what do you carry with you in the parks?

[Figment Mom]

I'm trying to decide what type/size bag I need. I'd prefer to not carry a bag at all but then I keep thinking about things I'd like to have available such as ponchos, water bottles, etc.

It will just be ds9 and I so I don't need a diaper bag and I don't think he'll want to do an autograph book.

How minimalist can I make this and still have what we need to be comfortable?

 

[Infamousmare]

I have one of these that my mom bought each of us (herself, me and my sister) for our first trip to Disney: http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

I have used that sucker ever since (this November will be trip #5)! I have three kiddos. Even when my littlest was a baby, I'd carry this and anything extra in the stroller.

Now that mine are older, I sling this on and clip ears to the strap (yep, somebody always brings along mouse ears) and put a water bottle inside, along with car keys, wet naps, kleenex, small tube of sunscreen and little dispenser of bandages. During the rainy season, I put in several of those pocket-sized Coleman ponchos that I got at Wal Mart for .99 apiece. They literally take up no room, but will fold out to full size disposable rain ponchos in a heartbeat.

The strap has a zipper pocket that's the perfect size for credit cards (or Keys to the World if you're not using Magic Bands).

It can sling across your chest or just be worn on your shoulder. I don't feel weighed down but I have everything we might need in a pinch.

I swear I'm not a spokesperson for Ful. Just a very happy customer!

 

[Figment Mom]

I have one of these that my mom bought each of us (herself, me and my sister) for our first trip to Disney: http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

I have used that sucker ever since (this November will be trip #5)! I have three kiddos. Even when my littlest was a baby, I'd carry this and anything extra in the stroller.

Now that mine are older, I sling this on and clip ears to the strap (yep, somebody always brings along mouse ears) and put a water bottle inside, along with car keys, wet naps, kleenex, small tube of sunscreen and little dispenser of bandages. During the rainy season, I put in several of those pocket-sized Coleman ponchos that I got at Wal Mart for .99 apiece. They literally take up no room, but will fold out to full size disposable rain ponchos in a heartbeat.

The strap has a zipper pocket that's the perfect size for credit cards (or Keys to the World if you're not using Magic Bands).

It can sling across your chest or just be worn on your shoulder. I don't feel weighed down but I have everything we might need in a pinch.

I swear I'm not a spokesperson for Ful. Just a very happy customer!

Thanks for the recommendation. That looks like a nice bag.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Our boys are 12 & 9 and we still like to take a medium size back pack - nothing ridiculously big but enough space to carry the following which we consider essentials :
-Ziplock bag with change of clothes for each boy - just in case - if you flatten out the air from the bag they don't take up much room
- sunscreen
- wet wipes/ hand sanitizer
- some small snacks/ water
**Having the backpack also helps with carrying small items we may pick up along the way so we don't have to carry plastic bags around.

 

[Figment Mom]

Our boys are 12 & 9 and we still like to take a medium size back pack - nothing ridiculously big but enough space to carry the following which we consider essentials :
-Ziplock bag with change of clothes for each boy - just in case - if you flatten out the air from the bag they don't take up much room
- sunscreen
- wet wipes/ hand sanitizer
- some small snacks/ water
**Having the backpack also helps with carrying small items we may pick up along the way so we don't have to carry plastic bags around.

Good point about the change of clothes. DS manages to need a complete change of clothes just sitting in our living room somehow. I can imagine what kind of a mess he'll be after a day at the MK.

 

[weebabes]

We always take what we call a " bum bag" in the UK. Ours are just big enough to take sunglasses, small bottle of sun screen, pen, camera and money.they are small enough to take on all rides and they clip round your waist to you can hang your baseball cap from them.

 

[Quasialamodo]

I have one of these that my mom bought each of us (herself, me and my sister) for our first trip to Disney: http://ful.com/details.cfm?name=Peabody

I have used that sucker ever since (this November will be trip #5)! I have three kiddos. Even when my littlest was a baby, I'd carry this and anything extra in the stroller.

Now that mine are older, I sling this on and clip ears to the strap (yep, somebody always brings along mouse ears) and put a water bottle inside, along with car keys, wet naps, kleenex, small tube of sunscreen and little dispenser of bandages. During the rainy season, I put in several of those pocket-sized Coleman ponchos that I got at Wal Mart for .99 apiece. They literally take up no room, but will fold out to full size disposable rain ponchos in a heartbeat.

The strap has a zipper pocket that's the perfect size for credit cards (or Keys to the World if you're not using Magic Bands).

It can sling across your chest or just be worn on your shoulder. I don't feel weighed down but I have everything we might need in a pinch.

I swear I'm not a spokesperson for Ful. Just a very happy customer!

How durable would you say the Peabodys are? And can you customize them with lime green paint? Or would it wash off? Are they waterproof for Splash Mountain and such? How do you clip ears to the strap? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[SkiddsKids]

I love my Donner bag from Overland equipment. I end up carrying everyone's stuff and there's plenty of room plus outer pockets for water bottles.
http://overlandequipment.com/store/products/donner-594-26-26-e1-dove-dove-print/

 

[Gma570]

I'm trying to decide what type/size bag I need. I'd prefer to not carry a bag at all but then I keep thinking about things I'd like to have available such as ponchos, water bottles, etc.

