Do you take a backpack to the parks?

[nataliesdaddy]

Originally posted by gw_lit
We're going to WDW in May and we're trying to figure out how to haul everything for our 2 DS (5 & 2), I know we'll have a stroller. This may be a stupid question, but what do you do with those backpacks on rides? I know I'm not leaving it in the parked stroller while we go through the queue for rides.

I don't know, the unit I had was great and not in the least bit inconvenient - it unsnaps fast - holds tons - and could be worn in front or back - th quick release and size easily fit into any ride or harness system at disney or seaworld

 

[LadyAurora]

I have never taken a backpack yet. I use a fanny pack, and I include a camera, film, cell-phone, passes, ID, and health insurance card, wipes, chapstick, sunglass case. This way, before we enter the park, we can put everything (including the fanny pack) and shove it into our pockets so as to avoid the security line.
However, next rainy season, or next time we take kids with us, I plan to have a small backpack for poncho carrying and to avoid having the kids argue about who has to carry what.

 

[NMAmy]

Jeepers! I had no idea I traveled so light. We're big believers in pockets--if I can't shove it in a pocket, I don't take it! Sunglasses go on a cord around your neck and I tuck them inside my shirt when I'm on a ride. My husband usually has cargo shorts and my camera fits just fine in there. The only other thing we bring is my daughter's inhaler and cash, one credit card, ID's and room keys/passes.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Ok, I have 5 kids, 2 in diapers, so here's what I was thinking of taking:
1 Fanny pack - w/ room keys/cards, ps info, 1 set car keys (leave other in safe), some cash, driver's lic. & insurance card, camera/maybe film. Dh will have his wallet also.

1 back pack - diapers in a ziploc with air squished out (one bag for each size), wipes in ziploc, benadryl and med spoon in ziploc, epi pen, and inhaler for son, sunscreen in ziploc, sm. amount of tylenol both kid and adult, sm. container of tums/gas medicine (for my touchy stomach- sheesh, do we sound like a weakly bunch!), kleenex in ziploc, small flashlight, hand sanitizer in ziploc, stamps and address stickers (in my Disney notebook), and a few small first aid items.

1 small diaper bag - which works as an insulated cooler for bottled water, frozen juice bags, and snacks. I got this free at the hospital, hope not to lose it, but have a 2nd. one from my last baby.
I plan on leaving it in the bottom of my double stroller when we go in places, not dragging it in with us everytime.

Whew! There are 3 of us that can trade of carrying things or pushing the stroller, and a lot of times I hang the back pack on the stroller until I need to take it in somewhere. Are we nuts?

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by DisneyMom5
Are we nuts?

yes.

 

[JJS2K3]

Cargo shorts/pants - if it doesn't fit in one of those pockets it's not coming

DW uses a fanny pack - I'm not allowed to ask her to hold anything in it since I won't carry one

 

[k_k_100]

I cary a small purse or fanny pack with me at all times. In it I carry anything of value (camera, money & passes). I bring a bag that I really don't care about (a free one I got from the hospital) and put everything else in it (diapers, ponchos, snacks, etc) I leave that bag in the stroller when going on rides.

I never carry anything in my large bag that can't be replaced. I'd hate to have it stollen - It would be a major pain. If it was stollen the person who stole it would end up with some well used clothing, toddler snacks & diapers!

~Kim

 

[WeLuvBuzz]

It's great reading what you all take. I'm taking notes as I read! We're back pack people too. Having two small kids, one in diapers, we couldn't get by without a backpack!

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
I saw a couple of people with what appeared to be small rolling backpacks like some kids use in school. Looked like a great idea. I have COPD and any extra weight around my upper body is not too easy for me to deal with. Being on a strict diet being able to carry some healthy food for me to eat in the park would be great. I am going to start shopping around so I will have one for our next trip. I am assuming that a small one would be as easy to take on a ride as a large purse. Any thoughts?

