could clearly see it wasn't anything exciting. That stayed in the stroller.

I also carried a cross body bag with all the stuff I didn't want to risk losing: camera, phone, wallet, etc. If I was pushing the stroller or resting, I could hang my bag on the handles, but it wasn't that heavy.

Eta- my regular home diaper bag was from Harvey's but it's been discontinued for over 5 years. My second diaper bag was a Diaper Dude, and I highly recommend it.

 

[svecchitto]

My regular diaper bag is a coach diaper bag which I love but I never saw that as being practical for the parks. We pack a backpack which we leave and also which to be honest if someone was going to steal it whatever it's not irreplaceable. Our dslr we bring the bag and that goes on rides.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

This October will be our first trip to WDW as a family. DH and I have been over 20+ times but had the convenience of traveling light in the parks. This will be our first trip with our 2.5 year old son. I'm SO excited....but also somewhat nervous.

Some questions:

1. Do you remove your diaper bag from your stroller when you go on rides? I know this is a somewhat foolish question. I know I need to be careful with my belongings because although it's the Happiest Place On Earth, bad things can still happen. But I can't help but dread constantly having to take my diaper bag on/off the stroller.

2. Do you carry your camera in the diaper bag? We have a nice DSLR camera and palm size video camera I want to bring. But that's just another thing to take out/off of the stroller.

3. Lastly -I'm in dire need of a new diaper bag. I spilled milk in mine and no matter how many times I wash it, I can't get rid of the stench. Do you love your diaper bag? What brand/style is it?

Thanks for commenting!

We have never owned an actual diaper bag. I used what is actually our park bag (Bagallini messenger bag) as a way to carry wipes, a couple of diapers, a change of clothes for DS, a cup and maybe a small toy. Those things can easily go in a large gallon size baggie in the bottom of your stroller, it's highly unlikely that someone would take those. Stow some extra diapers in a locker if you really think you need more than a few. Your camera and cups can go in the stroller caddy (we used a sunshine kids velcro one to add to our city mini stroller, 2 cupholders and the DSLR fits perfectly as well). Then use the Bagallini bag to put the camera and other valuables in when you get in line. It easily fits in the mesh baggie thing on rides.

Your son is 2.5. What do you need to lug around anymore that requires a dedicated bag? Go through your bag and be honest with yourself about it. I haven't read the whole thread, so I don't know if there are special needs involved that require more supplies or equipment or whatever. So only you know what you REALLY need. We needed nothing that came close to warranting a diaper bag, so that's where my comments come from.

 

[AshleeH]

Less is more. My daughter was 18 months last year - I fit her diapers and wipes in my purse (a Vera Bradley Hipster) and had her sippy cup in the stroller and that was that. The rides she could go on, we just took her sippy with us. I had my phone, money, suntan lotion in the purse and we needed nothing else and didn't have to carry around a huge bag all day. I see people juggling all of these huge bags/backpacks and can't imagine what they need for a day away from the room that would require strapping 40 pounds on and lugging it all over.

 

[MischaOz]

I use a the Vera Bradley "Vera" tote bad (not actually a diaper bag per se). I like this one because it fits over the handle of our stroller when we're walking (a Babyjogger City Mini). I packed light though, a few diapers, wipes, wallet and phone. I do carry our camera in my tote and bring it on rides. It works for me, I'll do the same thing this year even though DD is now potty trained.

 

[MissMet]

We bring the bag with us but not for fear of theft but convenience. Sometimes you come off the ride far from your stroller & you may need to do a diaper change. I like to be able to go right to the bathroom, which is usually right near us when we exit the ride. Before kids I carried a small backpack with me the entire day so why not the diaper bag. We use a backpack style diaper bag for the parks.

We LOVE our "park bag". The best part is it's NOT black which is so hot on your back in the parks! http://www.amazon.com/Bebamour-Back...p/B00QAIQ6TA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

We also love our little cooler bag that fits two large sip cups & some snacks. All the diaper bags/backpaks that have an insulated pocket don't fit the big sippy cups or an ice pack. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZGLJ4K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01

 

[smiths02]

We went with two 2.5 year olds. Not potty trained. I wore a baggalini which had all valuables http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Me...39993722&sr=8-6&keywords=baggalini+cross+body
I also put some wipes and a few pull-ups in there for on the go or in a restaurant.

The stroller we had a soft cooler, something kind of like this http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Pi...=1439993811&sr=8-2&keywords=lunch+cooler+tote that I bought from the supermarket and have had for years. So we left this in there because if it got stolen, no big deal.
Then we had some extra wipes, clothes, and pull-ups just in a ziploc bag (and the extra clothes were like $4 shorts and tops. I figure people would see it wasn't anything worth stealing.
Sunscreen was shoved in a random pocket.

 

[piccolopat]

It's been many years since DD was in diapers (she's 28 now) and times have certainly changed. It is always possible that someone will walk off with your bag. I would never leave any valuables in it for that reason. For routine stuff (diapers, change of clothes, etc.), you might consider using a zip tie or other fastener to keep it attached to the stroller. It won't stop someone from opening your bag and helping themselves, but it will prevent a quick grab and run. When I am in the supermarket, I use the child safety buckle in the cart with my purse so no one can grab it if I turn away for a minute. Same idea here.

 

[ShannyG]

I think you should keep your bag with you while you go on the rides. My friend had her stroller stolen on her last trip. I have the Vera Bradley Mom's Day Out Baby Bag. I love it. It is a cross-body bag, so I can wear it on all of the rides. The top zips to keep all of your things safe. It is roomy enough to pack the essentials, and it has a wipeable inside lining. My girls are grown up now, but I still use it as my Disney bag. (I believe the bag is even on clearance right now). Have a wonderful trip!