Perfect Disney Bag

[Peaches1111_00]

What is your perfect Disney park bag? What did you use and how did you like it? Pros and cons?

http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/mes..._nylon/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=47360
My first trip bag was a Baggallini Messenger Bag. Held a lot of stuff. Probably too much. It was heavy because I had a full bottle of water AND a pretty full bottle of sunscreen. It did hold all of the musts very well and kept me organized. I finally got smart and stopped bringing the sunscreen. My only con was that the strap kept adjusting. I'm short and wanted to keep the strap shorter, but it kept moving. I didn't have anything to stop it from going longer.

http://www.ebags.com/heys_usa/travelmate_reg/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=97266
Most recent trip was with the Heys Travelmate. A little less room than the Baggallini so I was forced to pack lighter. It worked well for the week and held everything that I could possibly need. I think the strap on this one also migrated a bit, and that little strap pad just kept getting in the way.

I liked how I could carry my bag on all of the rides. Most attractions, I just scooted it to my hip and sat down without even taking it off. I could also dig in my bag without taking it off every time.

I'm always on the look-out for a small-ish/medium...ish bag for Disney. (You know you do it too. Go shopping and just think, "Hey! That would be a great Disney bag." My aunt has a different bag for every day of the trip because of this.) It's just hard to find the perfect size bag with a spot to stick a water bottle. So post your bags so we can go internet window shopping.

 

[Moomduck1]

My favorite bag is the tote that you can buy at WDW for $10 with a $50 purchase. I don't have a link to it.

I also like this bag....
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?dept=7&sku=10334:1726

 

[Brook1099]

I have always done a softback pack but this year I purchased a Baggelini for 30 dollars and I think I am going to love it. My kids are getting older,I don't need to carry that much anymore and this bag will keep me and mystuff organized.

 

[DMGeurts]

I carried a Vera Bradley Hipster... I"ve posted photos in several threads on this page, so I'll add them here too.

Empty bag:

Full front zip pocket (4 gift cards and a VB Zip-ID)

Full front slip pocket:

Looking down into the slip pocket (Map and sharpie)

Main pocket (with a Passporter - can't zip though - so don't recommend carrying it this way):

This is what I actually carried in the main pocket (water bottle, camera, ziploc baggies, 4 rain ponchos, small Tums and Tylenol bottles):

This is how it looked loaded up and zipped:

I also had a sunscreen bottle attached to a carabiner clip, clipped to the side of my bag:

And any Disney souvinier bags were clipped to that carabiner clip, and carried throughout the parks hands free:

And a couple photos of it attached to a not-so-skinny person who stands 5' 3":

Finally, it was very comfortable to carry. Lightweight. Everything was easily accessible. It was girly and fashionable. However, it was not waterproof... this was not a problem for us (That is what the zip-loc was for - to put the camera into - which we never needed).

I highly recommend this bag.

D~

 

[kaelarad]

Another vote for the VB Hipster!! Have brought mine on the last three trips. Love it. Great to carry in the florida humidity. Easy to get in and out of as well.

 

[Peaches1111_00]

Wow...I didn't realize how big those little bags are. From first glance, they didn't look that big which is why I never gave it a second look. I always wanted a side pocket for a water bottle (so the sweat from the bottle doesn't get to everything else. But I also thought of a washrag (face towel) and a rubberband to solve that problem. I don't like that it's not waterproof, but I like how a simple Ziploc baggie fixed that. And the colors...THE COLORS! I'm not extremely girly but even I can find a color I like. I'll go check them out!! WOO Thanks!

And I buy my bags from www.ebags.com I've purchased both of the bags I listed from them. The Hays bag was much darker than pictured so I thought I was sent the black in stead of the grey. When the 2nd bag came and it was the same color, I realized the website misrepresented the color. I was going to send back the 2nd one until my grandmother decided she liked my bag so much that she wanted one too!

EDIT: Now that I think of it, I also like how you can swap which side you wear it on! Both of my previous bags were designed to be worn on a specific side which caused a scratched up neck from rubbing and a tired back on 1 side. Did the strap pretty much stay in place or did the adjustable part slide around?

