Disney Diaper Bag packing: a review w/pics

[justhat]

Something we did at Disney when Madison was 9 months old (1st trip eating solids) was buy the jars of baby food that are cereal and fruit. That way I didn't have to mix in powdered cereal, plus I didn't have to carry anything other than the jar and spoon, no bowl necessary. We had tried them at home first to be sure she liked them and she ended up liking it lots more than the powdered cereal mixed with a jar of fruit.

Also, it's super easy to unfold the disposable changing pads while holding your baby, diaper, and wipes. I no longer use my 'real' changing pad anymore, jus tthe disposables. I started thinking-how hygenic is this thing? It either touches my daughter's butt or the gross changing table (well, both, but I mean either side). So now I use the disposables and just throw them away when I'm done. I have reused them a couple of times if it's just a wet diaper and I don't have an extra in my bag.

I also 2nd the disposable bottle liners. Madison was (well still is) breastfed, but when I did use bottles, I loved the convenience of the disposable liner style. We used Playtex bottles, but not always their bags as sometimes I already had breastmilk in a Medela bag. Not only was it easier to only have one thing to wash (the nipple), but it also save lots of space. We never carried any bottles around in Disney, but we used the baby care centers many times and would have cleaned my bottles there. In fact, the AK baby care center has an Avent sterilizer, which we used once to clean the pacifiers, nipples, and breastpump pieces. Great idea cause I'm sure I don't clean them with a dishwipe as well as I do at home with all the normal kitchen supplies. Not sure if they all have a sterilizer cause I didn't look, but I'm sure someone else will know.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

I have never seen someone practice pack! First baby I can tell! That's cute! And actually very helpful!
I was actually looking online at the SkipHop bags (in Canada and can't find them) and was wondering what they would fit - thanks for showing me!
I have a 9 years old, 2 year old and 8 month old and need something HUGE (both little ones still in diapers). It seems alot of us are going end of April, see you there!

BTW, about the modelling (she is a cutie), I modelled for Cover Girl Magazine as a child (in the ads where they need the cute kid beside the glamourous model) and it's not all it's cracked up to be. My middle daughter has been stopped by a agents too and they offer $50-75 per hour but is it worth it to drag your baby out of bed at 6am to drive downtown to put them in wardrobe for an hour and make them sit still for another 2 - Just had to say Good Choice! My friends think I'm insane to choose not to put her through that for the $$.

 

[Mellie0119]

Not sure about the bugs in April, but better safe than sorry- at least have some on the hotel. KWIM? I used the hand soap in the baby care center to wash the bottles, second baby for us, so I'm not as anal (no offense meant) as I was with DS. Another option on the disposables is to bring (in a baggie) extra clean nipples, then you wouldn't have to mess with trying to wash them in the parks. Just a thought!

 

[mistaroo]

Wow, those bags hold a lot! I am in the market for a new diaper bag so I'll have to check out the one from LL Bean- thanks for the info.

Don't forget to pack dishwashing liquid and a bottle brush to clean the bottles. Enjoy!

 

[KristinU]

I'm also a huge Skip Hop fan - we've done WDW with our Duo twice now, great organization! (and I also practice packed!) The first time my DS was just shy of 8 months, just like Meredith. Instead of putting any of his feeding stuff in the diaper bag I made a "meal kit" using a toiletries bag from Wal-Mart (similar to a Fleurville Escape Pod concept) I stuffed this small bag each day with a couple of jars of food (with little containers of cereal to thicken it up just like you do! although I just gave him a couple of bites first then mixed it in the jar), take and toss spoons, bibsters, plastic placemats, a washcloth in a zip-loc (for me nohing works as well as a good old wet washcloth for face clean-up), a bottle with three disposable liners filled with formula powder and an extra nipple, clorox wipes, wet ones, and some cheerios. Our first trip with DS was very relaxed and we really took it at his pace. We rarely spent more than half a day at the parks since he was crawling, pulling up, and starting to cruise at that age - we felt like he needed some decent time outside of the stroller every day and spent some fun family time back at the room and around the resort. Oh, and another thing to remember on the changing pads, and on the bowls for that matter - there are great baby centers at each of the parks that have changing tables with paper liners and paper bowls (and other necessities including bottled water at all except MGM). I think between our two trips so far we have only changed DS once in a public bathroom, otherwise we just head for the baby center.

Have a great trip!

 

[justhat]

Kristin your post reminded me of something. I forgot to mention that on our trip at 9 months, my daughter was getting ready to walk on her own so she wanted to be mobile whenever possible. What we did was find places in the park where Madison could move around a bit-like Playhouse Disney at MGM, Innoventions, Imagination Lab in Epcot, etc. We rarely went back to the room on that trip (actually we've rarely gone back to the room on any trip with her so far, at 3,4,6, and 9 months) and she was okay as long as we switched from keeping her in the stroller, to the Baby Bjorn, to a bit of playtime on the ground in a safe place.

