*Ultimate Disney bag*

[MinnieGolf]

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.

You're right: Some wristlets have straps that can hurt. Be sure to try it out in the store and make sure that the strap is flexible. Wristlets made of cloth or soft leather are a good bet.

I just checked out the Vera Bradley Lizzy online. That looks like a good choice, too! It's not too big or too small, and the wider strap ought to be more comfortable than the thin straps found on some bags.

I like smaller bags like the Lizzy because they're less of a hassle in the security line and they're easy to hang onto or stow on rides. In the parks, less is more!

 

[Kimi313]

Subscribing to this thread since the bag we have used for the past 15 years is desperately in need of retirement. It has 2 large compartments but the material separating the two is gone now so when I go thru security I unzip both parts and they always give me that 'really lady go buy a new bag' look, lol. My daughter had me buy a Kavue purse for our trip to NYC but I don't see her BF or DH helping me carry it like they did the on shoulder backpack. Definitely going to check out these bags! Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

maybe its because i'm from florida but i dont understand why people feel like they need to bring so much extra stuff to the parks that they dont carry normally.. other than a camera i dont understand what other things you need.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Radley medium or large pocket bag.It has an inside zippered pocket that works well for storing wallet or park tickets. Once you are in, you can zip it and not worry about losing them. Back zipper pocket is perfect for cash/ credit card/ disney gift card you will be pulling out to buy stuff. Front pocket is great for camera/whatever you want to be able to grab quickly or need often. That leaves the rest on the bag for whatever else you need to carry. Plus it has a hanging scotty dog and he's cute.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

You're right: Some wristlets have straps that can hurt. Be sure to try it out in the store and make sure that the strap is flexible. Wristlets made of cloth or soft leather are a good bet.

I just checked out the Vera Bradley Lizzy online. That looks like a good choice, too! It's not too big or too small, and the wider strap ought to be more comfortable than the thin straps found on some bags.

I like smaller bags like the Lizzy because they're less of a hassle in the security line and they're easy to hang onto or stow on rides. In the parks, less is more!

The wristlet I tried originally tried was a Vera Bradley wristlet, something I carry at home quite frequently. My wrist couldn't handle it at all at WDW!

The Lizzy was a breeze through security. Most times, I didn't even have to take it off my body. I'd just have the main compartment open and they'd take a peek and send me on my way. Super easy.

My sister's string bakpack was another story all together...took forever at some security checks.

 

[aubriee]

When we were there Feb 4th-11th, my husband and I got to talking about this while waiting in line for the safari. We couldn't believe all the stuff people were carrying around in the parks. Some families each had hugmongous back packs they were dragging around, bumping people with. What in the world could possibly be in there that they couldn't do without for a day. I've never been a heavy packer, but up until a few years ago, did usually carry a Vera Bradley mini hipster to the park. It held my phone, camera, a small lip balm, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and a divider thingy with my ID, CC, KTTW card, AP, and a few dollars. Now I don't even carry that. If it doesn't fit in the pockets, it doesn't need to go. We had my 3 y/o GS with us down there with us a few weeks ago and still never carried a bag to the parks and never found a single thing we wished we had carried. I had a small Cannon Elph camera in one pocket, my cell phone in another, and then a small Vera Bradely Zip ID pouch in another with KTTW key, a CC, APs, TiW card, ID, and a small lip balm, then my husband had a small hand sanitizer we refilled every night attached to his belt loop. Now we did have an autograph book and pen in a clear gallon zip lock bag in my GS's stroller, but because it was clear we were still allowed to skip the bag lines and the security men at the bagless line just glanced at it. If we can go bagless with a 3 y/o, a couple should easily be able to do so. The amount of crap people carry into the parks is ridiculous and just plain funny to see.

