Do I really need a backpack for disneyland?

[PinkBudgie]

Years ago I used to bring some sort of large purse bag to all family outings and everyone gave me their stuff to carry- sunglasses, water, snacks, hotwheel cars...

Then I got smart. I got a tiny purse and said there was no more room in it. Then bought a backpack that DH could carry. He won't carry a purse, but he will carry a backpack.

Someone mentioned her son doesn't eat snacks except when he's bored. I just wanted to point out standing in line for an hour gets boring. Anyway, we bring a backpack even it's just DH and I because DH drinks a lot of water so we always have to bring water bottles. I have my little Baggalini wallet bag and I keep the camera and the APs and FPs. No more big bags for me!

Oh, one tip: when we ride with any bag, we put our leg through the strap. That way we won't forget to take it with us when we leave. I don't use the little pockets on the ride or I'd probably forget things.

 

[jilld11]

I also like to bring a smal messenger type bag. Even with a toddler, I find a can fit in a pack of kleenex type to go wipes, 2 diapers, camera, water bottle and wallet, etc. I do bring a small stroller with a small undercarriage for sweaters, etc., but please parents do not bring those huuuuge strollers or double strollers. They take up so much room, make it hard for people to get around and are just plain ginormous. You have to have room for others and be respectful. Just a thought

 

[Mama Who]

Our family policy is that Mom is not a pack mule. If you are old enough to be out of a stroller (4 or 5 in our family) then you are old enough to haul your own stuff.

I carry my purse which is a mini-backpack style which holds wallet, tickets, etc. but anything bigger than that is the responsibility of the person who wants it. I will put people's pin lanyards, sunglasses, etc. in my purse for the duration of a ride but that's it!

 

[jilld11]

Mama who. You are so correct, good for you. Mom is not a pack mule. I think I will show my kids your post so they know I am not the only who feels the same way

 

[Mugglemama]

After gazillions of trips into the parks WITH a backpack, we went in without anything for the first day of our most recent visit (3 days). It was our goal to just "wing it"...no plan, no stuff to carry, etc.

It was kind of the pits.

My goal was to try all the foods at Disneyland that everyone raves about that we've never tried. Turns out, 99% of what we ate was a total letdown. Plus, it was a gargantuan PITA to get water at restaurants when we weren't already there for meal-time (it just wasn't enough water without standing around and getting multiple refills, wasted our "ride" time, and just made for more time standing in line, overall).

Fortunately, our DLR visit was one part of a larger trip, so we had the insulated backpack that we generally take into the parks in our vehicle, we just hadn't packed it and taken it in on that 1st day. You can bet that we packed that puppy and brought it in the remaining 2 days. We hadn't been able to go to the grocery store to get sandwich-fixings, but we did have plenty of applesauce cups, and most of all, WATER. Lots and lots of water, lol. It was so much nicer to have it with us than having to go stand in line for it. Plus, it meant we were all definitely getting enough water...with all the walking it's easy to get dehydrated which leads to headaches and tummy "issues", etc...things that can easily take a lot of magic out of a day at Disneyland, IMHO.

My suggestion would be to bring a bag that you'd be willing to take in if you *had* to...leave it at the hotel the first day (or until your break on the first day), and then decide from there whether or not you want to keep going into the parks without it.

 

[krb2g]

I carry a backpack for my camera stuff + wallet / phone / poncho. If I didn't want to carry a lot of camera stuff, I wouldn't take the backpack and just go with pockets. Last trip I had my wallet on a lanyard, which ended up being a problem--it got caught on the backpack as I was getting ready to stow the backpack on Star Tours and apparently the wallet came off the lanyard entirely (it was attached with what I see now is an entirely insecure metal clip). I was walking out of Tomorrowland when I noticed I didn't have my wallet on my lanyard anymore. Thank goodness for the wonderful CMs at Star Tours who had it safe for me (and yes, we did stop at City Hall on our way out that day to leave many thanks)--but a word of warning: if you have more than one thing that goes over your head, make sure you're not going to get something caught!

 

[mouseymommy]

I found a small hard wallet type thing made to carry a smart phone. I used it to carry our phone, and my money, ID, tickets, and room key. I would just take this out of the stroller for the rides. We did bring some waters and snacks for the kids, and a couple diapers and a small container of wipes. I left these items loose in the bottom of the stroller though, because I hate having to pull my bag out for security. This way they just glanced down there and I was on my way again.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I now carry a small purse size backpack with my phone, wallet, camera, anything I wouldn't want to leave in a stroller. In our double jogger basket I have extra jackets, snacks, waters, diapers and wipes, etc. Ill also throw in a reusable shopping bag in case we need to ride the monorail or train or if we are using a shuttle to throw the stuff from the stroller in so we can fold it up. I used to put everything in a big backpack but it was a pain to take on rides and still maneuver a toddler or two. My older two are getting to the age where they can carry some of their own stuff, but it's usually easier just to put everyone's stuff under the stroller.

 

[donnishobson]

New to DLR. At WDW, there was a separate, faster line for those without bags. I usually use a passport case that hangs around my neck, but if it doesn't save any time, I might bring a small daypack. So is there a separate line for people without bags?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

New to DLR. At WDW, there was a separate, faster line for those without bags. I usually use a passport case that hangs around my neck, but if it doesn't save any time, I might bring a small daypack. So is there a separate line for people without bags?

