What kind of tote do you take into parks/what do you pack?

[AngieInOH]

I'm thinking we need to take some sort of travel tote into the parks with us. Just to hold some neccesities. What size of tote do you prefer. I found one on e-bags that measures 12x14. I'm thinking that might be a bit big.

Off the top of my head these are the things we would need to carry:
sunglasses
sunscreen
wipes
moleskin
cell phone
keys
map of park-general info
credit cards etc

Anything else?

 

[disneynutt1225]

Camera
Hat
Perhaps light jacket or sweatshirt depending on time of year

 

[Rex Rules]

Yep, I actually do the fanny pack - I have a great one from Land's End that has a ton of pockets, but it isn't good for the World, I need something bigger, so use a small backpack. The sunscreen wipes are great! They don't take up so much space.

 

[The Sweetness]

The last vacation I took was 3 yrs ago, and to the *other* Orlando parks, not WDW. But I think we would have carried the same things~

2 (will be 3 next time) cell phones
Dry socks for all
Change of bottoms, not tops (for wet rides)
Sunscreen
3 wallets
2 disposable cameras (incase we use 1 up mid-day)
Aspirin
Pepto Bismol
Immodium
Pepcid AC
Neosporin + band aids (we have used these items at one time or another, not all at one trip)
2 tiny hand held battery op fans (it gets REALLY hot)
hats
Autograph book / big pens

We carried these things between a back pack and 2 fanny/ hip bags for me, dh and dd 11 or 12 then

Next time, will have 2 y old in tow (now just 8 months) and will carry more stuff and rent a stroller

 

[MainStreetFan]

I have the Disney Nylon backpack, it has an outside pocket for my phone, and outer zipper pocket for glasses/sunglasses. Inside is a zipper mesh part for money, credit cards and passes. In the velcro inside pocket, lip balm, lipstick and a fold up Minnie Hair Brush. In the bottom, Camera, Maps, keys, purell (sample size), sunscreen (sample size), sometimes a hat, visor or rain poncho depending on the weather. I carry a hooded sweatshirt or jacket also when needed. It will hang in the straps of the bag across my back.

 

[AngieInOH]

Thanks for the list of items you've packed. Obviously, I didn't think of some of the things listed.

Another question. What type of tote do you prefer? Backpack or over-the-shoulder bag? Fanny packs are out for us. Just don't think I'd like that. At other parks we've usually just used an over-the-shoulder bag.

 

[AngieInOH]

This is the tote I'm thinking about buying.

http://www.ebags.com/ebags/urban_explorer_2_0/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=59013

 

[iluvcountry]

I say take a bag without a lot of pouches, because then it takes less time for them to check your bag. Pack a small bottle of sunscreen, your sunglasses, your passes, and a camera (in a ziplock bag if you have a digital camera, just incase you go on wet rides ). You shouldn't need much more than that.
We bring water bottles, not dasani or stuff like that, the kind you buy in stores that don't have the water in them yet , and fill them with ice at the ice machine then take them into the parks with us.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I used a small backpack when I was there in June and will use it again in Dec. I really liked it b/c it was small enough to carry everything I needed. I carried my tickets, a poncho, wallet, water, snacks, a camera, and I think that was it.

 

[poochie]

I like using my Disney backpack we had made up at the dance studio when the kids performed there. It is small yet if you required extra room you had a zipper you undid and it made it larger. Great if you pack a jacket, sweatshirt rain pouncho or my Mickey umbrella.

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I used a traveler organizer bag, which has both a belt loop and shoulder strap [I carried it across my chest, you know, over my neck and chest rather than just on my shoulder, so it hung in front of me, about hip length.] is small [8.5" X 5.5"], but holds a ton of stuff. There's a main pocket, which is where I put my cell, lipstick, chapstick, keys, as well as, ahem, feminine items . There are a ton of pockets, and there's a flap that velcros closed for cards. I had my driver's license, credit, insurance, DDE, Key to the World, AP cards in there. On the flap, there's also a zippered compartment, and I kept cash in there. All the stuff I would be really upset about losing, and it was all in one compact place, right in front of me, so no losing it or having anything stolen.

