Bag for Disney

[nicolewi]

I am looking at purse options for Disney. We will be there with four kids, ages four to 10, in March. I prefer not a backpack and was thinking of a cross-body or fanny pack (i hear they are back in style!). Not sure if any fanny pack would be large enough. Figure I will need to carry wallet, phone, small camera, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, band aids, etc. Plus pens, maybe some stuff for waiting in line, maybe some snacks, etc. 

I'm planning to rent a double-stroller for the just-turned 4 & 6 year olds, so we will have that, too. 

Any recs? 

Also, did your DH just bring his usual wallet, or did you give him some kind of bag?

ETA: I'm looking at some Travelon ones that might work on Amazon.

[minionkevin]

DH carried a backpack most of the time, with his wallet and phone in his pocket. The rest of the time it rode in/on the stroller. I kept a small zippered bag in the backpack with lip balm, sunglasses, and a portable charger and cord for me. The kids’ diapers/pull-ups, wipes, sanitizer, and changing pad were in a SkipHop wet bag that took up most of the main compartment. We put one change of clothes for each kid in a ziplock bag in the backpack. We kept spare jackets/blankets/etc in the bottom of the stroller (it was 15-20 degrees colder than usual the week we went). My cash, ID, cards, were in a small card case I kept in my pocket, along with my phone. I didn’t bother with a purse at all.

[mrschach]

I carried this last week.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075TX9Y1J?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

Most days I had case for my glasses/sunglasses (prescription), wristlet, portable charger and cord, kids phones, a small notepad, my iPad (In case I had to log into work remotely - new employees at my business), whatever junk my husband and kids handed to me.

[dcrunnergirl52]

We just went in August for the third time, and all three times, both DH and I have carried backpacks. I have a North Face backpack, and DH carried an Oakley backpack. However, all three times, we've had at least one kid in diapers, so we needed more than the normal stuff.

In his backpack, DH carried the baby's diapers, formula, etc., his wallet, phone etc. along with our two Camelback water bottles. I carried extra personal fans, frog togg towels, wallet, phone, anker charger, sunscreen, autograph books, a few snacks, ponchos, sunglasses, extra pair of shorts for the kids in case of accident (we once had an unexpected accident with overtired kid who was very potty trained while at Disney), etc, We were there in late August so we had the fans and towels, which took up a lot of room, to help keep us cool.

Even if we didn't have the baby stuff, I suspect DH would have still carried a backpack. He had to carry a backpack practically 24/7 for a job for years, so he's just used to it.

[nicolewi]

Extra clothes...right...great idea. I hadn't gotten as far as thinking that through yet.

So maybe I would give DH a backpack, and I would carry more of a purse type thingy.

[meganew]

When we went my H carried a backpack with spare clothes, snacks, some crayons and a coloring book (in case of long waits), babywipes, a small first aid kit (basically just band aids), and a water bottle. And I carried NOTHING. Sweet, sweet, glorious nothing. He had his wallet, I put my phone in my pocket or the backpack and off I skipped into the sunset without diaper bag or purse or anything. I vote for that!

[sandandsea]

We are team share a backpack. I also have a wallet case for my phone so I can be hands free.

[mainelyfoolish]

With a stroller, I had a diaper bag that I hung off the stroller with all the supplies - drinks, snacks, autograph stuff, hats, hand wipes, sunscreen, ponchos, etc. - and I wore a small crossbody bag with my phone, money, ID, keys. DH kept his wallet and phone in his pockets like he always does. The big bag with all the junk stayed wherever we parked the stroller. Nothing in it was particularly valuable and no one touched it, anyway.

[redheadk]

I only have one kid so I just used my normal cross body purse that I typically use when running errands. We took a backpack when we needed to bring extra clothes (brought a dress and accessories for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique). Her autograph book JUST fit in my purse, along with my wallet, sunglasses, phone & charger.

I saw a ton of women carrying Kavu Rope Sling Bags, though, and would get one if we were planning a trip in the near future. Not sure if that's enough room for you, though!

[wesleycrusher]

I carry a small bag usually with my phone, wallet, ID, bandaids, wipes, tissues, sunglasses. The extra stuff- sunblock, ponchos, extra change of clothes, fans, etc- I just leave in the bottom of the stroller. Nothing I would be too upset at losing.

[kittycatlove]

When we were still using a stroller we kept everything with no value in either a diaper bag or backpack and stored it in the bottom. DH always carries his phone and wallet in his pocket. I carry a small crossbody for my phone and chapstick.

Now that we no longer use a stroller we bring a backpack with snacks, flip flops to change into in case of wet feet, ponchos and sunscreen. We really miss having that stroller storage, LOL.

[alleinesein]

Not to be snarky but you are going to Disney not climbing Mt. Everest!

You can get band-aids from first aid in any park so unless you have an adhesive allergy, you really don't need to load up on them in your bag. Get a small, travel size refillable bottle for your sunscreen. You do not need to bring a giant bottle in the park; just fill up a small bottle and toss it in your purse. Same goes for anti-bac gel; use a small bottle in the park. You will probably end up in the bathroom every hour with that many kids b/c you know that at least one of them will need to go after you have done a bathroom break. You might want to add wet wipes to your list; they can clean up quick messes and take up very little room in your bag.

They have locker facilities at all the parks so there is no need to lug a ton of stuff around all day. Toss a bag in a locker and if you need something from it, send the other adult to grab it. If rain is in the forecast, toss spare shoes and clothes in a locker. It will stay dry if you get drenched and you will be able to change into dry clothes and have a place to toss your wet clothes.

