What do you with all your "junk" without a stroller?!?!

[happymommy]

Why? Well for starters I have asthma and need an inhaler along. Plus the allergies that go along with it mean allergy pills, kleenex, and eye drops. Add to that my phone with a portable charger, cash and a credit card, sunblock and a lip balm with spf (my lips would burn otherwise), advil and tums (it seems someone always needs one or the other) and a poncho if it looks like rain. Yeah, I'm not cramming all of that in my pockets.

Same with our family - we do have to bring liquid benedryl, inhaler, and two epi-pens everywhere. It's just that way when you have food allergies and breathing issues. So we do need one small bag at least!

 

[Mmw37]

I do bring a bag, just not anything massive that you'd need a stroller to lug around. DH has asthma, but he likes cargo shorts and just shoves his inhaler in a pocket. Some people seem to need a bigger bag for Target than I do for Disney, and I've always wondered what it is that they carry in there. Whatever floats your boat though! I'm a light packer in general, it carries over to a lot of areas.

 

[prudence64]

It's not fashionable, but a nice size fanny pack does the trick once kids are out of diapers, etc... You can fit inhaler etc... In those and keep your arms free

 

[MsMamaBear]

My daughter is 4. I bring a change of clothes, Mini pack of clorox wipes, a water bottle for both of us and my wallet/phone. I brought a stroller the first time which was wasteful and tiring. We take frequent breaks, so she doesn't get tired.

 

[Xennia]

Dump the junk.

Backpack.

 

[scrapquitler]

For a 4 year old, I'd still bring the stroller. Both to carry the stuff that I will still need and because by the end of the day, she's likely to be a lot more tired than either of you imagine, and you'll both be happy to have the stroller.

so, every time we've gone to Disney, we've had a stroller and the next time we plan to visit, my daughter will be almost 4 and even now, at 2 and a half, she HATES using the stroller most of the time, we asks to walk so i know by then, she'll be fully walking, which is great, BUT, we always bring a snack bag, a small lunchbox cooler of drinks and a bag for her change of clothes, wipes, emergency things, etc...how can I get all that inside the parks without me actually carrying it all like a pack-mule? I'm not going to carry it all, so, what do you guys do when your child no longer needs a stroller, but you need the "junk" in the parks? thanks in advance!

 

[kohlby]

Our last trip wasn't Disney, but it was our first theme park trip without the stroller. We did 7 days at US/IOA/and Legoland. We used one small backpack for all 5 of us and it worked just fine. There were some days it was stuffed full and others that there was room left - it depended on what the weather forecast said. That being said, you may find you need a stroller still at 4. My kid were not stroller kids at all - to the point where I had to carry my youngest in the sling at Disney at 2.5 years old because he refused to sit in the stroller - but refused to walk! He was overwhelmed. (I bribed him to get him to sit in the stroller at 3 instead of carrying him again!) Due to his sensory issues, he even needed it at 5. At 6, we were able to go without but I'm certain he would have used it if we had brought it. Our days did have to be shorter than usual too due to no stroller. Strollers can also help the pace. My middle child had amazing endurance even at 3. But when baby is in the sling and big brother is a tall 6 year old, it's tough for a petite 3 year old to keep up. Also, she liked the stroller in crowds since then she didn't have to worry about being separated.


After many with-stroller trips with young children, we were worried how to do it without - but it went just fine with one small backpack. We're taking our nephews with us on our next trip - which means their stuff needs to fit somewhere too. All that means is they share a backpack.

 

[Dismom820]

Haha, I'm with everyone else. If she wants to bring that stuff - she carries it. I'm sorry, you have a young child that will be occupying much of your energy and focus, it's not your job to haul around your mother's stuff, too. I'm assuming she's physically capable? If she isn't, but still insists on bringing it, then she can rent a stroller to carry it all in, or split the cost with you, if you think your daughter might use the stroller, too.

When we went to the park, for 6 of us, there were only 2 bags: my camera bag which held my camera of course, but also our ID, card tickets in case our MBs didn't work, lip balm, and sunscreen. Then we had a backpack cooler which held typically 6 bottles of water, an ice pack, Frogg Togg towels (when they weren't around our necks), some granola bars, and a handful of wipes, a diaper and a pair of shorts for DD in case of an accident.

they sell backpack coolers? that would be perfect!

 

[Dismom820]

Igloo brand MaxCold cooler BACKPACK. Target. Go. Buy.

As for strollers being the place to keep stuff, all it takes is having stuff stolen from your stroller one time to realize that one should never have been using it as a place to keep your stuff in the first place.

Or once you've seen a squirrel rummaging around, gnawing on bottletops, snagging any food or food containers they can find, to realize that you should never have even left a water bottle in the stroller. Because ew, squirrel spit.

