wow my bag is full and HEAVY

[coaches24]

Yea we kept DDs clothes under her dress because I had read that the dresses can be itchy. DD wore the dress and same clothes for the first two days before we forced her to take it off (with her kicking and screaming the whole time) so we could give her a bath.

As for things to bring. After 5 days here were my essentials. Sun block for obvious reasons, one water bottle for each person (we refilled at drinking fountains when needed), change of clothes for DD and of course wallet and phone (which is my camera). We had our stroller so we stashed our sandals to wear on the wet rides, and we had our waters in the small soft cooler with ice but that really was all we needed.

Sun block
Water
Change of clothes for little one just in case
Wallet and phone (which stay in my pocket).

The rest we could live without.

DW left her wallet in the room so she really wasn't carrying anything.

1 the fanny pack was so heavy my first day Why? Because i had the note books in ther. The second day i ditched them and it was a breath of fresh air.

2 we are looking for a new bag for our oct hope trip, because all ours are braking after 5 years. I want one that holds the cameras, a wallet or two (mine and cap banes) and then the small stuff we need. We took drinks with us and this made things heavy but once we dumped the bags for them and put the night time stuff drinks and camras all in one bag (to big to be the one we always use) it was much better. By end of the trip we said we dont need half of the stuff and left it in the hotel.

drinks are heavy but i found one half litter of pespsi filled our 3 free glasses of ice up (med size glasses not small)
Then tossed it, so after lunch that big one wad gone. we kept water in bag too but the kid drunk so much standing in the first two hours they were gone and then we asked for free ice water the rest of the day.

It worked well I have seen how easy things can be next time i may even dump the fanny pack and just go all one bag one place.

We took brakes every day but the first one (because i wouldn't take chance missing tea party) I would plan on letting the girls have there dress till about lunch time. change them and go back to room to drop it off.

I also saw many kids had there out fit under the dresses. if so then just put the dresses in locker after they take them off (if you don't want take a brake.)

 

[kailuagirl]

Are you taking a stroller? I highly recommend leaving as much as possible in clear ziploc baggies in the stroller (if someone can see that they'd be stealing a diaper or extra pair of underpants, they aren't going to take it, but a regular bag, they are trying to be fast and can just take the bag w/out knowing what's in it).

Undies, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, sweatshirts, hats all stay in the stroller. IF someone really wanted to take them, it would be inconvenient but usually people are looking for cameras, phones etc.

Sunscreen is applied before we leave the hotel so I don't have to carry it all day.

Important stuff is in a small bag I carry with me on rides.

When we went in March, I carried a backpack for 3 days and the last 2 left it in the stroller because I was tired of carrying it. My camera, wallet and phone were in a small bag I carried cross body. It was much easier that way.

This is exactly what we do. It works wonderful! Soft side cooler is in basket of stroller, and we leave an ugly diaper bag hanging with all that other stuff that is of no value to anyone else.

I've never brought an umbrella, sunscreen and hats and chapstick are a must

Have fun!!

 

[silence]

I always carry a backpack in the park, but there isn't much IN it to make it to heavy.

Sometimes it does hold an SLR, but I don't take that to the park every day.

We tend to buy drinks in the park, but we share. If I bring in a water or soda, I'm not packing around one for everyone. My kids are older, so we have bought the water bottle holders before, where the kids can wear their water around their neck if they want.

We take afternoon breaks (and naps!) so we spend early mornings and evenings in the park. For the most part, I make my kids carry their own sweatshirts, they tie them around their waists if they aren't wearing them.

Our APs go in our plastic "runner" holder that one of us can wear, it holds the APs and FP for about 5 rides for all 5 of us before we have to start putting the FP in pockets.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just wanted to let you know that sunscreen only protects for 4 hours...I think this is part of the reason you see so many sunburned people walking around, they forget to reapply.

Some people need to reapply, others don't. I do. DH and DS, not so much. Sunscreen seems to just stick to them and keep them protected with no color changes all day, but not for me. Then again, I've never tried it! Maybe I'm putting it on too often, LOL.



The bib, nah. But then, I never used a bib with DS b/c by the time he was eating solids, he was eating them totally on his own. Honestly I'd rather bring a different *shirt* for a little one, than yet another disposable item.

Sunscreen and hats. Sunglasses IF they will leave them on, and I HIGHLY recommend getting those strappy things that keep them on their necks. No umbrellas.

Specific pages from the notebook.



When we were still using the stroller, after 2 experiences I left NOTHING in it. We had a hat taken from ours! It was under an icky sweatshirt, totally hidden, and it was taken. That is NOT fun. The feeling of violation is gross. I recommend leaving nothing.

Underpants...rather than that, I'd just put bathroom breaks in every two rides or so!

