Purse? Fanny Pack? Back Pack? Other?

[Frozen2014]

I have back problems so like to travel light. I even bought myself a material purse (i.e. lighter) that is small with a few different pockets (one even at the front to put tickets/FPs). My husband will carry the full backpack but I'm now wondering if I should have something bigger in case we split up with our kids. I was really just thinking of the tickets, a camera, phone, money, keys and a few paper printouts of maps. But then there are things like water, sunscreen, cardigans for night, etc.

SO you do just bring a purse, a fanny pack, a back pack (mini or full size) or other kind of bag?

As a second question....do you bring refillable cups or water bottles? There are 4 of us but I can imagine it's better bringing our own rather than constantly buying 4 waters.

 

[squeezle]

I carry the Eagle Creek sling bag - it holds everything I need (similar to the things you mentioned) including snacks, a light jacket and a water bottle...

And I use a Vapur collapsable water bottle.

 

[farmfresh]

I often use a fanny pack or (since they can sometimes aggravate my back) a small nylon cross body bag, about 8-10 inches. The best water solution so far has been those flexible , collapsible water bottles (kind of like pouches) so you are not carrying extra bulk around. Some have little clip attachments so they can go outside your bag.Water, tickets, phone, sunscreen all fit - even a light top sometimes.

 

[Stephanie1138]

I did use a borrowed cross body 3 years ago. We have an upcoming trip and I bought a new cross body bag that can be worn by both me and my husband. If you don't want to bring water all the quick service restaurants will give you free ice water if you ask.

 

[MacMama0930]

I love my fanny pack...

 

[3monkeys4me]

I prefer to bring my own water bottle and usually have a light sweater/hoodie even in the summer time since I am always cold so I use a small backpack and carry my water bottle (husband shares mine, we just refill as needed), wallet, phone and hoodie and a small sweater/hoodie for my 8 year old and a small water bottle for her. My older two kids each carry a small drawstring backpack that they put their stuff in. I don't want to be the pack mule for the entire family now that the older kids are old enough to carry their own stuff. The 8 year old has another year or so and then she will be expected to cart her stuff around too.

 

[waltonmkb]

I use a cinch bag. They are super light.

 

[IntoDeNile]

To lighten your load a little you can rent out a locker to use for items you know you may not use as often or until later, like the cardigan you are thinking of bringing for night. That way you won't have to bring a bigger bag to carry more things if you use a locker to store all jackets till later. I would recommend a water bottle for everyone and you can refill it throughout the day via the water fountains that can be found everywhere in DL (unless you guys don't like the taste of tap water).

Whenever I go to DL I bring a mini backpack to carry a bottle of water, battery pack, deodorant, and wallet with a little space to spare just in case. For my DL pass I wear it on a lanyard for easy access.

 

[DznyPrnces]

I carry a backpack, buy my kids are young and I still need to carry stuff for them. I can't wait till they are older and I can go back to my fanny pack lol

We don't carry water bottles with us.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I use a mini backpack. It carries my phone, external battery pack, wallet, chapstick, sunscreen, and two water bottles.

 

[Aladora]

I have back problems so like to travel light. I even bought myself a material purse (i.e. lighter) that is small with a few different pockets (one even at the front to put tickets/FPs). My husband will carry the full backpack but I'm now wondering if I should have something bigger in case we split up with our kids. I was really just thinking of the tickets, a camera, phone, money, keys and a few paper printouts of maps. But then there are things like water, sunscreen, cardigans for night, etc.

SO you do just bring a purse, a fanny pack, a back pack (mini or full size) or other kind of bag?

As a second question....do you bring refillable cups or water bottles? There are 4 of us but I can imagine it's better bringing our own rather than constantly buying 4 waters.

I used to use a tiny cross body purse but have switched to a mini backpack.

