Tips for park bag with 4 and 6 year old

[chekhovgirl]

Last trip (two years ago) we had the double stroller with us and were able to keep the bulk of our stuff in that. Now the kids are 4 and 6 (almost 5 and almost 7, and tall) and we're not doing the stroller. My dad will have a scooter, but he doesn't need it all the time, he'll have it because of surgery on his knee. We've never had to deal with diaper changes at Disney (phew!), but last time we brought a change of clothes and probably more stuff then we'll need this time due to their ages.

What do you bring in to the parks for kids this age? Do you bring a change of clothes? We'll probably be able to leave a bag with the scooter, but I'll just be carrying my small Land's End diaper (not diaper anymore) bag onto rides. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2852738). Suggestions of essentials?

 

[husker-mouse]

I'm sure everyone brings different things according to their individual needs but this is what I generally bring:
Meds -the hubbs is diabetic
A small first aid bag
Two changes of clothing in zip lock bags -so I have place to put the dirties
Snacks of your choice
Chill towels, fan, mister, stroll n chill for the stroller
Sunscreen
Pennies
Small toys or handheld devices
Bubbles
Small sensory squishy balls

Hope this helps

 

[husker-mouse]

Ok so I forgot your camera, phones, cash lol. Also antibacterial wipes for when hands get sticky and dirty. Maybe some kind of multipurpose key ring tool lol. Ok I'll stop before I throw in the kitchen sink though I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff lol. Good luck

 

[MandiC]

I had a small bag that I brought the kids autograph books/passport books (for Epcot) in, ponchos on days it was supposed to rain, a filtered water bottle, some granola bars, some cash/kids' Disney gift cards they got for Christmas, my 'pressed penny bag' (I filled a snack sized ziploc with pennies and a quart size ziploc with quarters, put the penny bag in the quarter bag and it was easy to grab when the kids saw a pressed penny design they liked) and any print-outs for the day that we needed (optimal fireworks viewing/photopass locations/our plans for the day/any tips/must dos/souvenirs I planned on getting), sunblock, lotion, stain stick, comb/hair ties, pepto, ibprofen, tums, motion ease, a pen....I think that was all.

 

[tzeitel]

When DD was little I took a change of clothes - the lightest outfit/dress I could find and put it in a ziplock. Especially if there is a wet ride - like at AK - it was necessary to bring clothes and socks (I still bring extra socks on our AK day if anyone is wearing sneakers).

Other than that I did not bring anything bulky. A little pillbox with Tylenol, a couple of band aids, a small toy or those small coloring packs. Water bottle, small snacks, some baby wipes in a ziplock, camera, phone, id and printed ADR confirmation. If there is a chance of rain we have cheap ponchos. Basically what I still carry around the parks

If you will be carrying the bag around all day I would really carry as little as possible. It will get heavier and heavier as the day goes by

 

[horselvr77]

We bring a back pack with bottle holders on the side. That way we can bring water bottles and not have to carry then all day. If it's warm out is bring extra clothes if they go on the splash pads. I always bring Tylenol for adults and children. We also bring diaper cream or something in case someone has chaffing. Always a life saver. Extra socks. Wet socks are the worst. And an umbrella or ponchos. You can get ponchos for $1 off of Amazon instead of paying whatever in the park. Then snacks for the kids.

 

[Ariel on Land]

at that age, I'd still bring an extra set of clothes. We had one "accident" out of our well trained kiddos because he just got too overexcited and didn't want to miss out on anything by going to the bathroom. And another time we had a pretty big mess from eating something, so it was nice to have the spare clothes. Also things like bandaids, tylenol, if you're going in the rainy season- ponchos, sunscreen, small snacks, etc...

 

[Tasmen]

We usually travel with a backpack (husband wears it) and my baggalini. We'll do that again on this upcoming trip, as well. We bring hand sanitizer, distraction devices (tablet, toys, etc.), a change of clothing for the DD, and a small med-kit with us in the backpack.

I carry the phone charger batteries, camera and her autograph book in my bag. Split the load so to speak.

This works for us. We end up not having to bring a huge backpack this way.

Last time we had a stroller and were able to hide the mister fan in there. Probably buy some kind of hook and attach it to the backpack this time.

