Where do you put your stuff?

[kranzaldua]

We ditched the stroller 2 years ago when my youngest was 5. At that point we transitioned to backpacks. I rode every ride with my bag, and even on the roller coasters- it was no big deal at all. I did loop the strap onto my foot because I’m a “nervous Nellie” type.

We bring snacks (trail mix, granola bars, fresh fruit). We bring water bottles and fill them up at refill stations (HS has the most I’ve seen). Since my husband & I both carry a backpack, we split it up 2 bottles in each one. Yes- I realize we’re on vacation, but I can’t bring myself to pay over $3 per bottle of water when I can get a whole 24 pack for less than $6. Sometimes we carry ponchos or light jackets - depending on forecast and ride plans. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Just feels like my old school days to me

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Why not just have everyone wear their own backpack with their stuff?

 

[JK World]

First no-stroller trip coming up in a couple weeks. Planning to do what we do at local theme park/zoo when we do 6+ hour trips:
-I wear a fanny pack with phone, cash/card/ID, small items like chapstick/ sunscreen/sanitizer/tissues, and if needed a set of disposable ponchos.
-I also have a clip-on refillable water bottle that starts off full and we share it when in lines and such. We supplement with free QS water, and kids meals come with a bottle of water too.
-DS wears a mini backpack with snacks.
-If needed, we start the day with light sweaters and then tie around our waists.

We look like total tourists, but we also have everything we need which is key to a happy 6 year old (and thus a happy mom).

 

[NYCgrrl]

Why not just have everyone wear their own backpack with their stuff?

This.
You’d be amazed by the amt of stuff no longer needed when others share the load.

 

[Rory607]

We are recently stroller-free and we just use a backpack. However, I’ve tried to reduce the amount of stuff we bring. I am a chronic overpacker and it was so easy to throw everything in the diaper bag or in the bottom of the stroller when they were little.

Necessities for us now include:
-Ponchos stuffed in the bottom of the backpack
-Phone chargers
-Sunscreen
-Chapstick

We don’t bring snacks or water. We just grab something when we need to eat/drink. I carry a small crossbody with my credit card, I.d. and phone. That way we can take turns with the backpack and I always have my stuff with me. Honestly, having no stroller is so freeing!

 

[ZeeWP]

LOL Some of ya'll are really lucky to have non-high maintenance kids! If for some reason I can't find goldfish crackers or fresh strawberries for my one kid, She will eat nothing else. LOL okay I'm exaggerating, but we definitely need stuff. Mostly food. I like extra clothes, too for messes and stuff.

I had a park bag as a solo adult, so as a parent of a 6 and 8-year old I definitely will. LOL Think when one is at least in the double digits, say 8 and 10, then I probably won't need a bigger one.

There is a flair/pins backpack on shopDisney that I have been eyeing. It looks perfect for our purposes. Some people I know carry cooler backpacks, but then I don't know sizes.

 

[Rory607]

LOL Some of ya'll are really lucky to have non-high maintenance kids! If for some reason I can't find goldfish crackers or fresh strawberries for my one kid, She will eat nothing else. LOL okay I'm exaggerating, but we definitely need stuff. Mostly food. I like extra clothes, too for messes and stuff.

I had a park bag as a solo adult, so as a parent of a 6 and 8-year old I definitely will. LOL Think when one is at least in the double digits, say 8 and 10, then I probably won't need a bigger one.

There is a flair/pins backpack on shopDisney that I have been eyeing. It looks perfect for our purposes. Some people I know carry cooler backpacks, but then I don't know sizes.

Oh my kids are definitely high maintenance in their own ways, lol! But it is true as they get a bit older some things get easier. My oldest is 11 and she is definitely much more able to go with the flow now. Traveling with her has gotten much easier. My younger one is 7 and we have worked A LOT on eating from available food options and dealing with small problems. It is a process. But I will also always have a park bag of some kind, even when they’re teenagers. So do what works for you and your family!

 

[Mommyof3boys2017]

Some people I know carry cooler backpacks, but then I don't know sizes.

I just recently started looking at these. It seems like a pretty awesome idea. I know I'll have to pack lighter, but there are certain things I just can not live without. A cooler backpack seems like a great compromise. now I just have to find the right one for us!

 

[dominiondad]

We've learned we really don't "need" as much as we thought. I carry a wallet, me cell phone, a backup battery and cable, and a small bottle of sunscreen. All in a pair of shorts. We used to carry water bottles, now we just (gasp) drink from the fountains. Instead of ponchos, we get a little wet while we hustle for cover, but are usually dry within an hour. In our family, much of the other stuff just became a distraction.

