What do I REALLY need to bring into the park?

[Ahnberg4]

We leave for Disney Dec. 9th and can't wait. I am starting to panic and wonder what is really necessary to bring to the parks. I am planning on bringing my camera, wallet and a cell phone. Are there any other must haves? I have read that others bring in a backpack, so I am questioning myself and wonder if I am packing too lightly. I am planning on bringing one of those awful fanny packs to carry the camera unless anyone has other suggestions.

Thanks!!
Michelle

 

[OHIODISNEYFAMILY]

My other must-haves would be a small disposable rain poncho, hand sanitizer, eye drops (my contacts tend to get dried out on the roller coasters), and sunglasses. Along with what you suggested, that would be all I'd need. However, with 4 kids, I HAVE to bring a backpack at this point with a lot more stuff.

We are leaving the same day you are. It's definitely close!

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

 

[Chuck65]

We can help Michelle. It depends on if you are going solo or with any other people. Let us know and other posters can chime in to help with packing list.

 

[mamamary]

I looked lovely with my fanny pack and backpack. I realized I didn't need both. I preferred the backpack. We had the camera, some jackets, rain ponchos, eye drops for contacts. I think that's about it. We thought we'd need lockers but I just shoved it all in the backpack.

 

[Ahnberg4]

I fogot to add that I have my husband and an 8 and 11 year old also in tow.

Thanks for adding the ponchos- I have them purchased, and in the pile of things to bring, but already forgot about them- they won't be helpful unless I have them in the parks!!
Thanks, Michelle

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I bring a small backpack. I find it indispensable. Instead of zippers it has a draw-string top and a flap that goes over that that secures with a clip.

In it I generally have :

camera
cell phone
small notebook/pen
extra napkins
travel size bottle of hand sanitizer
small zip loc bag with any medications that may be needed
large empty zip loc bag (i've found 100 reasons to need one before, so I roll up an empty one and put it in)

That may seem like a big list, but it all fits in less than 1/3 of a small backpack. That way I can put things like park maps, items I buy, etc. in it as well. For instance, if I just buy a couple of pins, there is no need to send it to the room, I just slip it in my backpack.

I find this method preferable, because I just know that I always have to make sure I have my backpack. When I stand up anywhere - ride, restaurant, etc. - first thing I do is make sure I have it. It's easy to make that a habit, and it's actually MUCH easier just keeping track of one thing all the time instead of some things some of the time. For example, if you buy something and carry it around in a Disney bag, it's much more likely that you'll forget that bag on a bench or somewhere because you aren't accustomed to carrying it; if you succumb to the backpack, you just worry about that one thing.

Do whatever feels comfortable for you, though - I prefer having one centralized thing to watch after, but others don't. If you do decide on a backpack, yes, they can be taken on any and every ride at WDW. I've done it. You just keep it in your lap, put in by your feet, or secure it under the restraint. Never had an issue once.

Good luck!

NED

 

[Kae]

Sunglasses & gum. We are light packers also.

Kae

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I fogot to add that I have my husband and an 8 and 11 year old also in tow.

Thanks for adding the ponchos- I have them purchased, and in the pile of things to bring, but already forgot about them- they won't be helpful unless I have them in the parks!!
Thanks, Michelle

LOL you have no idea how many people in my life I've heard say that they bought them, forgot them, and don't remember until they are soaking wet LOL.

Now, this may seem to defeat the purpose of those nifty little baggies they usually come in, but we found out the hard way that when it's raining is not the first time to open them up and try to figure out where all the arm/head holes/etc. are, or that you have a defective one (i.e. they forgot to punch out the head hole, LOL - I've seen it!).

Anyway, we learned to open 'em up when we get to WDW, try 'em on, and then fold them back up and keep them in the backpack that way. They will take up a bit more room, but you can keep them relatively small (I usually fit 3-4 of them in one of those large gallon sized zip-loc bags). We just use them to line the bottom of the bag (which helps cushion things like cameras inside as well). It's SO much easier to get them out and on this way, so you aren't trying to cover yourself, and your kids, during an instant thundershower or something. The difference between 30 seconds and 90 seconds can make a big difference in situations like that.