This time we're going to try out the playground in Toontown for kids under 40 inches (I think that's the height limit). I never knew it was there before as we hardly ever that far into Toontown, but I read about it on this board when we got back from our last trip and I want to check it out on this trip. Madison's 13 months now and a pretty good walker/runner, so I've ordered a fanny pack for her that can attach to a fanny pack I can wear so tha she can walk a bit on her own when it's not too crowded. She's good about holding my hand most of the time, but occasionally she wants to let go and walk on her own so I thought this would be a safe way for her to do it.

 

[Colinsmom]

If you use disposable bottle liners, just carry four clean nipples in a ziploc bag (rather than a bottle brush and dish detergent) each day. Wash them out each night at the hotel.

I'd definitely do disposable changing pads, but then I find the reusable ones to be incredibly gross (put it on a public changing table and then shove it back in the diaper bag?? ewwwww). They are easy to unfold one-handed. Though we didn't do many changes in public bathrooms at Disney, we usually just did them in the stroller, turned away from the crowds for privacy.

And I used a Duo at WDW for diapers, etc., and figured that if it was stolen, oh well - we'd buy a few diapers at the baby care center and we'd be set. Like I said, we carried all valuables with us, just left behind the things that were pretty replaceable (wouldn't ruin our day or our trip if they disappeared).

 

[KristinU]

Justhat - thanks for the tip on the playground in Toontown! I had no clue it was there, admittedly we hardly ventured into Toontown when we were doing Disney as a couple. We're going back down in May, so we'll for sure check out Toontown this time! Theo is like Madison - walking and running everywhere now, climbing too - so he should like it!

I gotta say - I love this board! Thanks!

 

[ninaeve]

justhat - Where did you find the child fanny pack connecting set?
Is it sold online?

TIA

 

[justhat]

Yep. I got it at Inventive Parent . It's called the O Pair . It actually hasn't arrived yet cause I just ordered it Monday, but they called to say it's on it's way to me yesterday so it should be here soon. They have 3 styles, and they're really cute, so I figured it's better than one of those leashes/harnesses.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Wow, you are organized.

My 3rd child is lucky if I remember his diapers. Our last trip was 9 days and I never even carried an extra change of clothes. (He was 2 1/2)

ETA: I'm laughing at myself. It's amazing how much I have changed during the last 10 years as a mother. Thanks for the smile.

Lori

 

[ptslp]

We are going April 6-11 with a 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. The only thing I am planning on bringing that you didn't mention was a light blanket to cover over the stroller if the canopy doesn't cover her enough to protect her from the sun (probably mostly when she is napping!).

I love the two bag idea. About the disposable changing pads- I never used them, but very rarely change a diaper on a restroom changing table. I usually will find a quiet corner or go in the restroom with my stroller and recline the seat and change the diaper- then I don't have to touch the changing table.

I am going to look for those fruit and cereal jar foods- anyone know what brands have them? I usually use Earth's Best and Tender Harvest, but will use something else for a few days if it makes it easier. Also, what is a good store to buy baby food, diapers, etc. in near WDW? We are planning to buy most of our disposable baby stuff there, rather than carting it in our luggage!

Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

Wow, you are organized.

My 3rd child is lucky if I remember his diapers. Our last trip was 9 days and I never even carried an extra change of clothes. (He was 2 1/2)

ETA: I'm laughing at myself. It's amazing how much I have changed during the last 10 years as a mother. Thanks for the smile.

Lori

Wow, I am with you - the biggest I ever carried was the lands end daytripper, very small. A couple diapers, a change of clothes in a zip lock, one bottle with many disposable liners, sectional powder formula dispenser and some palmolive squares! Maybe, a few envelopes of cereal, I probably7 could have fit this in my fanny pack! I was a pro at finding applesauce, mashing a bananna or cutting some melon - much better than any jar. At least in my day (my kids are a ripe 8 and 10!).

To the OP - go for it an have a great trip, but whatever you don't use on day 1 ditch it and whatever you don't use on day 2, ditch it. Worked for my sil and she still thanks me now, her dear ones are 1 and 3.

Now my must have list includes: A raincover for the stroller and a clip on fan - great for hot days and white noise. Those two things worked wonders and saved us many a day.

TJ

 

[dismom9761]

I bought Gerber and Heinz fruit and cereal.Also if you can't find 2nd foods the third size is the same texture.I would just feed half to her.

 

[mary174]

One thing you might want to consider is a plastic bag or two to hold soiled clothes or used nipples if you use that idea. You might want to reconsider carrying tylenol with you. We ended up buying some tylenol for my 4 y/o at the Grand Floridian, right before cancelling our ps for 1900 Park Fare. He had fallen asleep in his stroller at MK. When he woke up on the monorail we realized he had a fever. We were a monorail and then a bus ride away from Pop Century, and that seemed too long a wait for us.

 

[grlpwrd]

grlpwrd -- I'm bringing Tylenol and our thermometer but think I'll leave them in the resort. Is there anything else I should bring? DD has never been sick (knock on wood). I'll also be including her sunscreen in this bag too.

