To go "bagless" or not?

[writersblock42]

You really don't need as much as you think. We normally carry one bag for the family because we need water and my camera. What you could do especially in January for water bring in a disposable water bottle and when you are finished refill it or toss it (ugh I know the environment but just for the trip). In January one water bottle in between meals should be fine. If you don't mind not having a nice camera to carry, then cell phone cameras take pretty nice pictures. If you cannot fit in your pocket, maybe have somebody else hold it for you. I find that even a small bag is better than a large bag. Yes, you still have to check it but it is easier to carry around and easier on the rides.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I've been planning to go bag free for our next trip in January for awhile( well not completely bag free since I'll prob need a wristlet for my phone at least) however as we get closer I'm already thinking it's just not gonna work and I'll be using one of my crossbody bags! I guess I'm just looking for opinions...what do you carry in the parks??

I couldn't go bag free, mainly because I'd need water to drink through out the day and wouldn't really want to carry it. Otherwise I would think I could go bag free.
My boyfriend and I are planning on backpacks. We'll probably switch off with who's carrying it

 

[AJ1983]

When we were in Universal, we didn't bring any food/drink with us, so I used a fanny pack to carry our room keys, money,and cigarettes. We only planned to be in the park a few hours each day, so we didn't even need to take extra sunblock (though I could have fit a travel size one in there). Also, we were only a 5 minute walk from the hotel so easier to run back.

At Disney, we took a bookbag for food/drinks, phones, cigarettes, storing sunglasses on the rides, sunblock. DFI just strapped it around his ankle during each ride and no problem. Also, it only weighed less than 10 pounds, and got lighter throughout the day as we consumed the pop,water,and food. We did not find that bag check lines were more than 2 or 3 people long, and security was pretty quick with their check, especially since our bag was not packed to the brim. We did go at a slow time though.

Another idea to avoid the bag lines is to put everything in your pockets, or carry it in, then once you are in, take out one of those knapsacks that fold up to the size of a napkin, and voila, you have a place to put all your stuff without waiting in line.

 

[BudgieMama]

I love the idea, but I'm so pale skinned that I'll need to carry my sun cream, plus I need my inhaler and a water bottle. Hopefully, I won't need much more than that though...

 

[maxiesmom]

After wearing a Bagallinni cross-body bag for several trips, I'm choosing to go with a fanny pack this year. I see soooo many people wearing them, and I really don't care what others think of my bag. I couldn't stand having the bag pulling on my neck and shoulders all day. It became very uncomfortable over the week in the park and I remember being so jealous of those that had their arms (and neck) free. So I will find the cutest fanny pack that I possibly can, and will finally feel comfortable!

Have you worn a fanny pack before? Because, for me at least, they become uncomfortable after a couple of days. I hate that weight around my waist, and if it is hot, then you get all sweaty and gross where it is strapped on. I find my baggalini bag to be much more comfortable than a fanny pack.

If you haven't done the parks with a fanny pack you may want to pack your baggalini, just in case the fanny pack doesn't work well for you.

 

[kiford]

I now wear either a very small cross-body Pacsafe bag or just carry a wristlet with my iPhone, KTTW card (which I won't need anymore with MBs), and a couple of dollars in cash for snacks. If I need to carry my camera or sunglasses, I use the cross-body bag.

 

[Yummy123]

I love bagless, but I found it is too diffuclt fro me!

 

[cartoongeek]

I carry a bag with me. I usually carry my camera, painkiller for my feet, purell, deodorant, wet wipes, and my wallet in a backpack. I find it comfortable.

 

[mikehn]

I've been using a cheap cinch bag. They are a lot more trendy and versatile than a fanny pack

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

We went bagless on our last 2 trips and love it - definitely how we're doing it from now on!

