Here is a strategy: Dont bring all of your belongings into the parks

[Tink_83]

Just came back from a great WDW vacation. I normally go to the parks for a PPO breakfast, but apparently they are letting any visitor into the park early, up to a certain point, not all attractions, even without a dining reservation.

I assume this is why I never noticed before because I always get there super early and dont wait in line due to my ressie. But this time it was abundantly clear that people bring WAY to much stuff into the park. Going through security is a nightmare. There are families with 2 - 4 stuffed backpacks, people with duffel bags STUFFED. If it were some loose items that the guards could move around, that would be great, but standing in line while people have to empty their bags, then repack them, is so annoying. And the stuff I saw....you dont need 1/2 that stuff. Several changes of clothes, Bathing suits, extra shoes, blankets ?? It was 90 degrees out! Drove me crazy to see the babies covered in blankets too. That is no way to keep the sun off of them...practically suffocating.

Uggghhh.....

So I will bring a bathing suite for DD (4) because last time I was there last year she wanted to play in the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station. It was a nightmare because she was soaked, we didn't have enough extra clothes and the drying off process took forever. So ya, you may not need a bathing suite, I don't need one but the kids that want to play in the splash station could use them. Regarding the other stuff I'll bring, well I'd rather not have to leave the park on my one day in it because I need to go back to my car to get something. We are spending one day in the MK and one day at Epcot and I don't want to have to leave and return for anything. Oh and that light weight blanket I'll be bringing in May, is not to cover her with but to cover the stroller with so when it is nap time she can take a nap. Again, you may not need it but I do because that it what works best for my family.

 

[Tink_83]

I do not think the poster is talking people bringing a normal amount of things in a bag to the park

There are people who bring in tons of stuff to the park, and it is not fun to be stuck behind them on the bag-check line

Maybe Disney needs to make 'express small bag lines'

That could be I can imagine being stuck behind a family with kids and their stuff if you just have a tiny bag. That could stop some of the issues with people who want a purse getting annoyed with the families and/or people that just want to bring stuff they find useful.

 

[DISNEY1975]

So I will bring a bathing suite for DD (4) because last time I was there last year she wanted to play in the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station. It was a nightmare because she was soaked, we didn't have enough extra clothes and the drying off process took forever. So ya, you may not need a bathing suite, I don't need one but the kids that want to play in the splash station could use them. Regarding the other stuff I'll bring, well I'd rather not have to leave the park on my one day in it because I need to go back to my car to get something. We are spending one day in the MK and one day at Epcot and I don't want to have to leave and return for anything. Oh and that light weight blanket I'll be bringing in May, is not to cover her with but to cover the stroller with so when it is nap time she can take a nap. Again, you may not need it but I do because that it what works best for my family.

Actually the bathing suits I saw were at Hollywood Studios. Oh, and the blankets I saw too, everywhere, were not lightweight. They were wool or fleece and babies, not 4 year old children, less than 1, were in those harness things, in the front of the parent, with the blanket thrown over their heads. All you could see were legs dangling out the sides...and they literally looked limp like the baby was not alive. It was scary to watch. So, ya.

And those werent the only blankets, I saw adults pull full sized blankets out of their duffelbags..no children in sight.

 

[Tink_83]

I wouldn't at all fault them for bringing their own medicines, even if they did know there is first aid available at the parks. Whenever I've traveled to another country I've brought my own OTC medicines because I don't know if the meds I like and am accustomed to will be readily available where I'm traveling. I don't bring the whole drugstore, but usually pack the basics like ibuprofen, Benadryl, and a cold medicine. Especially if there's a language barrier, I don't want to have to go to a drugstore and just hope I'm buying the correct thing.

Try Spain with a bad cold, the one time we went towards the end of the trip that happened to DH and even though he speaks fairly good Spanish it was a little difficult explaining what was going on. Additionally, we really were not sure what was being given to him, it turned out fine but now when we travel overseas I carry certain common medicines with me just in case. So I can understand brining that stuff to a country you are not familiar with and don't speak the language fluently.

 

[Tink_83]

Actually the bathing suits I saw were at Hollywood Studios. Oh, and the blankets I saw too, everywhere, were not lightweight. They were wool or fleece and babies, not 4 year old children, less than 1, were in those harness things, in the front of the parent, with the blanket thrown over their heads. All you could see were legs dangling out the sides...and they literally looked limp like the baby was not alive. It was scary to watch. So, ya.

And those werent the only blankets, I saw adults pull full sized blankets out of their duffelbags..no children in sight.

OK I do find that a little confusing. No way I'm lugging a heavy blanket around the park with me unless it's winter. I'm thinking of those swaddling blankets that like weigh like an ounce and let a good breeze through. But to each their own.

 

[Bobb_o]

I'm usually a drawstring backpack type person. There's always a few things that are slightly too big for pockets (sunscreen, poncho, towel, etc) but I know not to pack it so full it's cumbersome on rides.

