Solos--two questions

[aggielawyer]

1) What do you carry with you in the parks? I see a lot of discussion about different bags people carry on other boards, but I worry about not having someone to watch a big bag for me if I can't bring it on a ride. Not that I really want to carry a lot of stuff, but I thought I'd bring a poncho from home which will take up some space. On my last trip, I carried everything in a small camera case, but I was with a group that included a stroller so a fair amount of stuff got dumped on the stroller.

This time I'll have a little bit bigger camera case, though still not huge, but it will fit my cell phone and key card as well. I've been thinking about carrying a small book or journal, and that won't fit. I remember that I didn't have a lot of room on Rock'n'Roller coaster with my small case last year, and am afraid I really won't have room this time.

2) Will I have a car to myself on Toy Story Mania? I just think it would be a little awkward to be playing against someone I've never met before.

6 weeks from now I'll be on my way to afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian!! I'm so excited!!

 

[Figaro8398]

1) What do you carry with you in the parks? I see a lot of discussion about different bags people carry on other boards, but I worry about not having someone to watch a big bag for me if I can't bring it on a ride. Not that I really want to carry a lot of stuff, but I thought I'd bring a poncho from home which will take up some space. On my last trip, I carried everything in a small camera case, but I was with a group that included a stroller so a fair amount of stuff got dumped on the stroller.

This time I'll have a little bit bigger camera case, though still not huge, but it will fit my cell phone and key card as well. I've been thinking about carrying a small book or journal, and that won't fit. I remember that I didn't have a lot of room on Rock'n'Roller coaster with my small case last year, and am afraid I really won't have room this time.

2) Will I have a car to myself on Toy Story Mania? I just think it would be a little awkward to be playing against someone I've never met before.

6 weeks from now I'll be on my way to afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian!! I'm so excited!!

1. I carry a small bag worn cross-body that contains my camera, cell phone, emergency poncho (the cheap one from Walmart - they are packaged very small) and a few smaller items. My bag also has a pocket for a water bottle, but I found that carrying the bag with the weight of the water bottle (oh yeah, I had another inside the bag as well, so water bottles) was irritating my shoulder. Next time I'm going with the oh-so-trendy fanny pack. On RNRC, I took off my bag and put my leg through the strap and I didn't lose anything

2. I rode TSM 2 times (two different days) at rope drop. Once I was alone, and once I was with someone. It was kind of weird because the guy had no idea what he lined up for...he thought the line was for Star Wars weekend events.

Have a great trip!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I only needed my cargo pants pockets most of the time but one day I did use my medium size cross body bag. It worked out fine for me. I only have a small point and shoot camera though.

I also wear a passporter pouch that has my KTTW card, money, DL, and a couple of small bandaids.

For TSM, I rode it twice and did have another person next to me both times.

 

[Donald is #1]

I normally carry a back pack that has my camera, memory cards, crystal light packets, small flash light, etc.

On TSM, I normally end up getting placed with another person.

 

[Kaz137]

Hi all - haven't done a solo trip yet, but am seriously considering one for January! Which is why I'm looking through these threads. But on previous trips to WDW, I've brought: small wallet w/cash & credit card, etc, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, camera & cell phone. All fits comfortably in a small backback or average size shoulder bag.

I think the TSM situation will depend on how crowded it is on your particular day.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Amysita]

I carry as little as possible...I use a medium-ish sized camera bag that holds my camera, cell, memory cards, sunscreen transfered into a very tiny (for single day use) bottle that I refill every nite at the hotel, batteries, and small tightly wrapped disposable poncho. I rely on my pockets for everything else (room key, tix, aspirin, money, CC's, chapstick, ID, etc.). I wear my water bottle around my neck on a lanyard. LOL...yup...I really am a sight to behold. But so is everyone else...there's no way to be fashionable and carry what you need at the parks...unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket and can afford to buy everything you need as you need it inside the parks (which is so NOT me!).

 

[LittleFlounder]

1) I use a fanny pack (yes, it looks stupid, but no one knows you on vacation, so its okay!). I like it 'cause its 'hands free', therefore I won't forget it anywhere and no one has to hold it for me. I bring along my camera, extra camera batteries, my KKTW card and a phone card, a small amount of cash, body glide, and a few wet wipes. It all fits inside.

2) I've been on TSM once as a solo and I was seated with someone I didn't know. I was okay with that, 'cause its more fun to play against someone.

 

[ahoff]

I used to carry a backpack, but the last few trips I fit everything into my pockets, small camera, phone, room key, and money. Never carried a poncho or water bottle, and have never had a need for either. I do not stay out in the parks for that long a period, and head back to the resort for some pool time.

