What is in YOUR "park day bag"?

[tee11]

I'm trying to pack (first family trip) and asking myself, what needs to be in our "day bag" for a day spent at the parks?? What do YOU put in your bags? Do you use backpacks?

This is for hot weather (September), and we have two young kids (1.5 and 4).
Any advice helps!! Thanks!

... oh, and do you go onto the ride with that bag?? Or leave in the stroller??
Hopefully nobody would take diapers, snacks and a change of clothing??
Or do people use lockers at each ride? It's been too long, I remember nothing about the Theme Parks!

 

[BLLB]

When I had little ones, we had a diaper bag that we left with the stroller. Diapers, wipes, sippy cup, etc. then we had a backpack that had the camera, water bottle, snacks. We felt we needed the snacks/water in the lines. I know people don't leave diaper bags with strollers, but we never had a problem and if the bag was stolen, we would just head back to the resort where we could replenish.

 

[tee11]

So here is what I was thinking:
-diapers and wipes
-plastic bags for wet/soiled items
-change of clothing for 1 year old
-change of clothing for 4 year old??
-jackets or hoodies for cold restaurants for children
-rain ponchos
-small snack
-water bottles
-camera
-Cooling Towel and Misting Fans
-pen
-sunhats
-sunglasses
-suntan lotion
-cell phones and external battery/charger

What am I missing??

 

[DisneyHardin]

Dh and I don't have kids, but our backpack has
Ponchos
Camera
Small first aid kit
Bottle or two of water
Little make-up bag with chapstick, wet wipes, tissues, etc.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I use a Kipling sling purse (with no stroller kids)

- a bottle of water
- two mini fans
- cell phone & power pack
- camera
- snacks
- sunscreen
- sun hats
- sunglasses
- travel size tissues
- a gallon sized Ziploc (for costume/extra clothes)

 

[loves to dive]

My son is grown now but we started going when he was just shy of 3. Obviously, he was out of diapers and we stayed on site in monorail resorts (we are old, they were the only resorts on site at the time). I didn't even take a stroller, if he got too tired we would either go back to the room or rent one. If he needed a change of clothes, we would go back to the room. I did carry a small purse with a little pack of wet wipes, most of the time those were for me. If it was going to rain, I carried light weight ponchos for both of us as well. Maybe a ziplock bag with some gold fish but otherwise that was it. My wallet with what was needed, sunglasses on my head, cap on my head and cap on his head. Period. I was a single mom and it was all I could do to keep up with him, I didn't need to be a pack horse as well.

 

[TravelingTotMom]

I have a 2 year old and always take a backpack, which comes on rides with us (not a hassle at all). Our stroller does have a bottom storage space and zipper pocket, which I will leave extra bottles of water in.

Here's my backpack packing list:

• Hand sanitizer
• Lysol wipes (for tables)
• Johnson & Johnson anti-bacterial hand and face wipes
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Autograph book & sharpie
• Snacks (I put a variety that don't melt, like small packs of raisins and goldfish, in a ziplock bag)
• Sunglasses for everyone
• Small sunscreen (we put it on before we get there, but it's back up if someone starts looking pink)
• Extra contacts (you would be surprised...)
• Wallets
• Phones
• Phone charger
• Extra kid's outfit (t-shirt and shorts)
• Ziplock bags (used for a variety of reasons)
• Kids hat (if not wearing)
• Kids rain coat and disposable (dollar store) ponchos for adults
• Bottles of water for adults and kids water bottle
• Pack of glow sticks (if we are planning to be in the park at night)

 

[Txshadow]

Don't forget a rain cover for the stroller and clothes pins to clip it on. A cheap dollar store shower liner works fine and saves the littles from having their stroller soaked during sudden WDW rain showers. Most stroller parking is uncovered and strollers can get flooded while you are on a ride or eating.

 

[yaya74]

So here is what I was thinking:
-diapers and wipes
-plastic bags for wet/soiled items
-change of clothing for 1 year old
-change of clothing for 4 year old??
-jackets or hoodies for cold restaurants for children
-rain ponchos
-small snack
-water bottles
-camera
-Cooling Towel and Misting Fans
-pen
-sunhats
-sunglasses
-suntan lotion
-cell phones and external battery/charger

What am I missing??

