Take the backpack everywhere?

[moonshot]

Do you take your backpack everywhere you go, even on the rides or can you lock it or leave it somewhere?

Although it's been about 7 years since I was last at WDW I recall the lockers. In those 7 years, my wife and I picked up a six yo and a four yo along the way so I feel like I'll need to lug some stuff around with me.

Do I really need to lug around a backpack? If so, are there places to store them securely near the rides and such?

By the way, I hate the way a fanny pack feels and would prefer not to use one of those.

Thanks for the help from you Disney vets!

Scott

PS: The four yo wants three green ones and one purple one!

 

[Cruisin]

Welcome to the DISboard Moonshot

I love that you let your 4 year old pick out your smilies, cute.

Other than the obvious weight and annoyance of actually carrying around a back pack, I carried one with me when I last went the beginning of November.

I didn't have problems, just take it off and set it down on the rides or hold onto it. Lots of rides have special pouches or hooks to put your bags in or onto.

Go and enjoy, just remember that security will want to look in your backpack before you enter the park. No problem....just a quick look and go.

 

[mbb]

...especially with the kids...my husband carries the backpack (the only bag we take into the parks) through the security line, while I just walk through the "no bags" entrance with the kids...we proceed to get strollers, and he catches up - one less line to wait in for the wee ones!

...oops, almost forgot - don't forget to have a pass with you!!

 

[DisFam95]

We laways carry the backpack!! If you are staying at an onsite hotel have all your packages sent back to the hotel..love that service!! I take it on all ride..space mtn, RNR coaster, test track..the works. Some rides do have a pouch or hook but the coasters I just put it between my feet and put foot/leg through the strap and pull the strap up on my knee. Especially with kiddos, theres little things you need to carry around. I would not think of going without mine!!

 

[mikemelita]

I carry a North Slope bag that will fit my video camera and maps, snacks, etc as a waist pack (fanny pack) using the shoulder strap as a waist belt. Great for keeping vidcam safe on the rides, etc.
an hour or 2 after putting it on you forget you are wearing it. My sweetie prefers a backpack. There are always lockers when you are sick of toting stuff. ONE WEEK TO GO ! !

 

[pjlla]

I must say, we were planning on using a stroller in Jan, if for no other reason than just to have a place to park the backpack while we are on rides, but it sounds like it will be easy enough just to carry it along..... but what about the wet rides (Kali, Splash)?? Should I bring along a big trashbag and store the backpack in that during the wet rides? Thanks for the ideas!...P

 

[solotraveler]

I'm in the "carry the backpack everywhere" camp as well. The only time I will ever really rent a locker is at MGM... I never feel totally secure lugging it onto Rock N Roller Coaster around my legs. Every other ride you go on will have no problem acommediating the bag.

It's just so convinient for cameras, ponchos (esp. after a rain), purchases, etc. I think I would be lost sometimes without it.

Enjoy your trip!
Solotraveler

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I find carrying a backpack uncomfortable/annoying, so I purchased a *Healthy Back Bag* from LLBean. It's great ... big enough to carry my camera (Canon G3), ponchos, autograph books and pens, but not cumbersome. I also wore a waist pack b/c I found it easier to get at my checkbook/wallet and KTTW cards in there.

And I carried this everywhere ... the bag is water-resistant, but on the Kali River ride I put it in the center thingie to keep it dry.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We just got back last week and while we were there I saw a couple of people with what appeared to be a rolling backpack of some sort. I have been shopping for one ever since. I want something small enough to take on rides with me and if it had a cooler it would be darned near perfect. Should have zippered compartments on top for things I need to get to quickly such as money and tickets. Anyone know of such a dream?

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[LoriMistress]

You can lock it in a locker if you choose. But we had to bring our backpack with us on every ride. Though, as long as you hang on your bag tight, your bag should not fall out of the ride.

My dh and I brought a backpack with us on our trip and going to the park on the first day the bag broke right when the park opened. We bought a WDW backpack at a giftshop and actually the bag was more comfortable and had a lot more room. I didn't find the backpack being a pain at all. If you are going to be carrying a lot of things...expecially if you have kids, you want to bring a backpack with you.

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
We just got back last week and while we were there I saw a couple of people with what appeared to be a rolling backpack of some sort. I have been shopping for one ever since. I want something small enough to take on rides with me and if it had a cooler it would be darned near perfect. Should have zippered compartments on top for things I need to get to quickly such as money and tickets. Anyone know of such a dream?

Slightly Goofy/Linda

This maybe too late, but a few weeks ago I got three nice sturdy rolling backpacks at Old Navy for $3.97 each. I bought them for my kids to use for carry-on luggage. They hold quite a bit and have a smaller zipper compartment on the front.... alas... no cooler!! They came in grey/navy and grey/magenta. Call your local ON and see if any are still available!! One note, however, they are quite heavy and would be difficult to wear as a backpack for long...P

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Pjlla, thank you so very much. Even if I cannot get one from Old Navy I can see where a children's rolling backpack would work if it were a sturdy type. Bet I could put a small foldable cooler inside for my foodstuffs. I could not wear it as a backpack even if I were so inclined. I have COPD and it is not possible. Has anyone used a small rolling backpack? Were you able to get onto all the rides with it? It opens up a world of possibilities for our next trip.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[pjlla]

Let me know if you have any luck finding one!....P

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear P, I have been looking around but have not found the perfect thing as yet. Have plenty of time until next May. Am thinking that one of those soft plastic coolers that hold a six pack might work as well. I already use one for a camera bag for my camcorder and it works great. Small, yet light weight. I saw an awful lot of people snacking on outside food on my recent visit. With my diet it would much better than spending big bucks for the little food that I can eat.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[greendoor678]

I too think that it's great you let your little one pick out the bouncing smilies! very cool choice!

I think that backpacks are very handy when visiting the parks with the family. As stated above, the rides have special stow-away nets near your seat which is really nice.

I'd like to invest in one of the LL Bean (or similar brand) healthy backpacks. My shoulders get very sore carrying a standard style backpack around.

I've seen the roller style back-packs at office supply stores, though they sometimes are only available during 'Back To School' shopping time. Personal Tip: If you have a roller style backpack, don't throw them around when they aren't in use. I had an inexpensive one for a very short time and just LOVED it but one day I tossed it in my car and the plastic housing for the telescopic handle broke. Just a thought!

Two thumbs up for backpacks

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

We always seem to carry alot of stuff into the parks- snacks, water bottles, juice boxes, baby stuff, rain parkas, cameras, film, batteries, autograph boxes and who knows what else. I have found that getting a large cooler like bag with lots of side and front and top pockets works great. I bungee cord it onto the back of our strollar. In it I keep a small backpack or sometimes just a shoulder bag that I can throw cameras or other personal effects in that i don't want to leave unattended. In the evening when we go back to the parks we generally don't need all the stuff since our meals have been eaten, the heat is less, and so on- so I just put the essentials in the backpack and off we go. The name of the game though is to keep the backpack light otherwise you are going to end up with a sore back and lugging a stuffed pack on and off rides quickly loses its thrill. For me, the lockers are inconveinant as we would have to go all the way back to Main St. to retrieve something and that is extra time and energy that I think is wasted.

just thoughts

 

[JadeTiger]

I have not been to Disney before (as ans adult), but I found small backpacks at Kohl's. They are made by JanSport they are called "Half Pints". I picked up a couple of them, on sale for $7 (regularly $20). They come in lots of colors. I thought I would use that instead of a purse or fanny pack. I even picked out a "Man-ly" color for hubby.