What's in your park bag?

[Angel Ariel]

I'm starting to work on our packing lists, and that includes the list of what needs to go in the park bag. (We do lists so that both DH and I can be on the same page and there's no questions as to what needs to be packed. I was looking for my list from last year and I can't find it...so I thought I'd pose the question here.

What do you have to have in your park bag?

FWIW, we have 1 preschool aged DD who is just beginning to potty train.

 

[Lone Star*]

following!

 

[kristabelle13]

• Definitely dollar store poncho (or disney poncho) because ugh, I'm such a wimp with water rides...
• Water bottle(s)
• Small inflatable seat cushion (cuz sitting on the ground SUCKS (think waiting for parades) lol)
• A couple of cliff bars and/or small snacks
• Maybe a light hoodie - depending on what time of day and at what time of year.
• If it's Christmas time - magic mitts from the dollar store.

Pack light - nothing worse than lugging something heavy around the parks. Also, things like bandaids etc are a waste - the first aid stations & their nurses are awesome!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Pack light - nothing worse than lugging something heavy around the parks. Also, things like bandaids etc are a waste - the first aid stations & their nurses are awesome!

Thanks for the suggestions! Interesting that you mentioned bandaids specifically...I did have those in my bag last year, and I think it's the only trip I've ever needed them. We were eating lunch at Carthay Circle and DH accidentally dropped his water glass. It shattered...right at DD (who was sitting in a high chair at the end of the table). Miraculously, she didn't have a scratch...she was startled, but not hurt. A manager came over to see if we were OK, and as I was about to say "yes" I noticed I had a cut on my finger. I grabbed a napkin to put pressure on it and there was a piece of glass stuck in my finger. Ouch! I thought I could get it out, so my mom and I went to the bathroom...there was a woman who had a pair of tweezers in her bag, and she was kind to let me borrow the tweezers to get the glass out. It wasn't a bad cut, just a bandaid needed at that point, which I had in the bag!

We ended up saving ourselves the trip to First Aid for something rather minor. The manager did mention it to us if we wanted to have it looked at, but my parents are both RNs and we were all confident it was fine. The CM was fantastic, though, in how she helped with the cleanup and took care of us at that point.

I think bandaids will likely be in our bag..just a small, light travel size amount, but they'll probably be there...anything bigger/more serious we'd definitely go to First Aid for...I'm not carrying a medicine chest around with us! Thank you again for your suggestions!

 

[kristabelle13]

Thanks for the suggestions! Interesting that you mentioned bandaids specifically...I did have those in my bag last year, and I think it's the only trip I've ever needed them. We were eating lunch at Carthay Circle and DH accidentally dropped his water glass. It shattered...right at DD (who was sitting in a high chair at the end of the table). Miraculously, she didn't have a scratch...she was startled, but not hurt. A manager came over to see if we were OK, and as I was about to say "yes" I noticed I had a cut on my finger. I grabbed a napkin to put pressure on it and there was a piece of glass stuck in my finger. Ouch! I thought I could get it out, so my mom and I went to the bathroom...there was a woman who had a pair of tweezers in her bag, and she was kind to let me borrow the tweezers to get the glass out. It wasn't a bad cut, just a bandaid needed at that point, which I had in the bag!

We ended up saving ourselves the trip to First Aid for something rather minor. The manager did mention it to us if we wanted to have it looked at, but my parents are both RNs and we were all confident it was fine. The CM was fantastic, though, in how she helped with the cleanup and took care of us at that point.

I think bandaids will likely be in our bag..just a small, light travel size amount, but they'll probably be there...anything bigger/more serious we'd definitely go to First Aid for...I'm not carrying a medicine chest around with us! Thank you again for your suggestions!

Yeah, during EMH last trip, I totally got a huge gash on my arm didn't feel it but it wouldn't stop bleeding. I had to go to first aid to have them bandage it but it was no biggie (other than a total waste of EMH lol)! Glad you were able to fix the glass cut!

 

[YukonMommy]

Here is what I take
-tic tacs
-Kleenex
-bandaids/Tylenol (a few pills of both adult and kiddie in a small container) in a small Ziploc bag
-camera
-potty training....if she is still in pullups your all good, take 1 or those for every 3-4 hours and an extra outfit just in case. If she is in underwear take at least 2 full extra outfits (lines, distance, etc may factor into more accidents and whoops than usual.)
-small pack of wipes.
-a water bottle for everyone
-a hoodie for everyone

Now granted we always took a stroller and shoved the drinks, hoodies, extra clothes (in Ziploc bags), small blanket (for curb sitting) in the bottom basket.

Have a magical time!

 

[Cubbiecakes]

• Water bottles
• Ibuprofen
• Bandaids
• Hand sanitizer
• Ziploc bags (for phones/wallets on Splash Mountain)
• Mittens (only if it's really cold)

 

[cruisehopeful]

Small inflatable seat cushion (cuz sitting on the ground SUCKS (think waiting for parades) lol)

I've never thought of that. That's a really good idea.

 

[rentayenta]

Water and a few snacks like Goldfish crackers, beef jerky, maybe suckers. We used to haul in a lot but have since ditched that practice. When we re-enter in the evening after a midday break, we sometimes don't bring a bag. Heaven! I think it totally depends on the ages in the group.

