Do you have your children carry backpacks? How do you carry everything?

[AngieInOH]

My initial thought was I'd have each of us carry a backpack (DD6, DD6, DS15). We're going in Jan so I figure coats in the morning and evening will be likely. I'm now having second thoughts. The thought of keeping track of 5 backpacks just seems like it would be a hassle.

Now considering either 2 bigger backpakcs or renting a double stroller so we can stuff everything in the basket and the girls will have some place to rest.

Thoughts anyone???

 

[kamik86]

I would suggest getting thinner coats if you really think you will need them. My DH has a coat from LL bean that folds into its own pocket. Carrying 5 of those (especially with two of them being small childrens) in one bag would be easy.

Otherwise depending on where you live you might not need them even in the morning. I live in Massachusetts and only needed a sweatshirt when ig got dark. DH never needed them at all.

 

[tabrizia]

We're bringing fleece Disney jackets for the kids. I doubt it will get cold enough to need more in January, we're from DC though so real winter coats don't come out until the low 40 or lower.

I am doing 1 backpack and a single stroller for us, I have a 4, 6 and 8 year old.

 

[powellrj]

I always had the rule you want it you carry it. It was surprising how the things THEY JUST HAD TO TAKE was much shorter when they had to carry it.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We are a family of 4 with kids 13 & 11. We carry one backpack which DH & I trade off with throughout the day. We roll up lightweight jackets in the bag as needed. On shorter trips into the park - like for MVMCP- we use a string backpack instead of the bigger one. We like having one bag to manage with enough room for items we don't want to carry around.

 

[AngieInOH]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Leaning towards 1 backpack or maybe 2.

 

[jevs]

I have a handbag and we take one backpack which we chop and change who wears it. Kids are 9,9,12.

 

[puffkin]

We're bringing fleece Disney jackets for the kids. I doubt it will get cold enough to need more in January, we're from DC though so real winter coats don't come out until the low 40 or lower.

I am doing 1 backpack and a single stroller for us, I have a 4, 6 and 8 year old.

Obviously check the weather each morning, but it can get VERY cold at Disney. I have been in MK when it was 22 degrees out (if anyone remembers Dec 2010 they know what I am talking about). Also, 45-50 degrees doesn't sound that bad being from the Northeast, but it just feels colder in Florida. Plus you are outside for much longer stretches of time.

I think 1 backpack and layers is your best bet...but I also like the idea of the stroller. You might be glad to have a place for the girls to rest and it has the added benefit of holding all your stuff. But in general, we try to take as little as possible into the parks.

 

[tabrizia]

Obviously check the weather each morning, but it can get VERY cold at Disney. I have been in MK when it was 22 degrees out (if anyone remembers Dec 2010 they know what I am talking about). Also, 45-50 degrees doesn't sound that bad being from the Northeast, but it just feels colder in Florida. Plus you are outside for much longer stretches of time.

We'll be bringing our winter coats too, because it will be about 30 degrees colder on average at home then at Disney. I am hoping we stay close to their normal averages for that time period so we don't have to worry about them in the parks though.

 

[aunties]

I was there Jan '14. I'm from MA so I am used to the cold. The day we went to Epcot was so cold there were small patches of ice on the ground in the morning. I spent the entire day with my winter jacket zipped all the way up and wishing I had brought my mittens too. The good news - the cold kept a lot of people out of the park. Soarin' was a walk on. In fact, they were waiting for people to get in line. A couple days earlier, it was seasonably warm through most of the day but by mid-afternoon, the temperature dropped 20+ degrees rapidly. A lot of guests were trying to buy sweatshirts and blankets to keep warm. It was pretty cold in Jan '05 as well. We heard so many people complaining that all they brought were t-shirts and shorts.

 

[DisneyOma]

My initial thought was I'd have each of us carry a backpack (DD6, DD6, DS15). We're going in Jan so I figure coats in the morning and evening will be likely. I'm now having second thoughts. The thought of keeping track of 5 backpacks just seems like it would be a hassle.

Now considering either 2 bigger backpakcs or renting a double stroller so we can stuff everything in the basket and the girls will have some place to rest.

Thoughts anyone???

I myself would not want to schlepp a bunch of stuff around or deal with a double stroller. Have everyone dress in layers (roll up capris/zip shorts are great) and when it gets warm, wrap the outer layer around the waist. The 15 year old could keep his stuff in his own backpack, or string bag, and the younger kids could carry their own small string bags too. My kids had backpacks (small ones) when they were 5 years old. The string bags can stay on for most rides, so no need to 'keep track' of anything. If you keep the bags small and light, they fit in ride compartments much better too.

 

[holden]

I think lockers are available at all parks, so you could use store your jackets if you take them off. We gave up carrying a backpack a few years ago. Our kids are 12 and 8. I carry a cross-body phone case for my phone and that's it.

 

[AngieInOH]

Thanks everyone. We're from Ohio so we will be wearing winter coats down there (hopefully we won't have to use them!) The backpacks I was looking at were very lightweight, more like a string bag but had straps to wear as a backpack. But I definitely don't want to keep track of 5 of them. So the backpacks for everyone is out!! DH suggested getting the stroller for the kids. Again this sounds great but lugging that thing around doesn't sound appealing, we're still discussing this. Yes, we will dress in layers but I really don't want to be tying sweatshirts and jackets around our waist. Sounds like I need to do a trial pack to see how much I can pack into one backpack to see if we need a second one!

 

[maxiesmom]

If you want to bring sweaters or coats along, rent a locker for them. Or have them worn tied around the waist. Much better than turning mom and dad into pack mules.

 

[DisneyOma]

Thanks everyone. We're from Ohio so we will be wearing winter coats down there (hopefully we won't have to use them!) The backpacks I was looking at were very lightweight, more like a string bag but had straps to wear as a backpack. But I definitely don't want to keep track of 5 of them. So the backpacks for everyone is out!! DH suggested getting the stroller for the kids. Again this sounds great but lugging that thing around doesn't sound appealing, we're still discussing this. Yes, we will dress in layers but I really don't want to be tying sweatshirts and jackets around our waist. Sounds like I need to do a trial pack to see how much I can pack into one backpack to see if we need a second one!

Why would you have to keep track of 5 backpacks - your adult husband and 15 year old son can keep track of their own bags, and 6 year olds can handle a sweatshirt around the waist, IMO. You won't need jackets and sweatshirts, just one or the other.

 

[DisneyCAL]

I don't see a problem with having kids use backpacks. Our twins on this past trip were 5years old and each had a small backpack that used to have harness/leash for when we went when they were 2 years old. This time they just used the backpack and it fit sunglasses, poncho, snack, and water bottle.
Just keep the contents simple and the same each day and won't be a hassle.

 

[1girln3boys]

When we went in Feb we had light jackets. We carried a small back pack that the jackets would fit into but we would place them in a locker till it got cold then go get them out.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We utilize lockers so we can bring in what we want, but not be stuck lugging everything everywhere.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Jackets and sweatshirts have arms so you can tie them around your waist. That's what we usually did when our son was younger. When he got older, he carried his own stuff. And we didn't carry any backpacks at all. We loop our ponchos over our waist bands or belts.

 

[Accident]

The lockers you can rent at the entrance of every park are great way to bring what you might need but not have to carry it around..