What kind of bag do you carry?

[rainbow]

Hi there, Disney-philes. Heading to WDW on April 29 for 8 days and I'm trying to decide what kind of bag/knapsack to carry in the parks. I'm considering one of those small front-facing knapsacks but I've never carried one before so I'm not sure I'll be comfortable.

What did you carry? And what did you pack inside?

Thanks.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I carry a waist /fanny pack. It works the best for me. Doesn't get in the way on rides or when eating.
It's in front of me so I don't have to worry about pick pockets and If I need anything in it i don't have to take a purse off my shoulder or a backpack off my back.
Many people will have different answers to what they like but that is what i use.

 

[karynnix]

I have had success with a backpack. We have one that has really padded shoulder straps and is comfortable. We just switch it from person to person all day so that no one gets too tired!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We carry 1 backpack between us all - there's usually from 2-6 people visiting at a time. It leaves enough room for bottles of water, snacks, all the cameras and phones, flip flops, lightweight jacket for me (who freezes inside every attraction and restaurant), medicine, etc.

Just take turns carrying it, and it's never a problem taking it onto rides.

 

[CTillberg]

I like to have a backpack to hold our camers, camcorder, and snacks. Then I also have a small waist pouch (no bigger than a small wallet) that attaches to my belt to keep our tickets, fastpasses, and cash handy and out of reach from a pickpocket.

cathy

 

[PatsMom]

I have a good sized fanny pack - big enough for a couple of rain ponchos, extra batteries for the camera, the camera, my wallet and a couple of granola bars. A few small souvenirs will also fit. It is larger than most waist bags but very comfortable to carry. I've used it on day hikes in the mountains for years so its well broken in. I clip my water bottle through the two zipper pulls (one for the upper section and one for the lower) so it would be difficult for anyone to unzip without me knowing. I just pull it to my side or front when going on a ride and it works fine.

 

[idofabric]

A few years ago I found a clear-ish vinyl/heavy plastic backpack. It is fairly see through, so it is easy to see what is in it. I carry tons of stuff-a folding cup,Brita filter bottle, snacks, the digital camera(smallish Nikon 880 Cool-Pix),wipes, small vial of aspirn/anti acid/meds, napkins/kleenix,a few Shout spot wipes for clothe stain removal.Hummm- also a very small wallet, with passes, $$$, credit card!(s),cell phone, extra socks if I remember, and all the stuff everone might need. Having listed all that, it is NOT as much stuff as it looks like, honest! I take sample sized stuff, and the last trip I did not take any bag in at all. The family had to fend for them selfs, and weren't to happy or upset either way, but did miss all the "junk" I took in for all of us. Not sure what I will do this trip. I get to go down 3-4 days befor the rest of the family, and I want to spend the days doing different things I never get to do. So I will ditch most of the above, but will carry the camera, extra battery, and a small sketch book, with a few pencils/art stuff. Just to have a little different Disney day, I want to try sketching things.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I use a small one strap back pack (goes across my body). It fits the camera in its case, sunglasses, small wallet and some other things. It works for us and I would recommend it!

 

[MinnieM3]

Now that we have no more kids in diapers/pullups, etc. We're down to a fanny pack. We've really streamlined over the past few years.

 

[cepmom]

I have used a fanny pack in the past, but this year I got a new digital camera and it won't fit in my fanny bag. I just bought a smallish messenger bag from Old Navy that fits perfectly across my chest and rests right on my hip. It has a zipper along the bottom that allows it to expand if needed. It will be big enough to hold my small wallet, digital camera, passes, sunblock, disposable ponchos and a small bag w/bandaids, moleskin, tylenol etc. plus some. I don't think I could use a backpack all day in the heat! Makes my back too sweaty.

 

[kathyseb]

I carry a shoulder bag. I love it as it is canvas on the outside and rubber on the inside. So when it rains, the stuff inside does not get wet. It also has a zippered pouch inside that is attached to a cord, so if someone tried to pull it out, they would have to take the entire bag.
I normally carry the tickets, money and credit cards. My husband's wallet, the 35 mm camera and film, rain ponchos and a qt size bag of snacks.
If it rains, I slip the digital camera inside.

