How do you carry items w/o a stroller?

[Swan4Me]

and the cup provided by Disney and the water bottles? !

If you are referring to the refillable mug- you purchase this at your resort-it is only used at the resort-no need to bring to the parks-you wont get free drinks there.

 

[PHXscuba]

I am NOT a pack mule. DD9 and DS6 carry their own water and snacks in running-type hip packs. DD12 and I have cross-body bags with a water bottle pocket -- we both carry cameras and a couple snacks. DS15 and DH will use their cargo shorts (I can't believe they can stick a water bottle inside a pocket and close it!)

I always have a backpack with me at the resort (my carry-on) because it seems like there is always one day we end up wanting a backpack for some reason. Sometimes we get a locker for the backpack if it's just for jackets or the like. We will have a backpack on one of our Epcot days this trip because DH and DS will be doing DiveQuest and need their masks, swimsuits, and cards.

PHXscuba

 

[pwfaith]

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!

I'm so glad you asked about all of this. I am the same way! We went to King's Island this summer and are planning a trip to DW for 2013. DH and I switched off carrying a fanny pack at King's Island and I was hoping to find a better idea for when we go to DW. Lots of great suggestions in this thread, esp re: having the kids carry their own stuff!! I LOVE the mini-hipsters. Those would be perfect for my older 3 daughters. Our youngest will be 5 or 6 by the time we go but the oldest will be 12-13. Would be great for me too. I wonder if I can find something similar that is insulated. We have to keep my sons epipens cool in the hot weather. Any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ancestry]

We not longer carry "stuff" in the parks. Once the kids outgrew strollers, if it doesn't fit in our pockets it doesn't go into the parks. No bags. No bottles. Very freeing.

 

[tzeitel]

It is so easy to overpack when you go to the parks! I went with a small flat crossbody style bag and I carried -

*camera (a small digital not a SLR of course )
*small pack of baby wipes (good for so many things)
*couple of band-aids
*tylenol in a small pillbox
*small notebook with all our ADRs
*pen
*chapstick
*phone
*3 cheapo ponchos (for MK & AK)
*sunglasses
*KttW cards

Dh wears cargo shorts so he can put some stuff in his pockets but we try to go very light - he might put DDs sunglasses in there when she is not wearing them. We got water from the many CS places, but you can also clip a bottle to your bag. We do not do autograph books (DD is just not into it) and anything we bought we sent to the resort. If you are not staying on property you can have them send your packages to the entrance of the park and pick them up on the way out.

Your bag might not feel heavy in the morning but after a couple of hours it will feel like you are carrying rocks!

 

[gumbo1009]

Went to Six Flags a few weeks ago with the Grandparents.

Grandma asked: "You're bringing the stroller, right?"
Answer: "No, she's 6, and it's one day, she can walk."
Grandma: "Are you sure? Well, OK I guess..."

After I hung up the phone I thought and I realized that what Grandma was now wondering was "Where the heck am I going to put my soda???" (Grandma is a bit of a coca-cola addict.)

So, being a good daughter, I got the old stroller out of storage so that Grandma could use it for her soda (while DD6 walked).

I must say, Grandma looked VERY relieved when I showed up with the stroller!

 

[PaulaSue]

Backpacks, one for each person.

 

[brymolmom]

A couple things...

I would NOT carry the DIsney mugs around...they are only good at your own resort and IMO, take up too much room to lug around when you're likely going to have finished the beverage on the bus on the way to the park.

Also, I have a 9 and 7 year old....and even though YES they are old enough to carry their own things, I honestly prefer to do it. If I didn't, because it is my nature, it would mean I would constantly be asking 'did everyone remember their bag' when getting off rides - and that would be more of a pain. So, we don't really carry much due to this. I bring a shoulder bag and have in it: money, tickets, camera, antibact lotion, some bandaids, my own sunglasses (when not on), small tube of sunscreen.

DH and I take turns carrying a very small backpack that has - 2 bottles of water (in the morning - eventually get rid of these), ponchos, some ziplocks and maybe a granola bar or two.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

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

I don't like the shape of the fanny pack, but that "travel belt bag" is cute!

I usually just carry a baggilini messenger bag and usually the boys stuff ends up in there.