Where do you put all your Stuff, without strollers

[RayRing]

I will be traveling with my DW, DS5, and DD4 in early December. As a special treat, we will be staying at the GF.

I will probably kick myself when my arms are falling off from carrying sleepy kids, but I was thinking of traveling without our strollers.

In the past, we always brought a full size stroller for the youngest and an umbrella stroller for the oldest.

The other day I was thinking of how nice it would be to walk into the MK without strollers, and just holding the kids hands. Then I thought, "where am I going to put all the stuff I use to put in the diaper bag, and the bottom of the stroller".

Since we are traveling in December (depending on the weather), we might be carrying sweatshirts, coats, snacks etc... There goes the free hands.

Can those that have gone before, offer advice on making the transition from strollers to no strollers, and what they did about carrying all that stuff.

I welcome everyone's advice.

Thanks.

Ray.

 

[bdcp]

We went when our boys were 3 1/2 and almost 6 and didn't use a stroller. They have walked everywhere since about age 2 and never got tired before we did because they were used to walking. We each wore a fanny pack. You might need a jacket or sweatshirt (tied around your waist), but it's not likely you'll need a coat. You could use a backpack if you're talking water, cameras, etc.

 

[Tinkerchele]

This is a very popular topic lately!

My husband carried a backpack which held our ponchos and our sweatshirts and a video camera. I carried a small Adidas sling bag and held our money, passes, and a digital camera. I also put some medicines, chap stick, etc. in my bag. It worked out well.

Our kids are 7 and 11, so they don't need a stroller. My daughter still falls asleep at times at the end of the night if we're at the parks late and my husband has to carry her out.

I always looked forward to the non-stroller days when they were little! Neither one of them really liked to be in a stroller anyway. It is nice to walk around freely.

 

[ladysoleil]

We don't have kids, so what we usually do is a small backpack for water bottle, sunscreen, small essentials, and a rental locker if needed for extra stuff. The locker is I think $5, and it's a nice size, you could fit a small soft cooler or duffle bag in one easily.

 

[java]

The biggest point is travel light- you don't need all the junk you needed when they were stroller people- no diapers ect...My DH wore the very manly fanny pack that I got him from EMS and all our essentials- sunscreen, money,camera fit nicely in it. It is an great feeling traveling so light- but then we went and had 2 more kids that are now in strollers. Enjoy the freedom. We went one December with the 2 oldest ones no stroller and we made a sweatshirt rule- you wore it out of the room it was your responsiblity all day. So I taught them both how to tie it around their waist or their shoulders. That worked for us. We really only needed the sweatshirts one day that was The rest of the time it was shorts and long sleeved tees.

 

[Spoisal]

I JUST ordered a new LLBean backpack yesterday because of this. This will be our first Disney trip with the kids & without a stroller. I bought the pack in black so my DH & I can take turns carrying it (I really wanted the blue flowered one, but I would be stuck with it the whole time - haha). I like to travel light, but there are just some basics i'm not going to feel comfy without.....have a great trip - we leave in 12 days! woo hoo!!

 

[mtdevine615]

Use a back pack and get a locker when you first get to the park. That's what we do. Ponchos and stuff we might or might not need always goes in the locker. Stuff we will need, well DW has a fanny pack that she wears and gets to carry that kind of stuff. Being from Maine I'm partial to LL Bean back packs and fanny packs, but that's just me. Oh, and anything you buy from the stores have shipped back to your resort, that helps a lot. Maine

 

[gt0163c]

I'm in the backpack camp.
I've got a small backpack that I take with me into park (and while skiing, but that's another board). It's an Eddie Bauer pack from Target a few years back. It has waterbottle pockets on the outside on each side (make sure you get one with BIG water bottle pockets. A lot of packs have little pockets that won't fit a reasonable sized bottle without it falling out. Ideally you want to be able to bend over and touch your toes with the pack on and a bottle in each pocket and not have the bottle fall out. You probably won't do that in a park, but if it survives this test, you'll be good no matter what). It has a smaller pocket in the front and then the main pocket. There's also a mesh panel and elastic cord around that panel in front of the front pocket. The mesh panel with elastic cord is great for stashing a fleece or other bulky/crushable item. It has a nice tote handle on the top. And loops of webbing going down both shoulder straps. Those loops are great for attaching a sun glasses case (originally a cell phone case, but fits my sunglasses perfectly) and the radio I use to keep up with the family.
I've added a sternum strap and am looking into adding a hip strap as well (although I don't if that will work so well). Just because those make a difference in how the pack is carried and make it much more comfortable, in my opinion.

I recommend getting a pack as small as possible that will comfortably hold what you need. The pack will seem to get heavier as the day (and days into your trip) wear on and on some rides, especially if you're not a little person, it can be more of a challenge getting the bag at your feet (best tip is to put the bag in first, then climb into the car if it's going to be a tightish fit. Although most of the time you won't have any problems.)

If you are planning on going in the summer months, I highly recommend getting a pack that is hydration system compatible (has an internal sleeve for a bladder and sort of opening for the hose). Great to have your water right there where you can easily get to it.

 

[PolyAddict]

and possibly an ugly fanny pack too!!!

Oh well, DH carries them anyway.

 

[dlf]

I can't imagine ever not having a stroller! I take at least 15 water bottles (from the UK and can't get used to the taste of the water from the fountains) each day into the parks, as well as a sandwich each, crisps etc etc. It's also so useful for putting all the purchases on - have never remembered to pick anything up from the front of the park in the rush to leave each evening.

Even if the children no longer need it, I think I will just for the huge cooler bag we take!!

Not related but on the subject of water from the parks. The water you can buy in the Disney parks was pulled from the shelves over in the UK - can't remember why now, but put me off buying it!