*Ultimate Disney bag*

[kittykitty87]

Going to Disney World in September with my other half and wondering what people advise would be essentials to take in you bag for the Parks?

I dont want to take a massive bag as it will be me that ends up carrying it so don't want to cram too much in there and make it too heavy.

(sorry if this topic is already on here but I could'nt find it).

Thanks everyone

 

[TK-Fett]

Don't worry this is a topic that is discussed to death on the Dis but the search function here is a little tricky about getting good results.

I prefer a small backpack but I think most of the women here like Bagalini from eBags.com

What all are you planning on packing?

 

[PoohsFan1]

We use a backpack for the parks and inside we put our ponchos, any pins we want to trade, my cell phone and wallet, and the kid's autograph books and pens....we try to keep it light because the 4 of us take turns holding the it.

 

[kittykitty87]

Thank you both. I am one of those people that likes to pack for all circumstances. I am kind of a 'just in case' kind of person but then I also worry that I will end up taking too much in with me...!

I am thinking poncho, camera, water, tickets etc. Im sure as the holiday gets closer I will think of more things

 

[2binak]

The LL Bean Stowaway Daypack is perfect for the parks!!!! It is incredibly lightweight, holds quite a bit & has a waterbottle holder on each side. The back & shoulder straps are lined with breathable mesh too so it doesn't get too warm. We used one during our last trip and can't imagine going to WDW without it.

 

[MinnieGolf]

The less you take to the parks, the better. For one, it's a pain to lug around tons of stuff that you'll probably never use. For another, it's a pain to have to wait in the security line.

So my advice is to pare down to the essentials. For me, that's park tickets/KTTW, small point-and-shoot camera, a little cash, one credit card, driver's license (for ID) and a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer. All of that fits in a small wristlet.

If I need to tote more, I have a small backpack/purse that's very easy to carry. It can be worn as a backpack or over the shoulder as a purse. It's washable and collapsible. (I carry the Sak brand, but there are lots of similar styles in other brands.)

As far as taking ponchos, I rarely do any more. The parks and resorts all sell ponchos, so I can grab one if I need it. Most rain showers are over quickly, so I just duck into a shop and wait a few minutes until the sky clears. On my last several trips, I've successfully avoided rain and the need for ponchos.

 

[kittykitty87]

Thank you MinnieGolf. I will pretty much be taking what you take. Sounds good to me

 

[LucyBC80]

This is the bag I use:

Kipling Lancelot bag

It can hold as little or as much as you want, it's the perfect travel bag, specially if you have a long zoom camera (like the canon SX30is or similar) and can even hold your ponchos and a bottle of water.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

The less you take to the parks, the better. For one, it's a pain to lug around tons of stuff that you'll probably never use. For another, it's a pain to have to wait in the security line.

Hi. My name is Mom2AJessieGirl and I am a recovering "in case of emergency" packer.

I used to take TONS of stuff in a backpack, but I have now pared down to the things that I KNOW I will use, not the things I THINK I will use.

I tried a wristlet last february, but it cut into my wrist to the point I was miserable. That's when I popped off site and picked up a Vera Bradley Lizzy. It is a cross-body bag that fits everything I need...Gift Cards/Cash, KTTW, FPs, PhotoPass, headphones, iPhone (I use it instead of my camera now, but I used to have a large POS camera that fit also), Inhaler, lipbalm, medicine, pressed penny money for DD6, and gum. If I wanted, I'm sure I could fit a dollar store poncho too, but we don't wag those around unless we're wearing them.

It has become my new favorite purse for day to day use, as well as my favorite park bag...I now have two of them! I know tons of people swear by the mini-hipster, but I like the Lizzy better because it has magnetic and zippered closures (instead of velcro) and the Lizzy has a wide adjustable strap instead of a thin strap that you knot like on the mini-hipster.

Occasionally, I will wear it as a "fanny pack" too. I know. I'm too cool.

 

[hops&dreams]

Oh, yes... the bag topic. I researched and researched and researched this. I tried on Baggalini bags, and went back and forth about ordering an ebags Piazza Day bag.... but then I came across a perfect one for me at Target in the travel section!

I used this one 2 weeks ago for 9 days in the parks:
http://www.target.com/p/Swiss-Gear-Shoulder-Bag-Sling-Grey/-/A-13273307#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
(It was only $19.99 in my store last month.)

I put my KTTW card in the front zip pocket, my maps and times guides and any notes in the back zip pocket, and everything else went inside. I had my camera in one of the side pockets so it was easy to get to, but secure on the rides, and the other side pocet held a water (which I didn't drink that much of - the free ones from a QS place were fine.)