I wish I didn't have to bring it in. I wish I could leave my ID but if I want to drink I need it.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Don't sweat the small stuff. Eventually I'll make it into the park. I'm on vacation, what other people choose to bring with them isn't my concern in the least. I myself bring wallet, phone, and sunscreen.Maybe a water bottle, depending on the day.

 

[bumbershoot]

And it did....and the funny thing is the dad looked at his wife, and said "must be nice to go with such a small bag, right hon?". Pretty sure he was making an editorial comment!!!

In many families, that would happen, but the moment the wife left something back at the room that the husband wanted, it would be a problem. My DH thinks it would be lovely to go bag free, but still wants all the stuff we carry. Can't have it both ways!

We were lucky enough to have something stolen from our stroller on an early trip to Disneyland, which cured us of our need to use the stroller as the carrying device. Then on a later trip I watched a squirrel gnawing at a water bottle, and we stopped leaving even water in the stroller. By the time we got to WDW we knew very well how to carry what we needed without utilizing a stroller for it.

I don't care what people bring with them, as long as they get prepared before they reach security check.

Always.

Could these be people who came to the parks directly from the airport (or the reverse) and need their carry-on bag with them? I know for the local high school senior class trip the kids had to do this.

What were the chaperones doing to cause that to be a necessity???

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yep, I pack a bag for the park. Oh, I drive the dreaded scooter. And I also have a blanket, sometimes two.

My bag has medication. The scooter has not only a basket on the front, there is also a pocket on the back, that must be checked. And I use the blanket as an addition seat cushion.

Aren't I just a terrible, poor planner?

 

[elle21]

Give a little grace to the people around you. As an off-site family with five young kids, who all have special allergy diets, we are going to hold up the line with our two coolers, shoulder bags, diaper bag, and two -yep, two - double strollers. Thank goodness we don't have to go through bag check on the way out, because after we buy them each one souvenir, we will fill another duffle bag. Honestly, I expect entering the park to be the most stressful part of the day. Knowing there are pissed off people behind me makes me dread it even more. Please know that we are all doing the best we can. No one, in any security line is thinking "I hope I can make this last longer for me, and everyone behind me." And everyone has different needs for the park.
And a side note about the strollers and ECV - isn't it wonderful we have a way for all people to get around in the parks? We took our kids to a zoo today. There was an elderly lady sitting on an ECV in the penguin house, blocking off a big chunk of front row real estate for a long time. I felt a twinge of annoyance. Then I actually looked at the person sitting on that scooter. She had the biggest smile on her face as she watched the penguins jump and swim. Her 80+ year old husband was taking pictures of her as she laughed.
Try to see the person, not just the paraphernalia and stuff that's 'getting in your way.'

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I saw families use a blanket for their kids to sit on waiting for Wishes at MK. Maybe that's the need for all the blankets.

I come to Disney with two small (under 4) children. We bring a narrow double stroller (the double wides drive me crazy), one backpack for items we may need frequently and try not to put too much in it (wipes, snacks, etc.), and a small diaper bag under the stroller for things we may need occasionally (back up clothes, diapers, extra wipes because we go through a lot of them at Disney, etc.). We try to be minimalistic because we know Disney can't wait to sell us other stuff we may need, hahaha!

One time we came in behind a man with a backpack STUFFED with food. I mean, like 10 sandwiches, plus drinks and snacks. It was amazing.

 

[scrhsa]

Add in all the people who bring strollers for their 10-year-old because they need someplace to store all that "stuff"! That always amazes me! "No, he doesn't really NEED to stroller but then where do I put everything?"

I've always joked about using a stroller just for that purpose....no kid whatsoever. At the mall too

 

[DisneyOma]

Could these be people who came to the parks directly from the airport (or the reverse) and need their carry-on bag with them? I know for the local high school senior class trip the kids had to do this.

Our 8th grade class goes to WDW each year - we never have the kids bring carry-ons into the parks. that's piss-poor planning for a senior trip. What happens to the laptops, etc, on rides? What if the carry-on doesn't fit in the attraction vehicle? If it's a pull-behind suitcase carry-on, it's not even allowed in the park.

They don't want to have to buy medicine if they are feeling poorly or a blanket if they get cold. Basically they are thinking of anything and everything they might need during the day, and anticipating needs so they don't have to buy.
And before anyone says anything i know there's first aid at Disney, but they didn't

They only have blankets to put on if they are cold? They bring blankets all the way from Venezuela? Why not just bring a sweater?

I saw families use a blanket for their kids to sit on waiting for Wishes at MK. Maybe that's the need for all the blankets.

Staking out territory - my guess is that WDW will ban blankets for that very reason. I'd worry the kids would get trampled sitting down when it gets crowded.

 

[DISNEY1975]

And I use the blanket as an addition seat cushion.

70 posts in and I finally see a good reason for the blanket! It was 90+ degrees. Couldnt imagine why anyone would need a blanket, though the majority I saw were people walking in, so maybe as another poster mentioned below you, it to sit on for the parades. Disney is now selling seat cushions for the parades. I think they were like $20 each. No way would I buy one, let alone multiple for a family for a one time use. And kind of bulky to bring home.