Hand sanitizer, NO. Wash hands instead. Sanitizer might be better than nothing, but wouldn't it be best to wash those hands? During those routine bathroom breaks that can be accomplished.


I'd go with the suggestion of getting a locker, honestly...

 

[BroBear]

I agree with many on the board - rent a locker for bulky stuff you might only need once during the day - sweaters, etc.

Take only what you NEED. If the change of clothes is an "in case" item - it goes to the locker. Camera is critical, but 4 extra batteries feels like a lot, does your camera drain batteries quickly?

I find that the Ogio Spice Daypack is the best backpack ever in that it is compact (fits easily in the pocket on rides), comfortable (full padding on straps and back), lots of pockets, and you don't even notice the weight.

I have 3 kids (7, 5, 2), and carry diapers (these are nice because each change means one less thing in my bag), sippy cup, sunscreen, kleenex, wipes, notebook, camera, phone, sunglasses, wallet, purell, trading pins (to replenish lanyards), small toys, and still have room to put sunhats, and small souvenirs throughout the day. I honestly don't notice the weight and have been on many 8+ day trips to WDW and DL with this backpack on my back from early in the AM til late at night and never had an issue.

 

[jeremynandrea]

I am always sure to take some type of pain reliever too...advil, tylenol, etc.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have a small cross body bag that I use to carry these items~
chapstick
phone (which is also my camera and video camera)
pins for trades
lanyard (if I'm not wearing it)
sunscreen (I need to get a small bottle)
pen
water bottle(s)
sunglasses (if I'm not wearing them)
I don't have small kids to carry things for but if I did I'd be getting a locker to store all that in, or I'd be taking a stroller to carry it in. That's going to be miserable walking around all day with.

 

[chrissiecutie]

We leave tomorrow, and I am packing a bag to carry what I think are things we will need in the DL park.
I am not quite done with it but it is HEAVY.
Do you carry a lot of things with you around the park?

I have: disposable paper bib, camera (with four extra batteries in case), small videocamera, small package of baby wipes, small package of kleenex, one pair sound reducing earmuffs for my girl's sensitive hearing, change of undies in a ziploc for two youngers, tickets, sunglasses for everyone, small phone, small compact umbrella (if waiting in the sun for long period of time in line), wallet, sunscreen, small hand sanitizer, my medium sized thick spiral with my notes about DL, two small lightweight hats for girls.

That is what I have so far and it is heavy!

I still have yet to put in: change of clothes (they will wear princess dresses when we go, and thought I would bring a change if they get too hot or wet from a ride), light sweaters (for morning or evening), a few small activities or small books for waiting in lines

And we were also going to bring a soft sided cooler with waters and snacks or light lunch.

Goodness do you usually lug around a lot? Maybe it is because of the ages--our 2 and 5 year olds.

Just wondering if there is any of the above we should leave out, and heaven forbid, is there anything I haven't put in there that I should?

THanks for any help you can offer!

OP- my back aches for you!

I didn't see if you were taking a stroller or not... With a 2 & 5 year old, I imagine so- so that will undoubtably save you from lugging the cooler around. I picked up a $5 medium sized soft sided cooler from Walmart. It's perfect for bottled water & drinks and a few snacks. I also keep things in here that I don't want to overheat- like sunscreen!

I bought myself a pink messenger style Baggallini a few years ago. Link here http://www.ebags.com/product/baggal...4&adtype=pla&gclid=CNP4gO2oybACFQ5bhwodiVHRYQ

I adore this bag! It has a pocket up front for your cell or cash/credit cards. Lots of big pockets & I can even fit a bottle of water on the side or a container of bubbles for waiting in lines. I also like that it's made of nylon so I can wash it as soon as I get home. I highly recommend this bag.

My advice is to put all your essentials in here. I think several folks have offered good solutions on how to slim down your packing list. Get rid of the notebook. Instead type up a daily itnerary as well as a list of important info & download some apps on your phone. Each day when you leave the hotel, take that day's iternary. I actually have mine down to a 3X5 notecard and just slip it in the back pocket of my Baggallini. When we park the stroller- I don't have to worry about grabbing my camera or other valuables from the stroller, since it's all in my bag. We only leave things with the stroller that we can afford to loose- not that we've ever had that problem.

No umbrella...really, it's not needed. Hats, sunglasses & sunscreen will do just fine and keep in mind there's lots of shady spots at DL.

Also, unless you're kids are still in the "peeing in their pants" phase (sorry to go there!) then IMO, you shouldn't be packing a full set of clothes for them. I think it's key to not over MOM this...I've certainly been guilty of it but less is indeed more!

