Question for park overpackers...

[disneydragon]

What do you use as a carryall in the parks? A backpack, waistpack, camera bag, etc? Are you allowed to ride the rides with a backpack?

 

[jellydisney]

I prefer a mini-backpack--something that leaves both hands free. And yes you can bring it on all rides and attractions... in fact, keep it with you at all times! You wouldn't want somebody to take it.

 

[MinnieGi]

I carry around a mid-size "WDW" tote bag. While we are walking around I put it in the storage basket of our stroller but when riding or eating I always carry it with me. I know some can just get away with a waist pack, but I carry around too much stuff!

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

We carry a back pack too, but this next trip, I am going to try and have everyone carry their own fanny pack and that's it. We now have a few waterbottle straps that we can use, then snacks can be in the boy's fannys. I'll have a small sunscreen, first aid kit, tissues, etc in my fanny and Dad can carry the camera and anything else. I "hope" this will work out. I just don't know about the boys. they have never had to carry a fanny, so I am sure I will get some wineing about it, but they better get over it!

 

[jann1033]

we got a great camcorder rectanglular bag that has straps that can lock in either the shoulder or waist position. it was plenty roomy and fit on my hus. side in all the seats so he didn't have to worry about it flying around.Samsonite, $14 at Walmart. I also got a great little 5x7" (approx) beautiful brocade cloth bag on a shoulder rope at China in WS..perfect for my pass, a brush, a bandaid, the bare essentials and was so lightweight it did not bother me at all....$5 by the purses and stuff...the strap is tucked inside the bag in the display so you wouldn't notice it at first. great bargain!

 

[oogieboogie]

The last 2 times to WDW I carried around a backpack... by the end of the day, I wanted to fling that thing right in bay lake. Everything got stuffed in the backpack, and here I am... 5'2" carrying this monster on my back. I thought I needed everything in there... and had snacks, toys, fans, bottled water, etc. Almost nothing came out of it.

This time, I swore I would go light... I bought a fanny pack, and I will (I swear) only bring my wallet, cellphone, wet wipes, sunblock, autograph book and pen, and my brita water bottle.

I figure... since I'm giving a million dollars towards Mr. Eisner's retirement, what's a few dollars here and there to buy stuff at Disney?

 

[RUDisney]

DH and I, pre-kids, only took one fanny pack and we'd share responsibility for it.

Our first trip with the kids, we took a backpack, that my DH swore didn't fit him. He refused to play with the straps to make it fit. My shoulders ached. And all I carried was my small camera, small camcorder, 4 ponchos, 2 autograph books and some snacks. Actually, typing it, it seems like a lot more.

So, this time, we'll be taking 4 fanny packs. The kids will carry their own books and snacks. They'll each have a throw away camera that will be carried, or not, depending on their mood.

I'll have our passes and the camera and DH and I will split the ponchos.

Oogie, may I ask, why do you need your wallet? I put money and my room key in one of the fanny pack pockets. I wouldn't think of carrying the extra weight and bulk of a wallet, even a small one through the parks.

 

[ncbyrne]

I much prefer fanny packs. Back packs have to be taken on and off all day, not to mention the weight of everything in one place and the strain on your back (unless you are a hiker or someone else used to it). Plus you have to find a place for it at your feet on the rides. Each of of us wears our own large fanny pack and everyone is responsible for their own stuff. We put them on in the morning and wear them all day. The only time we take them off is when we sit down to eat.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I had everyone carry around their own fanny packs. It worked out perfectly. The kids had snacks, a juice box, bubbles etc. at their own disposal. For rides, all we had to do was rotate the pack to the front. We didn't even lug along a diaper bag for the baby. We have one of those little pouch things that attaches to the stroller, and that fit enough for our 1/2 days at the park.