As for water, DS and I find that the water in and around Disneyland tastes gross and neither of us can drink it. DH says he can taste the difference but it does not bother him as much. So, we get a flat of water delivered to our hotel (or if we are staying near the Desert Inn & Suites we pop into their store since it has the best $ for water) and we carry bottles to the park. DS and DH each carry their own and I carry one in my hand and one in my backpack since I will usually finish one bottle before we get into the park! We ask for the free cups of ice water at CS restaurants and refill the bottles with that. We also go back to the hotel for a mid-day break and grab a few more bottles then.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

In addition to the free cups of ice water at most CS places (ask for however many you need to fill your water bottles), there are filtered water spigots in both parks where you can fill/refill your water bottles. Also, First Aid in both parks has cold, filtered water fountains which you are encouraged to use to fill a water bottle.
I use a small crossbody bag. The small bag keeps me disciplined on what I bring to the parks. Can't overload a bag if the extras won't fit. DH brings a backpack, so if I have to have something larger, it can go in there. Agree about renting a locker for larger items that you don't need with you all day.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you for all the replies and great tips. DH will carry the main backpack but there will be times he'll take DS and I'll take DD. My kids have old mini back packs that may work (even though I'll look silly carrying around Dora or Spiderman...lol). Guess overall we need to balance things as we don't want this heavy bag on our backs with the heat.

Great idea about a locker for holding our night time wear. We also have cooling towels (will see if they work) that in the opposite way, we won't want to use at night. We are across the street at Dessert Inn & Suites so I need to see when we are there if it's worth popping back to grab cover ups (i.e. is distance much further than the locker?) Good to know about their water too.

I like the idea of a collapsible water bottle. We have a 'Solutions' store near us (a 'space saving' kind of store) so they would probably carry that kind of thing.

Good to know about the CS. DO they provide cups too or just the water and ice?

 

[StormyCA]

CS will give you a cup with ice water in it.

Renting a locker is the way to go. Then take a good hard look at everything you think is a 'necessity'. I used to tote around a stuffed to the gills backpack. Now I just carry a small cross body and everything else goes in the locker or stays at the Grand. If we aren't staying onsite, we also use it to stow souvies so we aren't carrying those around either.

 

[DizMe]

I've tried all options, I think, and most have advantages in one way or another. What works best for me and is my go-to is a backpack purse. I actually use one all the time anyway because of the convenience and the weight distribution. I don't like having anything across my body (crossbodies bother me) or on my shoulder. I do like fanny packs and read recently that they're making a comeback, though I personally never worry too much about the fashion statement of it The disadvantage for me is using the restroom.

Large backpacks leave you with a big bag to hang onto when you're on a ride and they don't fit in the little carriers that some rides provide. My neck and shoulders don't like single straps & string/cord bags but a purse-sized backpack--not too small but not a real backpack--is the easiest thing for my body.

What I like about the backpack purse is that I can carry a lightweight jacket in it as well as the other regular things I like to have in my purse. It's designed as a purse so I have easy access for glasses, phone, lip balm, and things like that in a more convenient design for me than a regular backpack. I don't like carrying a water bottle around (too heavy and I'm ok with water fountains) but if I wanted to, I could fit one in. I can usually hold purchases unless they're very large and it's so much easier than holding them. I don't even have to remove my bp purse when using the restroom

I got mine at Ross and it was not expensive. It's a MultiSac brand. I took a picture of my daughter with it on.

 

[Sun_soakin]

I use a tiny cross body purse. We always go back for a midday break, so no need to bring everything with us. Usually at night we'll go back in w/ a backpack w/ all our sweaters.

I just carry chapstick, phone, cards/cash, sunglasses bag, small sunscreen.

 

[Frozen2014]

This is great...thank you. I've already gone on amazon and will order the collapsible water bottles as an option.

DizMe, cute backpack. Your post reminds me too that our kids are always taking on and of their hats and sunglasses.

 

[Rabb it]

I really depends on the weather for me. If it's too hot, there's nothing worse than wearing a big backpack that's going to make your back super sweaty. How old are your kids, do you have a stroller? Most people keep excess in their strollers if you do.

If it's hot it's worth it to me to spend the 8 bucks on a small locker to keep stuff in rather than lug it around.

 

[Nonsuch]

I have been wearing ScottEVest clothing in the parks. Everything safely zipped into vest pockets, and pants pockets empty.

 

[Frozen2014]

I really depends on the weather for me. If it's too hot, there's nothing worse than wearing a big backpack that's going to make your back super sweaty. How old are your kids, do you have a stroller? Most people keep excess in their strollers if you do.

If it's hot it's worth it to me to spend the 8 bucks on a small locker to keep stuff in rather than lug it around.

Our kids are 12 and 8 so we probably won't be bringing strollers...lol. I agree though, when they were younger, strollers helped in carrying stuff aside from our kids.

Nonsuch....cool vest, but we'll be at the parks in 2 weeks so too hot for us.