Yes, baby Tylenol and thermometer plus a nasal aspirator in case of congestion, bandaids/neosporin and other supplies like that, tweezers, phone numbers to the clinics/hospitals/doctors nearby, learn CPR/1st aid if you haven't yet, etc.

I would bring these along, especially the baby Tylenol and thermometer. We were on a ski trip in the mountains when my oldest was 18mo and it was not fun trying to look for a store open at such a late hour. Be prepared.

 

[KerriMc]

When we went with our DDs' last year (at 3 yrs and 8 mos) the youngest came down with RSV while we were there. She had very high fevers and the fastest relief for her was Feverall suppositories. It was very easy to use them on her as she was so young. This year she again became sick (vomitting and high fevers for four days). I used the Feveralls again, but this time she resisted them and it wasn't as easy! As well, I had brought liquid Gravol (Canadian) just in case, but she couldn't keep it down. I went out to see if I could buy Gravol suppositories, but in the US they don't sell it. You have to have a prescription to get an anti-nauseant for a child. So anyways ... next year I will have these with me (the Gravol supp. JUST IN CASE).

As with all of your other stuff ... you are WELL prepared! Boy do you change when you get a second one, but I'm still too highly organized for my own good. I try to remember each and EVERY thing ... but dh TRIES to remind me that we aren't going to another planet ... if I do forget something we can BUY it!!

Oh ... loved the cereal mixed with fruit already in jars, as well as those little cereal treats that Gerber has. Easy snack for little ones. We don't get them here so I used to stock up on them in the US. Loved the bibsters too ... but Olivia now pulls them off as the velcro isn't strong enough. Also I LOVE those placemats that you can carry with you and stick them to the table and then toss after as they aren't eating there food directly off a table (I didn't have them this time as again they seem to only be found in the U.S. ... I worry she picked her bug up this way, despite wiping her area down before she ate ... but it was more than likely on the airplane that she came in contact with it).

Don't worry about a bag with diapers in your stroller. There are hundreds of strollers everywhere with bags. We left the diapers, change of clothes, some snacks, etc in the stroller and just kept the absolute essentials with us for lines as you'll get sick of lugging stuff really fast!

Have a great trip
Kerri

 

[justhat]

We are going April 6-11 with a 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. The only thing I am planning on bringing that you didn't mention was a light blanket to cover over the stroller if the canopy doesn't cover her enough to protect her from the sun (probably mostly when she is napping!).

I love the two bag idea. About the disposable changing pads- I never used them, but very rarely change a diaper on a restroom changing table. I usually will find a quiet corner or go in the restroom with my stroller and recline the seat and change the diaper- then I don't have to touch the changing table.

I am going to look for those fruit and cereal jar foods- anyone know what brands have them? I usually use Earth's Best and Tender Harvest, but will use something else for a few days if it makes it easier. Also, what is a good store to buy baby food, diapers, etc. in near WDW? We are planning to buy most of our disposable baby stuff there, rather than carting it in our luggage!

Thanks!

We used Earth's Best, Tender Harvest, and Healthy Times, but they don't make the cereal and fruit mixed. Gerber and Beech Nut do, so we'd be the jarred cereal by them. Plus, they didn't have Earth's Best or Healthy Times at the Publix we stopped at so I was glad we had given her other types before the trip. They may have had Tender Harvest, I'm not sure . We just got one jarred cereal for each day and then a vegetable for dinner since at that point she was much happier eating whatever we ate for dinner rather than her jarred stuff. But then again, she was never a huge fan of the jarred stuff.

 

[long4disney]

We have traveled many, many times with little ones, and the best advice I can give is to forget the nice bag to take with you to the parks. I always felt funny leaving my stuffed diaper bag with my stroller, thinking someone would take it. What we have done the last few trips was still bring the regular diaper bag on the plane with you with all your stuff. When you are ready to start your day at the park, we would just pack a big ziplock bag with diapers, the pampers size convience pack of wipes, and the Huggies disposable changing pads, and just put it in the bottom basket of the stroller. We used another zip lock bag and put the empty bottles with the powdered formula in them, and some bottled water, and a few jars of baby food with the disposable bibs and spoons. By the end of the day, we didn't have anything to clean up, except to wash out the bottles. We also just placed another zip lock with a change of clothes, sun hat, and sun screen and every day that bag stayed in the stroller since we never needed to use the change of clothes.

I would only carry a fanny pack with our money, and tickets and camera so that was always with us. If you don't have a bag in your stroller basket or hanging on the handle, and all you have is baby items in the zip locks, you don't have to worry about leaving them while you are on the rides!

We saved ourselves a lot of aggravation!

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[justhat]

justhat - Where did you find the child fanny pack connecting set?
Is it sold online?

TIA

Just wanted to say that it arrived today and is super cute and Madison wore it with no problem! I was a little worried cause she loves to undress, and 'loose' items like bibs, hats, and socks are her primary targets! She didn't even seem to notice it anymore than her regular clothes, luckily. We walk a lot at home since we live in DC so driving is not that easy so it should come in handy a lot here too.