Do I really need a backpack for disneyland?

[seagodess]

My family (DH, DS (5yr) and I) will be going to Disneyland in May. I have been reading all kinds of advise of things to do, bring and everything I can think of. One thing I have noticed a lot is that people talk about bringing a back pack or some sort of bag to bring all kinds of things. I dont want to have to deal with carring a bag of stuff around and I imagain it would get in the way for rides and stuff. I was thinking of just sticking most things in my pockets and the landyard pocket thing. Phone, tickets, hotel key, etc. I have a small camera and a case that will connect to a belt loop. I was also going to get a tiny bottle of sun block that has the connecter thing to. Our hotel is right across the street and we will be going back there around lunch time to eat and take a little rest. If we buy stuff we will probably wait until we leave for lunch or for the night. Is there anything else I am missing or any other reason I might need to bring a bag? When DH and I went 7 years ago we didn't have a need for a bag or anything.

 

[sonnyjane]

I like to use one of those smaller drawstring backpacks, like this: http://www.sportsauthority.com/prod...-1B5B-E011-BB8E-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

They definitely don't get in the way on rides. In fact they even fit in the pouches on Indy, Screamin' etc. no problem. I usually like to have a long sleeve shirt for the cool mornings and evenings, so I roll that up and put it in the bag along with my wallet, phone, chapstick, sunscreen, and a bottle of water that I refill throughout the day. I can say with confidence that I'd rather have a small bag than full pockets. They don't get in the way on rides at all.

 

[Karenann*]

You can take in as much or as little as you want. I travel light-a small over the shoulder little wallet that fits money, passes, cell phone and that's it. My tiny camera is in my pocket. I don't carrry stuff for my 5 kids and if we don't have it we don't need it! We also go back to the hotel for breaks. Other families needs may be different travelling with young children or packing in snacks etc and staying in the parks for the whole day. I prefer to not carry anything.

 

[chttyangel]

I have three kids and personally like to bring a small backpack instead of a purse. I don't go crazy but I have found it useful to put in my money, tickets, camera, room key. The kids will put in anything they buy (not big stuff but a souviner cup or popcorn bucket) or their sweatshirts when they get hot. I just do a small one so I can put between my feet on rides.

 

[SpaceMan5]

I would opt to take a backpack of some type. What I carry in the pack has changed over the years as my kids have gotten older. This last time it was mainly for carrying water bottles, video camera, hand sanitizer and the all important snacks. We all know that our kids will pick the most inopportune time to be hungry or thristy

 

[mommamonster]

What do you do with them on the mountain rides - wear or put between your feet, or are you even allowed to bring them on the coasters? I am trying to figure out what to do about my bag situation, I need a bag big enough to carry a few "diaper bag" items for my 2 year old, and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable leaving a bag with the stroller when we ride. Of course, whoever(me or DH) is with the little one and not on the coaster could hold the bag...I just was curious. thanks!

 

[seagodess]

I would opt to take a backpack of some type. What I carry in the pack has changed over the years as my kids have gotten older. This last time it was mainly for carrying water bottles, video camera, hand sanitizer and the all important snacks. We all know that our kids will pick the most inopportune time to be hungry or thristy

DS actually never asks for snacks unless he is board. Sometimes if he is busy or having a lot of fun he doesn't even want to stop to eat all day. So bringing snacks is not really something I'm worried about.

 

[sonnyjane]

What do you do with them on the mountain rides - wear or put between your feet, or are you even allowed to bring them on the coasters? I am trying to figure out what to do about my bag situation, I need a bag big enough to carry a few "diaper bag" items for my 2 year old, and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable leaving a bag with the stroller when we ride. Of course, whoever(me or DH) is with the little one and not on the coaster could hold the bag...I just was curious. thanks!

You can't wear them, but you can put them by your feet. Most of the coasters have pouches that accommodate purses and small backpacks, and if they don't fit, the floor works fine, even on Screamin' when you go upside down.

 

[mrswh]

On our most recent trip, I went to the parks a few times with just my room key, AmEx, tickets and phone in my back pockets. But I was wearing jeans. With shorts, I find that things tend to slide out of my pockets on rides and that's just asking for trouble. I bring the backpack if we are starting early and I need somewhere to put the sweatshirts when it gets hot, and vice versa in the afternoon. I also like to bring hand sanitizer and at night we bring glow bracelets/necklaces. I'd say have a backpack available (I bring one on the plane anyway so it's nothing extra for me) and bring it if you think you need it. Even when our kids were little and we had to carry diapers and bottles, we didn't have a problem with the backpack on rides.

 

[scoker]

I think if I was traveling without a child I wouldn't need a bag at all...I travel light. When I'm on the road with the kiddo I use a Baggallini messenger bag. The thing is awesome. Lightweight, comfortable, durable and fairly inexpensive. I like to have somewhere I can toss our sunglasses, tissues ect. without feeling like I've got a sack fit for a hiking expedition.

 

[SpaceMan5]

DS actually never asks for snacks unless he is board. Sometimes if he is busy or having a lot of fun he doesn't even want to stop to eat all day. So bringing snacks is not really something I'm worried about.

I wish I was as lucky as you....

 

[mommamonster]

Thanks for the super fast replies! I'm glad to hear backpacks work, that way DH and I can trade off wearing it, and it won't hurt my shoulder/neck like a large purse/diaper bag would.