My son never used a stroller at home except for actual bonafide jogging excursions taken by me (with a bonafide jogging stroller), but we had one (not the jogger) for Disney. Disney is a million times different than home. And you have to think about the personalities of the adults. If you are "go go go" people (like me) and you like the stroller because even when she's tired you can keep going, you might consider keeping teh stroller. If your disney trips are all about the kidlet and you are totally 100% willing and able to take things at her pace (not something I can do easily), then try it out without the stroller. But maybe have it at the room just in case that first day goes differently than expected?

Despite him not using a stroller at home, DS needed it still for Disneyland trips through 5. Then we had our first WDW trip when he was 6.5, brought the Volo, and left it up to him. It never even got unfolded; just stayed in the hallway of the villa the whole trip. He never wanted it.

Thankfully we had had the experience of theft from our stroller twice (the second time was absolutely nothing of value, but it still went to show us that thieves will take anything) and I'd seen the squirrels already, so we never took anything we couldn't carry and never left even a water bottle (thank you, MaxCold cooler backpack) in the stroller starting when he was 4, so there was no difference to use when the stroller was gone.

thanks for the tip! im going to have to definitely look into the cooler backpack, that will help soooo much! my child wil be potty trained fully byt hen so no need for diapers, wipes, etc...so i'm hoping just a simple bookbag will suffice...we are the type to go go go so i do worry about her wanting to crash and us not having a stroller to let her crash in...but i'm sure we can just stop somewhere and let her rest if need-be.

 

[Dismom820]

For a 4 year old, I'd still bring the stroller. Both to carry the stuff that I will still need and because by the end of the day, she's likely to be a lot more tired than either of you imagine, and you'll both be happy to have the stroller.

thats exactly what i was thinking of...she's be exhausted and begging to be held and i wont want to carry her...i'm hoping to have a bit more space in the car without a stroller, and if she doesnt need one throughout the day, we'll be able to let her walk most of it, but i know the end of the day she'll want a ride.

 

[Dismom820]

Our last trip wasn't Disney, but it was our first theme park trip without the stroller. We did 7 days at US/IOA/and Legoland. We used one small backpack for all 5 of us and it worked just fine. There were some days it was stuffed full and others that there was room left - it depended on what the weather forecast said. That being said, you may find you need a stroller still at 4. My kid were not stroller kids at all - to the point where I had to carry my youngest in the sling at Disney at 2.5 years old because he refused to sit in the stroller - but refused to walk! He was overwhelmed. (I bribed him to get him to sit in the stroller at 3 instead of carrying him again!) Due to his sensory issues, he even needed it at 5. At 6, we were able to go without but I'm certain he would have used it if we had brought it. Our days did have to be shorter than usual too due to no stroller. Strollers can also help the pace. My middle child had amazing endurance even at 3. But when baby is in the sling and big brother is a tall 6 year old, it's tough for a petite 3 year old to keep up. Also, she liked the stroller in crowds since then she didn't have to worry about being separated.


After many with-stroller trips with young children, we were worried how to do it without - but it went just fine with one small backpack. We're taking our nephews with us on our next trip - which means their stuff needs to fit somewhere too. All that means is they share a backpack.

i'm thinking i may need it at 4 too. she is a stroller kid for the most part, but she is going through the phase now of wanting to "walk like a big girl" ...our last trip at disney this thanksgiving was fine, but there were times she threw a FIT about being put back in the stroller...but it was too crowded and i was terrified of letting her walk with the mass amount of people there...so yes, you had another good point with the stroller for crowds.

 

[Dismom820]

I wouldn't be so sure you won't need the stroller. There is a huge difference between say a day at the zoo and multiple days walking around Disney World. Your little one may appreciate having a stroller to rest and chill out in every so often.

As far as what to do with all the stuff without a stroller, rent a locker.

i started to rethink this as soon as i posted it...i know towards the end of the day, she was become quite exhausted and may need/want the ride...there are many nights, she falls asleep and me and my mom are still roaming around the parks shopping or whatever while she sleeps away...at 4, she'll more than likely still knock out early!

 

[Dismom820]

If I may, while we're on the subject of cutting out the junk, how little does everyone think you can get by with? It will be just three adults, 42 year old me and 72 and 73 year old parents who are reasonably healthy and active. We will be taking mid-day breaks, and would prefer to travel light. We'll have Magic Bands (of course) and are on the QSDP, so no need to have a means to pay for meals. I'm assuming we can charge souvenir purchases through the MB to our room too (though we're not likely to buy much, honestly, but one never knows!). So, what else do we really NEED for a 4-5 hour stretch in a park? Poncho? (I'm thinking of getting several $1 ones to use and discard as needed) Are water bottles necessary? Can't you get ice water for free at Quick service places? And aren't there drinking fountains? We can put sunscreen on before heading out.

