Help on what to take to parks

[snoopygirl79]

Hello,

Hubby and I will be going to WDW in September and I was wondering what people generally take with them into the parks and what sort of bag you carry things in. I ask because I can't remember if there were many lockers about to store items in when you go on big rides or is there somewhere to leave your bag if you do go on a ride, like on the other side of the platform (where people exit)? I've got a big camera and I'm trying to think if it'll be practical to take to the parks or should I just take my compact one...decisions, decisions!!

Any help would be gratefully received

Thanks,

Vick

 

[Goofyish]

I tend to take as little as possible. I take a small camera bag that has extra pockets for tickets/money etc.
DW either takes a bum bag or small rucksack - depending what park and the time of day. She tends to be more prepared than me and takes useful things like baby wipes, tissues, plasters, lip balm etc. - stuff us men never think of LOL

There are lockers in all the parks which you can hire for around $7 per day (including $5 refundable deposit).

In MK the lockers are under the train station near the entrance.
In Epcot the lockers are on the right near the restrooms as you enter the park (main entrance) and on the left at the International Gateway near the rest rooms.
In MGM the lockers are on the right as you enter the park.
In AK the lockers are on the left as you enter the park and I think there are sone on the right before you enter the park, near the restrooms.

There are no lockers near any rides in WDW, but most have underseat storage for small bags etc. Or you just put you bags between you feet

If you are staying on-site and do any shopping in the parks you can arrange to get you purchases shipped back to your resort. Or if not satying on-site you can get stuff sent to the min entrance to pick up when you leave the park.

 

[AndRu]

We take a rucksack that my DW and I share carrying duties.

We always take things like baby-wipes, small tube of sun cream, and a mini first aid kit. As with Tim, this is usually my DW's domain as she thinks more logically than I do. We also take a couple of standard size drinks bottles to refill at water fountains to save buying fizzy drinks in the parks. Then of course there is the stills and video camera to think about which I normally carry.

 

[jjpenguin]

I subscribe to the travel light theory: take as little as possible, every ounce will count double once you've been carrying it around all day!! Are you staying on or offsite?

We stay onsite and I usually manage to not take a bag at all but wear shorts with pockets and have with me:
Key to the world card/Park ticket
Id (if I want to drink)
Mini bottle of sunscreen
Chapstick
Asprin, plaster, eye drops (contact lenses)
Compact Camera + spare battery
JJ the Penguin!!

If I take a water bottle I hang it on my belt.

Sometimes I will take a small backpack with the above + a microfibre towel (for after the water rides), water bottle, book (if I'm solo), pen and pins for trading.

There are only lockers at the front of the parks. If you have a big bag I'm sure the CM will let you leave them on the side of the platform.

Maybe you could set aside one day just for photography, take your big camera and just concentrate on taking great pictures, especially if you do that later in your trip you will have some idea of what you want to take. Use the compact for day by day, less likely to damage it and easier for fun snaps.

 

[Goofyish]

Note, all bags are searched before you enter the park, so the less you have the quicker this process is

Lines for bag searches can be quite long - especially at MGM for some reason.

 

[snoopygirl79]

Thanks for all your advice.

I am staying off-site so thanks for the advice about the shopping - very useful.

I tend to take too much wherever I go - you should see what I cram into my handbag at the moment!!

Vick

 

[Disney owl]

We all have bum bags & take what fits in plus water.

Our kids are teenagers & therefore carry their own sttuff.

Bum bags may not be the most attractive but for most rides you can leave them on. For water rides I take a folded , drawstring carrier & put everyone bags & hats in that to keep tham dry.

DH bum bag is large enough to carry the video camera & is from NIke

 

[Lisash]

We take a small backpack and always take it on the rides with us without any problems. In it I generally pack the usual stuff: our yellow 'Mickey macs' in case of rain, sunscreen, a small first aid kit and some headache pills (just in case), tissues, wipes & our camera or camcorder. I also find the plastic drawstring amenity bags Virgin give you useful to protect cameras & mobiles on the water rides (especially Popeyes Bilge barges at IOA we/our stuff wouldn't have been much wetter on there if the boat had capsized!)

 

[wicket2005]

The bear minimum, each year it has got less and less.

This year I used an aquapac (a clear, totally waterproof bag) with my camera and camcorder, a notepad and pen. The clear bag is great because my electronics are totally protected from the rain/water rides and also I didn't have to open it at security check in at the park gates, just held it up which saved some time. Last year I had a rucksack which I had to get off my back then had to open all the 'handy' pockets it had for inspection, drove me nuts.

 

[jna]

This year I used an aquapac (a clear, totally waterproof bag) with my camera and camcorder, a notepad and pen. The clear bag is great because my electronics are totally protected from the rain/water rides and also I didn't have to open it at security check in at the park gates, just held it up which saved some time. Last year I had a rucksack which I had to get off my back then had to open all the 'handy' pockets it had for inspection, drove me nuts.

I like the sound of that bag. With so many rides stating 'you will get wet' you need something waterproof. Can you point me in the direction of some more info. and/or where you can buy them. Thanks a lot.

 

[Goofyish]

Aquapac:

http://www.aquapac.net/
http://www.aquapac.net/ukstore/erol.html#1X0

 

[lorapinky]

I took a small bag which had my camera, purse, sun lotion, keys and my autograph book!

I also took my camcorder though this was carried by itself.

They checked by bag each time I brought it in so I made an effort to not have my camera in there as sometimes they can push everything around in your bad quite roughly. Once through all the checks I would out my camera in my bag.

We bought a drinks and snacks from the parks so we didnt have to carry them.

 

[jna]

Aquapac:

http://www.aquapac.net/
http://www.aquapac.net/ukstore/erol.html#1X0

That's great. Thanks for the links.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Goofyish saved me a job.

jna you can get the bags in all sizes and varieties. I lost a camera one year, whilst in this country, after a severe downpour. The water leaked through the zip of my camera case. Since then I have been very cautious with my electronics.

The bag I got was about £20 (about 10 inches high or so). It proved invaluable in Orlando for saving time and water protection.

 

[jna]

I've had look at the sites. Would you be referring to the large Whanganui bag? It seems about the right size.

http://www.aquapac.net/ukstore/erol.html#600X1145

OT thought. This company would make a fortune if all hand luggage had to be in a see through bag!