What do you bring into the parks?

[megcellent]

I am new to the DIS Boards, but they are great. I'm learning so much "stuff" that i can use on my upcoming trip (May 11-17). My best friend and myself are taking the trip to Orlando, and I will be visiting Disney World for the first time! yay! I'm so excited!!! My question is this - I had planned to bring a backpack into the parks with me. To carry water, snacks, camera/film, etc. But what will I do with it when we start the rides? You can't take them with you on the rides can you? Sorry if this is a silly question, but like I said this is my very FIRST time at Disney! Thanks!

 

[Mom Possible]

Sure you can bring a backpack on the rides. Depending on how much you pack it may not be comfy but you absolutely can do it. There are also lockers you can rent in the front of the parks. Do a asearch and this topic has been addressed a lot. It may help.

 

[pepe of ohio]

we try to bring the least possible amount of anything into the parks. Myself, all I have on me in a fanny pack is my park ticket, camera and extra batteries and a few dollars. wife has about the same plus some women things, chapstick, aspirin etc. We have been drinking water from the public system for over 50 years and no sense drinking bottled water when fountains abound around Disney. As for renting a locker, what for, might as well left all that stuff at the resort or in the car. Who's going to return back to the locker from in back of the park for what, granola bar, another bottled water. Nope, the least you carry, the happier your are, carrying a backpack loaded down with stuff you think you'll need but never use in the hot sweaty Florida fun isn't pleasant. We've seen the people on many a trip and I'll bet they used none of the stuff they hauled into the park just from over packing and thinking. Its susposed to be a vacation not a mule train.

 

[megcellent]

That does make since pepe of ohio ... never thought about it that way. I think i've just decided to use a small purse that can drape across my body to hold only necessities. I don't think it will be a hassle to drag in a backpack with stuff in it ... i also thought that i should enjoy myself without lugging around stuff, as the next time i return to WDW i would probably be lugging around stuff for children. Thanks for both of your input!

 

[jjsmom]

I've made 20 or so trips to WDW and a fanny pack definately works better for me. Here's what's in it. Small wallet with only essentials (a few bucks, ID, insurance card), lip balm, extra contact lenses & rewetting solution, digital camera, passes, a few aspirin and pepto pills in a snack baggie, and 2 folded Dollar Tree ponchos. Even with all this stuff it's not nearly as heavy and painful for me, as a backpack. As far as water goes, I try to hydrate very well in the morning and then get counter service tap water in a cup throughout the day.

 

[italiancapreta]

I was just going to ask this question about what to bring in your bag. I'm planning on bringing a small backpack to put some of my things in. My question is, how much money should you bring to the park for the day? Granted, I'd want to buy a few snacks, ect.

 

[tmt martins]

Dw carries a CamelBack ladies small backpack 1.5 lts. I think .In the pockets it hold our Poncho some snacks ,camera,cell clips to it .It's small thin and light so it's easy to carry and put down at your feet for the rides.In her fanny pack she carries her passes and Cigs only it's a small Disney one.

I carry cell in pocket clipped in and a small clear (lanyard type ) holder clipped in my other pocket with passes,ID and a little cash.

As for Cash we carry very little maybe $40 .We use our RESORT key to pay for everything we can .

The only time we might get a Locker is for our Hoodies or sweats we need in the morning then take off and need them for the evening but thats it.

 

[ChristusG]

I have a toddler so we bring a whole mountain of stuff. We bring the stroller and stuff the basket underneath full. Snacks, extra clothes, a few toys, water bottles, a jacket if it will get chilly, the camera, the video camera, sunscreen if needed, cell phones, etc. As for going on rides, yes, you can bring your backpack. We usually just grab the camera bag out if we are going on a ride and leave everything else in the stroller basket.

 

[Robindianne]

The only time we might get a Locker is for our Hoodies or sweats we need in the morning then take off and need them for the evening but thats it.

I was just going to ask what people w/no backpack do with their warmer things midday. I guess a locker is the answer. I don't like sweatshirts tied around my waist if I'm hot.

What about blister stuff? Does anyone bring that into the park? I mean like bandaids and neosporin or moleskin or something?

I literally drink water all day long (even in cold wet Seattle so I have to carry some or have that feeling - silly though it is - that I'm dying of thirst until I can find a fountain. So this year, for our second trip to WDW I bought a nearly weightless water bottle that is flat when empty. I figure I'll try it in May and see if I like it.

BTW, OP, great thread. I am always searching for new and better ideas!