I've never seen one.

 

[donnishobson]

Thanks. Great!

 

[BroBear]

I routinely carry a Ogio Spice daypack. Small backpack, no problem on rides, can keep sunscreen and other necessities at hand. Also carry pins for trading, sunglasses, etc. Allows for when we eat kids can take hats off, etc. and they don't get lost. I don't mind/notice the weight but I love the convenience.

It all depends on what you need/would do normally for small day trips. You could always put a small bag in the lockers and that way if you find you do need it throughout the day you can just pull it out.

 

[hurleysweety]

DH and I use a small drawstring backpack that we take turns "wearing". The number one thing in that backpack has, and always will be, bottled water. Sometimes we'll put up to four in there, usually frozen, and use them all day long. I can't stand paying the price for one bottled water when I can get a whole case for the same price. LOL. We also put everything in there when we go on rides so we don't risk losing phones, sunglasses, hats, etc. It also usually holds breakfast when we're at early morning rope drops - things like granola bars, protein bars and snacks like goldfish or wheat thins.

A couple times when we've been in the park for only a couple hours, we don't take the backpack and I always feel like something is missing. However, I'm also the type of person who always has a purse with them everywhere they go. Honestly, I think that is what determines what kind of bag and whats in it - it depends on what you use on a daily basis and what you are most comfortable with.

 

[mmlover74]

I use a backpack when we go to DL. Ziploc bag to hold wallet, camera, and anything else we don't want to get wet. Snacks and water (frozen and thawed)...with my son's allergies we can't buy most things at DL. long sleeve shirts if needed, but then they go in the bottom of the stroller

 

[scrapshappen]

I haven't read the entire thread because I only have a minute. But I have a bag kind of like this that I carry. It's perfect for my camera, phone, sunscreen, and a few small snacks.

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/terrace-mini-bag/94557?productid=1237328

My kids each carry a fanny pack with their own stuff in it. We have water bottle holder bags too that they can carry around. That way, no one has to carry a backpack. Here's the water carriers we have:

http://www.amazon.com/Bluewave-Insu...39525144&sr=8-6&keywords=water+bottle+carrier

 

[my3gyrlz]

I also like to bring a smal messenger type bag. Even with a toddler, I find a can fit in a pack of kleenex type to go wipes, 2 diapers, camera, water bottle and wallet, etc. I do bring a small stroller with a small undercarriage for sweaters, etc., but please parents do not bring those huuuuge strollers or double strollers. They take up so much room, make it hard for people to get around and are just plain ginormous. You have to have room for others and be respectful. Just a thought

I am one of those with the double strollers, being a single parent to a 3,4 and 14 year old, I do not have someone else to push another stroller around. My oldest daughter is usually with a friend, so yes i bring the limo and pack the heck out of it.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Here's what I use! http://www.ebags.com/product/baggal...4&adtype=pla&gclid=CNP4gO2oybACFQ5bhwodiVHRYQ

Cant say enough good things about my Baggallini! When we go out rides I can simply swing it around to my front, leave it as it and put the safety bar down with the bag at my side or on rides like Indiana Jones, just pop it in the front storage pocket.

 

[Astylla]

Last winter DH got stuck lugging around part of our luggage set as our day bag and while it had lots of room it got heavy after several days and hours and proved to be a bit bulky , so we went in search of other options this weekend before we leave. We went to REI and found a great assortment of options.

I was drawn to this one and I love it so far ! http://www.rei.com/product/805258/rei-nikole-day-bag-womens

Here are a few photos of the bag all filled up and ready for the park. Included are 20ish trail mix/granola bars , a canister of LAYS Stax , 2 24 oz soda bottles ( to be replaced with water just to give an idea of capacity) in addition to a spare pair of glasses in the zipper area , and a secured water bottle pocket on the side. There is still an additional zipper organizer spot in the front that will fit my cell phone , wallet or random extras. One of my favorite parts is the "security" pouch. A zipper compartment that lays against my back when being carried around to keep my wallet or valuables secured. It's small enough to bring on rides and sturdy enough to be tossed about. I'm super excited to use it this week !

Outside of Bag

Side view of bag

Inside of Bag

Another inside shot of Bag

 

[KateDrake]

I always bring a bag or backpack, but mostly because I feel like it means I spend less time waiting in line. We like to bring a Camelback full of ice water, which stays cool all day, and then I don't have to spend time finding a drinking fountain or waiting in line at a QS restaurant for water. Ours is quite small, just a water bladder with two mid-sized pockets, but I can fit baby wipes and snacks, etc. in it. It also fits stuff to keep my daughter occupied like a small coloring book and crayons, stickers, etc. We sometimes leave it at the stroller and sometimes take it, usually depending on how long the line is. If it's a long one, we know we'll need it. We've never had a problem on rides, it's always worked great for us! I would highly recommend carrying your own water, it is just so much more convenient.

 

[starshine514]

OP, for you, it sounds like the answer is probably 'no, you don't need one'. We carry one with sweatshirts, snacks (hats when we're roller-coastering it), autograph books, etc. My DD5 still uses a stroller at the park, so we toss it under there when moving about.

If you don't do a backpack/bag, you may want to look into the water bottle carriers.