What do we need to take to the park?

[marcida2012]

What are the essentials to keep "on your person" while at Disneyland? It will be me, my husband and our 5yo daughter going in for our first trip in approx. 2 weeks. I got a small cross-body bag that is comparable in size to a fanny pack and we're also considering carrying a small backpack. Will we be allowed to take the backpack on the rides? We also plan on taking reusable water bottles for each of us, is that advisable?

Here are the things I'm thinking of carrying on us:

Small wallet
Small bottle of sunblock
Chapstick
Sunglasses
Small ziploc with Bandaids/ointment
Wet wipes for hands

Thanks!

 

[coaches24]

What are the essentials to keep "on your person" while at Disneyland? It will be me, my husband and our 5yo daughter going in for our first trip in approx. 2 weeks. I got a small cross-body bag that is comparable in size to a fanny pack and we're also considering carrying a small backpack. Will we be allowed to take the backpack on the rides? We also plan on taking reusable water bottles for each of us, is that advisable?

Here are the things I'm thinking of carrying on us:

Small wallet
Small bottle of sunblock
Chapstick
Sunglasses
Small ziploc with Bandaids/ointment
Wet wipes for hands

Thanks!

Yes I think you can take the backpack on the rides and put it at your feet. The water bottles are a great idea as long as you can carry them in the backpack. I would hate to carry anything in my hands the whole time.

When we go we will have our stroller so we have a small soft cooler that we will keep water in and will have snacks for our 3 year old as well. We bring sun block for us and our DD.
A small blanket for her at night in the stroller (esspecially if she falls asleep like last time.
A video camera unless you have a smart phone an will use that. We bring our video camera anyway for video and use our smart phones for pictures.

I always keep my wallet and phone in my pocket and my DW leaves her purse in the room. I hold all our tickets.

That's about it. If we didn't use the stroller then I think we would have a backpack with the sun block, camera, snacks tickets and a couple of reusable water bottles that can fit on the outside of the backpack for easy access. We would also put a change of clothes for DD just in case.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If you're going to carry water bottles for everyone, then you probably want the small backpack. If you're going to carry a backpack, you might want to throw in a couple small snacks that will help stave off hunger if it should overtake anyone, especially your DD, at an inopportune time. Your list looks good though. It's nice to travel as light as you can. Just don't forget tickets and money: cash, credit, whatever, and a driver's license/I.D. if you're planning to pay with credit since I noticed they're being more diligent about checking these days. You should have no problem taking the backpack on rides; we do it all the time.

 

[dougsmom98]

If your daughter is going to get autographs, don't forget an autograph book and pen, and a camera.

 

[specialks]

It might be chilly so consider packing one or two of those thermal camping blankets. Helps when you're standing at night waiting for shows. We like little snack bags of pretzels & goldfish. Great to grab to snack on if your getting in a line with a bit of a wait. The wet wipes are a must for my shoulder bag.

 

[Midnightred]

We like to bring:
Park Hoppers
Disney Gift Card
Cell Phone
Little bit of cash
Hotel Key Card
Chap Stick
Times of attractions that day
Wet wipes
maybe kleenex
ibuprophen

Next time we will add:
Ponchos if is looks like rain
earplugs for the loud rides

Midnightred

 

[SpaceMan5]

I tend to over pack so a backpack is a must for our family. I have found it useful to haul around the water bottles, snacks, camera, hand sanitizer/wipes etc. All the things you need for a day in the parks with young kids.

If you are concerned about lugging a backpack around all day a stroller would would be a good idea especially with a 5 yo. Gives the kiddo a chance to rest during the day and you can put the backpack in it as well.

 

[Geemo]

Glad you didn't forget the sunblock.

You talk about re-usable bottles for water.

The water in So.Cal. has its' own unique taste and smell. No one in my group will drink the city water. We go with bottled water.

We call and have Von's grocery store deliver a case of water along with fruit and snacks. It works out great!

If there is a forecast for rain, you can pick up plastic ponchos at the dollar store before you go.

 

[Disney Dreams]

What are the essentials to keep "on your person" while at Disneyland? It will be me, my husband and our 5yo daughter going in for our first trip in approx. 2 weeks. I got a small cross-body bag that is comparable in size to a fanny pack and we're also considering carrying a small backpack. Will we be allowed to take the backpack on the rides? We also plan on taking reusable water bottles for each of us, is that advisable?

Here are the things I'm thinking of carrying on us:

Small wallet
Small bottle of sunblock
Chapstick
Sunglasses
Small ziploc with Bandaids/ointment
Wet wipes for hands

Thanks!

Yes, you can take the backpack on the ride, however, you may get sick of taking it on/off/on/off, etc....

I use reusable water bottles OR a camel back for water.

In addition to your list:
camera
spare batteries for camera
cell phone (and possibly charger depending upon how long your park days will be)
gum/mints
advil

HTH,
Dreams

Do you have a plan for jacket/something for the evening?

 

[LoveMyTwoGIrls]

Definitely bring a stroller, your LO will need it after multiple long days in the parks. My 4yr old NEVER asks to be carried or sit in a stroller and after 1.5 days, she was in tears begging to be carried and for us to let her sit in the stroller and her sister to walk. I used a cross body Kipling, kept tickets, money (cash,cards,license) autograph books and pens, camera, park maps, first aid kit and gum. I put blankets/jackets under the stroller (I bought a $50 lightweight jeep stroller) and bottled water that we brought in.

