I need a really good bag to carry in the parks!

[DreamDelta]

I need some advice on a good bag to carry in the parks for our July 2008 trip (I know, I know....I'm an early planner! ). I've been using the Baggalini one shoulder bag for our last few trips and I really like it because it holds all of our junk, but what I absolutely hate is the shoulder strap that continuously slips loose. That drives me nuts!

Any suggestions? It needs to be big enough to carry 3 ponchos, 3 long-sleeved t-shirts, a large bottle of water, small first aid kit...you know, the typical Disney survival bag! I'd prefer a backpack, one shoulder kind.

TIA

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I bought DD a regular LLBean backpack when they had some on clearance for $12.95 a couple of months ago. We got free shipping and free monogramming because we had their Visa card. I used that bag on our most recent Disney trip and it was great! It holds a ton. On the plus side, it will also work well as a bookbag for DD once she starts school

 

[spalady]

How about a Vera Bradley back pack?

 

[doodlesmommy]

We purchased a nylon bag from LL Bean last year that fits across our back. It has different pockets for water bottles, our first aid kit (a small one) and anything else we might be carrying around. I think I paid about $19 for it but have used it at Disney and numerous other trips. Even better, it fits across the handles of the stroller when we don't feel like carrying anything. (You know, late in the afternoon when you are exhausted. LOL!!)

 

[Rora]

I second the Vera Bradley backpack! They are a little expensive but can hold a lot and are great quality. But if thats not your style, an LL Bean would be great too.

 

[_queenie_]

Vera Bradley all the way! LL Bean ones are great, but they aren't cute like the Veras.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've been following this thread, wondering the same thing for August.

I love Vera Bradley. But with 3 kids, I know that my husband and I will each spend some time carrying the bag... and I don't see him being happy with pink and teal flowers, ya know??

So I'll need something a little more gender neutral.

(Oh, and by the way, www.verabradley.com is offering a special.If you ordered any discontinued pattern or style, you got free shipping and a $10 keychain/change purse. For those of you who don't want gender neutral, see whether it's still on! You can get the bag you want in a discontinued pattern.)

 

[SqueakyMouse]

In the past, I have always carried a backpack, usually a LL Bean one. This trip (Xmas), I didn't have as much to carry; and I didn't expect to be in the parks for super long stretches of time. Additionally, we'd just gotten a 28-200 lens for our DSLR, so I didn't have to tote around a couple of lenses to accompany the camera. As a result, I ended up carrying a variety of Vera Bradley bags. Boy were these comfortable...and they didn't keep sliding off my shoulder as my backpack would. The best were those with the zipper top (don't have to worry about anything falling out) and lots of inside pockets (kids' digital cameras, my cellphone, autograph books, pens, etc. fit neatly away).

 

[graygables]

I love my Ameribag Healthy Back Bag. Over the shoulder, it NEVER slips and the strap can be extended long enough to go across my chest (and I'm Pooh-sized). I can wear the bag on the back or the front (in a crowd) and it holds a TON in well-organized pockets. Customer service was excellent when the zipper broke on my tapestry bag. Although they couldn't replace it exactly (the tapestries are limited numbers), they did replace it with a faux suede that I like almost as well (my tapestry was very AKL and I adored it). I have an extra small one that I started with that I finally gave to 11yo DD who'd been begging for one. She LOVES hers, too, and it's lasted about 6 years now, still looks great.

 

[DawnM]

We bought 2 Land's End kids' sized backpacks when my older 2 were toddlers. I had no idea I would love them as much as I do.

They are NOT huge backpacks and cannot hold a full size notebook for school, but are very well padded and comfortable to carry and I always take one in the parks.

It holds ponchos (btw: Thank you for mentioning this as I plan to get some of the really cheap little ones for our upcoming trip and needed reminding!), a few water bottles, all essentials (wallet, camera and such), and usually quite a few snacks or sandwiches.

I actually started using it as a purse a while back. I don't now because I need a smaller purse or I just tend to fill it up and carry too much!

Dawn

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

I have a Skip Hop bag that straps to my stroller that is great! I think it is the Skip Hop Dash.

