The Ultimate Disney Bag

[Jennifer124]

Before I drop some serious $ on a Baggallini, I wanted some fresh opinions on the ideal bag for WDW. Crossbody? Backpack? Is the Baggallini worth it?

I don't know yet exactly how much stuff I'm going to try to bring in the park, but I don't have a good track record of keeping it light. I'll need diapers, wipes, sunblock, and those small ponchos from Walmart, just thinking off the top of my head. I don't bring my own snacks, and we're not lugging a camera this time - relying on PP+ and iPhone cameras.

We will have a stroller, but I'll want to wear the bag on rides that all four us (me, husband, D5, S2) can go on.

Don't bother with any fanny-pack recommendations; I just can't go there. THANKS!!

 

[MagicalMeg]

I always want these opinions too. We take in everything you mentioned plus a DSLR camera, snacks, water & food for DS. I use my huge beta Bradley bag.

 

[Mitzicat]

I have been on the hunt for the ultimate Disney bag and I just carried the Bagglini Paris bag. I really liked it and found that I coudl carry a lot of stuff and it wasn't too heavy.

The Paris bag has 3 main compartments:

middle which is large - used to carry all my health and beauty stuff. I have traditional braces, so needed to carry travel toothbrush, paste, wax, floss, little space cleaning brushes (no idea what they are called). I also had the following (all travel size): sunscrean, powder, wet wipes, cleaning wipes (wiping off tables), hand lotion, chapstick, lip gloss, pressed powder, advil, allergy meds and several other items.

Front pocket I used to hold my cell phone, tickets/room key. The front pocket is divied by a zipper compartment that I used for cash and coins. There are card pockets that I put drivers license, credit cards....It was great. No extra wallet to worry about.

Back pocket almost like the front, used it for things like a pen, mini notepad, rain poncho, a list of all our reservations...and any small purchases I made (pins, charms)

It really liked the bag and I got it on Amazon for about $35 (Prime). It was a out of season color, but it was blue and I liked it. I've seen the same bag at TJMaxx for about $15.00

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've got a cross body bag that I adore from Ebags but it won't fit diapers or a DSLR camera.

I also use a backpack I picked up at Target when they went on sale. I brought my heaviest loaded down purse with me that day even put my kindle fire and camera in it and wore the thing around the store to test it and make sure I liked it. I looked silly but it worked.
That backpack has been perfect when I need one for the last 2 years and it's still going strong.

 

[shyjade]

My Baggallini tore at the bottom seam the first time using it at Disney. I would not recommend it! Plus, the design only allows you to wear it across your body one direction, so if your shoulder gets sore you're out of luck, there's no relief switching it to the other side. Not to mention it rests on your back, which can be uncomfortable on rides. Nowhere to hold water bottles either.

After that trip I bought on Overland Donner Equipment bag. I can wear it across my body (either direction) or shorten the strap and use it as a purse (usually for dinner). In the parks, I wear it across my body and can easily shift it to the side or my lap when I get on a ride. It's DURABLE...been using it for all Disney and non-Disney trips since 2007 and its not showing signs of wear yet. Even my teenage daughter borrowed it for a school trip to NYC! It holds up in the rain. It has 2 hidden outside pockets for water bottles, which I can easily carry without them sweating on me or soaking through to the inside of the bag.

 

[Jennifer124]

I have been on the hunt for the ultimate Disney bag and I just carried the Bagglini Paris bag. I really liked it and found that I coudl carry a lot of stuff and it wasn't too heavy.

The Paris bag has 3 main compartments:

middle which is large - used to carry all my health and beauty stuff. I have traditional braces, so needed to carry travel toothbrush, paste, wax, floss, little space cleaning brushes (no idea what they are called). I also had the following (all travel size): sunscrean, powder, wet wipes, cleaning wipes (wiping off tables), hand lotion, chapstick, lip gloss, pressed powder, advil, allergy meds and several other items.

Front pocket I used to hold my cell phone, tickets/room key. The front pocket is divied by a zipper compartment that I used for cash and coins. There are card pockets that I put drivers license, credit cards....It was great. No extra wallet to worry about.

Back pocket almost like the front, used it for things like a pen, mini notepad, rain poncho, a list of all our reservations...and any small purchases I made (pins, charms)

It really liked the bag and I got it on Amazon for about $35 (Prime). It was a out of season color, but it was blue and I liked it. I've seen the same bag at TJMaxx for about $15.00

I've seen Baggallinis at TJMaxx but was always afraid they were too small. Would the Paris hold a few diapers? I'm thinking I need to bring 5 to be on the safe side.

 

[Jennifer124]

My Baggallini tore at the bottom seam the first time using it at Disney. I would not recommend it! Plus, the design only allows you to wear it across your body one direction, so if your shoulder gets sore you're out of luck, there's no relief switching it to the other side. Not to mention it rests on your back, which can be uncomfortable on rides. Nowhere to hold water bottles either.

After that trip I bought on Overland Donner Equipment bag. I can wear it across my body (either direction) or shorten the strap and use it as a purse (usually for dinner). In the parks, I wear it across my body and can easily shift it to the side or my lap when I get on a ride. It's DURABLE...been using it for all Disney and non-Disney trips since 2007 and its not showing signs of wear yet. Even my teenage daughter borrowed it for a school trip to NYC! It holds up in the rain. It has 2 hidden outside pockets for water bottles, which I can easily carry without them sweating on me or soaking through to the inside of the bag.

I'm intrigued.

 

[iheartbuffy]

I have this baggallini http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PDJHQU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Haven't used it at Disney yet but it is what I wish I had last July. I won't be carrying a ton of stuff so I think it will be a good size. It does have a water bottle pocket and a little pocket on the strap right in front that is the perfect size for cards.