 

[longing4disney]

When we were in WDW 5 yrs ago, we each carried our own waist bag. Not very cool, but absolutely wonderful. I bought a few travel vacuum bags and were able to roll up our rain gear into the bags. DH carried an extra camera which also fitted into his bag even through it was an SLR, while I carried the little medical bag of plasters and antiseptic etc. The boys carried a small bottle of water each which we all share and top up at water fountains. We did not carry money since we stayed on site and use our KTTW card. The bags were so convenient and we could just move them to the side or front when we take our rides. There was not an ocassion when we needed anything more. With these waist bags, our Hands remained free and no shoulder aches from heavy bags. Only problem is that they may not be too cool . But we did not look that bad in our photos since we carry our bags at the back. No worry of theft since there is nothing valuable in them. We'll probably do the same again when we go later this year, even if people may think we are country pumpkins

 

[vdub322]

My husband just bought me this Minnie Rae Shoulder Bag from Timbuk2 http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/minnie-rae-shoulder-bag and it is the perfect size for park essentials! Some of the colors are on sale for $14, but the regular price is $25. The quality is amazing and I'm so excited to use it. He bought himself a messenger bag for all of our other park gear, such as sunblock and to carry our DSLR camera. Their products are awesome!

 

[kaligal]

Wallet
keys
gum
phone

 

[hmmemom]

I have used the Bagallini Messenger bag twice in the parks and have loved it. It is a smallish cross-body bag, but I can fit a lot of stuff in it. I put in ponchos, camera, snacks, and cards in there. There is a little zipper pouch on the strap that is perfect for chapstick/lip gloss. I will be taking my first kid-free trip in a week and plan to use it then too. It is very lightweight and easy to handle in the parks.

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

Pre-kids I had a small little drawstring bag from Old Navy. It was lightweight cotton, and could be carried as a purse, or as a backpack. I brought sunscreen, wallet (which held 1 credit card, KTTW, a small amount of cash and ID), a dollar store poncho in the summer, camera and phone. Never found I needed anything else.


Now with kids, it's a little more intense - so I bought a lightweight backpack on ebags. In it I now carry sunscreen for me and the kids, and another for DH (who refuses to use anything above SPF 12...), post it notes for the toilets, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, neosporin, band aids, a couple snacks for the kids (like goldfish or cheerios), a sippy cup, small keychain flashlight for the kids on dark rides, and some little toy or something to keep them occupied during TS meals, wallet (which now has DH's ID and everyone's KTTW), phone, camera, and ponchos for everyone.
Love the backpack - only had 2 compartments so it wasn't bad for security.

Can't wait till the kiddos are big enough to not need some of this stuff !

 

[metzgardesign]

And endless bonuses: 1. doubles as a handy poncho for those pesky, pop-up Florida rainstorms, 2. has that handy odor-block technology (in case you need to wear it in that pesky, pop-up Florida rainstorm, and may not be feeling so fresh), 3. it is white, and therefore, will coordinate with whatever you choose to wear that day, 4. it can carry A LOT of stuff......I mean a WHOLE LOT!

Drawbacks.....not so easy to carry on your back, and the "handles" tend to cut into your hands after a while. Also, don't snag it on something or someone in the park....That could lead to a mess.

Oh....and make sure it's the "Unscented Odor Block Technology" version. Otherwise you may have an unexpected scent clash with your Axe Body Spray or Bath & Potty Works scent. May want to test that out at home before heading to WDW. Ask me how I know.

 

[CinderBeller]

I use a Kavu "kicker" bag. I got mine from ebay for about $15. I wear it cross-body, but it can be adjusted if that is not your thing. It is large enough to carry enough stuff with you, but it is still compact and not obnoxious. It never bothered me or got in my way. It also fits in the little net storage things on some rides easily. Here is a picture of my bag on me. It is the only one I could find where you could clearly see the bag. I think it helps if you can see a bag in relation to a person.

http://www.kavu.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4200&idcategory=86

 

[mentul77]

If you carry a DSLR camera, this bag is a lifesaver!! Lowepro Passport Sling DH and I had used a Mountainsmith Tour in the past but I would always worry about putting my camera in it because it wasn't really padded. This bag was suggested on here at some point and we got it before our last trip. I LOVE it! We didn't use another bag at all that trip. It is padded with lots of room for the camera, plenty of room for other stuff like ponchos (we fit 2 adult ponchos in it plus my camera and my wallet and still had room left. The bottom can unzip to add extra room if that is needed and also the padded camera area can come out if you just want a big bag and aren't carrying the camera. This is our park bag for all future trips and has pretty much become my go-to camera bag as well.