What do you use to carry your stuff around the parks?

[kerri0616]

Please tell me about your favorite bag/backpack/tote.

I'm the mom who ends up carrying everything for DH and 2 DS (ages 9 and 5). Let's just say a fannypack is NOT going to cut it. Snacks, ponchos, sunglasses, camera, bandaids, wet wipes, water and more!

Thanks for sharing your info.

Kerri

 

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

We use our DVC backpacks. It has a zip on the bottom and the side that is easy to get into.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We use our DVC gear pack. Very lightweight and virtually waterproof. It is also light enough for kids' to carry and masculine enough for my DH to carry!

$16.00 at any DVC resort General Store.

 

[risy]

I carry my passess and money in a badge holder around my neck.

For everything else, I have had to let go of control. It is now DH's job to carry our brightly colored backpack. It's vivid color ensures that he does not leave it on the stroller, at the restaurant, on the ride, etc. Sure, it's the kind of thing that can throw a good marriage into a whirl - but he has adjusted to this new role. And after dozens of trips to Seaworld and WDW, we still have our backpack. I am so proud.

(P.S. The bag weighs about 40 pounds when we arrive, but we do unload some things into lockers or into the stroller. It has several front zipper compartments to store papers and sunscreen, etc)

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I carry a backpack that holds the autograph books,snacks,camera,water, souveniers, etc.
Usually mid day, I hand it over to my DH.

 

[2minny]

So most use backpacks? I'm trying to decide what to use too. I used to have the diaper bag that I pushed in the stroller. Last trip I tired the fanny pack, that did NOT hold enough. Are backpacks bothersome and hot? I guess that's my only choice?

 

[Tishke]

Last year we took:
small shoulder strap duffel
video camera bag
digital camera bag
...wound up with various souvenir bags.

It was awful. Too much to carry and I was just a wee bit over touristy with DH and DS's first trip.

This year I really want one of those Baggalini bags. I can thrown in my camera, tickets and a few snacks and not need back surgery at the end of the trip

 

[Vivianne]

I carried a small backpack I bough from Walmart. It worked great. Don't get one with thin straps they need to be wider to be more comfortable on your shoulders. When it gets hot, just carry one strap over one shoulder and then alternate it. Don't overload it since it can be uncomfortable. The best is to wear both straps at a time but in the heat it can get sweaty. There's really no ideal solution IMHO. Remember to drink plenty of water and let DH carry it too. Just keep an eye on it

 

[2minny]

OH, that reminds me, one time I bought a backpack with rope straps...terrible! I'll remember wide straps. My husband will not be with us for most of the time, he has a convention to attend, but I'll take advantage of his "back" when he IS with us

 

[Nite0wl71]

I carry a Nike gym backpack, it's not like a regular backpack. It's nylon and has no extra pouches or zippers. It's one big space and everything goes inside but as the day goes on it is almost empty. I wear a fanny pack with my money, tickets etc. I use the Nike bag everyday at home, I never carry a purse. We usually don't buy much in the parks, my DD looks at everything and constantly sees something different then we make a trip to DTD near the end of our vacation and gets what she really wants. The only thing we buy at the Parks are small things from some of the rides like ToT.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We usually carry 1 backpack for all of us and take turns carrying it. Works out great =) There are times when we can get away with just carrying the camera and sticking the rest in pockets, too. We just evaluate what we NEED to take and what we can leave in the car just in case =)

 

[qtwns]

I saw some people with rolling backpacks. Has anyone ever tried this? I'd like to hear some feedback, b/c this was our last year doing the stroller thing and we aren't much for wearing backpacks...too hot for us although I know many swear by them.

 

[bubba73]

We bought a backpack at DTD last year when we were down there. It turned out to be the best investment that I have made in a long time. Lots of room and still pretty light.

 

[AKQJ10]

I usually carry a messenger bag (no, it's not a "man-purse" ) with my site's logo on it (a little promotion never hurts). It's comfortable and holds my video camera, tripod, notepads, voice recorder and other stuff I take on reserach trips. Plus, the large black strap is a great way to hold and display pins, rather than a lanyard.

 

[ShuisFan584]

We usually carry 1 backpack for all of us and take turns carrying it. Works out great =) There are times when we can get away with just carrying the camera and sticking the rest in pockets, too. We just evaluate what we NEED to take and what we can leave in the car just in case =)

That's exactly what we do. We always have 4 people (this year it will be 6), so we all take turns. It's great because it's not that heavy, and we switch off all the time.

 

[scoutsmom99]

THe past couple trips I have used a small mini backpack. I actually just bought another at a PUMA outlet store here (was $14.99) and then a few days ago I bought one of those baggalini messenger bags from e-bay (17.99) that people were talking about here on the Dis. It came in the mail yesterday and I really like it. I have tried messenger bags before and have had problems with them cutting into my neck, but this one is great. The bag also has a mesh water bottle holder on it and lots of organizational pockets. Here is a link to them:

http://www.baggallini.com/product.asp?category=1&product=132&mode=price

 

[Catrin]

I have always been a FannyPack girl.... for my sunglasses, sunscreen etc....

But this year, with no carraige (it is just me and my 10 yr old), I am going to carry a one shoulder "teardrop" style backpack from LLBean. It will carry my camera, sunglasses, sunscreen and Waterbottle. My son will carry his backpack with ponchos, his waterbottle and his pins.
Catrin

 

[Swimnoid]

Usually we only take stuff that can fit in our pockets. One year I bought a small over the shoulder pack from rainforest cafe on sale. It is only about 5 X 7 X 2 but it has two zippered compartments inside and two small partitions for card, tickets etc and a zippered compartment on the front flap. Big enough to hold a folded poncho and camera and small stuff.

 

[FigmentGuy]

Count us in for the "backpack" vote too. We carry a simple Airwalk brand backpack, wide straps, minimal pouches/pockets. Works great for us. Just find something with minimal pockets (for security searching on entry purposes), wide straps for comfortability, and that its the "right size" for what you need it to do.

 

[slk537]

This last trip DH used a fanny pack type for the digital camera/video and I used a DVC gear bag (LOVED IT!) for extra pullups, wipes, my camera, wallet, extra shorts and T for DS. Very lightweight. Prior to this, we always stashed everything in DS's old diaper bag and left it in the stroller.

Moving forward, I think we'll just take our DVC backpack (although I'll bring the gear bag just in case!) for everything. We always forget we have it and I think it would do a great job holding both cameras, etc.