How do you carry items w/o a stroller?

[Bunnyteef]

Hello!
I am taking my little family (me, hubby & 3 girls ages 14, 12 & 7) to Disneyworld for the first time. I've never been to anything Mickey ever so I'm quite excited. I have been reading many helpful tips from books and sites like this one. I feel like every topic is covered somewhere...but I do have a question. Since my girls are not stroller bound, what do you all carry things in? I am prepared to go the fanny pack route, but what about things like the homemade autograph books and the cup provided by Disney and the water bottles? I don't intend to bring much more than that, but what do you do when you get on a ride? Do I need to wear a small backpack? Any suggestions would be wonderful.

Disneyworld bound in May 2012!

 

[Mama Who]

Rule #1
Mom Is Not A Pack Mule

I will carry MY water bottle and MY purse. Children of the ages you listed? Perfectly capable of carrying their own stuff. If they want autograph books or pressed penny cases they carry them. They carry their own water bottles. Those small backpack style purses? Perfect for Disney, especially since you have girls. A Klean Kanteen 18 oz bottle will fit in one no problem, along with a couple snacks, lip gloss, an inhaler, a paperback book, a wallet, a checkbook, two binkies and an MP3 player... or whatever you put in yours.

The load for a family is a big nuisance for one person but not so much if everyone carries their own load. It also makes the kids think carefully about just how much stuff they really *need* in the park.

 

[kldmom2000]

Backpacks....

I did get my older DD (nearly 11) one of the Vera Bradley mini-hipsters so she can carry her autograph book and ipod in it. It's not a hassle for her as it drapes across her body so she isn't bothered by it.

As far as all the other stuff (ie. ponchos, water bottles, cellphone, sunblock, etc., ) I fit what I can into my DSLR camera backpack in the small pouch above the camera's compartment.

 

[RMulieri]

SImple..You want it, You CARRY it.I havea 7 yr old and the first time we took her to disney at age 4 I carried it all..And ended up cranky and sore..I am not a pack mule and we are not Sherpas ascending Everest.So we take the minimal amount of stuff, and if she wants to take stuff she carries it in her on little backpack.Ditto for the hubby

 

[bluezy]

Ditto what the PP's have said. We don't carry much in the parks. If the kids (currently ages 6, 11 & 12) want autograph books, their own cameras, fans, etc, they have to carry those items themselves. When we went a few years ago, they thought they *needed* all of those things. I got them each a small waist pack (big enough to hold those items) and packed them up. They carried them exactly 1 day (I think the then 9yo DD might have lasted 2 days). After that, they took whatever fit in their pockets.

As for me, I carry a small cross body bag that holds my camera, my cheapy rain ponchos (for Kali River Rapids and brief rain showers -- I *hate* being wet), tissues, ziploc bags, and a few other odds and ends. That's all we take to the parks. The only exception is if the weather forecast calls for a lot of rain at some point in the day, then we'll take the small drawstring backpack to hold our good Disney rain ponchos.

We don't carry water bottles...we just buy a bottle or two when we're thirsty.

 

[Bunnyteef]

You guys have me cracking up! You are so right! I think I need that tattooed on my forehead! I guess I'm so used to everyone handing everything to mom that I was having visions of carrying everyone's things! I have plenty of time to find the perfect little backpacky-type things for each of them. Sounds like a great Christmas present! So glad I found this site. Do people actually go to DW blind? Like without a plan? Seems like you would waste a lot of time and money!

Thank you very much for responding!

 

[Reddy]

You guys have me cracking up! You are so right! I think I need that tattooed on my forehead! I guess I'm so used to everyone handing everything to mom that I was having visions of carrying everyone's things! I have plenty of time to find the perfect little backpacky-type things for each of them. Sounds like a great Christmas present! So glad I found this site. Do people actually go to DW blind? Like without a plan? Seems like you would waste a lot of time and money!

Thank you very much for responding!

YES
if you can get some great packs that could work for school too then that would save you having to get them each another one
oh, you want as few pockets as possible - bag check at front of all parks (even your purse will be checked)

 

[Minniemouse07]

The Disney Store online has a whole customized section with some cute messenger bags.

Dd (10yo) has the larger one and ds (5yo) has the small. They each have a favorite character and their initials on the outside flap.

It is expected that both will carry their own autograph books, water bottles and any other random stuff they deem necessary.

In anticipation, I purchased a significantly smaller bag for this trip and will not be able to carry all their stuff! YAY!

 

[Kwaschitz]

My son is 5 and very small for his age. This allows us to still use a stroller (only at Disney when we know he just can't keep walking all day).

BUT we don't really use it for more than the cup holder. All purchases we have sent to our resort (or at the end of our stay, to the front gate for pickup when we leave). I carry a small crossbody bag - literally just enough for a bottle of sunscreen, lip balm, a pack of wipes, antibacterial hand sanitizer, my cell phone and our park ticket/room keys. That's it. If it pours, we buy disposable ponchos and pitch them at the end of the day, but as a general rule, we just go inside a store or an indoor attraction to get out of the rain.

My DH wears cargo shorts so small things can go in his pockets. We've bought the water bottle lanyards to hang those from our necks or the clips to hook them onto belt loops or something -- basically anything to make it hands free.

Things I refuse to bring into the park: game boys; any toy at all INCLUDING especially the precious teddy bear without which he won't sleep -- basically nothing that could be difficult to replace or would distract from the Disney experience in my opinion.

