wearing a backpack or handbag in the park

[Piwacket's Mom]

Not sure how much you're trying to carry, but on our recent trip, I carried a cross-body bag and mom carried a small string backpack. She had to take it on and off just to sit comfortably on just about every ride. With the cross body bag, as long as I wasn't dealing with a lap bar I could keep it on...one less thing to deal with.

i have a small vera crossbody bag that I could fit 2 waters, my lotion and a very small wallet. the longest is carried that was 3 hours and it began to bother my neck, but not much. i'm torn. i'm going to keep my eyes open for a small backpack, but I know that hipster will be easier to maneuver.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Most rides I take it on with me. When my dd was young I had left her diaper bag with stroller and nobody every messed with anything. But I still brought valuables with me. If for any reason the ride doesn't accommodate it which I haven't really found(other than worry of getting wet) you can probably leave it at the exit?

 

[Zoesmama03]

i have a small vera crossbody bag that I could fit 2 waters, my lotion and a very small wallet. the longest is carried that was 3 hours and it began to bother my neck, but not much. i'm torn. i'm going to keep my eyes open for a small backpack, but I know that hipster will be easier to maneuver.

One of the reasons I've always carried one in parks since my teen years. Is because of brining water. Well that is not really needed since 2009(unless it changed) when I found out you can get free ice water in a cup at most food/drink counters. Saves room and weight. I still like to bring light weight snacks and plan only to find quick service early dinner. I was raised up with that method of eating a the parks. Plus I don't like to be be walking around too full anyway.

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

One of the reasons I've always carried one in parks since my teen years. Is because of brining water. Well that is not really needed since 2009(unless it changed) when I found out you can get free ice water in a cup at most food/drink counters. Saves room and weight. I still like to bring light weight snacks and plan only to find quick service early dinner. I was raised up with that method of eating a the parks. Plus I don't like to be be walking around too full anyway.

that is really nice to know. I tend to drink my water fast if I think it will get warm. I worry about spending half my day visiting each restroom. lol

 

[burberryplaid]

I wear a small cross body (Overland Donner) and am able to either wear it on me or stow it in a compartment or pocket in my seat (Mission Space, Big Thunder, Everest, etc). It has two side pockets we use to bring 16 oz bottles of water.

 

[disneylove16]

This trip I am seriously considering getting a fanny pack. I think 2016 is the year it's making a comeback!

 

[fla4fun]

I wear a small cross body (Overland Donner) and am able to either wear it on me or stow it in a compartment or pocket in my seat (Mission Space, Big Thunder, Everest, etc). It has two side pockets we use to bring 16 oz bottles of water.

This is my go-to bag when it's going to be a rainy day. Poncho inside the bag, and a compact umbrella in one of the water bottle slots. I have one I bought 12 years ago, and it still looks brand new (even after two trips outside the US and multiple WDW trips).

I received a HM Dooney pouchette bag for Christmas, and it's the perfect size for my small wallet, phone or iPod, and a few individual Wet Ones. It's one of the lightest crossbody bags I've used. I used to go bagless 99% of the time, but now it's just easier if I have to go through the metal detector to hand them the small bag instead of emptying pockets. I still go bagless to Disney Springs though.

 

[maxiesmom]

This trip I am seriously considering getting a fanny pack. I think 2016 is the year it's making a comeback!

I only stopped using mine because I have found a cross body bag is more comfortable. I hated having something strapped around my waist! Plus it seemed to hold the heat in. I love my Baggalini messenger bag!

http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/messenger-sling-bagg-crinkle-nylon/47360?productid=10396182

 

[samsteele]

I only stopped using mine because I have found a cross body bag is more comfortable. I hated having something strapped around my waist! Plus it seemed to hold the heat in. I love my Baggalini messenger bag!

I just picked up a Baggalini messenger bag from amazon.ca for less than $40 CDN and am excited to try it on my next WDW trip. I had an old MEC small field bag (like REI) and it was a bit smaller, really the perfect sz, but no mesh bottle holder. I used to carry a small plastic H2O bottle with a rubber strap holder dangling from the side. Not ideal as it would bounce against my leg if I was walking quickly. @maxiesmom does the Baggalini messenger bag fit into the mesh pockets on the rides? If not, its not a huge thing as I can put a foot through the strap if necessary.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just picked up a Baggalini messenger bag from amazon.ca for less than $40 CDN and am excited to try it on my next WDW trip. I had an old MEC small field bag (like REI) and it was a bit smaller, really the perfect sz, but no mesh bottle holder. I used to carry a small plastic H2O bottle with a rubber strap holder dangling from the side. Not ideal as it would bounce against my leg if I was walking quickly. @maxiesmom does the Baggalini messenger bag fit into the mesh pockets on the rides? If not, its not a huge thing as I can put a foot through the strap if necessary.