NED

 

[Desnik]

In all my trips we have never brought ponchos into the park. Only 1 time we needed to buy them and then the rain stopped 20 min. later!LOL So, I don't pack ponchos. I have a small backpack and in it I have:
wallet with ID and park passes
wipes(antibacterial)
shout wipes(I have 2 kids )
cell phone
small ziplock with lactaid pills for DH & DD, also pepto chewables, gum, and advil
small sunscreen
sunglasses
chapstick/lipstick
We have DS's stroller so in the bottom basket we put jackets for all of us.

We leave tomorrow!!!!
(sorry I just had to add that!! So excited!!!)

 

[Smileybug]

And if you have made any ADR's don't forget to take in your ressie #'s. I also take the dinning # in case my plans change.

 

[KikiFan]

I'm definitely in the travel lightly camp. I take a fanny pack with:

debit card
a little cash
spiral memo pad (with all my notes, ressies and such)
camara
asthma inhaler
lip balm
travel size tube of lotion
travel tube with ibuprofen and antacid
sunglasses
travel size comb.
Cell phone

It's also easier of you don't put everything in one bag, spread it out throughout the family. My daughter (11) is responsible for her own stuff, She's got a KP messenger pouch she loves for vacation.
Her money
camara
autograph book
her inhaler
sunglasses
pen
little package of tissues.
She's been carrying her own stuff since she was 5 and we've never had a problem as long as it was a bag/pouch that allowed her to be hands free.

 

[dmslush]

SO, DD15 and myself all carry a fanny pack into the park. In theirs, they keep up with their money and junk. In mine I have quite a bit. I went to the dollar store and bought one of the little $1 first aid kids.. you know, the kind that are in the little white box. I use that little box. I put a couple of bandaids, moleskin cut into appropriate sizes, tylenol, immodium, benedryl, etc. Then I carry some of the skin so soft wipes from Avon that have sunscreen and bug repelant in them. One poncho (dd and SO have to carry their own). A small dry pair of socks, and an ace bandage (I have a bad leg that needs wrapped occassionally) Then money and tickets, camera and batteries and I am on my way! It sounds like a lot but it really isn't. Everything fits into the little box except that batteries, camera, money, poncho, socks and ticket. I carry the camera, so it doesn't go in the bag. I like that the little box keeps everything together.

 

[wecroozin]

Camera (very compact digital. fits in pocket like a wallet Sony DSC-T7does pics and video)
A little cash
Sunglasses

Nothing else for us. If we need something that bad I'll buy it where I can find it in the parks. Usually we don't need much more than suntan lotion and we get the tiny tubes that fit in yer pocket. If it rains we get wet, or find an indoor attraction but the Florida sun dries you out fairly quickly. I hate carrying anything. Go as light as possible for a great time. No fumbling with anything to get on rides and such.

Now if you have children, well....that's a different story for sure but we do not so this works for us very well.

 

[GOODoldPAL]

When we went with our then 7 yr old, everyone carried their own load including DD. We each had sunglasses w/ neck straps. Yep, we surely looked like the classic tourist family!!

~ DD's fanny pack included a photo ID, inhaler, small tube of sunscreen, mini fan w/ spritzer, autograph book/marker, sugarless gum & snacks she selected each morning. She also had a walkie talkie so she could buzz us in case she became seperated. She liked being in charge of her stuff; wonder where she gets that from? But was willing to "let me" carry her water bottle.

~My fanny pack incl our "room keys" as I was the designated fast pass runner, sm sanitizer gel, travel tissues, extra batteries for walkie talkies, and a ziploc bag 1st aide kit (moleskin, blister bandaids & advil), plus sm. day planner (mini printed touring plan & ADR info + park map).
My fanny pack had a water bottle on each side which WOULD feel heavy as day wore on so I switched it to fanny side often.