The less stuff you bring into the park- the less stuff you have to keep track of!

If your 10-year-old is super stylish/fashionable, get them a cute Disney purse and put them in charge of something fun; Loungefly has some really great designs. Likewise you can also get a super cool superhero or star wars themed backpack if your kid is into that. Get some cute autograph books and special glitter ink pens or metallic sharpies and have the oldest child be the keeper of the magic each day.

[mslhb]

I have an older version of this. It’s lightweight and holds a ton of stuff. I don’t like carrying a backpack in the park and much prefer a cross-body bag.

www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-crossbody-bag--20-wrfid/340526?productid=10553385

[kkfeb04]

I carried my purse. I put sunscreen, my wallet, H's wallet and my phone. I think I took my camera but I don't have any pictures on it because my phone was easier. I carried advil and throat lozenges for myself as I was battling a sinus infection. The more crap you have the longer it takes to get through security. At night, we had no bags.

Snacks, we had the dining plan. As for waiting, my kids were 5 and 7 and both have ASD, the lines moved and we didn't need anything to keep them occupied, they have extreme issues waiting and they were fine. I was quite glad we didn't have a stroller, the kids did well walking, even when we walked to MK and our hotel multiple times and then walking around the park. Strollers seemed like a major PITA on buses.

ETA: I did carry pens and their autograph books.

[covergirl82]

We use a lightweight packable backpack that we got on Amazon for less than $20. Easily packs up for the plane ride, is lightweight for wearing around all day, and is big enough to carry everything we need (water bottles, snacks, long sleeve shirts for the evening, etc.). Water bottles are a must for us, so a smaller bag wouldn't really work for us.

I don't really worry about extra time going through security, as they have to look in any bag, whether large or small.

[Zoly]

I have a small cross body purse that I typically only use on vacation. It has my money, credit cards, a compact with sunscreen (for my face to apply without jacking up make up too much), and occasionally my phone. Then things like hand sanitizer, sunscreen, snacks, and all the other random things go in a back pack which goes underneath the stroller.

[revolution]

I take a tiny cross body to hold my phone and glasses and anything else small.

DH and I share a smaller backpack. We carry drinks and autograph stuff in it. Oh, and $1 ponchos from Target if it is calling for rain. So it's not very full.

Neither of us carry a wallet. We use our magic bands for everything. I do put my ID in my phone case.

[rainbowchip]

I used this.
www.ebags.com/product/travelon/anti-theft-north-south-crossbody-exclusive/323907?productid=10676406

H did not bring his wallet or carry a bag. We put most of the stuff (extra clothes, sunscreen, bandaids, water bottles, etc.) In another bag that we kept in the stroller.

[sandandsea]

Nov 13, 2018 6:30:10 GMT -5 mslhb said:

I have an older version of this. It’s lightweight and holds a ton of stuff. I don’t like carrying a backpack in the park and much prefer a cross-body bag.

www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-crossbody-bag--20-wrfid/340526?productid=10553385

Ditto this. I have the older version and love it. It’s my go to crossbody for travel. I’m still team backpack for amusement parks for the jacket factor.

[bowies]

I carried a small crossbody - it essentially functioned as a tampon and phone carrier. I had a small card holder inside for my ID and a gift card - there was a key ring attached that I then attached to my bag. I barely noticed I had it. I took it on rides no problem. Everything else I kept in the storage compartments in the stroller. No one wanted our kids’ water bottles, diapers, and extra clothes lol. And if they did, oh well, nothing was precious. It worked well for us.

[jd15]

Nov 12, 2018 22:11:51 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

I carry a small bag usually with my phone, wallet, ID, bandaids, wipes, tissues, sunglasses. The extra stuff- sunblock, ponchos, extra change of clothes, fans, etc- I just leave in the bottom of the stroller. Nothing I would be too upset at losing.

this is what i did.

[orval]

These Kavu bags are great. They are a crossbody backpack. You can swing it around to your front with out taking it off to get stuff out.
www.zappos.com/p/kavu-rope-bag-wild-poppy/product/7361894/color/323965?ef_id=WH4TiwAABKbTSocN:20181114214634:s

[pooh8402]

When DH and I went as just 2 adults, we carried a backpack. I can't imagine trying to do Disney with a smaller bag and multiple children.

[devonpow]

We just went last week - me, DH, an 11 year old and s 6 year old. I carried a small backpack (from lululemon - can’t find the link). All we carried were: sunscreen, water, small ponchos, my camera (but I ended up using my phone a lot more for pictures). We didn’t bring wallets etc. because we stayed on property so just used our magic bands for everything. Definitely go small - a lot of stuff isn’t necessary and cramming a big bag at your feet on Space Mountain would suck lol

[Doggy Mommy]

I wouldn’t recommend a Vera Bradley type crossbody (got soaked on splash mtn) or a the light leather bag I used my second trip (also soaked, stayed wet for days, and I had to dry out all my cash etc overnight. I used a travelon crossbody last trip and it was great. It rained a lot and it o oh got a little wet near the zippers. The inside stayed nice and dry. I may use a small backpack next trip.

I try to keep it light... wallet, sunscreen, lip balm, hair tie, and battery pack/cable for phone. If it’s a rainy week, keep a poncho or light rain jacket with you always... it can start pouring out of nowhere.