Trying to go bagless with a 2.5 year old...

[DisneyMomma1216]

Hey everyone! We have our trip coming up in May, where my daughter will be just shy of 2.5 years old. We are going to be using our City Mini Gt, and plan to spend most of the days in the parks, as we usually do (we've done this before with her with no issues.. this will be her 4th time at WDW). The only thing she really needs is her thermos cup for drinks, a few snacks, and a few diapers. So I am trying my best to go bagless (while in the parks) this trip.. or at least have a smaller bag on hand, instead of wearing my backpack all day. Does anyone have any suggestions on a smaller bag IF in fact, we do need one? We already have a little diaper pouch thing that can hold her diapers, as well as her changing pad, so I may just bring that for the day with a few diapers. I have a small crossbody from Disney (got it back in 2011) that will hold my wallet and such, and maybe a few snacks, but not much more. Should I look into getting a bigger crossbody? Has anyone had success in going "bagless" with a toddler?

 

[kohlby]

Do you have room for a change of clothes, sunscreen, and something for rain protection? Though you could get by buying ponchos there or staying in when it rains, a wet stroller can be a big problem so I'd plan on having something to keep the stroller dry at the very least.

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind that even if you go bagless, if your stroller is full of stuff you still have to go thru the bag check line. They will want to look thru everything.

 

[imthemamahere]

When we brought a stroller to Disney, I had one of those mesh stroller bags attached at the back - into that went a handful of diapers, a pack of wipes, and maybe a snack. I figured if someone was going to steal my stroller, I wouldn't cry over a handful of missing diapers and a baggie of goldfish crackers. That let me carry a much lighter bag. And the mesh stroller bag made bag check quick when entering the parks - easy peasy.

As for lightweight, easy-to-carry bags, I've seen Vera Bradley bags touted highly here on the Disboards. They do look fun, but I can't speak for them myself. I recently got a Baggallini bag (to carry my laptop), and so far I like it. There's a bunch of different sizes/styles, but many can be worn crossbody, which is great for hands-free ease when you're on the go. They're super lightweight, which is great, because the bag doesn't drag you down before you even fill it with your stuff. The material is nylon, totally washable and it looks practically indestructible. The bags come in basic and bright colors, lots of options. My other bag, which I've been carrying for 2+ years and absolutely love (but it doesn't fit my laptop), is the Healthy Back Bag. It's a crossbody sling style bag, also super light to carry, completely washable if you get the nylon, but there's a microfiber one that looks really nice, too. Also comes in a variety of colors as well as different sizes, though they're all the same teardrop shape. The "small" holds a lot, when necessary, but I typically carry basic meds/wallet/etc around and find it very comfy to carry when empty or full. Great bag.

 

[DisneyMomma1216]

Do you have room for a change of clothes, sunscreen, and something for rain protection? Though you could get by buying ponchos there or staying in when it rains, a wet stroller can be a big problem so I'd plan on having something to keep the stroller dry at the very least.

We have a rain cover that fits into the back pouch of our stroller already. There is a small basket on the bottom, and I was thinking of putting everything in a Ziploc bag to keep it all dry from rain.

Keep in mind that even if you go bagless, if your stroller is full of stuff you still have to go thru the bag check line. They will want to look thru everything.

I wouldn't be doing it for the lines.. I don't mind going through bag check. We've done it enough times that we know some of the security guards by first name. I would just like to save my back from wearing a big backpack lol.

When we brought a stroller to Disney, I had one of those mesh stroller bags attached at the back - into that went a handful of diapers, a pack of wipes, and maybe a snack. I figured if someone was going to steal my stroller, I wouldn't cry over a handful of missing diapers and a baggie of goldfish crackers. That let me carry a much lighter bag. And the mesh stroller bag made bag check quick when entering the parks - easy peasy.