ETA: I also carry flip flops cause sometimes my feet need the rest they provide. Unfortunately they aren't the lightweight thin ones. They are heavier and have an arch. But they feel sooooooo good on the bottom of my feet after hot tennies.

 

[italiancapreta]

I would probally bring some blister stuff in my pack just incase.

 

[BonnieA]

I carry the least I can get away with and it is probably still too much. I use a fanny pack and put in it:
In main part: small flat wallet (ID, credit card, money, park pass)
cheap rain poncho
reading glasses
small pill bottle with combo of pills
couple bandaids
In outside pocket of pack: camera, extra battery
In the other smaller outside pocket: other important cards like AAA, insurance etc.
and on the outside of the fanny pack is a clasp where I hang a small water bottle that is inside a zippered insulated wrapper.
I sometimes also hook a lightweight visor to the outside- one of those foam type.

I snap it on and I'm good to go.

 

[ZoZo]

I alternate between:

1) A small fanny pack or small across-the-body purse on the days I want to bring the bare minimum. I bring moleskin, cell phone, sunglasses, small wallet, small sunscreen, lip stuff, extra pair of socks, bodyglide, a couple of wet wipes, and always an emergency poncho. I don't carry a water bottle (too heavy/takes up too much room), instead ask CS restaurants for a cup of ice water when thirsty (they give this to you for free, even if you're not buying food).

2) If the weather is likely to change throughout the day, I bring my small, comfortable backpack. It's just the right size to carry a lightweight jacket or denim shirt easily, with the rest of my stuff. I also use my backpack on the days when I carry a camera (since it won't fit easily into my fanny pack or purse). It must be a comfortable backpack, though, so be sure to "test drive" it fully loaded with your stuff! Makes a big difference.

I would definitely discourage you from bringing a large heavy backpack. As other posters have said, it hurts your back and also makes you hotter!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We carry as little as possible around the parks. What fits into our fanny packs is plenty.
As for the poster wondering about water.....I understand (although have not done it) that you can go to any stand in any park and get a free cup of ice and water. We just hit almost every fountain we find, and there are plenty of them. We do this because we normally visit in the summer due to DS school schedule. As bad as the water is in the room it doesn't taste bad from the fountains. Maybe it because we're hot and need a drink at that point. Just make sure you don't get dehydrated in the Florida heat and sun.

 

[italiancapreta]

This is some really helpful tips. What kind of shoes do you wear in the parks? Flip flops or sneakers? won't sneakers give really bad blisters from all of the walking?

 

[beattyfamily]

My question is, how much money should you bring to the park for the day? Granted, I'd want to buy a few snacks, ect.

We bring $20 - $50 a day but we hardly use it. We charge everything back to the room!

 

[BonnieA]

This is some really helpful tips. What kind of shoes do you wear in the parks? Flip flops or sneakers? won't sneakers give really bad blisters from all of the walking?

I wear either my Merrill sandals (used to be Tevas until they let me down and gave me blisters) or good walking shoes (I wear New Balance) with socks. Whatever shoes you wear, make sure they are worn in and not new.

 

[kddlm]

My DH and I both use fanny packs that have a place for a water bottle on each side. In it I carry passes, credit card, id, a few $$, ind. packs of advil, bandaids, individual packs of antibacterial wipes, small pack of tissues, pen, contact lense case and drops and extra smartcard for digital camera. We have always had a stoller as well with a basket in the bottom so I usually have a duffle bag with waters, snacks, rain ponchos and autograph books when not in use. Duffle bag just stays under stroller while we are on attractions/rides. Never even though twice about someone taking anything.........It's Disney for crying out loud!!!!!

 

[clkelley]

I have even given up the fanny pack. I wear cargo shorts/pants.

One back pocket is my wallet, the other back pocket is my disposable poncho.

Cell phone is in one cargo, chapstick, tyleonol in other cargo. Nalgene water bottle attached to my belt loop with a biner clip.

Passes, room key in an ID holder on a retractable thing attached to my belt loop.

Foam viser on my head, sunglasses on sports strap around my neck.

Alternate between teva sandals and tennis shoes daily.

 

[Boncho]

It depends on what you're used to. I wear flip flops, my sister wears sneakers, and my son wears sandals. As long as they are broken in and comfortable no matter what you wear I don't think you should get blisters.

 

[Andrea]

what is it that people wear around their necks to carry room keys and stuff like that in it ? i've heard you guys talking about it before, but it has slipped my mind