Thoughts on this size backpack

[JakeAZ]

I agree with locker if at all possible. It is nice you are thinking of everyone but don’t be a pack mule and be hurting at the end of the day. For rain dollar store ponchos fit in each persons pocket. Does everyone normally snack between meals daily or just when at Disney? There are kids size fanny packs- if they need a snack they carry. There are collapsing water bottles you can refill at fountain or get cup of water at quick service ( now I can say I honestly don’t know how that is working during Covid ). Jackets for early morning or late night- perfect for locker or each person tie around waist.
It will be heavy carrying all day for 6 days

You might think backpack not big but in stores and places even with social distancing you could accidentally bump someone.

I get what you're saying.

I just like having everything with me. Is it ideal? No. But, if I know I have it, it's one less thing to have plan around.

Also, 6 days of lockers at $10 each day? That's like 3 balloons!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

To add
You state that backpack is great for hiking...
You are not hiking you are at Disney World going on rides

 

[JakeAZ]

Oh man yes many times I've had someone with a large hiking backpack accidentally bump into me especially in gift shops.
No judging if that's what they need in the parks but you have to be extremely mindful when you have that large of a bag.
You also can't just whip it off in a line to get something out of it without looking around to make sure you have enough room.

Yep.

That backpack isn't as big as you might think. It's very streamlined and doesn't protrude like someone with a boxy backpack and the straps super loose so that it hangs off their back and whips around as they walk.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

To add
You state that backpack is great for hiking...
You are not hiking you are at Disney World going on rides

Good point... lots of taking it on and off.

 

[JakeAZ]

I get it, you both have very strong opinions on my backpack.

I just wanted to know if I could get in on the rides and if other people had used something similar. I got the info I was looking for.

Don't worry, I won't ask you to carry it.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

You asked for opinions...

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I get it, you both have very strong opinions on my backpack.

I just wanted to know if I could get in on the rides and if other people had used something similar. I got the info I was looking for.

Don't worry, I won't ask you to carry it.

Like others said you asked for opinions and taking off figuring where to put on rides etc will take slow process down

You should look at rides in each park and figure which ones you can take on ride with you

off top of head no place to take on
Seven Dwarfs
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Astro Orbiters
Pirates
Dumbo
Slinky Dog
Tower of Terror
Expedition Everest
Rock N Roller coaster
Won’t fit under seat on Soarin
Test Track
Mission Space
Frozen
Toy Story Mania
Buzz Light year

And I’m sure others .....
What do you plan on there?

 

[kirstenb1]

You mention kids, not sure what ages they are. But we would carry the kids' LL Bean backpacks when one of them outgrew it. It fit dollar tree ponchos, couple water bottles, sunblock, phones etc. Everyone could tie their jackets around their waists when not in use. Just trying to offer something smaller, but still handy. I have 3 backpack style purses, so I understand the attraction, lol!

 

[tstein12]

Like others said you asked for opinions and taking off figuring where to put on rides etc will take slow process down

You should look at rides in each park and figure which ones you can take on ride with you

off top of head no place to take on
Seven Dwarfs
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Astro Orbiters
Pirates
Dumbo
Slinky Dog
Tower of Terror
Expedition Everest
Rock N Roller coaster
Won’t fit under seat on Soarin
Test Track
Mission Space
Frozen
Toy Story Mania
Buzz Light year

And I’m sure others .....
What do you plan on there?

Actually, the backpack the OP has shown in the first post will fit. I have the same brand the OP showed but slightly larger and it fits on all of the rides you listed above (on Soarin they have you leave on the floor next to your row which isn't a big deal). It is a tight fit on Space Mountain and Astro Orbiters, but it is not a big deal and I still enjoy the rides.

 

[JakeAZ]

I just prefer backpacks that are structured and fit close to the body. I feel they distribute the weight better and are more comfortable to wear. They don't move around every time I move. Just my opinion.

I'm used to this backpack and I understand it's larger than what's "normal" but I created this post to see if others have used something similar and more importantly, if it would fit on rides with me.

I will bring a smaller / unstructured / foldable backpack with us, so if the one I prefer doesn't work, I'll swap it out.

I do appreciate all the varied opinions.

 

[Timandalicia]

We have 12 people going on this trip. Now, we all won't be together the whole time and I'm absolutely not going to carry things for everyone, but in addition to my family of 4, I will most likely keep some things for my parents in there.

So waters, snacks, phones, charging brick, ponchos, storage for things we may buy, light jackets for AM / late PM.

But you do bring up a good point about rides. I do not want it to be an obstacle. It was nice to hear from others that have used similar bags and didn't have issues.

Wow this thread is getting a lot of traffic! So I hear you. You want to make it easy on people and your the pack mule. Been there. So then a couple thoughts. We bought these after market hooks for the stroller. We hang all our shopping stuff on them. Not sure if you’re using a stroller. Gosh this is probably going to be our first time without the stroller. I’m going to have to go back to the pack. . And then I would check on the covid water policy like are they handing it out and are the drinking fountains open so you can transfer into your containers. As you know, the water bottles are going to be the heaviest thing in that pack.

