I wonder if this means I'm smart?

[iamjkmb]

I'm hoping this will work, what do you think??? I've had little babies the last 4 times we've been to Florida and this will be the first year we won't have a stroller to lug our junk around in (baby not included in the junk reference). I think with 5 kids, bringing a large suitcase or 3 into the parks with us would be quite understandable, but in the spirit of all that is normal, I don't think that would fly...we might stand out. So, I've decided to bring a backpack that has the rollers on it and a small bike lock. I thought that I would be able to lock it up where the strollers are parked while we're on a ride. Also, when we get tired of having it on our backs (hee-hee...I said we. What I really meant was my husband), the kids can take turns wheeling it. Good idea? Bad idea? hhmmmm...... talk amongst yourselves.......
Oh, dh and I wear fanny packs with our money and such. So, nothing way important will go in the backpack. I just thought the bike lock would be smart because if the backback got stolen then there are 7 people I'd have to replace things for, which all adds up to lots of $$$$. Although, personally, I'm not opposed to spending money, I am happiest when the money I spend is on items that I haven't already purchased.

 

[jjan]

Just a few thoughts... How could a bike lock keep someone from opening the zippers or cutting the side of your bag. Also, technically I don't believe that you are allowed to bring "rolling" cases into the park since they pose a danger of tripping people behind you and you can be denied at the bag check. I would just pay the extra few dollars and rent a locker and be done with it. Or... how old are your kids? If any are older than 5 or 6, they can have a little backpack and carry a few of their things too.

 

[jackdis]

I'm not sure how old your youngest is, but would it be a possibility that he or she would still be in an umbrella stroller?? The kids get exhausted by the end of the night and then you've got a little storage area underneath...no one has to carry the backpack!!!!

 

[Tiffer]

I agree with the person who said, all they would have to do is open a zipper to steal.

Also, I think it is a great idea in theory bad not practical.

I have always had mine wear their own fanny packs with their disney dollars and cell phones. When they were younger, I would rent a stroller anyway for our stuff or if the little one got to worn out.

Other items, sweats, ponchos, light up toys can be kept in a locker until they are needed.

 

[mikey20]

From what i remember about disneyland; the last thing that i would want to worry about was where the backpack was or if one of the children had lost it. It can be very crowded in the parks and trying to drag/push a bag might become more of a hinderence(sp?) then anything else. I would go for the umbrella stroller. Children can take turns riding in it if need be and it also works good for storing things.

 

[pezpam]

I wouldn't want to wheel a bag through the crowds, much less worry about DD doing it and not hitting anyone. We've always gone with:

A backpack for me - sunscreen, camera, wallet, cell phone, a folder with any info I need that day, our coins for pressing pennies, a hairbrush, a small bottle of that hand disinfecting gel, and a few bandaids and kleenex. I'll also carry small souvenirs like pins as we pick them up - larger ones get sent back to the hotel directly.

A small backpack for DD - our filter water bottle (empty most of the time she's carrying it), her pin lanyard, her autograph book and pen.

Frankly, she loved it. She started carrying it when she was 5 and she felt all grown up being in charge of a couple of little things. When she was younger, I took her pack for rides, but now she's 8 and holds onto it herself.

 

[pixiepower1971]

No Rolling Backpacks! I have been hit with them so many times in the parks!

I vote for giving each kid a small backpack for their own things. Makes life a lot easier for everyone!

 

[disneychrista]

You are also not allowed to "lock" strollers/backpacks etc to anything in the park. Doing so would cause, I am sure, an immediate security attention, along with cutting the lock and removing the case.

Not sure how old your kids are but IMO, back packs are a PAIN in the you know what. If you need something at the park rent a locker stash it in there and go on your way. When you need said item (be it meds, jackets, etc) go to the locker retrieve needed item. So much easier IMO then lugging a back pack around all day.

 

[iamjkmb]

So, not so smart....and I had such high hopes!