 

[starsweeper]

For girls that age, I would have small purses they can wear across the body, like hipster bags. We still use strollers, but I never leave anything in the stroller. I carry a small, lightweight diaper bag for kid stuff and small cross-body purse for the camera and my items with no problems.

 

[huffjoann]

small cinch type backpack. I made a drastic chg from what we took last yr with the stroller until this yr without. Bare necessities. Even then I got tired of that thing sometimes. My 6 yr old would lose her mind if she could so it is way more advantegeous for me to keep up with and know I had the "stuff"
I even ditched the fanny pack this year too!

 

[lunalibre]

Like others have said: MOM IS NOT A PACK MULE.

Also: DAD IS NOT A PACK MULE.

And finally: IF YOU WANT IT, YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT YOURSELF - ALL DAY!

My kids were 10 and 7 the last time we went, and they had fanny packs they carried with their autograph books, glow gizmos, lip balm, camera, disposable ponchos, etc. DH and I carried the family sunscreen, band-aids, keys, money, the better camera, etc. It worked fine. We all figured out that Florida in the summertime is a really rotten time to have a hot backpack sticking to you!

BTW, we didn't bother carrying water bottles. We don't mind the taste of Florida water, and just got the free cups of water at the CS stations.

I absolutely will institute this same policy when we go again next year. I think my son will have graduated to using his cargo shorts instead of a belt bag, but I bet my daughter will still use one.

Good luck!

 

[*Seanaci*]

Use a backpack. And have everyone take turns carrying it. In other words...don't over pack it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Honestly? Carry less stuff. I would skip bringing water because hot water is gross and the bottles are heavy. I would rather get a cup if free ice water if you don't want to buy something or I would buy as needed. Leave the resort mugs in the room. You can't use them in the parks anyway. Autograph books? One small bag would carry it all. So a small tube of sunblock, park tickets and money. I would not lug tons of stuff around.

 

[EKW]

Fanny packs! The good news is...they're back in style. WalMart has some floral ones right now, lol!

If you look, you can find some that have elastic net pouches to hold water. I have my boys carry those little Rubbermaid drink containers. We get ice water for free, and pour a little of the last of it into the containers so if they get thirsty in line, they have something to drink.

I carry a small tube of sunblock (I used to carry Avon buy/sunscreen towelettes, but they didn't have them in '09.), a couple bandaids, a small container with a few motrin and some tums in it, and things like my camera in mine. The boys carry their cameras, money, and snacks in theirs.

Another reason I love fanny packs is that they have carabiners on them...if I don't use the Disney delivery system I just hook the bag onto the fannypack and off I go! Finally, we all put our sunglasses in our fannypacks when we go on rides where they might be lost.

You won't win any fashion awards, lol, but they sure are handy!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

My son is 5 and very small for his age. This allows us to still use a stroller (only at Disney when we know he just can't keep walking all day).

BUT we don't really use it for more than the cup holder. All purchases we have sent to our resort (or at the end of our stay, to the front gate for pickup when we leave).

Just wanted to say I also ALWAYS take advantage of the free option of having my packages delivered to the resort! Then you just pick your items up at your resort gift shop in a day or two.

I have a small messenger bag that I use to carry our cash/passes, my camera, cellphone, and that's all we carry. I've never had a problem holding the small bag on rides.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

NO NOT THE FANNNNNY PACKKK ( insert slo-mo run to rescue you)

Your kids are older they can responsible for their own items. Vera Bradley males an awesome Hipster bag holds a lot of stuff but fits in easily to any of the bag holders on the thrill rides or can just be tucked to the side.

North face makes a "mini" backpack that can hold your water bottle, id, camera, a few snacks.

I too suggest sending your purchases to the main gate or back to your room. There is no need to carry around souvenirs. I wouldn't bother bringing the refillable mug because it's for resort use only BUT bring a nalgene or small camelback. water is free and better for you in the long run on hot days. Though a ice cold fountain coke/pepsi or dole whip is great at noon time for a pick me up!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Fanny packs! The good news is...they're back in style. WalMart has some floral ones right now, lol!

If you look, you can find some that have elastic net pouches to hold water. I have my boys carry those little Rubbermaid drink containers. We get ice water for free, and pour a little of the last of it into the containers so if they get thirsty in line, they have something to drink.

I carry a small tube of sunblock (I used to carry Avon buy/sunscreen towelettes, but they didn't have them in '09.), a couple bandaids, a small container with a few motrin and some tums in it, and things like my camera in mine. The boys carry their cameras, money, and snacks in theirs.

Another reason I love fanny packs is that they have carabiners on them...if I don't use the Disney delivery system I just hook the bag onto the fannypack and off I go! Finally, we all put our sunglasses in our fannypacks when we go on rides where they might be lost.

You won't win any fashion awards, lol, but they sure are handy!

Walmart sells lots of stuff, It doesn't mean it is in style.

 

[powellrj]

I couldn't believe it this summer when I saw that vera bradley is now selling fanny packs!!

http://www.verabradley.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=fanny pack

 

[imthatgirl]

I don't carry all that stuff in. My kids are 5,7 and 11 so no need for autograph books they're too old now. We don't carry those mugs around because you can only fill them in resorts.

I have a small bag that I carry small items with me like a camera, money, cards, body glide, gum...pocket book type items. Then we hook one water bottle to it .....only if we plan to not go back tot he room all day.

Not having a stroller was quite freeing. It made me realize what we really needed in the parks.