First time without a stroller...

[klinlin]

so what do you lug to the parks and how do you lug it around. I loved not bringing a bag, and sticking jackets, and wipes in the bottom of the stroller. I dread carring a bag all day, and what do you do with it when on the rides?

 

[Tuliplvr]

We always bring a backpack and never had any problems on the rides

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Everytime I'v gone to the parks, we typically have 1 SMALL backpack for 3 or 4 of us. This includes water bottles, pochos, purse contents, snacks, diapers if needed, and possible change of clothing for babies/toddlers, etc. The backpack leaves you hands free, and most rides you can store it at your feet or in those mesh pockets in front of you.

I'm still a stroller girl myself though My youngest will be 5, and my oldest will be 8 and even they can get worn out and tired by the evening. So while we stopped bring our own to the parks, we do usually rent one at some point for my youngest. I've even seen much older kids in the doubles with their younger siblings (which I'm contemplating because my 8 year old is extrem small and petite- he looks like a 6 year old) and we have a 2 week Disney vaca planned. Not sure they can both last that long on their little legs!

 

[klinlin]

Last time my boys were 4 and 6, and we dusted off the sit and stand stroller for the trip. My husband thought I was crazy, ut we used it every day. This time boys will be 7 and 9, but it is still a lot of walking and a long day for them. Anybody rent strollers for this age group??

 

[Art 1]

I don't carry a thing. To me the tourists look silly carrying around their big bags.

 

[hildarumpole]

I used to carry a fanny pack , but got a new bag from ebags last year that I really love. It's called a Piazza day bag. I wear it cross body. It doesn't seem big, but it holds a ton of stuff. I don't even have to take it off for rides.

 

[tink20]

I just wanted to say, this past June (2009) DS was 7 and it was our first time without a stroller. He did fine. It was hot, so he did get tired, we took breaks when he needed them, and I had a water bottle for him. Looks like you are going in the fall, so you won't have to deal with the heat. I would just carry a small backpack. The boys could tie their jackets around their waste, and you could always rent a locker. Have Fun!

 

[Schmeck]

At WDW, bags go on the rides with you. There are net bags either under the seat or in front of you in the ride vehicle.

If the kids are old enough to walk, then you won't be lugging around a bag full of diapers/supplies anyways. All you need is sunscreen, water, and lots of money!

As stated above, swetshirts and jackets can be tied around each person's waist when not being worn. Kids can carry their own water in a small pack or on a lanyard. My kids have been carrying their own crap since they were 5.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

My dh usually carries a day pack with ponchos, water, our camera,snacks and jackets (we go in Jan). I carry a purse backpack with the tickets, a little notebook, wipes, first aid kit, some baggies with snacks and normal other purse stuff. My kids each have a small backpack with their autograph books, quarters and pennies to make pressed pennies, sunglasses and some snacks. We started divvying up the park supplies last year when the kids were 7. This way, my dh doesn't feel like a pack mule anymore. We always make sure to remind the kids to make sure they have their backpack after a ride or a break, and they actually like carrying their own stuff.

 

[diskids2]

The first time I did WDW without a stroller I really missed not having a place to "store the stuff". However, it was so much easier to be able to move from ride to ride without having to and retrieve it and to navigate around the busy parks.

I have a backpack that includes ponchos, water bottles, ..which for us is 4...one per person, sunscreen, and that's it. We take turns carrying it.

We all have a fanny pack which holds camera, lip balm, tickets, money, hand sanitizer, and small travel pack of tissues. If I stay at the Dolphin I carry a credit card for charges, if I stay at a disney owned hotel, I don't need to carry that.

 

[dobtia]

Depending on number and age of children we have found that being without a stroller is not horrible.

We have one son. Age 7. We have done great with no stroller. It is is easier at the trams, trains, monarails and the such. It is nice to not have to worry about parking the stroller.

If you carry a backpack you can go as heavy or as light as needed. I really think with more than one child the strollers are best way to go.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We just stopped using a stroller last year. My kids are 8 and 7 now. I too liked being able to leave jackets and water bottles in the stroller, and have found that I've taken less and less since the kids got older. Before, I had diapers and bottles and baby food. I take a backpack with me to WDW, and sometimes I carry it and sometimes I don't. I have a Canon Rebel digital camera that I sometimes take, and that I put in the backpack. Other days, when I take my smaller camera, I just carry what I can put in my pockets. I love being able to walk through the entrance with my family instead of having to go through the bag check lane.

Last year, I rented a stroller for the length of our stay, but didn't use it every day. My son, the 8 year old, is a trooper, but my daughter loses steam and the last thing I need on the trip is a whiny little girl. I'm not sure if the stroller coupons will be good this year, but I'll take them just in case.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Our last trip, in November 2009, was our first without a stroller. Our kids were 9, 7, 5, and 3 at the time.