I think we're going to stick with the rolling backpack but not use the bike lock. As I said, nothing way important will go in the backpack, so I'll just cross my fingers that I won't be the one someone decides to steal from. I can't do a stroller because my youngest, even though she'll just have turned 4, looks like she's 6 or 7. All of my kids are extremely tall and have only lasted in a stroller until 2 years old, if I'm lucky. I even got out my 2 strollers just to make sure she wouldn't fit, even though I knew it wouldn't work...kind of like when you get home from the hospital after having a baby and you just have to try on your old pair of skinny jeans...just to see. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[helencw]

I just got back from Disney and Universal with my ds5. He is tall-48" but still fits in a Maclaren Volo (and the rentable strollers too). He would not have been able to walk those long distances without it. The stroller was great for storing our stuff. It was also very useful at the airport- I wheeled the suitcase and ds pushed the bags in the stroller.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Not to sound silly, but I can pretty much guarantee that if you leave an unattended backpack by the strollers while you ride that security will take it away. Post 9-11 things have changed quite a bit. I have to honest that if I saw an unattended bag in a public place - especially a crowded public place I would report it as I am sure many others would as well. I would hate for you to lose your stuff, but you never know. JMHO.

 

[disneychrista]

I agree if you are going to take a backpack, you need to keep it with you. There are no rides that I have found that you can't take a backpack. If you leave it unattended, it will be removed, either as lost or as a security risk.

 

[scanmom]

my youngest DS is tall, and he still used the rental strollers until age 5 or 6. But, we gave each child a fanny pack with a few snacks in it. They were better than backpacks, because the kids couldn't easily take them off and then forget them. In fact, they left them on all day. And it was nice that they could snack away w/o asking me or DH to get them something. We always froze the little capri sun packets, which kept things cold, and as they melted they were still cold enough to enjoy drinking at midday!

 

[MNmom2]

JMO.....we just got back from Dis - please oh please leave the rolling backpack at home. We saw someone with one and saw a million people trip over it - just not a good thing at all with any type of crowd! I'd go the fannypack route OR get a smaller backpack that you can just carry on your back. If anyone should be 'bothered' by a backpack, it should be the person who brought it - not the people following behind. kwim?

 

[SILLYANDI]

I have 4 kids of my own (5 if u count DH but that's a whole other story). I have a stroller sized kid still, but she spends most of her time in a backpack (the kind designed to carry kids, although I've been tempted several times to try others!). The other 3 are usually fighting by the end of the day to be the one in the stroller.
I have a Maclaren Stroller (Techo XT) and it was worth every penny I spent on it. I can push my 100 lb, 52in 8 yr old one handed without a problem. It has a great storage area, is ridiculously lightweight (11lbs) and folds/looks like an umbrella stroller with all the perks of a real stroller. I can fit all 6 of our sweatshirts plus diapers, wipes, snacks & drinks in the storage area. I can easily fold it and carry it onto the train, monorail, etc (without removing the stuff)at Disneyland so I figure I will have just as much luck at WDW. I got a great deal on e-bay-it's a $300 stroller and got last year's model brand new for less than $100.
I would highly recommend it. Or maybe rent a stroller at Disney, you don't have to push it everywhere you go, park it centrally- do all the rides etc in one area then move it to the next place you want to go. A little closer than going all the way back to lockers and added perk of being able to tote the kids around if necessary too. That's my 2 cents...

 

[Kath2003]

You have 5 kids.
How much stuff do you really need to take?
Like, two backpacks worth, max?
Two people carry the backpacks. Rotate every hour.
Personally I just can't see the need to take that much stuff to a theme park

 

[jetprincess]

Have you thought of renting a stoller? The rental strollers are huge. We were there a few weeks ago and I saw some pretty big kids in them. I know for a fact that there were 7 and 8 years olds riding in them. If you rent a double you would have a spot for stuff and for your 4 year old if she needs a spot.