It will just be ds9 and I so I don't need a diaper bag and I don't think he'll want to do an autograph book.

How minimalist can I make this and still have what we need to be comfortable?

When I go in the fall I usually just take a fanny pack. But this year we are going in late June and I struggled with this too. I want water, raincoats and mini fans along with a bandana I can wet and wear around my neck or wipe off with.

I read a lot suggestions and then headed to. Wal Mart camping section. I found a small day pack for $8. It was in a small box hanging on the wall with other accessory type items. It is basically a small, very light weight nylon back pack. I got it in navy blue and this way my husband and I can share in carrying it.

 

[Auntrosie]

I purchased an inexpensive clear backpack at Walmart. On sale $9. Quick through the bag check and easy to find or check on items inside the bag.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Honest. I take the magic band and that is all. Makes life wonderful.

 

[ZoZo]

I carry a Baggallini Messenger Bagg with the following:

• Refillable water bottle (refilling with ice water from CS restaurants throughout the day)
• Cell phone
• Sunglasses
• Visor (has a velcro strap so can be looped through the strap of my bag)
• Poncho
• Lip balm
• Moleskin (cut into pieces)
• Dry socks
• Trail mix (homemade - peanuts, raisins, M&Ms, and Goldfish pretzels)
• Mini first aid kit (bandaids, tylenol, Pepto tablets/Tums, inside an empty Altoids tin)
• Small wallet with some cash, ID, medical insurance card, credit card)
• Kleenex "Splash and Go" wet wipes (very refreshing on a hot day)

Love my Baggallini bag; it fits a surprising amount but isn't too big. It's cross-body and very comfortable, and easier to carry than a backpack.

 

[LovesTimone]

I really down size for the parks, small cross body, Vera Bradley or my Coach small cross body, Just enough to carry my Glass case, small id wallet, my phone, a little small makeup bag, but I don't use it for makeup, Band-Aids, Neosporin, small pill case with allergy med, and Tylenol, and something for tummy troubles. I also include 1 or 2 baggies for water rides, for us to stick our phones in. DH and I both wear cargo style shorts, for anything else. You can carry a bottle of water in the side pockets.. so all good there.

There are lockers for rent, so that's an option if you don't want to drag a back pack around all day.

When DD was little we would take in a back pack and small soft sided cooler for her, but it would stay in the stroller, and I would keep my small purse with me.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Honest. I take the magic band and that is all. Makes life wonderful.

I wish we could. It is just DH and I, but we need water bottles at the very least. My experience is based on DLR but we always need a drink of water when we are standing in line. Since Florida has even worse heat I can't imagine not having a water when you want it. We bring a back pack that DH carries with the water bottles, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and several plastic baggies. Oh, and we will have ponchos of course for WDW.
My little Baggallini Large Wallet bag has phone and camera, and now needed for WDW, my itouch. I have to say, I love that bag. It has an adjustable strap that can go across body, over shoulder, or around the waist.

 

[sunb75]

Jealous of MB only people

Our bag-AmeriBag Healthy Back Bag (Large) http://www.ameribag.com/MICROFIBER.html holds:

DSLR camera
Waterproof camera
Collapsible waterbottles
Mini first-aid kit
Pennies/Quarters
Autograph book/Pen
Snacks, snacks, snacks...
Portable cell phone charger
Light wallet
Sunglasses case


Luckily, my kids are big and strong so they can help with the carrying.

 

[dyna]

If it doesn't fit in my pocket it's not going with me.

 

[PRomano]

An insulated water bottle is a must! I brought 2 everyday and they have been lifesavers. We keep getting ice and water to replenish them. It is free at qs places

 

[awalker1015]

ID, basic first aid (bandaids, neosporin, antacid, advil, blister stuff), autograph books, pens, ponchos if rain forecast, and sunscreen.

 

[StitchBuddy]

It depends on when I am going. Summer or during a cooler time perod. During the summer (daytime) we usually take a backpack with water bottles, Disney ponchos for the rain, snacks, Advil, bandaids and whatever else we think we need for the day. In the evenings and when it is cooler I just take a fannypack. My DD17 says we are only taking fanny packs this year no mater what the weather is like. We will see!

 

[JMADgrad]

I think if we wear cargo shorts we can get away with putting sunscreen and cell phone w/ziplock bags, plus advil in the pockets and be done. I know buying water at the park may be tres expensive, but I hate to be weighed down, and if I am going to buy it anyway, doing so at the parks using the MB will mean one less item to have to worry about. Of course, we are a family with no young children. If you have to carry much more it might be wise to rent a locker and check in periodically for what you need, just carrying the essentials on you.

Anyone tried the cooling towels? I bought two for our trip, but more for the beach days than for the parks, although the sales person told me several folks had purchased for their Disney trip. They might require a bag or pack to haul around, but I know it can be brutal in Dis come late July/August when we will be there....