We just carried around a backpack--it contained a couple small lunch boxes with sandwiches/snacks, a few water bottles (we would bring in a couple and then refill them at water fountains as needed--we only drink tap water at home so we didn't have a problem with tap water in FL, guide maps/small copy of our itinerary...and I think that's it!

Most of the time we'd just bring the backpack on with us. Our 3 year old was still too small for some of the rides (40 inches +) so if we were doing the child swap thing, whoever was staying behind with our son would keep the backpack too.

 

[poohscrew]

I don't carry a thing. To me the tourists look silly carrying around their big bags.

It may look silly to you but it sure does come in handy to have a backpack with some essentials when you have kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kaffinito]

My youngest stopped using a stroller when he was 8. He has ASD so the stroller was a necessity until then. I've seen older kids in strollers too - especially later on at night.

If your child is ready to be out of the stroller, then you might find a small backpack works well for you. I used one until I didn't even need that 'cause the boys got old enough to cart their own stuff.

I was actually down to the point where I just had cargo shorts with a poncho in one pocket, and extra camera lens in another (Yes I looked a bit "hippy"). Now with DN4 in tow I'm going to be back to a backpack and a stroller for diapers and stuff.

 

[Pixieflip]

Just came home tonight from our first stroller free trip in 16 years! Wow, it was great, but I do have a few observations.

There are those who jam it all in one really fat backpack. No way. First of all, no. Do you know how heavy 6 water bottles can be? Second, I can't even tell you how many times I was whacked in the head or face by one of those babies - lethal weapon on a dad's back. Lastly, it takes those guys FOREVER to get through security.

We opted for a small drawstring backpack/bag for each kid. DH carried camera bag that has room for his water, money, tickets, etc. I carried a small shoulder bag. Everyone had to really decide what was important. Water bottle was my only requirement. Some wanted a stuffed animal. All had trader pins. Some wanted snacks. Whatever, their bag they can carry what they want. Yes, my son (ahem...age 15) left it somewhere once, but the heart attack was effective, he only did it once. I still carried the mom things like hand sanitizer, but divi-ing it up made it bearable for me and gave them some responsibility.

Oh, and riding on rides was not an issue. I thought it would be like on Kali or RNR, but we did great and lost nothing.

 

[Hannathy]

At WDW, bags go on the rides with you. There are net bags either under the seat or in front of you in the ride vehicle.

If the kids are old enough to walk, then you won't be lugging around a bag full of diapers/supplies anyways. All you need is sunscreen, water, and lots of money!

As stated above, swetshirts and jackets can be tied around each person's waist when not being worn. Kids can carry their own water in a small pack or on a lanyard. My kids have been carrying their own crap since they were 5.

I agree with this. Everyone 5 and up carries their own junk or it doesn't get carried!!! If they want water they carry it. I hate lugging water it is so heavy and it is my splurge to buy a cold drink when I need one.

Once you don't have a stroller to carry things you stop and look at all the junk you have been lugging and how you didn't even touch half of it and stop dragging it around. You aren't going into the wilderness or a third world country!!

 

[Art 1]

It may look silly to you but it sure does come in handy to have a backpack with some essentials when you have kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have 3 children. I could see having one in diapers and taking a few along. But some of the things I hear of people taking on these boards is just ridiculous. When you live close to the parks and go often you see things differently because you haven't spent a pile of money and don't need to be in a rush. I can tell you it's somewhat sad seeing guys carrying around these huge bags. I board airplanes and take trips with less baggage than I see some carrying around in WDW.

You don't need to carry all that junk people. Just for once try and see how much nicer it is.

 

[hildarumpole]

That reminds me of a poor guy I saw at DHS in June. He had an enormous backpack, the sort you would use if you went into the wilderness for a month. I can't imagine what he had inside it, but hanging on hooks on the outside were several flashlights and 4 water bottles, plus a blanket strapped on the bottom. He must be the designated family pack mule. Between the heat and the weight of the pack, he probably fell over from exhaustion by noon.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I have 3 children. I could see having one in diapers and taking a few along. But some of the things I hear of people taking on these boards is just ridiculous. When you live close to the parks and go often you see things differently because you haven't spent a pile of money and don't need to be in a rush. I can tell you it's somewhat sad seeing guys carrying around these huge bags. I board airplanes and take trips with less baggage than I see some carrying around in WDW.

You don't need to carry all that junk people. Just for once try and see how much nicer it is.

I agree. I am amazed at what people bring, I think some people pack for two week safari's with less supplies. We try to go pockets only or small disney packback purse, but only when we are carrying the autograph books and pins. But we do stay on property so if need be we can head back to the room for whatever item we need if it can't be found in the parks (and no longer have children in diapers).