 

[Kmedders]

another thought - we have the women’s osprey and men’s osprey - the women’s is a bit smaller, if you want a smaller option.
One nice thing about the osprey though is putting a camel back in it and filling that up with ice and water at the hotel before you leave.

 

[JakeAZ]

Wow this thread is getting a lot of traffic! So I hear you. You want to make it easy on people and your the pack mule. Been there. So then a couple thoughts. We bought these after market hooks for the stroller. We hang all our shopping stuff on them. Not sure if you’re using a stroller. Gosh this is probably going to be our first time without the stroller. I’m going to have to go back to the pack. . And then I would check on the covid water policy like are they handing it out and are the drinking fountains open so you can transfer into your containers. As you know, the water bottles are going to be the heaviest thing in that pack.

Right?! I thought 5-8 responses, max. haha.

No stroller for us anymore. With strollers, I was able to get by with a fanny pack and just use the stroller basket for other items.

 

[JakeAZ]

another thought - we have the women’s osprey and men’s osprey - the women’s is a bit smaller, if you want a smaller option.
One nice thing about the osprey though is putting a camel back in it and filling that up with ice and water at the hotel before you leave.

Great point. Yes, my wife has the smaller one and I thought about this last night too.

I was considering not using the water bladder but I guess it just depends on the weather.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

You deserve to have fun too! If having fun for you means carrying the things, by all means carry the things. I used to sherpa for my herd too, and now I wear cargo shorts to the parks and carry the small unstructured light backpack when I absolutely must. I can carry small sunblock and sunblock stick, phone, charger, water bottle, lip with spf, zip locks for phones, and flip flops for water rides in my bag. Sometimes I just put sun block in my pocket and warn everyone they are on their own. We have discovered the joy of first aid locations for my awkward family and our constant injuries. No more band aid hunts for me!

 

[JakeAZ]

You deserve to have fun too! If having fun for you means carrying the things, by all means carry the things.

Honestly, this makes sense to me! I am all for my kids being responsible and doing things themselves, BUT, like most families, you make concessions on vacation, for "the greater good". Maybe there is more screen time on a plane? Maybe they get to eat more junk food? Stay up later, etc.

When we hike, they both have their own water bladder backpacks and we put a few of their things in there. But hiking is more relaxing. We aren't trying to move from spot to spot based on times or stand in lines, park hop, get on buses, etc.

It may be a little more inconvenient for me to carry most of the stuff, but I'm an adult and I'll keep my complaints inside! haha

Knowing I have everything we need, makes these types of trips less stressful for me. There is no where's your jacket, poncho, water bottle. I have it.

 

[NickC]

I used to carry a full sized backpack on our trips. What I like about your backpack is that is has front straps. I always had mine clipped in the front and it distributed the weight nicely. It was more comfortable to carry my larger bag than those draw string bags. Plus the shoulders are padded and won't dig into your skin. I never had an issue putting mine on rides at WDW, though I can't tell from the pic how big yours is. Mostly it was for autograph books, pin collections, Epcot passports, pressed penny collections and sweatshirts if needed. One thing that i will say is that the padded shoulder straps don't help with the heat of August, but I'm not too affected by the hot, humid weather.

At Universal, there are a lot of rides that require a locker, and that makes it a bit more difficult. The free lockers are pretty small, and when they are indoors, the locker room can get a little crowded.

 

[JakeAZ]

I used to carry a full sized backpack on our trips. What I like about your backpack is that is has front straps. I always had mine clipped in the front and it distributed the weight nicely. It was more comfortable to carry my larger bag than those draw string bags. Plus the shoulders are padded and won't dig into your skin. I never had an issue putting mine on rides at WDW, though I can't tell from the pic how big yours is. Mostly it was for autograph books, pin collections, Epcot passports, pressed penny collections and sweatshirts if needed. One thing that i will say is that the padded shoulder straps don't help with the heat of August, but I'm not too affected by the hot, humid weather.

At Universal, there are a lot of rides that require a locker, and that makes it a bit more difficult. The free lockers are pretty small, and when they are indoors, the locker room can get a little crowded.

Excellent info and points, thanks!

I completely agree these bags are more comfortable than the draw string bags. Those just bounce all over the place, even with the slightest movement.

What's great about this pack is, in addition to the padded straps, it doesn't sit flush to your back. There is a very sturdy mesh barrier that allows airflow to pass through.

Our next trip is in November, so it will be hit or miss with the heat.

At Universal, we will most likely leave it at the hotel and just make do with pockets and fanny packs. I do want to avoid the lockers.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[lovethattink]

I use to carry a bigger back pack. But now I use a Loungefly bag if I even use a bag. I can fit 3 frozen waters (I wrap them in a bag so the bottle sweat doesn’t make anything else wet), suntan lotion, hand sanitizer, flavor packets for the water, umbrella, etc. Most times I go bagless.

 

[NickC]

Oh yeah. I forgot about the mesh back. Mine has that too. It really makes a big difference. For Universal, we usually have less stuff to carry around, so it is a bit easier to go without.