 

[monarchsfan16]

If I'm just going into the park for the evening, I'll sometimes just throw the necessities (room key, cell phone, CC, ID, and point and shoot camera) in my shorts pockets. But most of the time I carry a backpack. In the backpack there's generally an SLR, an extra lens, film, my digital point and shoot, some snack food, sunscreen, a baggie with meds (advil, benedryl, etc) and bandaids, a gorillapod for the camera, and any other random stuff I might need.
I've only been on TSM once. I was by myself in my half of the car. I rode at rope drop

 

[Hallowishes]

i was waiting for someone to ask about TSM! i was afraid id be put next 2 someone weird ... or though .. maybe theyd think i was the weirdo

 

[LittleFlounder]

i was waiting for someone to ask about TSM! i was afraid id be put next 2 someone weird ... or though .. maybe they'd think i was the weirdo

I have found that no one really cares that you're there solo. Everyone is too busy having fun with their family to think you're weird. When you're put on a ride next to a "stranger", they might be alone because their family is too big to be put into 1 or 2 ride vehicles, or maybe their partner is waiting with the baby to do a swap, etc. You don't know why they're there, they don't know why you are there.

 

[Shenanigoat]

1)- I carry a smaller bag (baggalini, small but holds alot) but I'm test driving a Vera Bradley hipster at DL tomorrow. I just carry kttw, id, some cash (just in case), poncho, mini notebook for notes, camera, a small paperback for reading, some painkillers, chapstick, sunscreen, sunglasses, bandaids, and a mini hair brush. That's about all I've ever needed. I'm a DL local, so I've been able to test it out at DL a bunch before the big solo journeys to WDW. I have always been able to tuck my bag under my legs on all rides. Even when I go to DL w/ the Spouse he never carries anything extra, so it's all on me.

2)- I've been on TSM w/ other single serving friends and it has never been a problem. I am quite piglet sized though, so I never feel crowded. You either get someone who's a happy camper like you, or someone who isn't that chatty, it's never bothered me at all. Usually by the second round of "games" they are comparing scores and laughing with you. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[stitcher3000]

I always use a bum bag I think they are known as fanny packs in the US, you can just whizz them round to the side if the bars on the rides are uncomfortable good also to clip a baseball cap onto.

 

[Simba's Mom]

On TSM, and also Buzz Lightyear, I've always been alone. I agree-that would seem really wierd to be in the same car as a stranger. It's never happened to me anywhere. As far as what bag to carry, I've always carried a full size backpack, with room for purchases, poncho, book to read, camera, etc. and I've always been able to take it on rides.

 

[daisax]

Daytime -- fanny pack (mostly to hold sunglasses and a book).

Evenings -- driver's license, car keys, $20 and room key in pants pocket... that's it!

 

[MTLott72]

I just take a small back pack during the day.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Last year I carried my small wallet Bagallini. This year I carried a string backpack I got from the Hardrock Cafe when signing up for their rewards card. In my pack I have the tiniest wallet (id, couple credit cards, cash, kttw card, AP and Tables in Wonderland card), a travel sized can of sunscreen ( I like the spray on kind), lip gloss, dr. scholls version of body glide (much smaller than actual body glide), a couple bandaids, camera and cell phone in my pockets. I always leave the hotel with a bottle of water.

Little known Disney fact: Counter service places will GIVE you a cup of water with ice for free. If you can drink Florida's tap water filtered through the coke machines this is the way to go. I love ice and this is how I get my fix. Much better than carrying water bottles all day long.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1) I carry a smallish soulder bag, and take with me my camera, my wallet, some batteries, an extra memory card, disposable poncho, sunscreen, sunglasses, a small notebook, a hairbrush, and deodarant.

2) You will probably be sharing your seat, but once the ride starts, you won't be paying any attention to who's sitting next to you.

 

[westcoastdisfan]

I use a foldable bag and wear pants with lots of pockets. 2 reasons: (1) this lets me put everything into my pants pockets and therefore go through the "no checked bags" line (faster); (2) when going on fast rides without . I bring a camera, room card, 1 credit card, ID, cell phone and/or iTouch (has book reader, games, email, etc). If I have a book to read, I rip the book into 100 page segments so it takes up less room.

Re: Toy Story Mania - done lots of times at DL in the single rider lane - always ended up with another person next to me. I found that the other rider is often with an odd-sized group and they spend most of their time shouting to their buddies - so not a problem.

 

[aspen37]

Most of the time I use my pockets. I wear a lanyard with a plastic pouch for my KTTWC and CC. I have a case for my camera and I slip my phone in a pocket. I do bring a backpack and a lumbar bag if I need to bring anything else with me to the parks. I use the lumbar bag at home for hiking. The lumbar bag is from Mountainsmith.