Post by Ashley&Scott on Aug 4, 2015 15:42:54 GMT -5
I have some random Disney questions, feel free to add yours too.
1. Do I need my purse? I have a small cross body but I'm assuming I don't really need it right? We're not planning to leave the property at all, we'll use Disney transportation from the airport to the resort. Our magic bands will be linked to my credit card. I can pack a small ID holder in my backpack for my driver's license, credit card & cash to use on our travel days. DH will have his wallet too.
2. Do you take your DSLR into the parks? I'm assuming yes but what do you do with it on rides?
3. We'll have a backpack with us in the parks, any tips on what exactly to pack? So far my list is: small first aid kit, snacks, water bottle, ponchos, sunscreen, change of clothes for M, autograph book & pen, ipod touch, sunglasses, chapstick, wet wipes... Also same question as the DSLR- what do you do with your backpack on rides?
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Aug 4, 2015 15:50:54 GMT -5
No, we don't bring our DSLR. But we very rarely use it, so we never considered bring it.
I don't bring an actual purse, but here's what I do.
I pack two bags. One I leave in the stroller all day, and the other I carry with us everywhere.
The one I leave in the stroller has: extra diapers, extra wipes, extra disposable changing pads, extra clothes for both kids, sunscreen, snacks, rain ponchos. I've never had anything stolen, even though at times we leave the stroller for several hours. But I still only leave stuff in the stroller that I wouldn't be crushed if it were stolen (so, no cameras or phones).
The one I carry with me has: diapers, small wipe package, one disposable changing pad, my wallet, my phone, rubber bands, lipstick, face sunscreen stick. Basically, anything I would need while standing in line or walking around. I don't want to have to run back to the stroller to change a diaper.
I usually leave water bottles and sippies in the stroller, but I sometimes put them in my bag that I carry around with me.
I wouldn't bring a first aid kit. You can get bandaids or whatever you need at first aid stations in the parks.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Aug 4, 2015 15:54:39 GMT -5
DarcyLongfellow - I should have been more specific that first aid basically meant a few bandaids, not a whole kit.
We're not planning to use a stroller, M refuses to ride in one so it would just be one more thing to worry about.
We will have 2 backpacks with us for the trip, would it be better for DH & I to each carry one to lighten the load in the park. Or just take one & trade off who carries it?
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 4, 2015 16:11:03 GMT -5
We take our DSLR. We keep it in a neoprone sleeve in our backpack. I just don't bring extra lenses or anything. It really doesn't take up that much room. I like to take my own pictures at the character meet and greets because the photopass people really suck IMO. Plus I want to take pictures at character meals with more then just my phone.
We just use one backpack (my Jansport from high school lol) and I make DH wear it.
Don't take your dslr and just get a memory maker. I took mine once and regretted it every single minute.
I already bought memory maker.
I'm really not going to want my camera, even if I only take it into the park a few days & leave it in the room the rest of the time? FWIW I'm a picture person, when we went on a 3 day trip last month to the zoo & children's museum, I took 75 pictures/videos with my ipod & 200 pics with my DSLR.
We take our DSLR. We keep it in a neoprone sleeve in our backpack. I just don't bring extra lenses or anything. It really doesn't take up that much room. I like to take my own pictures at the character meet and greets because the photopass people really suck IMO. Plus I want to take pictures at character meals with more then just my phone.
We just use one backpack (my Jansport from high school lol) and I make DH wear it.
What camera sleeve do you have? I like this idea but I would need to get a sleeve, our camera bag will take up too much room in the backpack.
I only bring my dSLR to character meals as they don't have Memory Maker other than at the entrances.
Certain characters in the parks don't have memory maker (Mary Poppins, Alice/White Rabbit/Tweedles) but almost all do. Otherwise I used my phone and MM for all photos.
Don't take your dslr and just get a memory maker. I took mine once and regretted it every single minute.
I already bought memory maker.
I'm really not going to want my camera, even if I only take it into the park a few days & leave it in the room the rest of the time? FWIW I'm a picture person, when we went on a 3 day trip last month to the zoo & children's museum, I took 75 pictures/videos with my ipod & 200 pics with my DSLR.
Trust me, I'm a picture person, too. When I brought it into the parks I spent maybe 1% of my time using it and the rest of the time trying not to break it/get it wet/bang in into something/figure out what to do with it on a ride. Not worth it.
On our last trip we had over 200 pics on our memory maker, plus H and I both had about that many on our phones. We didn't miss the dslr at all.
We take our DSLR. We keep it in a neoprone sleeve in our backpack. I just don't bring extra lenses or anything. It really doesn't take up that much room. I like to take my own pictures at the character meet and greets because the photopass people really suck IMO. Plus I want to take pictures at character meals with more then just my phone.
We just use one backpack (my Jansport from high school lol) and I make DH wear it.