 

[henry72]

I bought the Bagallini Messenger Bag back in 2006 when we took our DS (then 19 months.) I LOVE that bag. It was perfect for carrying diapers, wipes, snacks and ponchos. It can hold so much! We have used it on every trip with the kids. In fact for awhile it became my diaper bag at home. I still have it and it is still going strong. Love, love this bag! It was so worth the money.

 

[ALee]

I purchased a LeSportsac cross body bag from TJ Maxx for our last trip and really liked it. It held up well, was good in the rain, and carried all I needed. I have one of the smaller bags because all I really carry is my camera, phone, and wallet. I imagine one of the slightly larger bags would work well for diapers etc. And if you want to splurge, they even have the Disney It's a Small World line

 

[Bellestreak]

I also have the Baggallini Messenger. We have had it since 2007 and it has had a ton of wear. Besides all of our Disney trips, it comes on day trips to places like the Zoo, amusement parks, hiking, picnics etc. Here is my honest review:
(Just as a note, we try to only carry one bag for the family, so we need a moderate amount of stuff and my bag has to be neutral enough for my husband to carry, it can't be overly feminine for this reason)

Pros:
-6 years and this bag looks like the day we bought it.
-Zipped up tight it's water resistant, handles Splash and KRR well
-The size is perfect, it carries a lot but doesn't wear like it does.
-When we are using it, it becomes my purse, and it has pockets for ID, credit cards, etc in it's own compartment, I like organized bags.
-Really good water bottle pocket as well as one for sunglasses on the other side of the bag

Cons:
-The strap does not stay adjsuted, over the day it slides down and the bag ends up resting on my butt or hip
-I agree with others about the lack of versatility for the shoulder strap (although in my case, when I get tired, I do switch; to my husband's shoulder)

Overall, I love this bag. Sometimes I search around for the flawless bag for me and have not found it. But I'm never sorry when I keep using it

 

[nat1234]

I have the baggalini messenger bag. I've had it sine 2007. Really like this bag, it has a side pocket that will hold a bottle of water or an umbrella, a small pocket right on the front strap that will hold a cell phone or keys to the world card or even some money. It even has a pocket that has slots for cards. Mine is mesh inside so allowed easy access when going through bag check. It holds so much even though it doesn't look like it should. I have lugged it all over Disney. This trip I have gotten a small cross body bag, also a baggalini, since this is an adult trip, but I'll still be bringing my other bag in case. Who knew finding the right bag to take would be so hard.

 

[iheartbuffy]

See for me I can only wear a bag on one side, it just feels weird and wrong when I try to switch shoulders so that's not an issue for me lol

 

[iujen94]

My "Disney Bag" (as we call it even if we aren't actually at Disney) is the Overland Donner bag and I LOVE it. I bought it based on recommendations on disboards and have never regretted it. I love that the front pocket has all sorts of separate nooks and crannies for money, phones, tickets, etc. The bag is compact, but the interior pocket can hold a surprising amount of "stuff". And - two side pockets that each comfortably hold water bottles. You can order them online, or I got mine at REI for around $50, I think. LOVE IT.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Even when my twins were small, a standard backpack has always done a perfectly good job! THere are a lot of other things I spend the money on!!!

 

[Jennifer124]

It was a good day for Baggallini shopping at TJ Maxx - they had several in a variety of colors. I got the biggest one they had, but unfortunately, I don't know exactly which bag it is, because it was clearly a return and the original Baggallini tag has been cut off. But it was on clearance for $32 so I decided I could more than live with the fact that it was a return (according to the TJMaxx tag, it retails for $88). It's got a big pocket in the front and in the back (the back pocket has a zipper at the bottom), with the big pockets on the side presumably for water bottles. It only has one compartment inside, but it has the slots for cards. It's bluish gray with green interior - I am pretty pumped! I'm going to get on their website to see if I can figure out which model this is. I'm going to fill it up later with what I think I'll want to pack around and see how it'll do. It's a crossbody. Even though it was on clearance I still have 30 days to return it if I don't think it's what I want after I fill it up with diapers, sunblock, Germ X, etc. I'm excited!!

 

[Jennifer124]

It's the Hobo Tote! Selling for $74.95 on the Baggallini web site so now I'm even more stoked about the $32 price tag. MAN I love TJMaxx!!!!!

 

[rosiep]

I have this baggallini http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PDJHQU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Haven't used it at Disney yet but it is what I wish I had last July. I won't be carrying a ton of stuff so I think it will be a good size. It does have a water bottle pocket and a little pocket on the strap right in front that is the perfect size for cards.

I love the little pocket on the strap! I really like this bag but found I need a backpack (small) to distribute the weight.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

I just bought the messenger bag. I have the wallet bagallini but was looking for something bigger and that looks perfect.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Chelley00]

My Baggallini tore at the bottom seam the first time using it at Disney. I would not recommend it! Plus, the design only allows you to wear it across your body one direction, so if your shoulder gets sore you're out of luck, there's no relief switching it to the other side. Not to mention it rests on your back, which can be uncomfortable on rides. Nowhere to hold water bottles either.

Respectfully disagreeing with your review

I've had my baggallini for 7 years. It's made 5 trips to Disney, been on 4 cruises and countless amusement park trips and was used as a diaper bag for a year or so and never torn or ripped and doesn't even look worn. I don't always wear it across my body, a lot of the time it's just on my shoulder. It hits lower than a purse does, but I don't always wear it cross body. Plus, you can adjust it to rest on your back or across your torso, which is where I put it on rides. I also carry a water bottle in the mesh pocket on the side every trip, plus it has a "hidden" pocket on the strap where I keep my cell phone.