 

[chekhovgirl]

Thanks, all, this is very helpful. I like to keep things as minimalistic as possible, but still want to be comfortable, of course. DH is adamant that we don't need to bring a change of clothes for them, but I think I'm going to bring one.

 

[Canooknic]

We've just got back and every day (for our 5 yr olds) we took :- Suncream, granola bars/apples, ziplock bags (a total godsend because DS1 got sick on the bus!) and our Brita water bottles.
On our AK day we took spare clothes because we knew they'd get wet on Kali rapids and we checked the weather report every morning for the chance of rain and put rain coats in for anything over 40%.

We took medication and all sorts last year and didnt use any of it. This year I bought a Tylenol 2-pack one day at Epcot for about $3....worth every penny to travel light!!

 

[MandiC]

If you want to bring a change of clothes for Kali River Rapids in AK, I'd just bring ponchos...lots of people wear them on the ride. Though honestly it depends on the weather, my younger daughter and I were probably the most wet of our whole boat and we dried within half an hour walking around the park. There are free lockers for your belongings too near the Kali River Rapids, just a fyi! There is a time limit but definitely a nice little perk.
I agree with packing light, my bag got lighter each day because even what I thought was a light bag the first few days ended up hurting my back/shoulders by the end of the day. I had been bringing my guide book the first few days and while it was nice to be able to look anything I wanted up, it just wasn't worth the added weight.

 

[monorailsilver]

We went stroller free in August. My kids were 12, 9 & 7.

Dh and I had a bag. He had a thin backpack and I had a crossover. My 12 yo also had a smaller crossover. My 9 yo had a sport Sak and my 7 yo had a cross over but she gave it up after day 2.

We don't bring a change of clothes because we go in August and I we get wet/soaked it is ok. And yes we got soaked on kali. We were still dripping an hour later when we are lunch but we weren't cold but it was August.

Basically all that was carried was water-the kids had the thermos 24 oz water bottles that kept their water cold, an iPod or an iPhone, sunglasses and a hat. If they wanted a park map they could carry that.

I had Dh's and my water, the camera, maps, phone, hat and sunglasses. My Dh had extra water, my 7 yo's water and some snacks plus his hat/sunglasses.

If water wasn't so expensive we would not carry a bag!

But yeah, no clothes, my kids don't need them.

Oh and hand sanitizer.

 

[rcarman213]

Are there restrictions as to what you can and cannot bring in a bag to the park? Are coolers allowed?

 

[chekhovgirl]

Are there restrictions as to what you can and cannot bring in a bag to the park? Are coolers allowed?

Glass and alcoholic beverages. Coolers are allowed.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/

 

[chekhovgirl]

If you want to bring a change of clothes for Kali River Rapids in AK, I'd just bring ponchos...lots of people wear them on the ride. Though honestly it depends on the weather, my younger daughter and I were probably the most wet of our whole boat and we dried within half an hour walking around the park. There are free lockers for your belongings too near the Kali River Rapids, just a fyi! There is a time limit but definitely a nice little perk.
I agree with packing light, my bag got lighter each day because even what I thought was a light bag the first few days ended up hurting my back/shoulders by the end of the day. I had been bringing my guide book the first few days and while it was nice to be able to look anything I wanted up, it just wasn't worth the added weight.

Good to know about the lockers- thanks!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I took my kid on a few trips when she was close to that age. This is what I carried:
* water bottles, hats and sunscreen (essential for my family)
* ponchos (usually, but not always)
* tiny pouch that kiddo packed herself -- filled with "sugary junk" (about 4-5 Halloween candies) -- each day she was allowed to graze freely from this pouch, but it was not refilled until the next morning
* healthy snacks (cheese strings, granola bars, carrot sticks, apple slices) - We shared these while waiting for shows
* spare tops, bottoms plus a light jacket (worn or packed), corresponding to weather changes expected (If we were going to early morning rope drop, kiddo would dress warm and change into cooler clothes mid-day. Vice-versa if we were leaving in the afternoon and planning to stay for fireworks.)
* Unofficial Guide to WDW (sometimes, but not always -- it's heavy!)