What camera sleeve do you have? I like this idea but I would need to get a sleeve, our camera bag will take up too much room in the backpack.
This is it. It has a little pocket (that doesn't seal) inside that you can slide the lens cap in (and it usually stays in there unless you hold it upside and shake it a bunch of times).
Post by londoncalling on Aug 4, 2015 16:30:10 GMT -5
I took two bags: a llbean deluxe backpack that had everything non valuable and a tiny cross body pocket purse for my phone, id, and cash. The backpack hung out with the stroller with the ponchos, sunblock, snacks, and extra clothes.
I didn't bring the dslr because I didn't want to break or lose it when we already had memory maker. Not all of the shots are perfect, but we ended up with a good handful of really nice family photos that I had to choose from to frame and put on the wall.
I have some random Disney questions, feel free to add yours too.
1. Do I need my purse? I have a small cross body but I'm assuming I don't really need it right? We're not planning to leave the property at all, we'll use Disney transportation from the airport to the resort. Our magic bands will be linked to my credit card. I can pack a small ID holder in my backpack for my driver's license, credit card & cash to use on our travel days. DH will have his wallet too.Â
2. Do you take your DSLR into the parks? I'm assuming yes but what do you do with it on rides?Â
3. We'll have a backpack with us in the parks, any tips on what exactly to pack? So far my list is: small first aid kit, snacks, water bottle, ponchos, sunscreen, change of clothes for M, autograph book & pen, ipod touch, sunglasses, chapstick, wet wipes... Also same question as the DSLR- what do you do with your backpack on rides?
1) CASH some ( random) things in the parks/ resorts only take cash. For like NO reason. Not a whole bunch, but a few. 2) I don't have one 3 hand sanitizer, gum ( they don't sell it there), an extra brush & lipstick & hair elastics, Tylenol & antacids
Oh & some of that chaffing gel in case of chub rub ( not sure if you have that issue but I do IN SPADES. & I like extra socks ( if I am wearing any) in case of a down pour
DarcyLongfellow - I should have been more specific that first aid basically meant a few bandaids, not a whole kit.
We're not planning to use a stroller, M refuses to ride in one so it would just be one more thing to worry about.
We will have 2 backpacks with us for the trip, would it be better for DH & I to each carry one to lighten the load in the park. Or just take one & trade off who carries it?
I'd say that's just personal preference. Without a stroller, I'd probably just bring one bag. That way DH and I could take turns carrying it. With two bags, I'd have a bag all day.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Aug 4, 2015 20:23:40 GMT -5
After carrying M like 2 blocks tonight I decided we'll definitely make it work with 1 bag, that way the person carrying him isn't dealing with a bag too.
No purse. I take my DSLR. I've never liked a Memory Maker photo enough to purchase it. I prefer taking my own. I've never regretted taking it. I have a Tenba backpack and it's always been well protected. I bought a nice camera to capture family moments, and Disney is a pretty big one. Take a speedlight if you have one. Their indoor lighting is tricky!
In my Disney bag: Ziplocs Autograph book and clicky sharpie. Caps get lost. The click kind is easier. Small makeup bag with bodyglide, travel size sunscreen, sunscreen stick, Advil Travel pack of Wetones wipes M&M minis tube with pennies and quarters for pressed penny machines with a checklist rubber banded around it.
It all fits in a gallon size Ziploc and fits inside the above mentioned Tenba.
And take a stroller. Disney is a ton of walking, even for kids who don't usually need a stroller. We'd park ours in stroller parking, do a land, then retrieve the stroller. He'd sit in it while we moved to the next land to get a break, and then we'd park it and he'd walk around the next land.
Are you bringing a tula or anything or is your DS going to walk the whole time? At 3.5, I'd be prepared for him to be pretty tuckered. Lu (5.5) hung in there until 10:30pm our first day at DL but DH needed to carry her a few blocks back to the hotel. Ella spent a good amount of time in the stroller.Â
Planning to bring the Ergo. This reminds me I need to try it out this weekend, we haven't used it in a while so I need to make sure it's still a feasible option.
We're also not planning full days in the parks, he'll never make it & neither will we. We will go back to our hotel around 1/2pm each day. Well only go back into the parks if we're feeling up to it, otherwise we'll go to the pool or do some other resort activities.
Post by curbsideprophet on Aug 5, 2015 6:06:54 GMT -5
I have a FastPass question.
I was playing around with booking FP. I booked my initial three for the day for everyone. I then deleted one FP for one person in our group. I tried to add one back in for this person but it made me cancel the other two I already had. Is there anyway around this? Or is the lesson once you have them only modify and do not delete.
I really recommend bringing or renting a stroller! Disney is just a different ball game. I regularly got 25,000-30,000 steps last December and we always took a long afternoon break.
