The real bare essentials??

[newtodis]

What things do you carry with you in the parks? In Feb when we went I took the biggest diaper bag we have and filled it as full as I possibly could with everything you could imagine-diapers, wipes, change of clothes, medicine, drinks, snacks, fans, water bottles, extra batteries, swim diapers and swim suits in case we spontaneouly want to swim, a towel to dry off in case it rains, jackets, etc-you would have thought I was packing for a six week trip. DH never let me forget this our entire trip every time I was lugging that bag around.

I've decided I don't need to be prepared for the entire park-I really only need enough things for our family. I'm only taking a canvas bag this time (from disney shopping with our last name on it) and really don't have nearly as much space this time. I know I need diapers and wipes and a change of clothes for the kids, a small first aid kit with Benadryl and DS4's epi pen (see how as soon as I start thinking about it the list grows????).

Can anyone please help me get over this??? I honestly don't remember what we used out the bag last time (except for the obvious diapers, wipes and change of clothes). I'm terrified that we'll be somewhere and need something and I won't have it. I really don't want to be a crazy compulsive person but I don't know how to stop. Any suggestions???

 

[Mickey_Man]

Try to think of the things that may be available in the parks that if you REALLY REALLY needed them you'd be willing to buy them but probably don't need them on a daily basis and leave those at home! DW & I do not have kids so I am not the best for advice in this department, but she and I have managed to whittle our belongings down to what I put in my pockets and what she has in a small fanny pack.

 

[MODisFan]

We've traveled quite a bit to WDW with our DD (who is now 21months) and we only take 1 bag (the overland donner which has been discussed a lot on these boards). I carry diapers (about 3), wipes, sippy cup with water, camera (no case), our tickets, a small wallet and cell phone. I don't carry an extra outfit because I feel if something happens and she needs a change of clothes it's a great reason to buy something in the shops. Also, I don't carry her tylenol/ibuprofen and such because if she is feeling bad enough to need those items we'll be hanging in the room. Epi pens are a little different. We leave our ponchos in the bottom of the stroller. I keep extra camera batteries in the resort room. So far this has seemed to work for us. We are heading to the World on Wednesday and will pack these items.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Aside from my wallet and my phone my bag has:

my camera and one set of extra batteries.
antacids
asprin

With kids I'd say one change of clothes and the essentials you listed above.

 

[firsttimemom]

I dont even bring a whole wallet- my drivers license, a credit card, a little cash and my KTTW card.

Not sure if this is available at WDW, but when we were at DL, my DD (she was 8 at the time) had a horrible headache and DH went to first aid where they gave us some motrin for her.

Once our kids outgrew strollers we REALLY pared down what came with us because we had to carry it.

 

[Iggipolka]

I bring a small messenger bag with:
1 bottle water (refill at water fountains)
Digital Camera
Small tube of sunblock (45+)
Epi-pen
Wallet with Driver's License, KTTW card, DDE card, Disney Visa card, AAA card and a small amount of cash

If I was traveling with a small child, I'd also bring 1 change of clothes because ya never know. Heck, with how I can't seem to eat anything without dripping it on myself, I should bring a shirt for myself!

 

[SweaterInJune]

I guess it would depend on your children and how particular you are. I think a change of clothes is a rather cumbersome and unnecessary thing to lug around for each child, with exception of a baby because accidents happen.

Do you take a mid-day break? If so, DEFINITELY leave the clothes behind. If the unthinkable happens, you can always buy something...and sometimes the unthinkable may fall under "recovery" by a CM. Otherwise, just accept the fact that kids are kids, they're outside, and odds are they won't look pristine all day(and, imo, if they're having fun in the FL heat, they shouldn't).

I was a really clean kid, so this was never necessary for me. Also, we would take mid-day breaks, so I was always able to change then. I'm a nanny now(two boys, aged 7 and 15 months), so I know the importance of being prepared, but if going to the parks with them, I would pack:


~4 diapers + wipes(in a ziplock--good for all when clean-up is necessary)

~1-2 empty, large ziplocks (for holding wet/soiled clothing that has to be changed, or protecting wallet, camera, etc. in case of rain--keeps the wet in, or the wet out...you decide)

~camera

~any necessary cards/tickets, and some cash...in a wallet, if preferred.

~empty bottle for water (are they allowing full bottles in the parks again? If so--you can fill it. I never take my own water in, but w/ kids, I would.)

~change of clothes(at least bottoms) for baby, if applicable.

~baby food, if applicable

~small container of sunblock for touch-ups.

~sunglasses

Headache medication is available at the first aid centers, but it is no trouble to toss in a small bottle if you're prone to headaches.

Rubberbands can help to bundle things in a tote bag. This will make things easier to find...or in the case of diapers, less of an annoyance when trying to get to smaller items.

 

[cccm]

DD now carries her own small bag, so I don't need to carry her things anymore. Here is what I usually have in my bag, it is a medium messenger bag (North Face):

Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen & Sunscreen Chapstick
Advil
4 Bandaids
4 Alcohol Wipes
4 Wet Wipes
$$, License, Amex, KTTK/Tickets, AAA Card, Health Insurance Card
Camera (extra batteries)
Cell Phone

 

[disneyholic family]

it depended on the age of the kids..
when they were little, i lugged the diapers, wipes, clothes change, little ziplock bags of cheerios, etc.

once they were past that stage, i only carried cheerios and sandwiches (the parks didn't have any veggie food back then)...

now i only carry a bag of plain bagels - just in case they get hungry while waiting....DD and DH are those people i love to hate who are very skinny but have to eat all the time...and i mean all the time...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We have a 3 yr old too, so I would just put a pair of undies and pants in her bag, in case she forgets to tell you she has to go.

