Do you and/or your kids use a Camelbak in the parks?

[KelseyLaPerle]

We're going to August and are not accustomed to heat and humidity. The kids are 7.5 and 4.5. Just wondering if a Camelbaks are a good idea.

Any insight is really appreciated!

 

[miami305]

No. DH simply carried bottled water in an insulated bag inside of a comfy backpack. As the bag was emptied, various things the we bought were added to the backpack. I did see 2 little girls with camel backpacks. They were adorable, but they might as well have carried kiddie backpacks with a couple bottles of water.

 

[Missy13d69]

I think the kids size bags only come in "1 hour" hydration capacity, so that's something to think about. I know my kids would be amused by the novelty and would drink from it almost constantly causing the need for extra bathroom and refill stops.

 

[RMAMom]

My husband and I do. He carries a backpack with a spot for the camelback and in the morning we fill it with ice and add a little water and it stays cold most of the day.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I depends on the "bladder" you get. They come in all sizes. we have the small back pack and it's great! We fill it with ice in the am and continue throughout the day.

 

[iheartdisney]

Yep, always! (and I sneak a few cans of Dr. Pepper in under the bladder so the ice water can keep them cool!)
We use one for the whole family. I wear it and we drink as we go. Fill it to the top with ice, then with cold water, so as you refill it as needed with fountain water it'll still be cold.

 

[HoliPoli]

deleted

 

[Wcpedorc]

In my 3 previous August trips the camelbak was a Godsend! Fill it with ice, add water, and as the day goes on just add the free ice water from counter service places, you can't go wrong. And they make back packs, waist packs, even make them with extra storage capacity to hold all of your stuff if you want.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I have several Camelbaks but do not bring them to the park due to their size (even the smaller ones feel bulky to us in the heat and humidity). I am going to bring BPA-free foldable water bottles this trip. They are made of durable plastic and can be attached to your park bag and they will fit into your purse (or backpack). It stands just like a regular bottle when filled and when you're done with it it can be rolled, folded or flattened!! My DS has been using one for camp this summer and it's been easy to carry and use! Only problem is you can't fit ice cubes or chips in it throughout the day but you CAN fill it up and freeze it the night before like you would bottles!

 

[Svhadden]

We absolutely LOVE our Camelbak (Octane) We fill it with ice water, and refill as needed. Stays cold all day, and we're drinking more simply because it's so convenient. Our Camelbak has travelled all over the northern hemisphere, and we couldn't do without it. I don't like toting water bottles around, and my kids just won't tote them. We go in Sept, so it's still quite hot. We NEED to be drinking, and the Camelbak helps us do that.

 

[candielips]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!
We have had ours for a year now and wish we would have gotten it sooner. It is a godsend for our family which consists of a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old.
We do the same as previous posters with the ice in the morning.
We only carry one for our entire family and it really is so much nicer than having water bottles.

 

[donac]

We just got out our camelbacks for the trip in AUg. I just bought a new belt bag one. WE Have the smallest bags with 1.5 liters. With ice in the bladder your back gets cooled off. We would not think of going without them. I know ds2 is bringing one for him and his gf to share. I have my own and dh will have his own. I think ds1 is bringing one for him and his gf.

THe bags we bring are small but big enough to fit our ponchos.

 

[tzolkin]

We always use a hydration backpack (or two) in the parks.

As others have said, fill with ice in the morning and then refill with free cups of ice water throughout the day. I think the one we usually use holds 2 or 3 liters of water, so honestly we usually just add some ice once during the day maybe when we stop for lunch.

Ours is smaller than a regular backpack and more comfortable because it sits higher on your back. It also doesn't make you as sweaty since it's filled with ice.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

My family of 5 has 4 Camelbaks for Disneyland and Great America. We love taking them and having our own personal water supplies and everyone is responsible for their own. I personally drink a gallon of water a day so when mine is empty I'm slurping off someone elses. Also, ours are able of holding stuff. DH has the biggest, then mine, them the 13 and 9 year olds. Those along with DH cargo shorts and we are golden. When 1 year old turns 4 we will probably get her one as well. In very sensitive to heat and have never had a hard time carrying my water, and I've never heard the girls complain either. Hope that helps!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

In very sensitive to heat and have never had a hard time carrying my water, and I've never heard the girls complain either. Hope that helps!

Guess what I should have said was in the heat and humidity of August, we already have enough to carry (Epipens, fans, etc.), so even a Camelbak becomes too much. That's why we're doing foldables. Or maybe we're just lazy.