 

[Minuet888]

heres what we bring, and our son is 6years old (and autistic)

Our wallets
a bag with any medication and band aids, aspirin any first aid type stuff
ebook reader (yes I know it seems silly but while waiting in line or waiting for my hubby and son to go on a ride I get some reading in or some work done as I can add pdf files onto it)
cell phones
ipod (again passes time while waiting)
camera
batteries
feminine products
water bottles
snacks (put the snacks underneath everything so security won't ***** about it
light change of clothes (my son wants to go on the water rides but after a little while of walking in wet pants it starts to chafe and he complains, also don't mean to gross out but for women if there is a surprise during the month)
Any Disney documentation needed: passes, guest assistance card, photopass card, schedule of events for the day.
I know this sounds stupid but I carry around my sons IEP, my son has a guest assistance pass for his autism, he needs space and can't do the lines, we actually never see the parades because he can't be aurrounded from all areas AND the parade going on is too much for him, but anyways sometimes people will give us crap about it ("How can he ride the rides fine but can't wait in line?") so I pull out his IEP (individualized Education Plan) that specifically states his needs in there if anything to shut them up.


In terms of the stroller you know your child best but my six year old towards the end of the day was complaining that his feet were broken, since I wasn't going to kiss his sweaty feet all better he needed a rest (so did we)
but we also didn't take that beloved afternoon nap as we didn't have a hotel
so maybe he wouldn't have complained if he had that afternoon nap
the thing is once you get the Disney stroller and if you don't want it mid you return it but I believe if you want it again later in the night you have to pay all over again (someone please correct me if I am wrong) so only you know your daughters needs but if my six year old complained he was tired and he didn't even wait in lines?? Your daughter might need one.

Have fun either way!!

 

[marcida2012]

Ah, the stroller dilemma! I was all set to purchase as stroller and take it down with us, but I can't find one that my apparently very tall 5yo can fit in! Every stroller I've put her in, the backrest stops at her shoulders.
What we plan on doing for day 1 is playing it by ear. I'm hoping that since it's a Wednesday, there will be strollers available if we need one. Hopefully she will sorta fit in the Disney rental strollers. I wonder if they even lay back in case she does fall asleep. hmmm
I think I would rather not deal with a stroller unless absolutely necessary.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...snacks (put the snacks underneath everything so security won't ***** about it)

Not sure what exactly you were going for here, but...

You don't have to hide your snacks. Mine are right in my backpack every time. Security says nothing. I don't bring the entire kitchen fridge, but nuts, string cheese, and orange, bottled water, etc.... They don't mind.

- Dreams

 

[krispin41]

I'd also add in a large plastic zip-lock bag. Great for popping in all those things that you don't want to get wet when you go on Splash or other water rides.

 

[Minuet888]

Not sure what exactly you were going for here, but...

You don't have to hide your snacks. Mine are right in my backpack every time. Security says nothing. I don't bring the entire kitchen fridge, but nuts, string cheese, and orange, bottled water, etc.... They don't mind.

- Dreams

We were told we couldn't bring outside food in

 

[MrsPinup]

We were told we couldn't bring outside food in

Not true at all You can bring in food as long as there is no glass. There are many links (plus the DL website) that confirms this. We always bring in full, prepared sandwiches, snacks, and fruit.

I am glad to see that many other people pack in as much as I do. My essentials are:
a backpack
lunch pail with lunch and snacks
reusable water bottle (and maybe an extra dasani or two)
wet wipes
sunscreen
wallet
my kindle for long waits
cell phone for Yelp and MouseWait updates
lipgloss
camera
pen
sweatshirt
phone charger

 

[marcida2012]

I saw that a couple of people take phone chargers into the park. Where do you plug them in to charge your phone?

 

[Minuet888]

seriously no joke I brought snacks in for my son and security said we couldn't bring in outside food, my husband had to take the tram all the way back to the car (because we weren't going to throw it away)

 

[coaches24]

seriously no joke I brought snacks in for my son and security said we couldn't bring in outside food, my husband had to take the tram all the way back to the car (because we weren't going to throw it away)

Wow that's rediculous. We had snacks and water when we went and they never said a word. I could see if it's all adults (don't agree with it even then, but I could understand ) but people with young children should never have an issue.

I would have lost it had they told me I couldn't bring snacks for my DD in.

 

[MrsPinup]

I saw that a couple of people take phone chargers into the park. Where do you plug them in to charge your phone?

There are many outlets around the plaza for group performances (to the left of the castle). In the past I have plugged in right there. I just bought a portable charging device on Amazon for $40 called a Trent. You plug it in at home or your hotel and then it can recharge your cell phone, tablet, or e-reader up to four times. Several friends have used them in the parks and I just had to get one for myself.

seriously no joke I brought snacks in for my son and security said we couldn't bring in outside food, my husband had to take the tram all the way back to the car (because we weren't going to throw it away)

That is crazy! I have taken full lunches and drinks into the park over the past 4 years and have never been stopped or even questioned. It says in their policies that you can bring food in. If they ever question you again, I would ask to speak to a manager and maybe bring a copy of their policy, straight from their website. It is not in Disneyland's habit to argue with guests. (even in situations where the guest is blatantly in the wrong)