Otherwise, I think you are good with all the stuff you currently have, plus the following:

1) Bottoms that match the top that's being worn. T-shirts/tops are easy to buy, but you can't just "pick-up" some shorts or pants.
2) Minimum of diapers you think you need - Baby Care sells them.
3) I always take a full small pack of wipes - you never know what besides butts and ice-cream bars that you will need to clean!
4) 1 Stroller blanket
5) I carry my little Mickey portable fan as a normal diaper bag staple, since it's been so hot this summer. I turn it on and set it in her cupholder. Would love to find one that clips to the stroller. (If the weather cools down - disregard.)
6) 1 Ziploc bag for whatever - leftover snacks, peed on pants, etc.

We do take ponchos if it is raining and the stroller rain cover.

 

[chirurgeon]

I purchased a photo vest for my December trip. Lots of pockets and hopefully no more bag check. I have pockets for my camera and lenses and the other photo necessities. Enough other pockets for wallet, hand sanitizer, glasses case and notebook. It is currently plain black but I will be adding some embroidery from my new machine and maybe some of the trim I have stashed for my costumes.

Kim

 

[DLBDS]

I just found the PERFECT bag today at WalMart (after a helluva long search) and it only cost $6.67!! I would post a pic but I can't find this bag at their website or anywhere else online. It's an Eastsport Daisy Chain Front Gear Bag #318190. I've only seen this bag at this particular WalMart and not the one I go to more frequently. Odd that I can't find it online. Makes me wonder if this WalMart found them in their warehouse somewhere and just put them out to get rid of them. They had several. I'm seriously considering going back and getting 1-2 more! It's smallish, black, has different compartments and has a long adjustable strap on it so that the bag rests on my hip/thigh (VERY important to me). I found the following in a trip report when I Googled for the bag. It was posted in '05! They listed it under "Things I was really glad I brought with me"....

- Shoulder bag. Just before we left for the park, I found the ultimate Disneyland bag (at least for me): it’s an Eastsport Daisy Chain Front PocktGearBag (http://www.eastsport.com/backtoschool2005/details.asp?styleno=318190). The main compartment holds an umbrella, water bottle, makeup, sunscreen, sit pad, sunglasses case, and snacks. The outside front compartment holds your tickets, handheld fan, handiwipes (or hand sanitizer), small first aid kit, and flashlight. There’s a back compartment for your DL Today brochure (I even carried a book there) and a side one for your cell phone. A zippered pocket in the main compartment holds your money. You just loop the strap over the opposite shoulder when you’re on rides and it stays loyally by your side, even during the goat trick on BTMR. All this in an 8 ½” x 3 1/2” x 10” bag. It was perfect! $7 at Wal-Mart (I bought two)!

Anyway, this is what we need to take with us....

Ponchos (3- probably THE most important thing)
Wipes packets
Tylenol
Autograph Book/Pen
Itinerary (with confirmation #'s etc.)
Disposable Camera (for DD11)
Digital Camera
Pepto pills
Chapstick

 

[Iggipolka]

Hmm..maybe I'll try the photo vest. I so hate the pointless and time consuming bag check.

 

[tinkbutt]

OK I have no kids but I do have DBF to watch over and clean up after meals so here is my list of essentials

Which ALL fit in my OVERLAND DONNER BAG!!!
CAMERA
Batteries
Handsanitizers (wipes and bottle) I'm A freak about that stuff!
tide to go pen
water
tickets
hotel key
cash
video camera (small HD)
gum
Advil
small bag of teddy grams as snack for DBF while waiting in lines....

And I think a few other things I am forgetting!!! BTW Kevin thanks for suggesting the bag that turned me into Marry Poppins!!

 

[SweaterInJune]

Hmm..maybe I'll try the photo vest. I so hate the pointless and time consuming bag check.

I hate it too, but it isn't entirely pointless. They did catch that crazy lady, entering MK, who just happened to "forget" that she had a loaded handgun in her purse...

 

[newtodis]

Thank you very much for all of the tips. I've started packing the bag...if it doesn't fit at home, it's not going to the parks! I always keep lots of "extras" in the room so I can restock the diaper bag if needed (snacks, diapers, etc). I'm really making a good effort to not haul so much stuff in. I'm very much a "what if" person and I'm trying to scale back.

Thanks so much for all of your help!! I really appreciate it. I'll let you know when I get back if I was able to follow through or not.

 

[Iggipolka]

I hate it too, but it isn't entirely pointless. They did catch that crazy lady, entering MK, who just happened to "forget" that she had a loaded handgun in her purse...

I'm impressed and glad, that they caught that. In general, when I go through the bag check, they just glance at the stuff right on top of my bag. Occasionally, they'll poke a bit with the top of a pen, but that's about it.
What's to stop someone from wearing a weapon on their body? They aren't frisking people down.

Which, brings up an amusing image of a security guard with big Mickey hands doing pat downs on people.

 

[exwdwcm]

i am the same way----i always tend to be over prepared. hey, but when someone needs a tide bleach pen, who do they come to- that's right, me!

seriously, i need to cut back too- and now that i will be travelling with a baby/toddler, it will be hard. we go at park opening, but take a midday break. so i only need enough stuff for like 5-6 hours worth.

diapers
wipes
extra clothes
medicine/first aid stuff (i always have pepto pills and tylenol)
rain ponchos
snack for emergencies- like small cheerios container or something (for lines)
cell phone
money/credit card/tickets
camera/batteries
something small to possibly entertain kids in line

everything else you can probably buy- like water or a jacket or sweater (or just tie it on your waist).