It does fit into some holding pockets. Most of the time I leave it on, move it to my side, and buckle in.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi, I am planning my first trip and I had intented on using a packpack but began to wonder what was I to do with it when going on rides. Can you please tell me what you do with your bags? I won't have someone to watch over it. Thanks for the help.

You can bring your bag on every ride at WDW. The only one that I wouldn't bring my bag on is Kali River Rapids because it will likely get wet, and there is no waterproof place to store them. HOWEVER Kali is also the only ride that has lockers very nearby for this very reason.

 

[scrapquitler]

Oh man! Did they really?!
Can anyone who has been recently confirm?!
Basically every ride at Universal you have to put your stuff in a locker so it def gets obnoxious!

I did not see a place in the center to put my bag when I rode Kali back in November.

 

[melana]

I have been to disney 3 times, with a 4th trip planned for december. I am usually the packhorse for my group of three.
We did a backpack the first year- it was okay but such a hassle to get things in and out.
I did a cross body messanger style bag the second time- got too heavy and the strap caused some issues. It was a fossill bag.
Third time I did a small Vera Bradley crossbody because we were going to try going "bagless". It was too small to carry the necesseties of a 13 year old girl.. it was comfortable but too small for our needs.

I am really going to try to go bagless on my solo trip in December but I will probably rely on the Vera bag again. It should work well for one person who doesn't plan on packing a lot each day.

 

[AngiTN]

We rode Kali 2 days ago the center storage is gone but as previously stated near the entrance are free lockers they have both small and large lockers available

If they are working. We went last summer and the locker system was down (surprise, right?) and they weren't usable at all. So my advice, bring a zip lock bag for the important things because you never know if you can use the locker or not

 

[AngiTN]

Oh man! Did they really?!
Can anyone who has been recently confirm?!
Basically every ride at Universal you have to put your stuff in a locker so it def gets obnoxious!

They've actually been gone for a pretty long time, maybe a year now

 

[DaisyDuck001]

At Blizzard Beach they don't allow bags on any ride except maybe the lazy river. At the four theme parks it's easy to hold the bag or put it down by your feet on the slow rides. Soarin' does have pouches that will accommodate small backpacks. For faster rides, as others have said, stick one ankle through a strap of your backpack. I didn't know they got rid of the central storage on the Kali rafts. Too bad, but I'm not crazy about that ride anyway, so maybe yet another reason for me to skip it. Wishing everyone a magical day.

 

[ali2083]

This trip I am seriously considering getting a fanny pack. I think 2016 is the year it's making a comeback!

Vera Bradley had a bunch in their Winter or Spring release this year, but I think they called them belt pack's or something of that nature. They are making a comeback!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I haven't used a bag at WDW since our 13-yo was in a stroller when he was 4. However, I will have to take my rx sunglasses/regular glasses in a case this time (can't wear contacts anymore). I a VB small crossbody bag that I borrowed from MIL. Looks like it will hold my case, ID, a sunscreen stick and maybe my phone.

 

[Aaryana]

Echoing those who carry a Vera Bradley cross body. I use the "Hipster" cross body and find that it holds all I need and is easy to hold onto/wear on rides. Side note, I was carrying an extra bag last time I rode Rockin' Rollercoaster, and when it went upside down, it flew off my leg and I barely caught it mid air. From now on, I'll only be wearing my bag.

 

[Tam&Sam]

I've always carried a purse or backpack with me on all rides. My favourite is the small backback from Longchamp's pliage collection. It's an hybrid between a handbag and a backpack and it's extremely light and durable. I've had mine for many years and I've used it at the parks and the best component of this bag is that it is small enough to fit on every ride easily while holding all you need for a day in the park. Mine is usually packed with sunscreen, camera, 2 ponchos, external battery, 2 iPhones, bandages, 1 wallet, 1 bottle of water, tissues, tylenol, 1and one pair of glasses. This is my park setup for the two of us (DFi & I).
It's a bit pricey but the quality is really good and the materials are long-standing. I've had my first one for over 3 years and it's been with me on every WDW trip and Europe adventures.
Bonus point: it folds back into a tiny rectangle so you can store it in your luggage and it takes no space whatsoever!

I've attached a picture so you can see the overall size once it's unfolded.