So,, what do ya do with all that stuff??

[Senderella]

I put my sunscreen (SPF 50 waterproof) on before I leave the hotel every day and I'm fine without reapplying, so don't have to carry it. Don't be so foolish to think that you don't need it down there like so many people do, just because one person happens not to burn doesn't mean you won't. I've seen soooooooo many people burnt badly because they don't use sun screen, and many of those folks are from the UK where they think the sun in FL will be good for them. Well it's not good for you when you don't see much sun most of the time and your skin burns and turns to sunpoisining.

:sohappy: I agree with you shoppingnut. I do the same screen. Sunscreen on in the morning and that's about it. I haven't needed to reapply. Just make sure you get a good sunscreen with a high SPF. We use bullfrog and that stuff doesn't come off. I'm very very fair so I burn easily, but with applying the sunscreen once before we head out for the day, I've been ok.

As far as the backpack question goes, I'm going to tell you right now.. keep it light. My first trip I had read all of those lists too. We had backpacks packed for the Sarhara (as someone mentioned LOL love the comparison). I was MISERABLE. It totally weighed me down and it made me more tired and cranky than anything. Not to mention it made my back hurt like nobody's business. After that, my dh got smart and got me the little small purse-size backpack from the Rainforest Cafe. It had plenty of room for my autograph book and pen, wallet, cell phone, body glide (just in case of blisters or chafing), a couple of bandaids and there was STILL enough room for small trinkets I bought (I have a small camera bag that I bought at Target that clips onto my belt loop w/ a D-ring. It looks like a tiny backpack and has 2 pockets. I use the back pocket for my camera and the front pocket for spare card, batteries, room key and fast passes). My dh uses a pack that happens to have 2 bottle holders, so I can get him to hang onto any bottle I may have. In his pack, we've got a couple of individually sealed tabs of pepcid for heartburn and a small bottle of headache medicine along with whatever he hangs onto like his wallet. It's good to have whatever first aid or other extras you may need in the room. Don't get me wrong. Chances of finding "your brand" of whatever you may need in the resort store is slim and of course there are the prices. Just remember you really don't need to carry all of it with you in the parks. You'll have a much more magical and happier time if you're not weighed down like a packmule.

Not to mention, if you keep it light and simple, it'll make going through the bag checks go much faster. Plus with a smaller, lighter, not so packed bag, it'll be much easier to pack it into the netting on most rides, won't take up as much room on the rides where you can put it beside you, and won't be that big of a deal if you loop it around your feet on other rides. LOL My "first Disney backpack" was a bear to fit into most netting.

 

[DisneyLindz]

Since I don't have kids, there isn't too much I take in the parks.

I bought a bag from a sports store ( i think Finish Line or ________'s Sporting Goods) It's one with string straps and the pouch is about the size of a standard notebook. It doesn't take up a lot of room, and i do like many other people have already said and put my legs through the straps. Works fantastic.

All I bring in my bag is my small wallet, tickets, little bottle of hand sanitizer, a few granola bars, and asprin. If you need anything else, buy it in the parks.

I've NEVER put sun screen on before going to the parks, mostly because we are in and out of stores and rides, and really aren't out in the sun for extended periods of time. The only time I use sunscreen is when we take breaks in the day and swim.

If you have children, forget everything I just said. :animwink:

Have fun on your trip!

 

[DisneyFine]

Ok,,, first trip to DW the first week of September. I have read, read and READ about what to pack, where to go, what time to go etc etc. But my question is this,, if i have got all this crap in my backpack in the parks,,,, what do i do with my backpack when i wanna ride a ride?????

I bring a belly bag, BELLY BAGS ALL THE WAY!

 

[KICKYPANTS]

Ok,,, first trip to DW the first week of September. I have read, read and READ about what to pack, where to go, what time to go etc etc. But my question is this,, if i have got all this crap in my backpack in the parks,,,, what do i do with my backpack when i wanna ride a ride?????

:wave: We're going to be there the same time as you, and for the first and only time as well. Been to Dland though and hubby carried a small backpack for our 3 yr old and h2o & stuff. I agree with taking a small amount of sunscreen, glasses, meds, camera, film etc and of course your wallet , maybe some bandaids for kids, oh yeah...and a hat. That was really all we needed each and every day...with a kiddie.
Now I have a question too..... is the rain soooooo cold and everlasting that we really need a poncho??? I'm from Vancouver Canada. Also known as "The WET Coast", and I'm used to rain. The reason we dress for rain here is because it's usually quiet cold and probably windy too. ANY OPINIONS??
Only 19 more sleeps:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[alya922]

I use a small backpack and usually try to keep it light if I possibly can. By using the backpack, I know nothing will fall out because the entire thing zippers, especially on the RnRc where I put my leg through the straps so I don't lose it! :lol: It fits on every ride but has enough room for everything I need.