 

[charmed59]

I live in central Florida and I would ditch the ponchos for quick dry clothes. They are cooler and tend to be SPF 30 or above. My kids were never stroller kids, so we’ve been backpack and then pocket people forever. It’s pretty awesome.

 

[ZeeWP]

I live in central Florida and I would ditch the ponchos for quick dry clothes. They are cooler and tend to be SPF 30 or above. My kids were never stroller kids, so we’ve been backpack and then pocket people forever. It’s pretty awesome.

You know I was thinking this. We will carry an extra set of clothes for the kids and an extra t-shirt for the adults anyway. I think we may forego the ponchos and just have clothes.

 

[ShellyKP]

We like to travel (and not just to Disney) so from a very early age my kiddo was carrying a small backpack with his own stuff. Non-valuables, like snacks, wet wipes, an extra pair of socks, etc. Mom and Dad carried the more valuable/heavier stuff so if kiddo's pack got lost it could be easily replaced. Although writing your cell number on the inside will help if it is lost.

For Disney trips, we leaned into using disposable water bottles so we could just throw them out, rather than carrying empty reusable ones around. A water bottle holder on a lanyard can be useful. Or we just make frequent stops at QS places for small cups of ice water.

We send bigger souvenir purchases to the front of the park (or get them sent back to the resort) so we aren't carrying them around all day.

Put everything you think you'll need into one bag. Then try to cut that list in half. Remember that you can purchase little things all around "The World" while you're there. So don't pack for every "just in case" scenario. First aid has medicine and bandages and other small things. Resort gift shops sell necessities as well. You'll pay a little more but that's only if you end up needing it.

 

[ShellyKP]

As for keeping devices charged we do pack one small battery but we also pack a few charging cords and just try to sit near an outlet or charging station when we sit down to a meal or for a rest.

Also, I go on a little shopping spree before the trip and buy as many travel sized items as I can find that may be useful. I pack the smallest quantity I can manage if I feel I need a "just in case" item and then if I use it up I can toss the packaging and if I need more then I'll buy it.

 

[Mommyof3boys2017]

We send bigger souvenir purchases to the front of the park (or get them sent back to the resort) so we aren't carrying them around all day.

We used to use this service too! I really hope they bring it back!!! At least to the front of the resort so we can grab on the way out. Though I know I'd buy way less if they don't have it so probably better for my wallet!

 

[ShellyKP]

Oh no! I didn't realize this service had stopped!

 

[smwisc]

Has anyone (and hear me out here) brought a small umbrella stroller for your stuff?? That way it moves to each area with you, but you can park it and come back to it. (Please don't be mean)

We did this, and it worked great - better than needing some sort of bag or holder for a water bottle for each person, plus ponchos/umbrellas/snacks.

 

[Lilsia]

If you need to take stuff with you to the parks, I recommend a small backpack and then take that with you on the rides. I also suggest that you go a couple of days with all of the stuff that you think you need, and if you don't use it, leave it in the room. A lot of people pack lots of "what if" stuff that they don't end up using. Need some ibuprofen or a bandaid? You can get those for free at first aid at the parks.

 

[nancipants]

I have gotten so used to having a stroller just for the two water bottle holders on the handle that when my husband and I go to the parks by ourselves, I'm like, what am I supposed to do with this bottle? Carry it? Put it in my bag?

Once we stop bringing a stroller/diaper bag, we'll still bring a backpack because I like having emergency snacks, I like having ponchos/rain jackets, and I always bring a popcorn bucket. Plus medicine, sunblock, bug spray, etc. And the aforementioned water bottle.

 

[MamaMermaid]

My son (almost 4) is out of diapers. It's nice to have the stroller for small storage (water bottles, etc.) but we could live without it. We haven't ditched the stroller yet but when it comes time, I'm guessing we will bring one small backpack for water bottles, wipes, sanitizer, snacks, etc. We definitely plan on travelling as light as possible!

 

[tjmw2727]

Single mom of 2 dd's 2 years apart, we have been going to Disney since they were 2 and 4, even with a stroller I learned to trim down my backpack as it had to be worn on and off the bus while I juggled the stroller and 2 toddlers.

Once we were stroller free everyone carried their own stuff, kids had a lightweight size appropriate string bag or kids fanny pack (they each had both and got to choose each day). They managed a disposable poncho, 2 snacks and a refillable water bottle along with an autograph book & pen and maybe a light jacket. Sometimes they brought a small doll or figurine to play with etc. I carried a small lightweight backpack with a few more snacks, my water bottle, a few Band-Aids, travel sunscreen and other misc. items.