Here's what goes in my Baggallini:

Hand sanitzer
Bottle of meds like advil, ibprofen, vicoden j/k
camera & extra batteries
driver's license, cash & 1 credit card or debit card
phone
video camera & extra batteries
park tickets
3X5 notecard with itinerary & any reservations or confirmation#'s
sunscreen


Everyone wears:

Sunglasses
Hat
Sweatshirt
Tennis shoes & socks

Cooler which is on the stroller

Soda
Juice
Breakfast muffins
Fresh Fruit
Yogurt tubes for DS
Lollipops for line waiting
2 refillable water bottles, half frozen

If we will be going on rides that we will get wet on then I will also put an extra pair of socks or flip flops for everyone in the stroller. We dont mind our bodies being wet but if you're feet get wet while doing all that walking...well....you're a goner!

 

[chrissiecutie]

All of your ideas are very helpful to me about what to bring, but if we can't carry it comfortably, I don't think we should bring it (unless we rented a locker). My kids are 10 and 8 so a stroller is not an option since they haven't used one in at least 4 years. I think taking one to carry stuff would be a huge pain. We haven't done Disney before, but have done many other places and I don't think we would even consider one to carry things, but maybe this is something people at Disney do??? Doesn't it make it awfully crowded? Maybe I should be rethinking my packing plan.

No...don't bring a stroller for an 8 & 10 year old! Oh geez...I can just imagine the looks you would get....

I totally agree with you, if you cant comfortably carry it then you simply don't need it. I posted earlier in this thread about a great bag that I use to carry all our essentials. I also put a few tips in there about how to slim down your packing bag. I can't say enough good things about my messenger Baggalini. I bought a light pink one from ebay and the only thing I would change was maybe buying a black one instead. That way I could make DH carry it too!

We still take a stroller for DS, but this will probably be the last year. I enjoy having a place to hang our small cooler & put sweatshirts and souviners but next year, we will just have to deal.

 

[limace]

All of your ideas are very helpful to me about what to bring, but if we can't carry it comfortably, I don't think we should bring it (unless we rented a locker). My kids are 10 and 8 so a stroller is not an option since they haven't used one in at least 4 years. I think taking one to carry stuff would be a huge pain. We haven't done Disney before, but have done many other places and I don't think we would even consider one to carry things, but maybe this is something people at Disney do??? Doesn't it make it awfully crowded? Maybe I should be rethinking my packing plan.

No, don't bring a stroller if your kids are that old-but they are definitely old enough to carry their own stuff-so if you feel committed to carrying changes of clothes, etc, then they can each carry their own bags.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Good idea about that messenger bag, but I will buy a pink one so my wife will have to carry it.
I can't imagine bringing a stroller to carry things in.

LOL!!

How about a nice blue one??

 

[pixiewings71]

All of your ideas are very helpful to me about what to bring, but if we can't carry it comfortably, I don't think we should bring it (unless we rented a locker). My kids are 10 and 8 so a stroller is not an option since they haven't used one in at least 4 years. I think taking one to carry stuff would be a huge pain. We haven't done Disney before, but have done many other places and I don't think we would even consider one to carry things, but maybe this is something people at Disney do??? Doesn't it make it awfully crowded? Maybe I should be rethinking my packing plan.

We have never used a stroller at DL. We first started going when DD12 was 6, she was not going to use a stroller. LOL Her choice, not mine. We used a backpack then, DBF carried it. But my the time she was 8 we each had our own bags to carry. If it doesn't fit in the bag, we don't take it.
On days we've gone with questionable weather we've rented a locker for coats or umbrellas but normally we just have a jacket that we tie around our waists.

 

[Pesky]

Ditto pps -- rent a locker for stuff you likely won't need until the end of the day. Select carefully. I would invest in a travel thing of wipes, about 20 of them, cost about $1-2 at target and weigh less. I'd also skip the umbrella and take hats (unless it will rain). Also look to see if your kids can't take it. And as for your notebook, distill or memorize and leave. Not worth the extra weight! Sounds like you might have a stroller given the ages discussed so think about stashing some stuff in there like the underwear. Also ditto pps re sunglasses. My kids keep them on for about 5 minutes so I'd likely opt for the hat and leave the sunglasses at home -- one less thing to worry about. GL!

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Park Bag List
Like I said I bring what we call The Vegas Bag. It is essentially just a tote that zips closed with long enough straps to throw over my shoulder. I got it years ago in Las Vegas and it has the old Vegas sign on it...just to explain why it's "The Vegas Bag"

Extra undies for each kid in a Ziploc bag
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
The days itinerary including confirmation numbers
Snacks that won't get smashed (individual Pringles packs, granola bars, gummies)
Several bottles of water
Ponchos
Band-aids (big and small)
Moleskin (this stuff is great for almost blisters or raw areas on feet. Dr. Scholl's makes it)
Ibuprofen (for the adults)
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes (to clean hands in a hurry and spills)
Tide pen for stains

Hope this helps!