 

[AEfx]

There's not a single ride you can't take a backpack on.

I'm not talking some LLBEAN mountain expedition steel-reenforced thing, but anything that can fit neatly on your lap works.

I've taken one on every ride, including the water rides and all the coasters. Either it goes down by my feet, or against my body somewhere. Splash Mountain is the only place it gets a bit splashed, but mine is relatively waterproof and it dries just fine.

However, don't bring anything you don't absolutely need. Some people bring their whole medicine cabinet, when on the off chance that you do need something like that it's available everywhere (either behind the counter or from first aid).

I carry a small notepad/pen, camera, sunglasses holder/shami, wallet (slim travel billfold I only use on vacation), tickets, a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer, a couple of extra gallon-sized zip-loc baggies, and a bandana.

AEfx

 

[AEfx]

I use a small backpack and usually try to keep it light if I possibly can. By using the backpack, I know nothing will fall out because the entire thing zippers, especially on the RnRc where I put my leg through the straps so I don't lose it! :lol: It fits on every ride but has enough room for everything I need.

That's what I do on the RnR as well.

I find a small backpack with a drawstring top (and a flap that goes over it) works best. The drawstring and latch make it secure, but it's also easy to open up all the way if you are looking for something, or getting through bag check at security.

The one I use is an ancient Eastpak, and I haven't been able to ever replace it. Even had one of the zippers replaced because I loved it so much. Just one outside pocket, and the main compartment with the drawstring - works great for travel like at WDW.

AEfx

 

[DisneyBride94]

My husband and I don't wear backpacks, we wear large packs... and we don't have to take them off for rides... DH's is big enough to fit his video camera, he clips his digital camera case to the belt of the pack... My pack generally holds my small credit card case to hold money/credit cards/roomkey/park admission, etc.... a couple of diapers and some wipes in a little baggy (we have a always had a baby on the trip, so far, I'm in the midst of training our 2 year old...we'll see how far we get in the next 50 days!)


We both also carry our cell phones in our packs...

Attached to the pack we carry our bottle water, hang a baseball cap, and the kind of packable nylon raincoat that seals itself into a zipper pocket, which also hangs off our pack... it's kind of our Disney World toolbelt.

Because we always have a stroller...I generally keep a bag with a change of clothes for the kids...bathing suits...dry socks... snacks/drink boxes...

Those things stay in the stroller baskets... I don't leave anything in the baskets that I can't live without... but I've NEVER had anyone tamper with my stuff... (vs. leaving my closed purse in my stroller basket at a foto studio while having my kids' portrait done... a studio employee stole my wallet out of my closed purse in the basket... and then went shopping at the mall while I was selecting which pictures to buy... and then found I had no wallet with which to purchase them... called the credit card companies...foudn out purchases were presently being made at the mall... asked the cashiers at each store for a description of the purchaser...which matched a studio employee who went on break while I was there!).

 

[mrtoad]

We have a 5 year old and we carry a backback. With a kid you really need it and we usually go in Jan so the weather can go from warm to cool so we need jackets as well.

Even if you don't need to bring a full backback it is nice to have as you may make purchases throughout the day and want to carry with you. I know you can send stuff back to the room but in some cases it is just easier to carry on your back. I never feel like I am weighed down and wish it was not with us. It is easy to slip off just as you get on a ride (in some cases take it off before you get on line so you are not whacking the person behind you with it).

On rides just toss it at your feet, on rough rides, put your foot through the strap. I think it is safer than just stuffin stuff in your pockets. My sunglasses slipped out of my shorts pocket on Rock n Roller and luckily I grabbed them as they came out. In a pack that won't happen.

 

[cmatt]

Factor goth (50+ for me!)

Spare Tshirt and socks/boxes (i hate feeling sweaty)

Cash - wallet is on a chain

Digi cam and a bottle of water

thats it

 

[majortom1981]

yeah

Sunscreen is a must down their. my grandparents have a condo in pompano beach and I got sun poisining in the sun for 15 minutes without sunscreen down there once.

Unless you have little kids why all the stuff.

I will just have my digital camera, wallet, and possibly keys. All could fit in my pocket if need be.

 

[TomDisney]

My camera bag contains the camera, spare batteries and spare memory cards, possibly aslo a camcorder and tapes. A poncho, sunscreen, pen and paper - to jot down where I'm parked and make a list of names of great Cast Memebers to pass onto management

Helpful hint: Rather than carry a pen and paper around, store that information in a cell phone by sending a text message to yourself or many cell phones have a notepad feature built-in.

 

[Disnut]

I don't know if this was said because I didn't read all of this thread but I got my DD age 8 at the time a pack of her own. We put a small water bottle and a disposable camera in there for her. She loved it and she could take her own pictures also.