DD had just turned 4 and she rode in a stroller about 40-50% of the time. Before our trip she hadn't wanted anything to do with a stroller in 2 years. I saw kids up to age 7 or so riding in them regularly. We will rent another stroller this trip.
We brought a change of clothes, ponchos, water bottles, and sunscreen in a small backpack. That stayed in the stroller. I also brought my small cross body purse for my phone, camera, and ID.
You can always rent a Disney one while you're there. You can't take it out of the parks to your hotel, so if he's asleep it can be a pain.
The idea of taking the stroller on the buses never appealed to me though. Even at DL as a local I hated folding my Bob or Bumbleride to take on the Parking tram or bus.
jenny1980 how did Lu do with all the walking? We are going to WDW in October and she will be 5.5 and the baby will have just turned 1. I'm bringing the ergo so I can wear the baby but she is like a heater on my back and I don't think I will wear her for the majority of the day, just with taryn needs a break in the stroller. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or if I should just get a double. I have a city mini.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Aug 5, 2015 8:28:04 GMT -5
Looks like I can rent a stroller for ~$50, so if we need to I can always have one delivered to our hotel. I really don't want to deal with lugging ours through the airport if we don't need to.
I was playing around with booking FP. I booked my initial three for the day for everyone. I then deleted one FP for one person in our group. I tried to add one back in for this person but it made me cancel the other two I already had. Is there anyway around this? Or is the lesson once you have them only modify and do not delete.
I think you're stuck. Everything I always read said always modify, don't delete. Sorry! Maybe call Disney and see if they can help you.
These were not our real FPs. I was just playing around with it so when I do book our actual FP I don't mess it up. And hopefully can inform my family of the details so they don't mess it up either. I deleted them all and released them back into the system when I was done.
Looks like I can rent a stroller for ~$50, so if we need to I can always have one delivered to our hotel. I really don't want to deal with lugging ours through the airport if we don't need to.
We rented through kingdom strollers. Worked beautifully!
jenny1980 how did Lu do with all the walking? We are going to WDW in October and she will be 5.5 and the baby will have just turned 1. I'm bringing the ergo so I can wear the baby but she is like a heater on my back and I don't think I will wear her for the majority of the day, just with taryn needs a break in the stroller. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or if I should just get a double. I have a city mini.
DS was just over 5 when we went and I was soooo glad I brought the stroller for him. Part of it was that he was really overwhelmed and it helped that he could just sit down and chill out, and after about 8 hours in the park, he was just done walking. He hadn't ridden in a stroller prior to that in at least a year if not more.
Looks like I can rent a stroller for ~$50, so if we need to I can always have one delivered to our hotel. I really don't want to deal with lugging ours through the airport if we don't need to.
Definitely keep an open mind about it. By the end of our trip, just the walk from the bus stop to the park entrances seemed daunting. Lol
We will, I understand that he's going to be tired but he's just so stubborn. I am willing to pay to rent one in order to avoid the hassle of dealing with ours at the airport. I'll research rental companies so I know where to order from.
1. I always use a cross body bags from ebags that works great. I don't bring a backpack so I just do a purse. My back gets hot wearing a backpack so I prefer the cross body. I would only do one or another.
2. I never bring a camera with me. We do the memory maker and then just take random pics with our phone. Last trip I bought a canned CD of disney photos that I used to make our photo book that worked out great.
3. My answer depends on if you have a stroller. With a child 5 and under I always recommend a stroller. It gives you a place to put stuff and stroller parking is super easy and convenient at Disney. That is where I would always keep change of clothes, water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Now that DD is older there is no stroller so I try to travel as light as possible (which is hard). We do small snacks, small tube of sunscreen, travel pack of wipes, chapstick, autograph book/sharpie, a couple of ziplock bags, cheapie ponchos, moleskin for blisters, very small change purse with quarters and pennies for pressed pennies.
Looks like I can rent a stroller for ~$50, so if we need to I can always have one delivered to our hotel. I really don't want to deal with lugging ours through the airport if we don't need to.
Honestly I debated about renting a double to accommodate DD1 at 4.5. She hadn't used a stroller in ages. We went with the double and it was great. It was really helpful getting between our room and the bus stop (depending on what resort you are at, this alone can be a hike), moving between lands, and having somewhere to put her when we needed to "walk with a purpose". It also gave her a built in seat for the parade so they were able to stay in the stroller with the sun shade and have a snack while we waited.
I had fears of her falling asleep at the back of Epcot and H having to carry all 47 pounds of her all the way to the entrance and then to the bus stop.
People manage just fine without a stroller, but the few times that you need to fold it up for transport (bus or boat) were dwarfed by how useful it was, especially at the end of the week.
ETA: we rented through Orlando Stroller rentals. They deliver right to your hotel and include a rain cover (important if you are leaving your stroller for an extended period of time).