My kids are 8 and 4. Your list was pretty much what I had except:
--. I also brought bandaids and Neosporin-type ointment.
-- hand sanitizer.
-- autograph book (well, I used photo mat)

Both DH and I carried a back pack (I used cinch sac) and we brought our backpack/sac with us to the ride. We just kept it on the seat with us or between our legs for thrilled rides. We left water bottles, fans, cooling towels and ponchos in the stroller. When DH parked the stroller, he always pulled shades down (we had a double stroller) and covered it with rain cover if the sky was cloudy.

Hope it helps.

 

[kwdw]

Most families who have a kid still in diapers have a backpack worn by one parent. The backpack can go on all rides with you at WDW. With the exception of Kali River Rapids (where you aren't going to take a 1.5 yo anyway) - there are not lockers by the rides. There are lockers when you enter each park.

Most folks don't leave much with the stroller - but it's unlikely wipes or diapers or a stroller cover are going to get stolen - so you often see those sitting in the bottom of stroller in stroller parking.

As for what's in that bag - as little as possible as its going to feel like a ton of bricks by the end of the day. Basically - consolidate the essentials from your existing diaper bag and purse - that's obviously what you most commonly need. And add in sunscreen if you don't normally carry that.

 

[bek]

Free water is available at quick service restaurants -- just ask for it. We found the little places with just a window and a limited menu to be the easiest. Look for the places that have a fountain machine rather than bottled soda. It meant fewer bottles of water to lug into the parks.

Frogg Toggs and misters are good ways to keep cool. The Frogg Togg can be cut so it's more kid-sized. Misters are much cheaper to buy at home. September in Florida is still quite hot. Keeping cool and protected from the sun is essential. It also rains frequently. So wicking clothing is my go-to for WDW -- for both myself and the grandkids. It keeps you cool when it's hot and dries quickly when you get wet.

We'd leave a backpack with non-meltable snacks, clothing changes, etc on the stroller and then have a smaller bag with valuables (camera, wallets...) we'd carry on the rides. But one time, I left my camera on top of the stroller and it was still there when we got back a few hours later. I never had any issues with things going missing from the stroller but be aware strollers oftentimes move while you're on a ride. Cast members re-arrange them constantly. So it's good to have a unique way to quickly identify your stroller -- a balloon, scarf, etc -- something you can spot from a distance. Definitely have a cover or poncho or something that'll keep the stroller dry.

There are Baby Care Centers in all the parks that have bandaids, etc. But I always carried bandaids for blisters, etc and I kept an eye on the kids' feet to catch hot spots before they blistered.

Baby Wipes are essential! We not only used them on the kids but tables, benches, etc. I am not a huge worrier about whether something is sanitary or not; but, oftentimes, it's all too evident that something needs a good wipe off before using.

 

[burberryplaid]

I use an Overland Donner cross body bag. I am able to take it on all rides & stow in a pocket, under seat, or keep on. In my bag (carrying for two adults)

Hand Sanitizer (Essential!)
Wet wipes
Small first aid kit (bought at Target in the first aid section and also extra band-aids, Burt's Bee's Res Q Ointment which you can use on scrapes, cuts, burns)
Shout Wipes (They come in packets the size of a moist towelettes) because I tend to spill at the most in opportune times!
Moleskin (in case of blisters)
Hair Ties
Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Excedrin
Imodium
Pepto Tabs
Sunblock spray (to re-apply throughout the day)
Lip balm
Water bottles
Travel pack of tissues
A pen (you never know!)

 

[Dismomalita]

My kids are teens. Last trip was first time bag less. Never going back. It was awesome

 

[SDSorority]

Here's what I bring!

 

[loves to dive]

Be aware, don't leave anything in your stroller you can't replace. While some have done so and never had a problem, others have and have had items stolen. Also, don't leave any food items in the bottom, the critters are well known for taking them.