 

[yulilin3]

Our 8th grade class goes to WDW each year - we never have the kids bring carry-ons into the parks. that's piss-poor planning for a senior trip. What happens to the laptops, etc, on rides? What if the carry-on doesn't fit in the attraction vehicle? If it's a pull-behind suitcase carry-on, it's not even allowed in the park.



They only have blankets to put on if they are cold? They bring blankets all the way from Venezuela? Why not just bring a sweater?



Staking out territory - my guess is that WDW will ban blankets for that very reason. I'd worry the kids would get trampled sitting down when it gets crowded.

Because they prefer blankets. As to the other posters point about blanket for parade watching I was at MK yesterday and the family next to me waiting for the parade put down a large blanket for their 3 kids, super smart since yesterday was hot and the surface was probably hot as well, the kids sat down and played with their toys while they waited
My point is don't judge a person on their choices, it is their choice what they bring or not and it is doing no harm to anyone else so why bother bringing it up.
OP point was bag check and how people with a lot of things make the process slower. My response to that continues to be, move to another line.

 

[mousefan73]

Actually the bathing suits I saw were at Hollywood Studios. Oh, and the blankets I saw too, everywhere, were not lightweight. They were wool or fleece and babies, not 4 year old children, less than 1, were in those harness things, in the front of the parent, with the blanket thrown over their heads. All you could see were legs dangling out the sides...and they literally looked limp like the baby was not alive. It was scary to watch. So, ya.

And those werent the only blankets, I saw adults pull full sized blankets out of their duffelbags..no children in sight.

Maybe they are starting a new Thing.. Camping out INSIDE the park overnight to be first in line for rope drop??

 

[Klayfish]

Haven't had time to read the entire thread, but OP, get over it. Just because people don't pack the way you'd want them to, vent away, but in the end...deal with it. I'm looking for my tiny violin, but I can't find it.

Yep, we're one of those families that pack very heavy. We stay off property and we don't eat in WDW restaurants. We pack all of our own food, so if we're going to be in the parks for dinner, that means we're packing a full dinner for a family of 5. Drinks, dessert and all. Our cooler bag is HUGE, and it's stuffed to the top. We also have a duffel bag that has our ponchos, autograph books for the kids, etc... We're very good at packing it, so it's fairly well organized, but it's very large. It depends on the security person how much we have to empty it. It's just as frustrating to us if they make us empty it to the bottom, but it is what it is. Even when they do that, you're talking about an extra 2 minutes tops. Most of the time, it's moving a few things so they can see to the bottom and that's it.

We're not violating any WDW rules, not being outwardly rude, and not purposefully trying to hold up the line. If it still bothers you, well, frankly I don't really care.

 

[mbrown2097]

Depending on the time of day that you arrive, you could be doing yourself a HUGE favor by not having a bag. I have seen the bag lines push back to the boat launches and take an hour + to get through. During our last trip, we attempted bagless for the first time. We will never go back to carrying a bag again!

 

[Branflakes]

I think this is actually a common frustration for a lot of people visiting any of the parks. And while I often wonder why so many bring so much, and it is far more becoming the rule than the exception, it is something Disney needs to address immediately.
Imo at the very least ALL stroller traffic entering the park, any park, should be designated to one side or another for inspection.
A line for no bags is already in place.
Back packs line and a small bag/ purse line. This would alleviate frustration. You read a large sign, you follow it. Simple enough.
Now, I'm a parent. Ive been traveling with my kids from very early on. I have never had or needed the amount of "stuff" for two kids and two parents that I see at WDW. When they were small, and in strollers, we brought the smallest most convienient least obtrusive one. I would have never brought a jogging stroller to WDW. They are too big, invasive of space and take up half a bus traveling between resorts and parks. I used mine for... jogging. Only jogging. Because it's a jogging stroller. Sometimes you have to think about not just yourself when traveling, but generally those around you.
So, if one must hit the parks with two jogging strollers a large full cooler, three backpacks, two duffle bags, two diaper bags, a fanny pack for everyone, a purse, six blankets, four butt cushions for curb sitting, and leashes for the kids, be prepared BEFORE you get to the tables. Everything open, ready to go. Take into account those around you. Understand their frustrations as you'd expect them to understand why you have to have all you brought. This is a two way street. It's not couth to have this "suck it up and deal with my load of stuff" attitude, and then not be ok with "well, damn, why do they have all this stuff, and aren't prepared in line, taking forever" attitude.
And when boarding the buses, it's cool to go ahead and take you kids out of the stroller fold it up and be ready to board BEFORE the bus is loading.

 

[Praying Colonel]

LOL - my wife doesn't let me pick our bag check line anymore. She says that I am not observant enough. I just walk along and get behind whoever is in front of me - my wife is scoping out the lines as we get near, looking for lines to avoid.

Yep--DW says I failed queueing and lost my line-picking privileges. It's like I'm "reverse talented" at picking the right line to get in at park opening. I always seem to pick the line where the family has brought their life's collection of belongings with them in their 4 strollers, or I somehow pick the line with the tapstile that's malfunctioning.