Just back from our first stroller-free and bag-free trip!

[Manda]

And it was so great!

DS will be 6 in August. His last trip was last August. After that trip, we said no more strollers and I was a little worried about it, honestly. He plowed through the week like it was nothing though - even doing 2 or 3 parks in one day (and water parks!). I only carried our passes and my cell phone and sometimes my camera. We got to to through the "guests without bags" line every time. Never had to stop and park a stroller. Never had to stop and fold a stroller. No bags to keep track of or store on a ride. I was worried that the lack of stroller would actually make the trip harder, but it made it so much easier. And another bonus - taking the trip at 5 year old speed saved my feet and legs from a LOT of soreness, LOL. I've never felt so good at the end of a long, hot week at Disney World. Taught me a valuable lesson about not needing to hurry up all the time.

 

[susykt4]

WHOOOOO!!!!! Congrats! We did our first stroller-free in January. It was so wonderful to not have the stinkin' strollers on the buses and maneuvering through the rope drop crowds. Best trip ever!

 

[LWatson]

oh man I cant wait till those days for us...but its FAR AWAY...lol (unless we do an adults only, but thats unlikely).

 

[DISNEYNV]

Congrats!

Ditto! Can't wait either... Ok part of me will miss it, but my back and patience will be estatic

It will be so much easier to take the kids on vacation. But it is sort of nice to have a stroller to put all the extra stuff in. But by then I guess there won't be much extra stuff to carry around! I know my DH is counting down to stroller free vacations too

 

[laceemouse]

This is one of the best posts I have ever read!!!
So many people think they have to keep the stroller forever at WDW, mistakingly thinking it makes things easier. We were so happy to be done with the stroller several years ago. We can snake in and out of the crowds so much faster and easier, we LOVE it!

And, like you, we figured out how to just carry a very few things with us, one small bag for the passes and not much else

 

[AshtonsMom99]

Congrats to all of you! My son didnt go till he was six, for the very fact that I didn't want to carry anything...... it is very freeing isnt it?1

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Congrats! I'm planning my next trip to be stroller free. DD will be almost 7 when we go next August. I was hoping to only occassionally use the stroller last year when she was just turning 5, but we used it all but one day. I don't think she really needed it all that time, but was just accustomed to hopping in.

But my question is... how do you manage to go bag free? I carried a small one when I went by myself in March. I needed someplace for my phone, camera, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. I can't fit all that in my pockets. And when I go with DD, we will have an autograph book and pen too.

 

[ourtrip]

I too would love to know how you didn't have a bag?

This will be OUR first TRIP and we are so excited.

wont we need to carry.......
.. ponchos incase of rain?
.. hand sanitizer?
..bandaids?
..extra camera batteries?
..extra sd card for camera?
..daily itineary?

Or am I packing to much each day?

(sorry to jump on your thread)

ready for OUR TRIP!

 

[Manda]

But my question is... how do you manage to go bag free? I carried a small one when I went by myself in March. I needed someplace for my phone, camera, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. I can't fit all that in my pockets. And when I go with DD, we will have an autograph book and pen too.

I have a waterproof pouch on a string like this:

http://www.rei.com/product/752258

I carry my passes, driver's license, etc. in there. Stick my iPhone in my pocket. I have a tiny camera. I didn't always carry it, but when I did, it was in a case that clipped to a belt loop or else I just looped it over the same string hanging my waterproof pouch. My kid carried it on his belt loop occasionally, too. Sunglasses on my face or head. I wash my hands in a sink. My kid doesn't do autographs, so I don't need to carry that. We return to the hotel for swimming and break shortly after lunch every day, so we reapply sunscreen there. Although, my friend who was with us had a travel size sunscreen that clipped onto her belt loop.

I too would love to know how you didn't have a bag?

This will be OUR first TRIP and we are so excited.

wont we need to carry.......
.. ponchos incase of rain?
.. hand sanitizer?
..bandaids?
..extra camera batteries?
..extra sd card for camera?
..daily itineary?

Or am I packing to much each day?

(sorry to jump on your thread)

ready for OUR TRIP!

Ponchos - When we were there, it was HOT, so ponchos weren't necessary to us. I'd probably change my strategy slightly if we were there during a chilly and rainy December trip again.

Hand sanitizer - Like I said, I just wash my hands in sinks with soap and water.

Bandaids - I've never needed any really. I guess if a situation arose, I'd go to first aid. The kid has had a few scrapes here and there, but nothing band-aid worthy. I do keep some in the room.

Camera stuff - I guess it depends on your camera, but my travel camera (Canon SD1100 IS) battery lasts forever and ever. I didn't even charge the battery before I left and it still lasted the whole week. I have a second battery, but never use it. My 2GB card holds something like 800 pics in that camera. They'll let you pass through the no bag line if you just have a tiny camera in a tiny camera case that only holds the camera. My tiny camera case could probably slide an extra card in there if I felt like it.

Itinerary - On my iPhone.