Slightly Goofy

About 2-3 weeks ago I got a great buy on those rolling backpacks at Old Navy.... $3.97 each (marked down from around $35.00). They had grey/navy and grey/magenta. So go check it out. BUT they appear that they will be very heavy to carry as a backpack, so be prepared to roll it most of the time. I bought them for my kids to use as carry-on luggage for the trip to MCO. I figure they will just roll it most of the time.

 

[dmonroe]

We have been using ds's (4, now) backpack for the last 3 years. As he's gotten older, the contents have changed! (no diapers for the last 2 years! ) Usually it contains: the camera, extra film, the cam corder, extra tapes, bottles of water, juice, snacks, sunscreen, ponchos, and my passporter (which contains our passes, some cash, disney rewards dollars, maybe a credit card) The backpack never leaves my sight and is with me at all times!

On our next trip (December 2004) I guess we'll be adding a diaper bag to the mix! We'll be traveling with our new little one, who should be about 6 months old for the trip!

 

[markºoº]

My suggestion for those with young kids and a stroller is to consider a diaper bag which can be left in the stroller at times. Diapers, extra clothes, snacks, etc can go in there and you don't need to lug it around all day or take it on rides. Although I'm sure a very few people have had diaper bags stolen, it is a VERY SMALL risk.

When our kids were small, we took one diaper bag and one backpack for camera, video recorder and valuables. When DS was old enough he got a fanny pack for his autograph book, pen, and change for penny presses.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I agree. We are out of the diaper bag stage, but when we were in the thick of it (4 kids spread out over 11 years gave us 17 years of toddlers in the house ) we made sure to use an older, kind of ratty bag for a diaper bag that we wouldn't mind loosing.

Funny thing, no one want to steal an ugly bag smelling vaugley of lotion, powder and baby wipes.

 

[Hallo from Sweden]

Excuse my stupid question but english is not my native language, what is a fannypack ?
Annika

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Originally posted by Hallo from Sweden
Excuse my stupid question but english is not my native language, what is a fannypack ?
Annika

a Fannypack is like a minature backpack that is worn around the waste it is not worn with straps that go over the shoulders or with a full metal or plastic frame as with a real back pack. Another example is it is like a little purse with a zipper that is worn as a belt.

this would be an example of a fanny pack - "fanny" in english is slang for "butt"

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

If it's any help, 'Brits' call a 'fanny-pack' a BUMBAG. Just one of those strange differences between the USA and the UK!

You don't even want to KNOW waht a 'fanny' is in the UK!!!!!!

 

[fan_of_wdw]

Also known as a HIP PACK... a bag on a belt.

 

[tc]

Stephen and I are part of the minority that takes nothing into the park. He has cargo shorts, and we fill. Ponchos will even fit if needed. I have a Brita water bottle in an insulated carrier with a strap. Makes touring easy, and we breeze past the security lines. Of course, we have no kids, so no need for kid stuff.

We can put:
snacks;
ponchos;
camera;
Stephen's wallet;
chapstick;
insect repellent (wipes)(when needed); and
my little medicine case for enzymes I must take with every meal.

There's always room for more. Funny thing happened last September. Stephen had lost a lot of weight over the summer from cycling, and his shorts were a little loose. We had to invest in a belt because they kept falling down with the stuff in his pockets, lol .

 

[Hallo from Sweden]

How much do they charge you for a bottle of water or a soda in the parks ? Just trying to figure out wheater it´s worth carrying it around or not since this time of the year you won´t have to drink because of the heath.
When I go on vacations all over Europe I always carry what you call a fannypack for both convienance and safety reasons.
If I translate it from Swedish we call it a waistpack.
Annika

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Originally posted by Hallo from Sweden
How much do they charge you for a bottle of water or a soda in the parks ? Just trying to figure out wheater it´s worth carrying it around or not since this time of the year you won´t have to drink because of the heath.
When I go on vacations all over Europe I always carry what you call a fannypack for both convienance and safety reasons.
If I translate it from Swedish we call it a waistpack.
Annika

a water is 2 bucks