~DH had the camera bag; 35mm + 2 lenses + film. We did not have a digital then but he wouldn't wear a fanny pack anyhow. The camera bag had an extra bottom compartment and we stashed there a hairbrush, raincoat, & hand towel, extra panties, shorts all for DD, which were probably used daily - I believe she has a sixth sense for water! DH selected bathing trunks and shorts that had large front zippable pocket to stash wallet and park map.

Later we added light jackets as AC in most restaurants was frosty!!

Now that we have digital and DD is older (outgrew asthma too Thank you Lord), our load should be lighter.
Chances are it will just be me with same contents in a fanny pack and DD & DH will swap off carrying mini backpack with towel + water so we stay hydrated cheaply. Yes, she's still a water magnet!
We will activate 2 old pay-as-you go cell phones to carry instead too.

 

[dbarker]

We like to go bagless. Everyone gets a poncho stuffed in their pocket. I keep room keys and passes on a lanyard. I make index cards for each day w/ ADRs, schedules, etc. before we leave. I laminate them w/ clear contact paper, puch a hole in the corner and attach to a key ring type clip. This get clipped to a belt loop. I carry sunscreen sticks that fit in my pocket. Don't forget your hats (we usually go in the summer).

 

[LauraAnn630]

I take a lot but I always needed what I bring.

I just bought a touring pouch. Its medium size but holds a lot. On one side it will hold a water bottle. The other side has a cell phone case. It has a shoulder strap. I think its going to work out great. Someone posted the bag here but I cant find it. Its a Columbia bag.

money
credit card
autograph book and pens
sunscreen
brush
camera
make up

change of clothes for 2 kids (bottom of stroller) If they go through the sprinklers we have dry clothes.

neat sheet (bottom of stroller) We use this for the parades. We like to go
to Cosmic Rays. Bring the food down to Main Street. Then we have a little picnic while we wait for the parade to start. It keeps the kids busy for a bit while we wait. Its a good time saver to! We like a good spot for the parade.



My husband has this leather square belt pouch he strings through his belt on his hip.

He keeps all the park passes and fastpasses
cell
money

 

[Pixiedust34]

I usually carry

camera w/1 set of extra batteries in the case
cell phone
anti-bacterial hand wipes
pen and small notebook
park map
poncho if it looks like it might rain
sunscreen to reapply (dh has had melanoma and we reapply often)
Advil, Children's Tylenol (small bottles), and a roll of Tums
$, credit card, ID, health insurance info., etc.

Everyone in my family carries his/her own water bottle.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I don't carry a bag or backpack. I wear either cargo pants/shorts with pockets, or I wear a travel vest (bedecked in LGMH!). In the pockets I carry my tickets, AAA card, license, room key card with charging privileges, small notebook and pen w/ itinerary and confirmation numbers in it, tiny digital camera and tiny cellphone. I go in December..it rarely rains, but sometimes gets chilly, so if the weather reports predict the temp to fall below what my park clothes can bear, I tie a pullover around my hips. If rain is predicted, a pocket poncho and a spare pair of socks in a baggie. I usually carry a small amount of cash for water...it's a small price to pay for free hands and pain-free back and shoulders.

 

[chessclubmom]

We travel light. For a long day at the parks I take a fanny pack with:
Camera
cell phone
park passes
travel size sunscreen
lip balm
few bandaids
DS's trading pin lanyard (he gets tired of wearing it)

For a short day or night in the parks I don't take a bag at all. My camera hangs around my neck, cell phone and passes in pocket. It's a great feeling to walk right into the park while other people must wait in line to have their bags searched.

 

[cdrn1]

Last week we decided to travel really, really light. We took our park passes in those little passholder things from Passporter, our room keys, and a few bucks. It was bliss not having to hold on to anything. I may never take a camera again. Oh, and sunglasses of course.