As for lightweight, easy-to-carry bags, I've seen Vera Bradley bags touted highly here on the Disboards. They do look fun, but I can't speak for them myself. I recently got a Baggallini bag (to carry my laptop), and so far I like it. There's a bunch of different sizes/styles, but many can be worn crossbody, which is great for hands-free ease when you're on the go. They're super lightweight, which is great, because the bag doesn't drag you down before you even fill it with your stuff. The material is nylon, totally washable and it looks practically indestructible. The bags come in basic and bright colors, lots of options. My other bag, which I've been carrying for 2+ years and absolutely love (but it doesn't fit my laptop), is the Healthy Back Bag. It's a crossbody sling style bag, also super light to carry, completely washable if you get the nylon, but there's a microfiber one that looks really nice, too. Also comes in a variety of colors as well as different sizes, though they're all the same teardrop shape. The "small" holds a lot, when necessary, but I typically carry basic meds/wallet/etc around and find it very comfy to carry when empty or full. Great bag.

Thanks! I will look into both of those bags! I've seen the Vera Bradley ones too... I just can't justify the price on them, even the Disney ones. I have one that is the same material, and I know it wouldn't do well in the rain.

 

[imthemamahere]

Thanks! I will look into both of those bags! I've seen the Vera Bradley ones too... I just can't justify the price on them, even the Disney ones. I have one that is the same material, and I know it wouldn't do well in the rain.

That's one of the things I like about the Healthy Back Bag and the Baggallini bags. Nylon is pretty water-resistant, so as long as you aren't relying on it to keep things completely dry if you jump into a pool with the bag strapped across your chest, you're good. (I've worn my HBB in a downpour many times. Dries quickly/easily and things inside were pretty much dry. If you're carrying something REALLY valuable that can't get wet, you might want to keep a ziplock bag inside, just in case. But the bag's stood up to nor'easters and kept the stuff inside dry.)

I'm trying to talk myself into splurging on a Vera Bradley Mickey-embossed wallet. I love it, but, like you, sort of stumble when I see the price!

 

[AshleeH]

I did the Vera Bradley mini hipster when my daughter was 18 months on our last trip. Fit two diapers, a small pack of wipes, and I could keep her sippy in there during rides (without zipping the purse - the sippy was in the stroller when she was). It also fit my phone and money, so it was the perfect size.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hey everyone! We have our trip coming up in May, where my daughter will be just shy of 2.5 years old. We are going to be using our City Mini Gt, and plan to spend most of the days in the parks, as we usually do (we've done this before with her with no issues.. this will be her 4th time at WDW). The only thing she really needs is her thermos cup for drinks, a few snacks, and a few diapers. So I am trying my best to go bagless (while in the parks) this trip.. or at least have a smaller bag on hand, instead of wearing my backpack all day. Does anyone have any suggestions on a smaller bag IF in fact, we do need one? We already have a little diaper pouch thing that can hold her diapers, as well as her changing pad, so I may just bring that for the day with a few diapers. I have a small crossbody from Disney (got it back in 2011) that will hold my wallet and such, and maybe a few snacks, but not much more. Should I look into getting a bigger crossbody? Has anyone had success in going "bagless" with a toddler?

I'd just leave the things like diapers, change of clothes, etc. in a bag in the stroller basket. No way I'd be carrying them all day in my backpack onto the rides. I'd still wear a small crossbody bag or fanny pack for my wallet/phone because I wouldn't want to leave those in the stroller, but I'd be okay with leaving the change of clothes while we go on a ride.

 

[LovePug]

I'd just leave the things like diapers, change of clothes, etc. in a bag in the stroller basket. No way I'd be carrying them all day in my backpack onto the rides. I'd still wear a small crossbody bag or fanny pack for my wallet/phone because I wouldn't want to leave those in the stroller, but I'd be okay with leaving the change of clothes while we go on a ride.

This. I never carried a backpack, even when my DS was a toddler. The stroller is wonderful for lugging everything around. I just left his diapers/snacks/cups, etc. in the stroller basket. Chances are pretty slim that anyone will steal diapers and such.

 

[pezaddict231]

I have a baggallini cross body I use mainly to carry my DSLR, and a few things, hand wipes, sanitizer, juice cup, etc. We leave most of the stuff in the basket of the stroller. I put everything in a ziplock bag to make it easy for security check and to keep it dry if it rains. Has worked great for 3 trips so far.