I also carried a canvas, cinch-backpack, for a sweater, camera, my PC mug [in a zip lock, of course!]. In a pinch, I could've made enough room for my camera in the travel bag, and put the backpack in a locker, but it just never became an issue. It's a very lightweight, and not all that large itself; just right.

I have annual passes for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, and now for Disney, so trying to find the best way to carry what I needed has been something of a journey. This configuration, of a compact bag with the important essentials securely in front of me and a comfortable backpack-type bag with the bigger, bulkier stuff has definitely worked out the best. I tried to put pictures in here, but it just wasn't happening. You can find them at Amazon, under Venturer Travel Portfolio Bag and Authentic Pigment Cinch Sack Bag. Hope this helped.

 

[tlrotzoll]

I saw the tote that you are thinking of taking and, personally, it would be to big for me. I went to Eddie Bauer and bought a small back pack for myself and both of my DS. They are the slingback kind - you know, the ones that go across the shoulder. They were very light and easy to carry and this way I didn't have to be the one to carry everything. The boys (at the time 6 & 9) did awesome with it. We put our camera, KTW cards, waters, lite snacks or sandwich in them and they were very easy to carry and they were easy to deal with on the rides.

Hope this helps! Have a great time!

 

[graygables]

I really like the Healthy Back Bag. Comes in all different sizes and lots of colors. Can wear it over your shoulder or across your chest, with the bag either in back or front. Holds lots of stuff, convenient to organize. I got mine at AAA (discounts), but eBags carries quite a bit, too.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I always use a small messenger type bag. I find that works the best for me. Not a fan of "fanny packs", a purse is not convenient and a bagpack is too bulky for me.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I bought a larger camera case that not only fits the cameras but also the assorted extras.

My husband will actually hold onto this (never my purse) so I've started to call it the man purse.

 

[arkansas mom]

Mickey backpack
--ponchos in 2 gallon zippy bag
--camera in zippy bag
--purell
--hand towel--many wet seats in the World
--hat--my hair never lasts long
--small wallet with cash, coins, key card, cc
--tylenol
--small sunscreen
--chap stick
--partridge
--pear tree

 

[bubba73]

I have the Disney nylon backpack that I bought in September 04 and it has been a great addition to us. We carry the normal stuff that everyone has mentioned like:
sunscreen
band aids
aspirin
video camera
digital camera
hand towel
But we also carry snacks. We try to conserve our money so we can enjoy a nice lunch or dinner instead of snacking all day and not having anything substantial or healthy.

 

[maxiesmom]

Let's see, my fanny pack holds---

kleenex. I have allergies, and go nowhere without my tissues!
ibuprofen. I get migranes, and this will make me able to function if I take it in time. Otherwise, if you see someone throwing up and crying at the same time, say hi!
pepto. sometimes used with the ibuprofen
money. to be spent by my sister's kids.
park pass
i.d.
lip balm

Don't get me wrong, I have a normal size fanny pack! I have just learned how to make everything fit.

 

[Lucky4me]

I wouldn't ever wear a fanny pack. Well, not anywhere but Disney that is.
My ugly gray Disney only fanny pack is great. I wear it in the front and can fit in a bottle of water, keys, cash, park tix, tissues, medications and even a few snacks if need be. I also tie light packages onto the belt throughout the day. Having my hands free and no pressure on my shoulders or back is well worth the dorky look of a fanny pack. I can't imagine lugging a heavy pack of any kind all day long.

 

[Haley'smom]

We use an eddie bauer backpack, too! DH and I trade off carrying it. It has 3 compartments, we used one for DD6 and all her treasures (autograph book & pen, coins for pressed pennies, pins/lanyard, and epcot passport) , one for first aid items (sunscreen, moleskin, etc) and the last one for snacks and maps (or rain gear, if needed). It made it easier to find things