Taking a Back-pack, Good idead or Bad idea?

[suzimar57]

over the years, we've downsized from one backpack, water bottles on those lanyard things, camera, camcorder, and fanny packs

now - only one fanny pack (and it's only the bare necessities)

nope - no more extra stuff to carry

done feeling like a pack mule

DH just added "too hot to be carrying extra anything"

(the heat just "sits" on your back in the backpack)

 

[Wafflestoo]

I have a soft small backpack made by Vera Bradley. I have used it 3 years in a row. It is a perfect size for rain slickers (4), water bottle, camera and other small things. It is really cushy, so I don't mind having it on my back.

Meg

 

[King Tritan]

We took a little back pack with us that was not very expensive and we just put snacks or waters and maps etc in it. Stuff that if it go stolen it was no sweat off our backs. And we left it with the stroller many times. and it was never messed with or disturbed. And most all the rides had places to put it. it was the size of a gallon of milk or so maybe a little bigger.

 

[mom2cookies]

we take a very small light weight backpack that we all take turns carrying. For rides you want to " hold on" like another poster said, just put your foot through one of the straps. Also... something i do that i think is a good idea... write your name,where you are staying and dates of your vacation along with your phone number on a luggage tag and tie it on to the backpack. That way if it is left somewhere, you increase your chances of getting it back. I also tie one onto my camera strap. You could tuck the tag into the pack if you are concerned about protecting your identity.

 

[stitchntiggertoo]

I had a backpack the last trip to WDW. (one of those that you see women using as a purse). I hated it. It was so hot and miserable. The backpackl kept the heat on my back. It was an extra thing to lug around, and it got packed with alot of extra stuff that we never used. It got very heavy by the end of the day. This time we are downsizing. I got a little larger purse-it seems like an oversized wallet-purse, and the camera bag. We will have our mugs, but other than that, if it doesn't fit into one of those bags, it isn't going with us. But that is just my 2 cents.

 

[tink's girls]

We have a small insulated backpack that we take with us everytime. The 4 of us take turns carrying it (it is heavy in the morning with our frozen water bottles). A friend of mine stopped over this morning to borrow it because they are leaving for WDW in the morning. I'd take it!

Just curious, where did you find an insulated backpack? I love that idea!!

 

[Diznejen1]

When my family and I go to any of the parks I seem to be the designated bag carrier and in the past I've sported a belly/fanny pack. This years visits I plan on a small back pack. The belly/fanny packs are nice, but #1 not very attractive, and #2 I learned to that my family(4 of us) needs to bring more things like a rain ponchos.
Crammig 4 ponchos in a belly back just wont work. You will have to stop at securtiy to have somone look at your bag, but it's worth it to me not to buy another poncho! Oh, to answer your question, YES take the pack..you'll be glad you did. There is a safe place in each ride to stowe your belongings! Have a MAGICAL time!!

 

[AutumnKlassic]

We always take two bags with us. One with extra clothes and shoes(you never know when they will be helpful) with some extras like batteries for the camera and a larger bag of snacks. This one gets put in the locker first thing in the morning. That way we have the stuff near (in the same park) but not have to lug it around. The second bag has the essentials. Ponchos, cell phones, camera and money. This way we never have to go all the way back to the room but we dont feel like pack mules either.

 

[drew64]

We never take a backpack unless little kids are with us. Just bring what fits in pockets. If you want a bag, a very small one or a fanny pack shoudl be plenty for 2 people. We go every year and I cannot believe how many couples - with no children - I see lugging around two huge backpacks all day. It isn't the wilderness and stuff you need is readily avaiable in an emergency.

 

[perdidochas]

Just curious, where did you find an insulated backpack? I love that idea!!

Target has them.

 

[nepatsfan73]

With 4 kids and usually going in either February or December, we always used a backpack to store essentials (small first aid kit, camera supplies, sunscreen, hats, sweatshirts, etc.) Eventhough I am a (very) big guy, I never had any problems taking it on rides (although, as previously posted, Space Mountain is a little tight for me even without the backpack and it is tough sometimes to get the kids to slow down long enough to take the back pack while I extricate myself from the ride). One word of caution is to make sure the back pack doesn't accumulate too much non-essential stuff while in the parks without unloading it later. I always try to carry as little as possible.

This year we are going in the summer and with the kids a little older I got a hunting style waistpack. I figure the hats will stay on more, we won't need the sweat shirts and the kids can now carry more of their own stuff. Plus, I got the bright orange, so the family can keep an eye on me easier, and the waist pack is suppose to be water resistant, thus a little less concern on water rides and/or during rain.

 

[KKB]

When our children were younger, we always had the stoller, so we always had a bag to toss anything for an emergency in. This time they will be 12, 9 & 7.

This year we will put sunscreen on in AM (Oct. sun not so strong), bring camera (in DH's cargo shorts), money & tickets, sunglasses or hats on everyone's head, ask for free water at CS....free & easy! (and leave those water rides until RIGHT before heading back to the resort!)

Anything else we can buy or do without!

 

[tink's girls]

Target has them.

Thanks!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I would take a backpack to a fanny pack anytime. I normally carry water, snacks, camera and supplies. I have never had a problem taken it on any ride and I do all rides. Don't leave home without it.

 

[timzagain]

The last time I visited WDW, was 2 years ago with my mother and my then 7 year old DD.

We had only one day to visit the Magic Kingdom, so it was a marathon event! Mom injuerd her foot the day before and had to use a wheelchair. I was already tired from the fallout after my mother's injury. The weather was a lot cooler that we're used to, so we had to walk with extra clothes. Add that to the water bottles, the camera, extra shoes for DD, the small pharmacy my mom has to walk with (heart, asthma, blood pressure meds) and I found myself with quite a load!

Call me lazy, but I rented a stroller. Even though DD was technically too old for a stroller, it came in handy when she got tired, or when I got tired of the backpack on my back!

 

[GusT]

this thread answered so many of my questions. I had just bought the bagallini messenger just a few hours before reading this. We always carry a backpack wherever we go. my fiance and i take turns carrying it. I am quite obsessive about always being prepared....what if i need this or that ..... it's annoying really!

 

[hthrbells]

We have a north face and we loved it when we were there in Dec. We used it as a diaper bag and it was perfect. There are side pockets to make juice boxes and water bottles handy.