 

[CabesLove]

We have a 5 and 2 year old (boy and girl). I always make sure we take a bag that's not too big to lug everywhere. I have a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag with a backpack option that works well. I pack:
-A change of clothes/undies for each child. Even though they're both potty trained, there's more than one way to make a mess. Sometimes we end up needing them, sometimes not. I make sure they're thin light clothes that I can put in a Ziploc bag and press flat.
-The usual...wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a small hairbrush and extra clips/ties, small snacks, any medicines we anticipate needing (always have ibuprofen for the adults, but super fun circumstances like teething may add to the list), phone charger, and chap-stick. Sometimes I'll throw in a small thing of deodorant or body spray, especially if we're planning on doing dinner or something without a stop back at the room to freshen up. Baby wipes also come back into play here. lol In those cases, I'll also usually throw some BB cream and a tube of mascara into the bag too. That little bit goes a long way after a hectic sweaty day!
-In the bottom of the stroller, we put a little blanket for if it gets chilly at night or with rain, bottles of water, and a couple of the individual serving bottles of apple juice. My kids fight us on drinking water, so we'll add some apple juice to it to encourage them to stay hydrated. Walmart has these $0.98 small jug shaped water bottles with handles that are perfect for kids at Disney...we bring two of those, rather than their regular cups.
-Some unique things I pack are a spare pair of SafetyTats (we apply them before leaving, but I like to have a spare set handy) and a small baggie of change for the coin pressing machines.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

In my purse:
- All my regular purse stuff that's always in there - a folding hair brush and extra hair ties, travel-size Advil/Tylenol, Chapstick, dental floss, hand sanitizer, asthma inhaler, phone/wallet/keys
- Pin trading lanyard (I find them uncomfortable to wear)
- Small SOTMK binder if visiting MK, usually in a Ziplock bag to protect my cards from rain
- Waterproof sack with a battery pack and cable for my phone (sometimes I use a larger one that also fits my Kindle if I expect to have downtime to read while waiting for something or someone)
- Ziplock bag to put my phone in during rain and still be able to use it

In the backpack attached to my walker:
- A small screwdriver (for tightening screws on the walker that get shaken loose by uneven ground)
- Two ponchos (one for me, one for the walker)
- Pair of flip-flops (I don't want to drive home in wet sneakers if they get soaked in a rainstorm)
- UV-protective umbrella (for sitting in the sun to wait for a parade or show)
- Extra sunscreen (stick, spray, and cream - I burn so easily I apply this stuff in layers)
- A Brita water bottle with no filter in it (because I got too lazy and cheap to keep buying and replacing the filters)
- Misting fan and a cooling towel (only in super hot weather, which I usually just avoid the parks during, but sometimes it happens)
- A Croakies strap for my glasses (which I never use at Disney, only at parks with more extreme roller coasters, but I keep it in there so I have it in case I accidentally end up at SeaWorld in line for Manta)

I wear a baseball cap and sunglasses, but I stick those in the backpack if I go on rides where they might fall off. In cooler weather or times of year when I expect cool temps in the evening, I tie a hoodie around the crossbar of the walker.

I have no kids, so diapers/wipes and changes of clothes aren't big concerns of mine.

Back before I used the walker, I stuck everything into a backpack and carried it. Now, I carry the purse with me on rides, which is why more 'valuable' things stay in it.

 

[CynBeth]

We are adults and in addition to what has been mentioned we take in the backpack extra batteries and memory cards for the camera, Cortizone, and a folder containing a printout showing all ADRs and FPs in case there is a MB issue. We also find that the females in our group can get irritated in certain areas between the TP and sweating if it is hot so we also have Desitin and an extra pair of underwear in case it is needed.

 

[MattAgony]

I would suggest the following:
-Ponchos
-Camera (Optional)
-Phones
-Phone Charger
-Child Accessories (Diapers, etc.)
-Autograph Book (Buy it at the parks or MCO Airport)
-Sunscreen
-Magic Bands (you'll put them on before you get to the parks, I believe).

That's all i can think of right now.

Most rides you can take the bag on the ride with you. Universal, no.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[jevs]

My kids are older but we usually carry in a backpack:

Ventolin and spacer
Paracetamol
Hand wipes/sanitiser
Camera/s plus extra memory cards
Tissues
Pen/pencil/small notebook
Money!