 

[Yensid_MD]

We use a hip pack from LL Bean. I think it is meant for fly fishing. Has lots of pockets. Find it here

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...=3950&cat4=1193&shop_method=pp&feat=ssdpb1193

It was worth every penny.

 

[Lizzybee]

I found a hot pink water proof type messanger bag purse that has several compartments and a zipper to expand it if needed. I found it was perfect, but I must say, I travel fairly light (ie not carrying snacks or bottle of water). I had small hand sanitizer, band aids, blister pads, money, all of the park hoppers b/c it had the perfect pouch, money and credit card, maps and print out itineraries, note card with ressie numbers and phone numbers to confirm, lip balm, my glasses in their case (I only have one "bad" eye so I didn't use my contacts/glasses much at WDW), two disposable cameras (one per kid), and could still stuff a small stuffed animal in there if needed. It had a long enough strap to go over one shoulder and rest on my hip. If one shoulder got tired, I just slipped it on the other side. I also hooked my visor and my son's visor on the strap in the evenings. I found it to be a very handy bag and the bonus, I got it ON SALE at Kohl's (you know...that Once In A Lifetime Super Dooper Sale, the one they have every other Saturday )

 

[jpeka65844]

Mine's an older version of this but still very similar:

http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/product.asp?product_id=27398&nv=5|21474|208&lview=&cm_cg=C208&tid=&c=&sc=&lp=v1i017


We packed sunscreen, band aids, chapstick, extra socks, camera, hand sanitizer, cool wipes, pain reliever, Kleenex, breath mints, granola bars....maybe more but I can't remember. We didn't use most of it! The bag was GREAT and the perfect size! But then again, it was just hubby and I. With kids, it might be a little different.



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[dizprincess717]

It's a backpack but it's definately not as big and it has those pull strings on the top, that way no one else can get in without me feeling it. It's Nike so it's really good quality and durable. I've used it on two trips so far and I used in all throughout my senior year of high school.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52359&item=8185732990&rd=1

That's one on E-Bay for only $10 if you buy it now. I think mine was like $20 or something at Lady Footlocker.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have a mini backpack from LeSportsac that I adore. It's so much easier now that I don't have to lug a diaper bag around anymore!

 

[Sk8Leigh]

I wear a fanny pack where I put my cell phone and room key, money, etc. Small things. Then, because I have a pretty large camera, I have a backpack that has a drawstring at the top with a flap that comes down to cover it. I'm the height of fashion!

 

[loriandmatt]

some input from the "bag mom".....

a backpack did not work for us. i was constantly taking it off to run thru it and try and find a camera, snack, sunscreen, autograph book.....you get the idea.

i found an over the shoulder bag with a wide open top to be much better for us. i kept it with us at all times, so i wasn't too worried about theft. I trimmed down on what i carried in there too - as it tended to get heavy.

I was successful i laying down the law with my family as well and now DS (10) carries his own stuff in a fannie pack and water bottle strap. DH hides all his necessities in the pockets of his cargo shorts - so for a small fleeting time i only had my own stuff in my bag.

I screwed up that great thing when i got pregnant. now when we go again i will be loaded down like a pack mule with baby needs.

i will keep most of the baby stuff in a diaper bag with the stroller though. no need to lug it on each ride with us. the "take along" bag will have the passes, cameras and such. if someone lifts the diaper bag, we can always replace that stuff very easily and not be out tons of cash.

- lori

 

[DizBelle]

I use an Ameribag healthy back bag. You can find them at ameribag.com, ebags.com, llbean.com has them with a slightly modified shoulder strap which is the one that I use. We have no kids and I just carry my wallet, sunglasses, cosmetic bag with the essentials in it (bobby pins, scrunchi, lip balm, pain killers and any other drugs, camera). The zipper closure on this bag is such that it is always against your body. No one is getting in without you knowing.

We have no kids so I just have to carry my stuff. I don't like the fanny packs because my tummy or back area got too warm with it there all of the time.

 

[bavaria]

I used to be a backpack person until I broke my shoulder and now I carry a very light handbag with only the essentials. In winter I sometimes just put my wallet in my jacket pocket and go.

I was a former bagaholic, and remember the nights of sore shoulder, back, etc.

Going light has really helped.

Of course, with small kids that's not always possible, but consider a locker.