I originally thought we'd need a "park bag" but the more I read about the waits at bag check and think about hauling around a lot of stuff, the more I like the idea of getting some cargo shorts/pants/capris, putting a few small necessities (phone, ponchos, ??) in my pockets, and strolling around free as a bird!

What do you guys think? Will it work?

for a 4-5 hours stretch, not much...a camera, maybe a poncho and a debit card...we usually stay from open to close which is why we feel the need to pack so much, we try not to buy any snacks/drinks while we're there to cut back on costs...

 

[Dismom820]

We reduced what we carried when our 7 yr old stopped using a stroller all the time. We each carry a small bag; my DH and 12 yr old carry a small cinch sack with a few essentials and I carry a cross body bag. I would caution you on thinking you don't need it at all though. It comes in handy after you've been walking all day and their little feet are tired. We still bring the umbrella stroller for the last few days of the trip (we go for 9 days) and he is usually really worn out by the end and wants to be pushed

thats what im thinking. we may actually need it, i know she gets tired after long days and will ask to be put in the stroller now...

 

[Dismom820]

We went last February. We have a 6 yo and 2 yo. We brought the stroller for the 2 yo, but at the end of evening EMH at MK guess what? The 6 yo was sleeping in the stroller and we were carrying the 2 yo, so strollers are useful.

If your Mom wants to push it I say do it, and then you'll have the stroller just in case someone with short legs wants a break! Before my MIL had her hip replaced she liked pushing the stroller around, it made it easier on her to walk.

my mom always wants to push the stroller...its easier for her to walk around...i was just worried about my little one NOT wanting to be pushed, but i do realize now that we will more than likely need it by the end of the day anyways, she'll get very tired and will more than likely want to be pushed ahaha

 

[scrapquitler]

thats exactly what i was thinking of...she's be exhausted and begging to be held and i wont want to carry her...i'm hoping to have a bit more space in the car without a stroller, and if she doesnt need one throughout the day, we'll be able to let her walk most of it, but i know the end of the day she'll want a ride.

Another thing to consider: The crowds can be really overwhelming, and at 4, she's much shorter than adults, and she might get scared/overwhelmed by all the people around her. Being able to sit in the stroller can at least provide some space an break from the onslaught of feet, legs and swinging arms around her. Even when she's not tired, she might be happier in the stroller for that reason

 

[larryz]

Everyone wears cargo shorts and loads their own "junk" into the pockets.

 

[scott1029]

I prefer cargo shorts and a very-lightweight waterproof backpack...

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

At home my girl was OUT of the stroller at 18 months for good, except for Disney. She will be 7 and a half on our next trip and wants one. No way. I'm hoping to go with the tip someone suggested on the boards elsewhere. Everyone crams a small amount of stuff in their pockets and I will bring one of those stringed bags in a pocket as well. We all sail through the no bag check line and then unload and I'll carry the string bag. Thinking only sunscreen, Disney card and small amount of cash, lip balm, lipstick sized phone charger, a handful of band aids, zip lock bags for cell phones, and something snacky in case of blood sugar emergencies. We will have my mom with mobility issues with us, so mid day breaks will be required. I can't WAIT to ride the buses with NO STROLLER!

 

[NavyDad]

so, every time we've gone to Disney, we've had a stroller and the next time we plan to visit, my daughter will be almost 4 and even now, at 2 and a half, she HATES using the stroller most of the time, we asks to walk so i know by then, she'll be fully walking, which is great, BUT, we always bring a snack bag, a small lunchbox cooler of drinks and a bag for her change of clothes, wipes, emergency things, etc...how can I get all that inside the parks without me actually carrying it all like a pack-mule? I'm not going to carry it all, so, what do you guys do when your child no longer needs a stroller, but you need the "junk" in the parks? thanks in advance!

Our daughter was 4 on our first visit. She also hated the stroller and wanted to walk everywhere so we let her. The first day my wife and I carried a back pack filled with all of the stuff we NEEDED to have with us. After a day of sweating while carrying around a backpack full of junk we realized we didn't NEED about 90% of the stuff we had. Every trip after that we had a draw string bag for each kid and they could put whatever they wanted in it but the rule is that they had to carry it around all day. They quickly figured out that they didn't NEED most of the stuff anymore either. Amazing how that works. Now the only thing we will bring in is the girl's autograph books if we are planning to meet a character they have not met on previous trips. My wife will sometimes carry a small cross body purse but that is about it. I always wear shorts with either a zipper or button pocket and we are good to go!