 

[Gisele]

While some people prefer to carry backpacks, which personally I cannot stand the idea of doing; after all I am not going hiking nor camping. I prefer the bag that I purchased several years ago at Target which is a messenger style bag. It was sold in the back to school section. And it has served me well over the course of several trips to the land. Everything that I care to bring with me fits just fine in it. And the pattern on the front flap is cute. I know that the design pattern and colors has nothing to do with the function, but I like it. I don't care for boring looking anything. This style bag is lightweight, durable and comfortable to wear either across your body or on the shoulder. And it won't make you look nor feel like your out on a mountain man back woods kind of trek. Anyway, look into that type of bag, you may find it most suitable for your needs. Have a fantabulous time

~~ I love you Phil and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[mrsw94]

What do you do with them on the mountain rides - wear or put between your feet, or are you even allowed to bring them on the coasters? I am trying to figure out what to do about my bag situation, I need a bag big enough to carry a few "diaper bag" items for my 2 year old, and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable leaving a bag with the stroller when we ride. Of course, whoever(me or DH) is with the little one and not on the coaster could hold the bag...I just was curious. thanks!

We've traveled with little guys the last few times and I've always packed 2 'bags'. One is a sling-style purse (accross the chest) that I can hang on the back of the stroller while walking that has my wallet, key, and camera in it. In the stroller I keep a separate bag with snacks, diaper change stuff, extra clothes, etc. My theory being, I take the purse with me on rides and leave the bag in the stroller. If someone steals it, it's not the end of the world, and I don't have to lug it with me on every ride.

I hope that makes sense!

 

[mommamonster]

We've traveled with little guys the last few times and I've always packed 2 'bags'. One is a sling-style purse (accross the chest) that I can hang on the back of the stroller while walking that has my wallet, key, and camera in it. In the stroller I keep a separate bag with snacks, diaper change stuff, extra clothes, etc. My theory being, I take the purse with me on rides and leave the bag in the stroller. If someone steals it, it's not the end of the world, and I don't have to lug it with me on every ride.

I hope that makes sense!

Totally makes sense, you said almost word-for-word what my friend does when her family goes. I consider doing it that way, since it really isn't a big deal if our old-as-dirt diaper bag was stolen but I'm debating whether or not to bring the big stroller or a little umbrella style one that will fit in our vehicle easier for our drive down. Thank you for your input!

 

[mrsw94]

Totally makes sense, you said almost word-for-word what my friend does when her family goes. I consider doing it that way, since it really isn't a big deal if our old-as-dirt diaper bag was stolen but I'm debating whether or not to bring the big stroller or a little umbrella style one that will fit in our vehicle easier for our drive down. Thank you for your input!

You bet! We always end up bringing our big stroller for 2 reasaons. We can cram a bunch of 'stuff' in it sweatshirts, diaper bag, cooler with snacks. Plus, I I think it's a little comfier for my son (our years ago, daughter) are more comfortable, and if really tired at the end of the day, can lay down. One year we had our 7 year old daughter in the stroller and her 2 year old brother in the Ergo at the end of a long day!!

 

[kazbar]

I try and take as little as possible.

We travel with our three kids and we feed them a good breakfast in the morning, a good lunch and a good dinner and they don't need snacks. If they get thirsty we either buy a drink and share it (its no good once it gets hot anyway) or ask for a free cup of water from any of the food places.

We used to take all the extra jackets, water bottles, snacks etc etc but I just ended up having to carry everyones stuff and we never usually used it anyway.

If you are going back to your hotel at lunchtime then you should easily be able to get by without a bag for a few hours.

Have fun

 

[Geemo]

I have used this for our trips. It has two zip pouches and the clear plastic front has a velcro flap. It holds all the stuff I need for the day.

 

[bumbershoot]

DS actually never asks for snacks unless he is board. Sometimes if he is busy or having a lot of fun he doesn't even want to stop to eat all day. So bringing snacks is not really something I'm worried about.

Ahhhh, the life. If DS and DH go too many hours without something their blood sugar goes all wonky and they become absolute bears.

After the day when we all let the day pass us by and suddenly realized (when DS was having a massive tantrum and DH was about to have one right back at him) that it was nearly 9 and we hadn't eaten since lunch....we bring protein bars.

We also bring water, b/c even though counter service places are happy to give you water, sometimes the lines are LONG and you just don't want to wait for the water.

You can't wear them, but you can put them by your feet. Most of the coasters have pouches that accommodate purses and small backpacks, and if they don't fit, the floor works fine, even on Screamin' when you go upside down.

Absolutely, and YAY for physics! I hold onto the handle of my backpack on Screamin', but it's not for the upside down part, as things actually get "sucked" to the floor of the car during that moment...I hold it because of the rest of the ride!




Even on a solo trip/day/hour or two I almost always have a bag. My camera isn't tiny, I bring a good bottle of sunscreen, I bring water, I bring a mojo bar or two...I want to be prepared! And last December, when I went wihtout the sunscreen, despite it being chilly, I got sunburned. Gah.

 

[nikkislaght]

I know they went out of fashion a few years ago, but use a fanny pack,
I bought one for my son so he can carry his own things which will relieve me of some of his crap and make my pack lighter...
I take lunch , snacks. drinks. camera. and jacket oh and my meds..