What kind of backpack do you use?

[missesdisney]

We are going stroller-less this trip in October so we will each be carrying what we need for food/drinks (we pack sandwiches for lunch and snacks and water/soda/juice). We will minimize a lot so no one lugs too much and are 3 adults and one child (8). He uses a small backpack that is fine for him, but I am used to a shoulder bag and/or crossbody bag. Those were fine if I didn't have more than the normal purse-like items and autograph book etc. but add in a sandwich with a small ice pack, a bottle of water and some snacks and I am sure I need the added weight distribution of a backpack. I would like to find something that is not too big, and has good access on the front and ideally good access on the side with a water bottle pocket to boot. I go in and out of the bag a lot for tickets for fastpass, inhaler, phone, lip balm, etc. I am a fidgeter yes So I figure I will probably mostly use the backpack on one shoulder sometimes and full back others. I would like some good straps for it as well. I have perused some websites but nothing seems like what I am looking for so I am taking it to the experts....anyone use a backpack that would fit what I am looking for ( and that could mean not what I think it is). Thanks!

 

[The Hendies]

Have you considered getting a locker? Also, we used to freeze individual applesauce and yogurt containers to take to the parks. That eliminated the need for ice packs, and kept everything cool until we were ready to eat. A friend noted that since there is a bag check at the gates, the fewer zippers and pockets, the faster you get through security.

 

[missesdisney]

Have you considered getting a locker? Also, we used to freeze individual applesauce and yogurt containers to take to the parks. That eliminated the need for ice packs, and kept everything cool until we were ready to eat. A friend noted that since there is a bag check at the gates, the fewer zippers and pockets, the faster you get through security.

Frozen applesauce is a great idea!

I don't want to get a locker since I won't have heavy things all day after eatinga and drinking. It messes up the flow of the walking (we wing it once in the parks) if I need to go all the way to the front to the lockers. I've used bags with a bunch of pockets/zippers and that generally doesn't slow me down much - it will be faster than what we did last year with a few soft coolers in the stroller anyway. Thanks for the tips.

 

[annagirl]

I purchased this from ebay:

It held: 1 bottle of water, wallet, baggie of first aid things (bandaid, tylenol, etc), baggie of snackes (raisins, crackers), keys, camera, etc. With some room to spare. Probably could have held 2 bottles of water but we shared the 1 we had. Also, being leather it kept the water cold for quite some time. And since it's leather it's water resistant - we got drenched on Splash but nothing inside got wet.

 

[Ty_Ty]

I carry my sitch backpack I got at DTD last august. It's cuter and fluffier than the new ones!

 

[Ty_Ty]

I purchased this from ebay:

It held: 1 bottle of water, wallet, baggie of first aid things (bandaid, tylenol, etc), baggie of snackes (raisins, crackers), keys, camera, etc. With some room to spare. Probably could have held 2 bottles of water but we shared the 1 we had. Also, being leather it kept the water cold for quite some time. And since it's leather it's water resistant - we got drenched on Splash but nothing inside got wet.

What kind of bag is that? I would like to find one on ebay as well.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

For our trip last summer we carried a Crocs Sling Bag ... love it and have been carrying it the entire year since and it will take this trip to Disney with us as well. I love the sling bag because you can hop on and off of rides without taking the bag off ... I just pull it around in front of me when we get on the rides. Much easier to deal with when your trying to get the kids on and off the rides.
I just checked around online and found it at www.flamingice.com if you want to take a look.

 

[annagirl]

What kind of bag is that? I would like to find one on ebay as well.

The tag said NKTS - not sure who that really is - I just chose it for the size and having what I wanted in a backpack.

 

[thiabelle]

I LOVE my "Escape Day Pack" from LLBean. I admit to being a "stuffer"- in other words I will use whatever space there is and fill it- not thinking that in a few hours I will NOT want to be hauling it (and no- DH doesn't carry it for me- even when I try my "pathetic" face!)
My bag is big enough to carry what I need and a few extras but it's size doesn't let me get carried away. It does have the water bottle access you were requesting and I find that it is better sized for a woman's body than other bags I tried.

 

[missesdisney]

For our trip last summer we carried a Crocs Sling Bag ... love it and have been carrying it the entire year since and it will take this trip to Disney with us as well. I love the sling bag because you can hop on and off of rides without taking the bag off ... I just pull it around in front of me when we get on the rides. Much easier to deal with when your trying to get the kids on and off the rides.
I just checked around online and found it at www.flamingice.com if you want to take a look.

This looks cool. do you have to wear it only on one side? Looks like left to me but I'm not sure. Thanks!

 

[GrumpyMom25]

Yes, you're correct ... the bag is worn on your left side. As I said before .. it really is nice for the rides ... you don't have to worry about taking it off to get on the rides, you can just shift it around in front of you.

 

[nmmom95]

I bought the Ameribag Spiral backpack for our next trip. I saw it on the "Post a Picture of the Bag you Carry" thread. It's a great size, not too big, lots of pockets.
http://www.ebags.com/ameribag/spiral_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=92885

 

[LovesDonald]

My hubby carries my son's old school back pack - it has 4 zipper sections (have them open when you get to security and it's a breeze). We don't bring sandwhiches, but do bring two gatorade bottles to fill with water, 2 cameras, ziplock bag of quick snacks, bandaids and wash n dries, and an umbrella. You might not need the icepacks or such, remember, every cs will give you free icewater and it's a rather large cup you get. I carried my camera bag only - hubby took the rest - what a sweetie.

 

[jamescorey]

I use a MountainSmith Lumbar Day Pack. It's like a fanny pack with Shoulder straps. The beautiful thing about these packs are their ergonomic design. I suffer from a bad back, and I wear it when we do our marathon days in the parks (open to close with no breaks!!).

 

[rannxerox]

I use a MountainSmith Lumbar Day Pack. It's like a fanny pack with Shoulder straps. The beautiful thing about these packs are their ergonomic design. I suffer from a bad back, and I wear it when we do our marathon days in the parks (open to close with no breaks!!).

I agree 100%. I also got the "straplets" for my Mountain Smith day bag. The lumbar strap keeps the weight on your hips while the shoulder straps keep the load stable. I LOVE this bag, the best bag I ever bought.

 

[jamescorey]

I agree 100%. I also got the "straplets" for my Mountain Smith day bag. The lumbar strap keeps the weight on your hips while the shoulder straps keep the load stable. I LOVE this bag, the best bag I ever bought.

I completely and totally agree!! I have done everything from Disney to hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with mine, and it is far and away the most comfortable bag I have EVER used! I like the fact that I can "determine" whether I want my shoulders or my hips to burden the load. Plus, where it sits in the small of the back allows you to not have to remove it on rides. All in all, it is the PERFECT bag for Disney!!

 

[charming23]

I found a really cute small backpack at Target the other day. I found it in with the purses and it is blue with an owl print (they also had white with multi-colored hearts). It is the perfect size and is even insulated.

 

[missesdisney]

I completely and totally agree!! I have done everything from Disney to hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with mine, and it is far and away the most comfortable bag I have EVER used! I like the fact that I can "determine" whether I want my shoulders or my hips to burden the load. Plus, where it sits in the small of the back allows you to not have to remove it on rides. All in all, it is the PERFECT bag for Disney!!

This one looks very cool - how do you wear it exactly? I'm confused.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

I have a Jansport Sling backpack that I use and it works great. It's also not hard on your back either if you are carrying anything remotely of any weight. I could put everything I needed in there for a toddler and a baby and it worked fine.