I hate my Donner Bag...

[lucky1]

... Just kidding I still love it, but this was the 3rd trip we took where I used the Donner bag in the parks and first trip without a stroller. We just returned on Saturday. DD is now 6 and had outgrown the stroller we had. I found that I was now the pack mule and carrying some of the things that generally would have gone in the bottom of the stroller. DD extra pair of shoes, rain coats/ponchos, small snacks, autographbook and since it was warm, I carried at least 2 water bottles.

It was definately nice not having a stroller and getting it on and off the bus and then always trying to backtrack to get it after an attraction. We did rent a stroller one day and several times had to remind ourselves that we had to go back and pick it up after an attraction and then searching through all the other strollers to find ours.

The Donner bag is great and will carry alot, but if you load up any bag it will become heavy.

 

[twinsplusone]

I'm in the same position. This will be the first year without a stroller. I've had a stroller for 7 years and loved being able to load it up. DH is a good sport. He is on a mission to find himself the perfect backpack for trips to the zoo, state fair, etc. So I'm thinking he's planning on being the pack mule. Gotta love the guy. I bought the Donner bag because of the raves from the dis-ers. I'm hoping that I can keep from taking too much. It's hard to get out of the mindset of taking extras of everything, just in case.

I'm going to "practice" with my new bag this summer so I'm ready for our Feb '09 Disney trip.

 

[delmar411]

I just realize I was quite the pack mule this past trip!

I always take a hip pack but since I had no stroller I ended up loaded down with a ton of things! I eventually switched over to the bagallini that I had brought and even that was like a 'stuff' magnet and I was very quickly loaded down in that too.

W/o the stroller you really have to rethink what is a must have on your person. And it helps with saying no to all those extra souvenirs since you have to carry them all (at least that's what I told DD )

 

[lenshanem]

It is hard when you start going w/o the stroller, but it gets easier and easier! I also thought the Donner bag got too bulky. I love my Baggallini Messenger much better. I have learned my lesson. I carry my Baggallini, make DH now carry a bigger messenger bag for ponchos, etc. and my two girls (now 7 and 10) carry their own messenger bags and are responsible for any junk they want to carry like cameras, lanyards, etc. They actually like having their own bags. When they were a little younger I bought them Tink fanny packs. They think the bags look cooler now, though.

 

[Millie12591]

It is hard when you start going w/o the stroller, but it gets easier and easier! I also thought the Donner bag got too bulky. I love my Baggallini Messenger much better. I have learned my lesson. I carry my Baggallini, make DH now carry a bigger messenger bag for ponchos, etc. and my two girls (now 7 and 10) carry their own messenger bags and are responsible for any junk they want to carry like cameras, lanyards, etc. They actually like having their own bags. When they were a little younger I bought them Tink fanny packs. They think the bags look cooler now, though.

Exactly my thoughts about this situation. LOL When we went last year I told my then 7 yr. old, 14 yr. old and DH that I wouldn't be carrying anything for any of them, if they wanted something to be carried they would have to bring their back packs. They did and boy was I glad I didn't have to carry their stuff! I had my own things to carry and so did they, everyone was happier this way, well I was happier this way. LOL!