So much stuff to bring into the parks

[homemaker]

We have so many items to bring into the parks everyday that I think we may have to bring two bags. Here's the list: ray shade and weather shield for stroller, stroller fan, diapers, wipes, change clothes for baby, ponchos for all except the baby(5), sunscreen, sunglasses, 2 sippy cups, juice, camera, 2 mister fans, autograph book & pen, snacks for the baby. Is this too much stuff? I was thinking of using a small bag for the ponchos & weather shield and a backpack (instead of diaper bag) for the rest. Would you leave your bags at the stroller when you get on the rides or drag them with you and 4 boys? I was thinking of just taking the camera with us and leaving the rest. Also my stroller (mac twin rally) doesn't have any basket space. Should I hang my bags off the handles?

 

[Laurajean1014]

That's a lot of stuff, but then again you are 6 people. Do you need two mister fans? Do you need a stroller fan? A poncho makes a great weather/light shield and is useful during inclement weather. Your stroller doesn't have basket space? Yuck. How heavy are the bags if you put them over the handles? Will it topple over?

I would take one or two diapers with me. There is an emergency/baby station at the parks to use or buy diapers and stuff. I would bring a separate bag for baby and rest of stuff. That way, one could tend to the kids/self while another tends on baby.

A backpack can be worn by Mom and DAd to lessen the load. Also, what about the ages of the boys. Can they carry the autograph book and pen in pockets or a small backpack (put the sunscreen in as well and if you misplace or lose them, it's not a big deal).

It's not fun when your stroller has no storage space.

 

[Desnik]

That's alot of stuff!!LOL
But, as a mom I have also had to deal with bringing all that into the parks.
How old are your kids? Could they wear kid size fanny packs with their autograph books and pens inside? For our last trip I bought the kids the sunscreen stick that had a clip that cliped onto a belt loop. This worked great and easy to take along. I would only bring absolute necessities for the baby. The baby care centers in each park have everything for babies if you should need something, for a small fee. All the baby stuff should fit into a backpack diaper bag. For the rest I would try to get one of those universal organizers that hang on the back of the stroller and try to fit it in there. Also, I think you could get away with 1 mister fan or none at all. When is your trip?

 

[daisyduck123]

I would leave the stroller fan, stroller shield, & mister fans at home or back in the hotel room.

Be careful if you hang any bags on the stroller bar.
The last time we were in AK, we saw a stroller (with a baby inside it), topple over backwards completely. It all happened sort of in slow motion & no one could get to it in time. We just watched this stroller do a 180 backwards, down a hill, with the baby inside. The parents had a lot of bags tied to the handlebar. This was their own stroller, not a Disney stroller. They should've known better.

 

[homemaker]

Just a little update. I put the stroller fan on the stroller and tried it out with DS (20mths) and he tried to eat it! He WILL NOT leave it alone, so I guess we will leave it home. I thought since it is so hot in August that it would be nice to keep him cool. Still think we will stick with 2 mister fans. Our other DS are 9, 8, & 4 and I am sure they will still fight over 2 fans. Maybe our 4yo, who will also be in the twin stroller, can use one to fan/spray the baby for us. Also I think once we are off the bus I can take the ponchos and the weather shield out of the bag and put them in one of the small baskets. This way we won't have so much hanging from the handles.
Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[dougsmom98]

I don't think it sounds like you have too much. I have four kids too and I know how much stuff you need to bring. We always bring a back pack and a soft sided cooler. We don't carry a separate diaper bag. The backpack holds rain ponchos diapers, wipes, snacks for the baby, cameras... We put the back pack on our backs to ride the trams and the monorail. Once in the park, we put a anything we can in the stroller basket. We try to only keep a few diapers, the wipes and the cameras in the back pack and we take that on the ride with us, everything else stays in the stroller. We do hang things off the back of the stroller but only when we are holding onto the stroller to avoid a tip over. Once we arrive at a ride, we flip the cooler over into the seat so it doesn't tip the stroller over and leave stuff there with the stroller.

 

[Perditamarie]

I don't think you are bringing too much either w/4 kids. I read a great tip on another stroller thread. They said they put ankle weights above the front wheels and it (helped) prevented tipping. They also said they could leave them on when folding the stroller (I believe it was also a Mac, but probably not a twin).

 

[KJMAX1]

I would leave if possible the rain ponchos and weather shield in the bottom of the Mac. If you dont have a basket at all then get a small bag for the handle and put them in there. Since you have two mister fans Id leave those in the stroller if they have straps. We never used ours really and finally became useless because they made everything wet from sweating and leaking. Id pack light on the snacks and juice. Water really is the best rehydrator, and if your kids get desperate you could split some kind of drink and add water to the 4yr olds or the baby's. I also only pack three diapers, and I do not take a whole pack of wipes. I only take about 15 sheets of wipes and leave the rest in the hotel. If I get desperate I figure I can get napkins or go to a baby station. The clothing I would throw in the poncho bag as well. Id just carry the diapers, snacks/ cups with cameras in the backpack.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I also have 4 kids and bring lots of stuff... keep in mind everything has to be searched by security when you enter and that holds you up

 

[Perditamarie]

KJmax1 -- only 3 diapers!!!! I am astonished! We have always gone when it's hot and OP is going in August. If we weren't on a ride they were drinking...and I think I was changing diapers just about every hour!! Anyway, from my experience, I strongly urge you to know the maximum containment of your brand of diapers and plan beverages and diaper-changing stops accordingly. I will say that you can buy a pack of 2 diapers and some ointment for a very reasonable cost at the baby care centers.

 

[Mrsduck101]

How about a Skip Hop Duo Double diaper bag? They are made for doubles like your Rally Twin and its a nice, big bag with lots of pockets and organization. You can fit so much stuff in it and then clip it to your stroller with the buckles. You have to watch for tipping but IMO it is so worth. I am taking mine and using stroller hooks so I don't have to take the strap off to clip it on the stroller.

 

[!@#$%]

I would leave the stroller fan, stroller shield, & mister fans at home or back in the hotel room.

For us, the mister fans are essential #1!!! ESPECIALLY if your going in August! We fill ours (clearance... $1.00 at Walmart, and almost EXACTLY like the $17.50 ones in WDW) with ICE and water. Not just water.
You can skip the pens, as the characters will all have pens. Thats a very small help.
I dont bring rain ponchos anymore for myself, though on a recent trip I was regretting it when the bottom dropped out during illuminations, and it didnt stop. I'm Mr. "I'm a plumber! I'm used to getting wet!", and I was feeling pretty stupid when it just KEPT coming down. LOL. I eventally snuggled up under my wifes poncho. She never let me live it down. So keep the ponchos.