I've been agonizing about what bag I'd use if we go to Disney this year (
free dining).
I've tried a small backpack (too hot), a nylon drawstring backpack (strings cut into my shoulders) and a fanny pack (loved the hands-free convenience but it didn't have enough room for everything I wanted). I have to be careful about the size of my bag and the weight of its contents, so as to avoid aggravating an old shoulder injury.
My park essentials will include:
1. Allergy and headache meds (single packs of two tablets)
2. Sunscreen (small travel sized bottle that snaps off the larger bottle)
3. Sunglasses
4. Wallet (use flat lightweight nylon velcro wallet instead of my nice, bulkier, heavier leather one)
5. Small comb or brush - extra ponytailer wrapped around the handle
6. Hand sanitizer
7. Small pack of wipes or facial tissues
8. Disposable poncho
9. Camera
10. Cell Phone
I don't tote around water bottles - I get free water from the CS places!
I was rummaging through my bag stash yesterday and found two bags - they were originally designed for portable Discman-type CD players. The bags were retired years ago when my older kids' CD players stopped working.
It occured to me that the CD bag could be easily repurposed as my park bag. I've tried it and all my park essentials can fit! It's padded and waterproof too - added protection for the camera and phone, though I will still put them in a ziploc bag
DH and DD11 will carry their own stuff.
The bag has an adjustable strap that will allow me to wear as an a shoulder bag or cross-body bag, or I could strap it around my waist like a fanny pack. There is also a belt loop, so that I could wear the bag on my belt.
What I like best is that it's effectively a "free" bag - no additional outlay!
I've also got a brown leather cross-body purse by Nine West that will work well for the evening (another almost free bag - I paid 50cents for it at a garage sale!)