I was wonderful to take on anad off during dinner, very compact, was comfortable wearing all day, and was very easy to either keep on or stow on every ride, except everest.

We did get caught in a downpour and a couple of docs got wet in the front pocket, but otherwise were ok.

It was really great for the plane ride too. Boarding passes, kindle, snacks... all fit inside. And it worked well with the backpack I wore through the airport as well. (held DD's PJ's - late night flight - my DIS travel planning binder.)

I also kept trivia sheets in the rear pocket and pulled them out when we were waiting in lines, etc. It was fun, easy to get to and easy to put away when it was our turn.

I also found that switching to a "business card holder" for vacation was a terrific way to keep my KTTW card, DD's KTTW card, Insurance card and driver's license (so I could order adult beverages.) Everything else, I left at home. It was a great way to lighten the load, and I haven't really switched back yet, even though I've been home for almost 2 weeks. ha ha!

 

[kittykitty87]

Mom2AJessieGirl and hops&dreams thats great information from both of you! Thank you very much! I will be looking into both of the bags you suggested

 

[Offsides]

When I went last April, and when I return this March.. I used/will be using a messenger bag I randomly found at TJ Maxx. I researched on here other bags people used, but didn't really love any of them.

Here is the bag I used (not the same design, but this style):

http://www.zappos.com/harajuku-lovers-hot-stuff-messenger-eskimo-kisses

It is pretty lightweight and fit everything I wanted comfortably without being "stuffed". The two pockets on the front were perfect for my camera and my phone. Aside from those 2 things, I carried a water bottle and some kind of snack (granola bar or a small bag of goldfish.. I get hungry!), and a wristlet type wallet with my id, money, credit card, KTTW, etc.

The bag was big enough to fit everything, but small enough to easily fit with me on rides. My water bottle made it a little bit heavy, but not too bad. Aside from the water bottle, it was surprisingly light.

 

[scooffer]

Overland Donner bag! Was a lifesaver last year... we still use it whenever we go on any day trips. I did, however, take one of my kids terrycloth velcro thingy's from their car seat straps to add to the strap. Made it more comfortable against my neck if it slipped off my shoulder.

http://www.amazon.com/Overland-Equi...Q950/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330111943&sr=8-1

purchased the Pine Green so DH would also carry it!

Researched the heck out of this topic last year... actually this topic is how I stumbled on DIS and never looked back!

 

[Midnyghtchilde]

As 2 adults you shouldn't need to bring much. If you have a smartphone, that is the best advantage I found - you can check the weather first thing in the morning and dress accordingly. Then in the very least, you can bring a bag with jackets/ponchos only on days calling for heavier rain.

DH and I only bring a good LL Bean backpack when we needed jackets for rain or cold, or if the weather is super hot and we needed 2 water bottles. Or if we needed water protection because we were riding Splash Mtn or the ilk. In the very least, we bring the bag for only part of the day this way.

My only constant is a medium sized across-the-chest purse with lots of pockets to bring the usuals: hand sanitizer, hand cream, chapstick, inhaler, wallet, cards, a few pins or a vinylmation to trade, etc.

I also found that having transitions glasses and one good walk around camera lens meant I don't have to mess with sunglasses or carrying multiple lenses in the parks.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

your phone
your wallet
your keys... (if you drove if not leave them in the room)
if its summer you can throw a couple of ponchos in your other half's cargo pockets or something but not needed
there you are done

 

[NLD]

Camera gear
Key to the World card
money
chapstick
face powder/compact


The end.

 

[jenjifer]

Overland Donner bag! Was a lifesaver last year... we still use it whenever we go on any day trips. I did, however, take one of my kids terrycloth velcro thingy's from their car seat straps to add to the strap. Made it more comfortable against my neck if it slipped off my shoulder.

http://www.amazon.com/Overland-Equi...Q950/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330111943&sr=8-1

I second the Overland Donner. Great bag, never got tired of carrying it -- held "enough", but not too much!

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Camera gear
Key to the World card
money
chapstick
face powder/compact


The end.

whoa.. thats why too much stuff for me, but i know some girls are addicted to chapstick these days...

 

[NLD]

whoa.. thats why too much stuff for me, but i know some girls are addicted to chapstick these days...

Well the chapstick is optional depending on time of year. Compact is NEVER optional, can't have a shiny nose in any pictures with Mickey. See what women go through?

It's only the camera gear that is a lot, so if you're not a photography geek, really, you should be able to fit everything in pockets or a teeny tiny little bag, OP.

Edit: oops, forgot about cell phone.

 

[kittykitty87]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will keep them all in mind when we go!