I carry a lip balm, a few Tylenol, couple of bandaids and a couple of kleenex in a pocket. We switched to our smaller camera so I just carry it, and can put it in a pocket for water rides. My dh carries our cards.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

For Christmas I am getting the Stephanie Dawn Cargo Bag. It is light weight and roomy. Stephanie Dawn use to be the ones who made Vera Bradley till she moved her operations to China
I need a bag for my phone, sunscreen, asprin, money and water bottle.

http://www.stephaniedawn.net/cross-body-cargo/

 

[mrstaylorparker]

I ordered LL Beans stowaway backpack! It was recommended here on the boards and on the website! It's super light weight and comfortable! Can't wait to use it! Arriving on 12/29! Yay! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[paperboy]

I ditched the bag and started wearing a Scottevest. Packs and hides everything. If I decide to bring the DSLR, I'll haul a small Lowepro bag, but the vest lets me carry small cameras, passes, wallet, phone, and even bottled water.

 

[Donna M]

I bring a small cross over bag that holds my phone, glasses, park maps, chap stick and credit/gift cards; this past trip it also had two ponchos.

We don't need to go through the bag check because I divide up the items between my pockets and hubby's, even the bag rolls up and fits in my pocket! I like to place everything back in the bag since it's more comfortable than stuffed in my pockets.

It's nice to be done with the backpack stage.

 

[JillyBean1899]

I don't go bagless because I carry a CamelBak with me. It's a lot easier to dump that cup of water you get for free at drink stands into the bladder of that thing than try to pour it into the tiny spout of a water bottle, and I don't have to constantly screw/unscrew the cap of a bottle (which is a real pain with RA). Plus I have a Cannon DSLR with an extra lens that I bring with me for taking photos, and need somewhere to carry it. But I do keep the stuff in the bag to a minimum, and have never had a problem with bag check.

 

[LSchrow]

water bottles are a necessity for us, but we don't want to carry/wear them . (we really dislike fla water, so won't refill at fountains, and would rather wait on a bag check line rather than a line to ask for a free cup of water).
to get thru bag check quickly, i put my "stuff" (wallet, cel, camera, inhaler, mints), in 2 ziplocks. i simply pull both ziplocks out of my baggalini when i get to the security guard (just a glance needed to see what's in them) - and a nanosecond to check the empty bag

 

[shelby3hearts]

I recommend having at least one person in your group with a bag

 

[Butler_chic07]

For our November trip... I actually went bag less several times!! It was hard at first, but then I ended up loving it.

With the magic bands I didn't need anything, so it was really really easy. I did take my bag a few times, but not like I have done in the past.

I enjoyed it so much I'm not sure what I'm going to do in June.

It was nice to not have to wait in the bag check line (I always stare at my husband with great envy when he just gets to walk straight in).
It was nice to have my room key and charging abilities on my wristband and not have to dig in my bag to get them (although it's actually not that deep of a dig).
It was nice to just feel like I was strolling around literally without a care in the world.

I survived and my husband actually thought I wouldn't make it 30 minutes without my bag.

 

[noahdove]

Last August I went with 2 friends and I didn't go bagless then and I am sure I won't go this May. I have to carry my camera, you never know when you will meet someone who's photo you need. I don't usually take the camera to the park at night, but, I do carry a poncho and sweatshirt with me ...maybe one of these times, I will leave poncho and sweatshirt at the resort...time will tell..

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Someone on the DIS mentioned a workaround that their family uses and I don't see it on this thread.

Get one of those nylon backpacks that uses cords instead of straps. Fold it up and put it in the pocket of your pants; put other things in your pockets, even if a bit stuffed. Once you're in the parks, unfold and fill the bag with the things that are in your pockets.

I don't think I'll do this - I like not carrying anything around. (I'm not on the Budget Board right now, so I'll admit that I just buy anything I need in the parks, even if it costs more to do so!) But if your bag is for carrying your sweatshirt, a bottle of sunscreen, and a dollar store rain poncho, it would work.

It is circumventing the rules, I suppose, but it's not different from the people who keep supplies in their pockets.