 

[DMGeurts]

Wow...I didn't realize how big those little bags are. From first glance, they didn't look that big which is why I never gave it a second look. I always wanted a side pocket for a water bottle (so the sweat from the bottle doesn't get to everything else. But I also thought of a washrag (face towel) and a rubberband to solve that problem. I don't like that it's not waterproof, but I like how a simple Ziploc baggie fixed that. And the colors...THE COLORS! I'm not extremely girly but even I can find a color I like. I'll go check them out!! WOO Thanks!

And I buy my bags from www.ebags.com I've purchased both of the bags I listed from them. The Hays bag was much darker than pictured so I thought I was sent the black in stead of the grey. When the 2nd bag came and it was the same color, I realized the website misrepresented the color. I was going to send back the 2nd one until my grandmother decided she liked my bag so much that she wanted one too!

EDIT: Now that I think of it, I also like how you can swap which side you wear it on! Both of my previous bags were designed to be worn on a specific side which caused a scratched up neck from rubbing and a tired back on 1 side. Did the strap pretty much stay in place or did the adjustable part slide around?

Ebags is a great place to buy a hipster! I've purchased two from them, and other bags too.

The hipster is very easy to switch sides on, and I wore it on every single ride, except for Kali River Rapids... it is still my favorite bag to carry on day trips to the MOA and amusement parks.

Welcome to the VB addiction.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Sorry, I forgot to answer your strap question...

The strap is the reason I purchased the bag in the first place... I had a Sherpani hipster type bag, and the strap was constantly scratching and pinching my neck - but I loved the "hands-free-ness" of that bag... which brought me to the hipster.

The hipster strap is NOT quilted, but it is soft fabric - I've never once had a problem with is hurting, scratching, or pinching my neck... for that matter, I've never even had issues with it pulling me and making me walk lopsided - some bags do that, and it's very painful later in the day.

This was a bag that I carried for 10+ hours a day, for weeks at a time, and never once did I have any pain from it. Not only that, but I really could never tell that I was carrying anything at all.

I hope that helps.

D~

 

[MapleGirl]

I have a couple of bags to chose from:

I have the baggallini messenger sling bag in pink.

I like the size, but I found the bag heavy and hot on my neck. I like that it holds the water bottle on the side. I will bring it and probably keep it in the rental car rather than bringing it into the parks.

I have a VB mini-hipster.

I like that it is a little smaller. I'm concerned that they thin strap will hurt my neck.

I have the VB hipster.

This is my favorite bag. The soft strap is comfortable and stay where I put it. I've never had a problem with the adjustable part slipping. The bag fits everything I need. It can get sweaty in the Florida heat.

I might leave the mini hipster at home. We'll see. I suppose I should just choose between the hipster and the baggallini. I prefer the hipster, but I feel bad buying the baggallini and not using it.

Generally I prefer to go without a bag. DH can usually hold the cards in his pockets. However, he also needs to take his diabetes stuff, I like to take the camera and he likes bringing a little monocular for looking at far away stuff. I guess I'd better bring a bag.

 

[natenapril]

I also just ordered the VB hipster in Purple Punch and LOVE it!! I like it better than the baggalini that I had purchased for our trip to DL last year. It;s not so rough on my shoulder.

 

[Forevryoung]

I have a similar dilemma- I have a teal baggallini messenger that I have used on 3-4 trips and LOVE. I would like to get a new one in a "winter" color for my October trip.

But then, I was considering the VB hipster or the Overland Donner bag which everyone raves about... simply to try something new.

My problem with bags is that I have a large chest and I dislike the fact that the strap pushes my shirt inward between "the twins." But having a hands free bag is wonderful.

This trip, I will need a sweatshirt or long sleeved shirt with me every day as I get cold easily. I'm nearly positive I'm going to bring my DSLR with me which I carry most of the time and stick in my bag on rougher rides.

Will the VB Hipster hold a jacket/long sleeved shirt and my DSLR?

Should I stick with my Baggallini because I know everything and more will fit?

 

[DMGeurts]

I have a similar dilemma- I have a teal baggallini messenger that I have used on 3-4 trips and LOVE. I would like to get a new one in a "winter" color for my October trip.

But then, I was considering the VB hipster or the Overland Donner bag which everyone raves about... simply to try something new.

