Packing Light in the Park

[heather_sue_98]

Going to the parks with my four year old, but trying to pack light for the park. I usually take a backpack, but we may or may not rent a stroller, so if I have the backpack I may very well have it on all day.

So, what do you feel like you need at the park when you have kids? Here's my list so far. Let me know what you think.

*snacks (at least some. they're expensive!)
*change of clothes for 4 y/o (in case she gets wet, dirty, etc. I guess I could drop this since we are staying right across from the park...)
*camera
*extra camera battery
*cell phone
*cash
*change for pressed penny machines
*baggies for leftover food, etc.
*wet wipes for messes/stickiness
*water bottle? (maybe not. might get heavy when full)

What else? Or what do I have that you think I may not need?

 

[becpee]

Sunscreen and advil (or the like, for you)

 

[Amy and kids]

rain ponchos?

 

[Roandlilsmum]

I would suggest buying a case of water and keep it in the hotel fridge, and take a couple of the bottles each time you go to the parks, that's what we are going to do, the bottles won't weigh too much.
And you can buy the whole case for the price of one bottle in the park.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Autograph book if she is into that and glowsticks.

 

[LuLusApple]

You can take 2 water bottles and refill them at the babycare centers they have cold filtered water we have done this in the past. That way you are not lugging around too much water

 

[Anj]

I did a very small one shoulder daypack for my family of 5 (DH, myself, and 3 kids: 2, 5 and 7 years old). I brought:
- 3 rain ponchos (still in their store package, so packed small and flat)
- one bottle of sunscreen
- 2 diapers and a travel sized wipes
- wallet and camera
We drank from the water fountains. I had intentions of bringing bottled water in, but found that to be cumbersome. Although, we went in March (last week) and the weather was cool.
I loved travelling this light, most rides we didn't even take the shoulder bag off, it was that flat. We also stayed in the parks from open to close most days.

 

[tholczer]

Sounds like what we carry in our pack and it is very light. I usually carry a 32 oz sports bottle and that isn't heavy at all. We refill it all day in any of the restaurant soda machines - they all have a water dispenser. I'm not sure you need the extra clothes. Especially if you're staying nearby. Have fun!

Tracy

 

[Dobie]

Wipes, water, camera, sunscreen, a light snack, and if its really hot, a wet washcloth in a baggie. I wouldn't worry about packing leftovers; they get smushed and gross. And clean clothes wont be necessary if you plan a midday nap/swim break--highly recommended with little ones. Maybe a light sweater for evening.

 

[iheartdisney]

One note- we usually take a camelback with us- enough drinking water for everyone, with no backwash! I usually fill the bladder with ice in the morning, and then water, so we get cold water as the ice melts. We can also squeeze a few ans of soda and juiceboxes in the compartment with the bladder, so they stay cold.
Plus it has pockets big enough for anything else we want to bring.
I wouldn't bother with the rain ponchos unless the weather specifically mentions rain- we are seldom suprised by weather.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Your list looks good! I personally would take any extra pair of clothes even though you're staying across the street. I wouldn't want to waste that time walking back and forth when I could be in the park. You may want to take hand sanitizer as well!

 

[specialks]

Can you mention when you are going? That might help us give you more detailed ideas based on the season.

A couple of things I thought of:

* A mini first aid kit -- antibac cream & bandaids. You can get them at the first aid center but if you are at the back of the park and they get a little scrape you don't wnat to have to trek across the park for a bandaid.
* We bring reusable bottles (stainless steel - they make mini ones that are great for little ones) so we don't use plastic bottles and refill them at the park water fountains.

 

[brergnat]

My boys are 4 and 5. I take them to Disneyland every week.

This is what is in my bag (it's a cross body Overland Donner shoulder bag, not a backpack).

1. Travel sized baby wipes from Target (the 20 wipe pack)
2. One ziploc with pretzels, one with Goldfish
3. Fruit leather (sits at the bottom of the bag)
4. Wallet
5. Small pill case with meds for me (I get migraines)
6. Travel size pack of antibacterial hand wipes
7. Insulated water bottle
8. Camera (no camera bag...just put the camera in my shoulder bag)
9. Cell phone (usually in my pants pocket)
10. Gum

This is ALL I've ever needed since my kids became potty trained. It is so liberating! Don't overdo it. The extra outfit is not necessary. Depending on the weather, you might need jackets, but maybe not.

Don't bother with rain gear either. When it rains here, you will know it WAY in advance. You can bring it on days you need it, but otherwise leave it in the hotel room. It's not like there are sudden unexpected downpours here.

 

[purpleorchids]

great lists..this will also help me plan to pack light thanks

 

[imp&pixie]

I pack the ponchos not for rain but for Splash Mountain (or Grizzly). On our last trip we rode it in the morning and my daughter and I got SOAKED! I love the ride but I hate being wet. We lost a couple hours of peak morning time by having to go back to the hotel (right across Harbor) and change. I will pack a couple ponchos from now on - they don't take up very much space.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Great thread!

DL allows outside food and drinks?? That great! I'd love to bring in some water and a few snacks.

 

[rentayenta]

DH holds the backpack. I don't know how to pack lightly. But really, we spring for a locker but this trip we'll be at the GCV so we can literally run to the room if it gets chilly or need camera batteries.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I travel super light....if it doesen't fit in my pockets, I don't need it. Of course I help that by wearing a travel/safari vest. For extra clothes and jackets I rent a locker.

 

[NMMickeymom]

We typically carry a small backpack with many of the things already mentioned. Just a few additional things. Moleskin in our first aid kit! A small backpacking towel - it is great for wiping off after a wet ride and nice to sit on during a parade or shading a kid in the sun. Tic-Tac's or some other small candy. Cards for playing go-fish in line.

 

[Gisele]

Moleskin and first aid tape I agree is a good idea. Because a couple of years ago, my so I had thought good shoes to wear, well rubbed the bejeazous out of my heels, omg! Ripped skin, blood, sweat, and it wasn't even time yet for WWE! Anyway... yea, those things are a good idea. Or just go to the first aid booth. Hopefully no one will experience that form of inconvenience or of any kind for that matter.
For the last couple of years, while visiting the land, I have been using a messenger style bag. It is not the kind that bike messengers use, they are the type that you can purchase at Target for example, which is where I purchased mine. Anyway... I normally wear it with the shoulder strap across my body, and at times wear it, nearer my back, than side. It all depends upon what I am doing at the time. I suggest wearing this kind of bag. I don't like backpacks, in this case, because they can become so loaded down, and cumbersome. So I have not used these in the parks. I have not used any diapers in a long time, so cannot be of too much assistance there. I don't believe that a change of clothing generally speaking anyway, will be needed either. Except maybe socks, especially if your shoes start to rub your heels, that are long enough to cover them properly. That was another element that was absent with my shoes. Those little shortie socks, just did not cut it. Underwear, really is not a bad idea either, seriously, never know what GI issue might strike
I like to put my tickets, wallet, water bottle (Which I just refill at Dl) snacks, tissue, must have comb and lip gloss of course too. pens, paper (Just in case I finally meet Clint E!) what else.... maybe a sweater, only if I really need it though. Plastic bags are a good idea too, just in case you do need them for whatever it may be. My cell phone too, I carry in my bag. Now once I almost did lose my bag, while going on expedition with Indy..... OMG! Your jeep goes one way, and the bag literally flew off of my lap, good thing I have at least one hand on it. This time though, for just a few seconds that was not the case, hence flying Target bag.... luckily I was able to catch it in time
so it did not disappear into the darkness of the caverns. Ha! That was not the bags fault, of course, but mine.

Have a magical day at Dl!