how do u carry stuff at WDW

[Kelly'sLove]

I am trying to find a bag that I can carry my property in when we go to WDW in Dec. Fanny packs I find are uncomfortable. Is there any specific bag that you uses to carry your stuff like backpacks or purses that are easy to carry and get on finds with

 

[kilee]

We use a mid size back pack. To tell the truth it is a diaper bag. It however does the job and doesn't look like a diaper bag. Until you read the sewn on the outside tag. We found that the bigger the bag, the more we stuffed in-- killing our backs carrying it around. Too small- and there wasn't enough room. This is the only thing we bring. It's neutral so everyone can take turns. Also, I like the fact that it keeps the hands free.

 

[kaabost]

I found the perfect bag a walmart a couple years ago while I was "over-shopping" for my WDW trip. This bag is like a larger sized purse butmade out of backpack material (heavy duty). Anyway, it is just large enough to hold the videocamera and a couple ponchos in the main pocket but then it has several smaller pockets. One pocket looks like it was made for my camera. Others are perfect for carrying park maps, pressed pennies and quarters, wet wipes, etc. Additionally it has a couple of small zipper pockets that I keep my park passes, money, credit card, etc. in. I wonder if Wal Mart still sells these...it was in the small backpack section.

 

[JulesMom]

We bring one backpack and take turns carrying it.

We have used the same backpack since '97! We tried another one, but it didn't have a pocket on the outside, so we went back to the old one.

 

[Eggleboo]

We have used a lightweight nylon waterproof backpack for the past 8 years. It holds just about everything we need to take in. Remember....what seems like nothing to carry at the beginning of the day becomes extremely heavy by the end of the day!! Only bring in what you really need otherwise I would suggest bringing two bags and putting extras in one of the lockers in the parks.

 

[Kelly'sLove]

are these bags comfortable on the rides or what do you do with the bags when u are on the rides. Thanks for all your help

 

[mcgrawfan]

I use a SAK backpack. The top closes like a drawstring, but tightly, and has easy access. Also there is a zipper pocket on the back to keep important things. It doesn't hurt it to get it wet. On Kali River Rapids there is a covered area on the raft to keep bags. On some rides there is a mesh pouch directly in front of you to store it in. On rides without either just put it between your legs and hold on. Depending on the ride you can sometimes just keep it on your back. It is very lightweight.

 

[gillis95]

We use a backpack as well. We carry our rain jackets in the bottom and then the camera sets on top for some padding. It has 2 main zippered compartments so that helps keeping stuff seperate. It has several good pockets outside and I keep our wallets in one with a small lock so no pickpocketing...it's really very fast to get into when I need the money and I don't worry about carrying my stuff behind me. Look for adequate pockets. Buy a can of scotchguard if it is not waterproof. Ours had reinforced bottom with a little more padding than other cheapos. Good place to look is the camping section of walmart/target or a sporting goods store.

As for the rides I've taken it on everything. I just put it on the floor between my feet. If it's something like a rollercoaster you can put your leg through the strap. Never been a problem. I used to do fanny packs but got tired of seeing that ugly thing on my stomach in all the photos!

 

[stauncie]

ok, everybody say it with me,...."Mom is NOT a packmule!"
THAT being said... *I* am a mean mom, and make my kids carry their own stuff.
I have a mid sized back-pack shaped purse, with an 'organizer' zipper pouch. Perfect for keeping passes, hotel keys, etc. organized, (ok, ok, I confess *I* keep all the passes) But.. each of the kiddies (ages 9-13) has their own small back-pack and carry their own stuff (autograph book, pen, sunglasses, snack, etc.)
I take mine off during the coaster-type rides, and 'hook' one leg through the straps. and set it by my feet (it can now not fall out during a ride, and if I forget to pick it up, I trip over it)
The kids usually keep their backpacks on during the rides.
Periodically checking to make sure they each have their backpacks sure beats playing 'pack mule' and makes for a happier mom by the end of the day.

 

[WishUponAStar]

For my next trip I plan to use a mesh vest with pockets. The mesh will be cool, the vest will fit comfortably, plenty of pockets to store stuff and to seperate items according to how often you plan to use them. I have done back packs- too hot on your back, hard to access when needed, can give you shoulder aches,... The fanny pack often has to little room, can give you a lower back ache if packed too heavily, get in the way of lap and seat belts,... The vest will not have to be removed to get on a ride like a backpack and even a fannypack will on certain rides. Looking forward to trying it. Wal Mart, Academy, just about any hunting or camping store should have them. Stay away from the actual hunting vest with a sack on the back, hot, heavy and made of canvas usually. I have seen several on ebay.

 

[slp87]

We too have been carrying the same backpack for about the last 6 years. It's actually a Mickey one I bought at Target. When looking for one remember to find one as light as possible. Ours is nothing fancy, but isn't too heavy when we put our things in it.

 

[cindyfan]

ok, everybody say it with me,...."Mom is NOT a packmule!"

LOL!!!
Now if only my DH would get the message. My 12 yo DD is kind enough to carry her own fanny pack (very small one, but big enough for wallet, sunglasses and gum). And offers to carry my back pack (so we take turns).
But ........DH......it is "here put my wallet in your pack, and my cell phone, and my sunglasses, and my etc, etc......."

So I use a fanny pack for most of the time at the parks. In the evening or if there's a chance of rain and we need ponchos, etc. I do carry a small back pack. It is nylon (not water proof, but does the job fine) and it is very light weight!! I had a pack one year that was just too heavy. It was made out of a canvas material and was just too heavy even when it was empty.

 

[Twigs]

I use a medium sized backpack, we keep rain ponchos, and the cameras(video and slr) in it, and when we go out for the evening, our sweatshirts rolled up just fit into it. It also has a front compartment for the small things that everyone wants to be able to get out quickly. DH and DS's all take turns carrying it, my motto is also "Mom is not a packmule!"( my kids are getting tires of hearing it). I also use a fanny pack, its a disney one and I can fit my wallet and digital camera in it. I have found not the keep the strap on the fanny pack tight. I keep it loose and the fanny pack rests low on my hip to one side, it is very comfortable that way and I don't even notice it after wearing it all day.

 

[RussH]

For years I used a small leather shoulder bag for my junk. It worked fine and kept the amount/size of items to a minimum. But on the old EE days it was off to that park then back to my room around 10-11 am to pick up the bag then to another park. Travel light for EE was what I did.

Two years ago I switched to cargo shorts and the bag is now retired. I carry my paperback a poncho spare dig cam battery basic med stuff and my sunglass case and a microfiber towel very easily now.

This takes a couple trips to find out what you really need and what just takes up room. The same for individual items. My current Casio digital camera fits in my shirt pocket and I have a one-day supply of meds/Band-Aids/stuff in a waterproof box.

Oh one more thing guys leave the wallet and car keys in the room safe get one of those small travel types with just enough room for passes License Room key a CC and some cash.

RussH

 

[donac]

This year we all had camelbacks. They are backpacks with bladders that can be filled with water. My younger son had a waist bag and the rest of us had backpacks. Everyone carried their own water and ponchos and snacks. Mom is not a pack mule in my house. The camelbacks have tubes that come over your should and yuou can drink when you want without fooling asround with bottles