My problem with bags is that I have a large chest and I dislike the fact that the strap pushes my shirt inward between "the twins." But having a hands free bag is wonderful.

This trip, I will need a sweatshirt or long sleeved shirt with me every day as I get cold easily. I'm nearly positive I'm going to bring my DSLR with me which I carry most of the time and stick in my bag on rougher rides.

Will the VB Hipster hold a jacket/long sleeved shirt and my DSLR?

Should I stick with my Baggallini because I know everything and more will fit?

I do not think that the Hipster will hold a sweatshirt and a DSLR... possibly just the DSLR - but I don't even think it would fit a sweatshirt alone... I am not even sure that VB's Mailbag would be big enough. If you wanted a bigger handsfree Vera option that would fit both - the Messenger is your next option.

Front:

Front under flap two pockets:

Back full zipper:

Main interior pocket:

Here is my dd carrying it on the first day of school, she is the size of a small adult... little dd is carrying the retired messenger style.

It isn't a huge bag (I wish is was bigger for school), but I think it would carry your sweatshirt and DSLR perfectly, it would be hands free and you would fit any other necessities in the bag, as well. Hope that Helped.

Always willing to create a new VB addict.

D~

 

[mindy5648]

There was another thread that asked about bags. I just bought my VB Hipster with the thicker strap. I can not wait to use it. Ususally DH will bring a backpack but as other disers I have the cheast issue. When they are too big to begin with you dont really need them to look bigger! Im hoping the hipset doesnt cause that. I loved ALL the fabrics VB has! If this works out I might have to get another one...you know for the next trip...yeah that is how i will explain it to DH whyI have all these bags...lol

 

[Forevryoung]

Woah DMGeurts thanks for the info and the pictures!

If that's the case, then I'm going to skip the VB bag idea.

No, to just figure out if I should stick with the Baggallini Messenger or the Overland Donner bag

I keep forgetting that my friends will have a stroller for me to store my lunch/sweatshirt in usually (I won't be with them the whole trip).

 

[MapleGirl]

My problem with bags is that I have a large chest and I dislike the fact that the strap pushes my shirt inward between "the twins." But having a hands free bag is wonderful.

I have a similar issue and it makes me very self conscious when I wear messenger bags. One of the things I liked about the VB Hipster is that I could position the strap to go above or below my chest.

 

[DisTwix]

I have a similar issue and it makes me very self conscious when I wear messenger bags. One of the things I liked about the VB Hipster is that I could position the strap to go above or below my chest.

I have this same issue too... and have given up trying to work around it. I now figure the Girls are helping to hold the bag in place.


I have the Heys Travelmate in Camo and friggin LOVE IT. It holds everything I need, including my Sigg waterbottle off on the side. I haven't had trouble with the strap scratching, although the little pad does migrate everywhere headache. I have also worn it slung on both sides (even tho it's designed to wear left to right) without any problems.

I also pack a couple of carabiners in there for the same reason of hanging stuff off the bag --- or stroller, when we've had one.

 

[jsantini]

Does anyone know where I might be able to look at the Heys TravelMate in person? Ebags has a great price, but I'd like to check out the pockets and things before I order it.

 

[MapleGirl]

Does anyone know where I might be able to look at the Heys TravelMate in person? Ebags has a great price, but I'd like to check out the pockets and things before I order it.

You could try REI or EMS.

 

[S. C.]

Does anyone know where I might be able to look at the Heys TravelMate in person? Ebags has a great price, but I'd like to check out the pockets and things before I order it.

You could try REI or EMS.

Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and I think it was at the Samsonite store in the outlet mall.

 

[DMGeurts]

I have a similar issue and it makes me very self conscious when I wear messenger bags. One of the things I liked about the VB Hipster is that I could position the strap to go above or below my chest.

I am large chested... see above... Honestly, I could care less what it shows - as long as I am comfortable - I'd so much rather have my chest *accentuated* than be sore, walking around Disney, lugging a huge bag that I can only carry on one shoulder. But that's a personal thing and each person is different.... Maybe a VB backpack would be your perfect bag? If you wanted to stick with VB - that is.

Good luck finding the right bag.

D~