 

[Punkss]

I bought a bum bag/ pack in discount store (in the UK, Matalan FYI) which fitted all I needed.

Passports,
Wallet,
Travellers Cheques
Camera,
Tickets,

And batteries but only after I bought them, the ones in the camera ran out after first picture on first day to MK! A George Classic!

It was destroyed at the end of 14 days but only cost me £8 (about $12) and wore it all the time under my t-shirt. It worked great.

I also always use this on the flying day and returning day of every holidays, stops my OCD of checking the tickets every 5 minutes...OK, OK...it means I only have to check one place every 5 minutes! :lol:

 

[Dagger]

Amazingly enough, on the majority of rides, you can take a backpack with you! The only exceptions are the rougher thrill rides -- someone will have to wait the ride out and take care of it for you, or, as a previous poster suggested, you can get a locker.

This is true..you can take your backpack on almost all of the rides. As far as I remember, I had my purse with me (which was a long handle one that I put, not around my shoulder, but more like a sling) even on Tower of Terror and things like that. For stuff like Rock n' Roller coaster, I was able to sort of "sit" on my purse. I wouldn't recommend packing a huge bag. If you are staying within the parks especially, I wouldn't bring everything but the kitchen sink.

Apply sunscreen before you leave for the day. It protects your skin even if you're not worried about being burned, use *something*. Camera...cell phone...sunglasses...wallet/money...what else is there? If you have kids obviously there'll be more, but there are plenty of stroller spots. I'm sure things happen once in a great while to someone's personal belongings left in a stroller, but I'm sure it's not often at all.

As for souvenirs, you don't have to carry them around all day because they can hold them at the front of the park, and in fact I'm 99% sure they'll have them delivered to your room if you stay on property...

Best wishes

 

[cmatt]

with regards to the backpack thing i have taken mine on rnrc at disneyland paris no problem.... it definatly wont fall out - as ive done the same on the more extreme dragon khan in spain also depends on the ride op i think....

 

[Teenchy]

:wave: We're going to be there the same time as you, and for the first and only time as well. Been to Dland though and hubby carried a small backpack for our 3 yr old and h2o & stuff. I agree with taking a small amount of sunscreen, glasses, meds, camera, film etc and of course your wallet , maybe some bandaids for kids, oh yeah...and a hat. That was really all we needed each and every day...with a kiddie.
Now I have a question too..... is the rain soooooo cold and everlasting that we really need a poncho??? I'm from Vancouver Canada. Also known as "The WET Coast", and I'm used to rain. The reason we dress for rain here is because it's usually quiet cold and probably windy too. ANY OPINIONS??
Only 19 more sleeps:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

No the rain is as warm as the weather. The ponchos are really just to keep you dry. Although the humidity under that plastic can make you sweat as much as you would get wet running under cover from the rain. The only time I have used a poncho was a day when it was forcast for continued rain. And we were going to NOJ concerts and just standing around listening to the bands in the rain. Otherwise its the usual Florida shower that you run and duck into a store or ride and wait it out then move on after the storm has passed.

 

[mrtoad]

No the rain is as warm as the weather. The ponchos are really just to keep you dry. Although the humidity under that plastic can make you sweat as much as you would get wet running under cover from the rain. The only time I have used a poncho was a day when it was forcast for continued rain. And we were going to NOJ concerts and just standing around listening to the bands in the rain. Otherwise its the usual Florida shower that you run and duck into a store or ride and wait it out then move on after the storm has passed.

Very true. You sweat like crazy under the ponchos. We like to bring windbreakers. They are not waterproof so in a downpour you would still get wet but in mild constant rain you keep fairly dry and not sweat like crazy. If it really pours you have 3 options. 1 - the poncho, 2 - say screw it and just get soaked, 3 find a place to duck in for a while and protect you from the rain. We have done all 3 options but number 2 really is a bad one. Not worth getting sick on vacation.

If you know what days are really going to be rainy, Epcot is a good bet for a rainy day. Future World has some attractions that are very long and keep you out of the rain for quite some time.

 

[Connor002]

Ok,,, first trip to DW the first week of September. I have read, read and READ about what to pack, where to go, what time to go etc etc. But my question is this,, if i have got all this crap in my backpack in the parks,,,, what do i do with my backpack when i wanna ride a ride?????

I say, forget everything anyone every told you and just have a good time. :lookaroun
Of course, I've never been one for good suggestions...

 

[msthunder]

I say, forget everything anyone every told you and just have a good time. :lookaroun
Of course, I've never been one for good suggestions...

:lol: I know,,, people i dont even KNOW at my work are coming out of the woodwork to give me advice on what to do, what to take, how to get there,,,,I am SO on information overload.