But my jog stroller has saddle bags that attach so I keep basic stuff in that like diapers and snacks. so my bag isn't as heavy.

I am thinking of gettng some type of backpack for our WDW trip in March though. It will be easier to hold while in lines I think.

 

[Elmo888]

I read about this one on the tips board. I haven't bought it because I don't need it yet, but I've seen it in person and it is cute and looks functional...

http://www.rei.com/product/749208?vcat=REI_SEARCH

If you have an REI nearby, you could see it in person.

Have a great trip!

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

I read about this one on the tips board. I haven't bought it because I don't need it yet, but I've seen it in person and it is cute and looks functional...

http://www.rei.com/product/749208?vcat=REI_SEARCH

If you have an REI nearby, you could see it in person.

Have a great trip!

That looks like a great bag!! I'll have to check it out.
I ordered a pair of pannier/saddlebags for my jog stroller, so I can keep most of the standard stuff in those. I just need something small to put our valuables in while waiting in lines and such.

 

[Elmo888]

That looks like a great bag!! I'll have to check it out.
I ordered a pair of pannier/saddlebags for my jog stroller, so I can keep most of the standard stuff in those. I just need something small to put our valuables in while waiting in lines and such.

That might be too big for valuables if you already have a stroller with a bag - depending on what valuables you carry.

I am waiting to buy that REI bag when I don't have a stroller (that will be a sad day - I love having a stroller as a pack horse!).

I have a backpack for non-valuables that hangs on the umbrella-style stroller (like your saddlebags), and I carry a small bag with valuables (cc, money, tickets, camera, lip stuff, etc.) I keep the small bag on me at all times. For that, I loooove the Overland Equipment Placer (mine is avocado green!)...

http://www.ebags.com/overland_equipment/placer_shoulder_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=19677

The OE Placer is small, and I can comfortably wear it at all times (on rides, attractions, dining). I bought it for our trip last year, and I have used it on a number of short vacations and even day trips when I don't want to carry my giant purse. I love it!

Regarding the bags on your stroller - if you are using buses and have to fold your stroller, make sure that you can remove the saddlebags quickly or the stroller folds without removing them.

I love bags! (Hmmmmm...do I need another bag???)

Have a great trip!

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

If I can fit my Digital SLR camera in it and my camcorder, it will be perfect!!! I am going to try to go to an REI store sometime this week!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

question for you vera bradley fans! Do you do the regular sized backpack, or are you using the large backpack?

 

[WAHMto5]

We use a Lands End backpack every year and love it.

 

[doodlesmommy]

I read about this one on the tips board. I haven't bought it because I don't need it yet, but I've seen it in person and it is cute and looks functional...

http://www.rei.com/product/749208?vcat=REI_SEARCH

If you have an REI nearby, you could see it in person.

Have a great trip!

This is exactly what the LL Bean bag I was referring to looks like. We got it in black so that DH could share the fun in lugging our things around if needed.

 

[solferino]

I just ordered an Overland Donner from REI in their outlet because it's had such good reviews here. The only thing I don't think I like about it is the strap seems a bit stiff and could be potentially scratchy, but I made a shoulder pad for it tonight that I think will work nicely.

Another bag that I've used in the parks and loved was the Chelsea bag from Lazy Girl Designs. If you don't sew you might be out of luck, but it goes together fairly quickly. I am bringing it along in case I don't like the Donner.


My everyday purse is the healthy back bag from LLBean. It's leather, and I like it for day to day stuff, I just don't think it's right for me in the parks.

 

[MamaCoog]

question for you vera bradley fans! Do you do the regular sized backpack, or are you using the large backpack?

I prefer the large but I have a toddler still in diapers so I have a ton of stuff to carry around. A regular sized might be sufficient if you just want to throw a few things in. If you have a VB retailer near you they should have them to compare sizes. Also, they should have the retiring colors on sale. Our local store had a couple of large backpacks for like $64. They are also on sale on the VB website (you might have a better selection there) but you will have to pay shipping. The zip ID cases are also great for WDW. They have an outside plastic ID cover and it holds your room key/ticket, credit cards and a little cash. There is one that has a clip and one that has a key ring.