What to bring to parks with 17 mos and 4yr.old DD's

[mom4graceandlogan]

I read on another site a great tip to put a few basic items in grocery bag ,tie it, and throw it into stroller, and not use a diaper bag. I haven't used a diaper bag in a long time and am trying to bring only the bare minimum to parks. We always have our camera bag and my back pack purse. May use a fanny pack. I hate having to pull stuff out to find stuff etc. Here is what I am thinking about taking. Please add you comments as to what I might be missing, or really don't need.(yes I am an overplanner and clutter freak) We are staying at WL and will probably spend 5 hours at the parks at a time and then take a break.

4 diapers, ziploc bag of wipes; ziploc for dirty diapers/clothes, couple band-aid and antiseptic wipes(girls tend to fall alot),hand towel to dry off with if we get wet. 1 bottle for baby(she will drink from our cups also).change of clothes for baby. sunscreen. Anything major I am missing and may regret having? Should I bring change of clothes for 4 year old.?

 

[ninaeve]

I just returned from trip with 4.5 yr old dd and 22 mnth old ds.

I did bring a change of clothes for the daytime part of our park days. No potty accidents, but we had a pretty messy ice cream accident.
Ponchos.
Water bottles!! We brought 2-3 and shared b/w us 4. We also brought a very small snack bc we did not want to buy in the parks.
Camera!! Extra batteries.
Spritz fan is wonderful!!!!

At the resort for the nightime, we would empty most of the bag, and just keep the bare minimums of camera, jackets, ponchos, diaper/wipes, and the glow bracelets & sticks that we bought beforehand. The glowsticks are great for hanging on your strollers so people see them and don't run into your kids.

 

[DisneyArk]

You didn't mention snacks. We went when my sons were 18 mos and 3 years old. We took a few packages of fruit snacks and crackers with cheese. There were so many times when they just wanted a very small snack and I couldn't find anything nearby. Plus, who wants to wait in line for 30 minutes for a quick snack!

Do not overpack snacks, but it's nice to have a few handy!

 

[mm lover in Ia]

We used a mesh backpack could see exactly what we were looking for and did not have to dig (saved lots of time not having to look for sunscreen). We had sunscreen wipes, easier to use on little ones faces.

 

[happynewyorker]

We are going to Florida in June 2005 and my daughter will by 18 months when we go. and after reading tons of information, it was sugguested that I take:
water (frozen) - The parks will give you ice and water for free (not bottle water)
snacks
Ziploc bags (extra set of clothes)
Bathing suit (she will be wearing or we will bring it), swim diapers
diapers, wipes, cream, baby powder (cornstarch)
suntan lotion, bug lotion
hat, sunglasses
small garbage bag for diapers
small towel or hand towel for children
water shoes (wearing or bring)
small first aid kit
bottles or zippy cups
thermos for bottles and snacks
Rain poncho (lots of people have suggested that you bring, just incase. Don't buy them at Disney, get them for less at wal-mart or target.

batteries
camera, memory card
wallet, AAA card (will get lots of discounts)
wipes for Mom & Dad (freeze them, so they are real cold)
Hand sanitizer
Water misting fans

I will be bring a stroller and a bag for the stroller and I purchased a diaper dude bag (which I think is great), plus we have the bottom of the stroller for things.

Helpful snack hint: If you buy those mickey mouse ice cream heads as for a cup. Punch a hole in it and the melted ice cream will fall into the cup.

I tend to over pack, but I rather have more than less and run into spending more.

 

[2dogmom]

I went with a 17mo and 4 yo in October. I would bring a change of clothes for the 4yo. Mine wasn't happy when her dress got wet on Splash and HAD to change her clothes. I would bring snacks. Definitely cheaper than buying in the parks. We usually had goldfish, grapes, fruit snacks. I also bring ponchos and stroller covers which I just store in the basket of the stroller and close the stroller with it still in there.

 

[princess-rn]

I have my "cute" vera bradley back pack that I always take in the parks. (hey..a girls gotta have a little style ) We also have a "storage net" that I bought from Baby's r us to go on DS stroller. Between my relatively small back pack and the net here's what I pack for me, DH and DS (age 2 1/2)

3 Pullups (last year it was more...but DS is ALMOST potty trained this time)
baby wipes
antibacterial wipes
sunscreen (those small travel bottles. I bring a big bottle on the trip leave it in the hotel and refill the travel bottle and bring that into the parks.)
a change of clothes for DS (accidents do happen)
3 brita water bottles
personal fans ($1 from Walmart...bought 4 of them. Gotta figure out a way to "mount" them on DS stroller for his "down time")
ummm...I'm thinking that's it.

Have a great trip

 

[goodferry]

We brought a backpack, but I like the idea of a net bag, that's brilliant. I also carried a fanny pack with tickets, autograph books, pens, camera, anything I didn't want to leave in the stroller in case it was taken.
Last trip I found sunscreen at Target that came with a small sunscreen free that could be clipped on the fanny pack, that was helpful because I didn't have to lug around the big bottle, I know it seems like such a small thing, but when you add up all the things you have to take with small children, it gets heavy!
We did carry ponchos and one umbrella with us, the ponchos were good for sitting on during parades and when it rained. If you plan on letting them play in any of the fountains I would bring a bathing suit and sandals for them also. My kids don't usually want to do this, so I don't bother.
When you go to Animal Kingdom, bring a sippy cup, no straws or lids on any of the drinks.