 

[Congo Queen]

Last summer I learned how to cut down on the stuff I haul around in my Dland purse. I am a person who plans and prepares and so used to carry everything (hats, sunscreen, water bottle, moleskin, bandaids, kleenex, tylenol, sudafed, chewable antacids, hair clips, snack bars, and more). My family of four probably could have survived 3 days on what I had in my purse alone. Last year, I developed frozen shoulder and so was no longer able to carry my purse of over-preparedness around because it was too darn heavy. And guess what? I found we survived just fine without it, and I had waaaay more fun not functioning as the family pack mule. All I had was my phone, ticket media, room key, one credit card and some cash - light as a feather

 

[CandMmommy]

I have a daughter at a similar stage ( fully trained at home but wears pull ups when we are out or traveling)
She will be 3 in Dec. I am bringing wipes and 2-3 pull ups. Raisins and pb crackers sippy cup. A small bag inside with bandaids, Tylenol ( both adults and kids) and tickets, credit card and cash budget for the day. My 2 older girls will bring water bottles that I'll keep under the stroller. Hoodies for early morning/ evenings.

 

[Rabb it]

Personally: Chapstick, hand sanitizer, bathroom wipes, moleskin.

 

[Kindermouse]

I dont carry one- only a Lanyard with my phone, AP room key a disny gift car and my credit card in it and a water bottle with a cross body strap.

but my DS13 does-for him the proprioceptive feedback (a sensory thing since he has some sensory issues since he isn't neurotypical) is calming and centering. It has to have some weight to it but not be too heavy so it holds his 16 oz water bottles, a couple granola bars and some jerky, a pack of gum, a small travel size sunblock, a snack size ziplock bag with 3 waterproof band aids and an 1 small packaged antiseptic wipe from our home first aid kit and small blanket for our parade spot and a small hand sanitizer. We tie light hoodies around our waists. It sounds like a lot but its fairly light and it all fits into a small drawstring bag bag SF giant bag (until this trip when we bought the backpack purchase with purchase)

I stopped carrying tylenol or any other medicines (I used also carry travel/sample size packs of several medicines) until I realized that it makes more sense for us to go over to first aide and use that as an excuse to take a break at starbucks. If we need medicine for something we also likely need a break since someone isnt feeling up to par.

If my TR ever gets that far I will talk about our most recent experience getting antacids and tummy medicine for my nephew during the halloween party. hopefully in the next few days.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/are-you-scared-yet-my-october-2016-trip-updated-10-14.3509771/

 

[tzeitel]

Phone, band aids, ibuprofen, sunglasses, wet wipes. Really if it wasn't for my phone I would not take anything that could not fit in my or DH's pocket. We are WDW vets, on those trips I do pack more in my bag since to go back to our room involves buses and it is a hassle. DLR trips are a breeze since to get to our room usually takes 10-15 minutes.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I don't carry anything at Disneyland that I don't carry everyday in my purse, but that's the typical stuff people have mentioned so far: phone, wallet, tiny pill bottle, lip gloss, tissues, pen, a light scarf/wrap, a collapsible nylon shopping bag, and a small 8 oz refillable water bottle. I also carry a portable phone battery & cord -- I can easily use up two full phone charges during one day in the park.

Oh, and I don't know if this counts because it's on my head and not in my bag, but I always always always wear a hat.

 

[offwithyourhead]

I carry a small backpack. In it I have:
-A wide-mouth water bottle (easy to pour leftover drinks into before getting on rides) OR a frozen water bottle which will melt throughout the day.
-Hair ties, a few bobby pins, a small brush (long hair and fast rides make for somewhat of a mess)
-Charging cable and rechargeable battery packs for my phone and camera
-Snacks
-Sunscreen
-Blister things and bandaids
-Hand sanitizer and/or wipes
-Camera, phone, wallet etc.
-Travel deodorant if it's super hot.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

If it's just me and adult friends, I take my wallet, cell phone, car keys, portable phone charger, tissues, my medicines, sunscreen, and glasses cleaner. I usually take a lightweight jacket if it's cool outside.

When I have my kids (ages 2 1/2 and 6), we take a backpack with diapers, wipes, a change of clothes for each, jackets if it's cool, some juice boxes and/or water, crystal light single serving packets, some snacks, and some form of entertainment for waiting in longer lines.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Pretty much what everyone else has mentioned. I don't carry Tylenol or Advil, since those things are available at First Aid or behind the counter of most shops (just ask a CM). I do carry my Rx meds (e.g. migraine medication, antihistamines) for emergencies. Since the OP's little one is potty training, the potties at the Baby Care center will be helpful. But if she has to use a regular restroom, stickers, like the free ones from supermarkets, are very handy for covering the sensor light so the toilet doesn't flush while DD is still on it. (Our oldest was traumatized when that happened at BB! I never forgot the stickers after that.) When DD is done, the OP can just press the manual button to flush. This way DD can relax to do her business. We also carry a Sharpie which comes in very handy for signing receipts (ballpoints on slippery paper don't always work), getting autographs, and drawing MM heads on bandaids (makes the ouch go away faster for some reason). Travel size Body Glide comes in handy, too.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

Takeya water bottle, keeps it cold all day, filled with ice. Extra water bottles.

 

[Lone Star*]

thanks for the great tips! For all of you bringing water bottles.... what size do you bring? My usual clean canteen holds about 16oz. but it gets pretty heavy after a while. If you take a smaller size are there plenty of places to refill along the way?