Bag for the Park

[Hannah1284]

I am trying to decide what bag to carry into the park with us. It's just me and my husband and we have the Free Dining plan so we will not be needing a ton of snacks or water, etc.

My dilemma comes from the fact that I have a DSLR camera that I want to take into the parks at least some of the days we are there (at least one day in each park). For the days that I don't want to carry it, I will probably just carry a small cross-body bag with our essentials. But for days I want to carry it I can't decide!

I want something that my husband won't mind carrying part of the time. Any suggestions or personal stories of what to bring/not to bring?

 

[Epcot-Rules]

I take my camera, bottled water, and some snacks. If you get tired of carrying it, rent a locker for the day. I have a large DSLR so I understand where you are coming from, I carried it every other day.

 

[disneygirl76]

Hi there,

This is always a big thing for us b/c I go with the bag that matches the outfit and my DH really doesn't "want" to carry anything. So I usually have one bag for the day at the parks and then another for the evening when we are more going out. I know - this is a bit much for Disney - but it works for me.

One of the best bags I use, I have from 1998, which is a brown leather back pack with an embroiderd Pooh and Tigger and Eeyore on it. Its really cute - not tacky at all. On the days that the outfits can go with brown (which is most days), I take that with me. My DH doesn't mind carrying it b/c its brown leather and it works at the parks. Outside the parks, he wouldn't be caught dead with it, but on park days, he doesn't mind carrying it. It has a top flap so he can access anything from the bag when it is on my back which is great so I don't need to keep tacking it on and off. Also, it has a back zipper for access as well. Its really really functional and nice. I can also put the DSLR camera bag in there and the essentials.The back pack also has two little zip pockets on the front and mints and hand sanitizer works great in there.

In my DSLR camera bag, I have an extra lens so I have to bring the whole thing with us. On days where black would work better, I just bring a bag with me and the DSLR camera bag and the DH doesn't mind carrying the camera bag. We have tried to stream line what goes in the bag and how to get things in and out the best way. I will say, during the day, I usually have the camera around my neck, unless on a ride where it could get damaged. I have the essentials in two smaller bags (more like pouches - clear from Vera Bradley) that just get tossed in what ever bag I am carrying or the back pack. And then we have our filter water bottle so we don't have to buy water all day.

I know this sounds like a lot but it is really not and the back pack is not at all heavy, not even with the camera in the case in the bag. In total, there are two small vera bradley pouches, camera bag, water bottle, and autograph book.

I am always looking for the perfect solution but this is what has worked the best for us so far.

 

[Hannah1284]

I take my camera, bottled water, and some snacks. If you get tired of carrying it, rent a locker for the day. I have a large DSLR so I understand where you are coming from, I carried it every other day.

Did you carry a camera bag? My current camera bag won't hold a water bottle...

 

[Hannah1284]

I am always looking for the perfect solution but this is what has worked the best for us so far.

Thanks! These are great suggestions! Its been so long and I was worried about carrying too much. But I guess I should just take what I'm comfortable taking and get a locker if it gets to be too heavy.

 

[JillC LI]

I carry a mini backpack with my usual pocketbook items plus my (small) camera and some ziploc baggies to keep the camera dry on Splash Mountain, for instance. If you have a larger camera, perhaps bring a larger ziploc bag for it if you're not using a waterproof camera case?

 

[disneygirl76]

Thanks! These are great suggestions! Its been so long and I was worried about carrying too much. But I guess I should just take what I'm comfortable taking and get a locker if it gets to be too heavy.

Yeah, you definitely what to watch the weight. I will say, the only time it gets heavy, is when the full water bottle is in it. But then I usually ask my DH to just carry the bottle. Also, I like being hands free, so everything has to be crossbody or back pack so I can use my hands.

 

[wiigirl]

I take my camera, bottled water, and some snacks. If you get tired of carrying it, rent a locker for the day. I have a large DSLR so I understand where you are coming from, I carried it every other day.

This...I just got a messenger bag and keep the bare essentials in it.

I like to travel light and quick....

 

[draybook]

I am trying to decide what bag to carry into the park with us. It's just me and my husband and we have the Free Dining plan so we will not be needing a ton of snacks or water, etc.

My dilemma comes from the fact that I have a DSLR camera that I want to take into the parks at least some of the days we are there (at least one day in each park). For the days that I don't want to carry it, I will probably just carry a small cross-body bag with our essentials. But for days I want to carry it I can't decide!

I want something that my husband won't mind carrying part of the time. Any suggestions or personal stories of what to bring/not to bring?

We always bring a black medium sized backpack that I wear. It carries our extra lenses, water bottles, ponchos, chips, and anything we don't want to get wet. it's not uncomfortable at all and is easy to take off/put on for rides.

 

[Vader2112]

With 2 kids I usually carry a Back pack with the camera, sun screen, a small First Aide Kit with second skin, pain relievers etc. Also carry ponchos on days were storms are a possibility. Baseball cap(s) Extra clothing for the kids. Recently I was able to go to the park for a day and meet up with some old friends and carried nothing but my wallet in my pocket...I felt naked.

 

[bmarkelon]

Disney World is the only place that I rock a pack. I bought one last trip, it's smallish, but perfect to hold our passes, some money, camera/iphone. Just the things you really need. I love it! It's the perfect and safe way to carry a few things hands free. My DH was kind of making fun of me for it last year and then brought it up the other day and says he's going to buy one for himself when we get down there in 11 days!!!!

 

[coltow]

In the past I always brought a big back pack, but in the past I had a stroller to help carry it. This year we are stroller-less (YAY) so I'm only bringing the absolutle essentials. My camera is big, but not DSLR. I figure I'll carry that around my neck or over shoulder most of the time. I bring a small wallet that will fit on my pocket and my phone in another pocket. In the backpack will be a few quick snacks for the kids, Hidden Mickey book to pass time in line, sunblock, hand sanitizer, ponchos, and some bandaids for emergency. In stead of lugging my camera bag, I'm going to have a gallon-sized ziploc bag handy to put camera in if it starts raining. All in all I do not forsee back pack being heavy for me DH or even 8yo to carry from time to time

 

[Hannah1284]

I carry a mini backpack with my usual pocketbook items plus my (small) camera and some ziploc baggies to keep the camera dry on Splash Mountain, for instance. If you have a larger camera, perhaps bring a larger ziploc bag for it if you're not using a waterproof camera case?

My normal Purse is Coach -- its staying at home for this trip!

 

[Hannah1284]

Yeah, you definitely what to watch the weight. I will say, the only time it gets heavy, is when the full water bottle is in it. But then I usually ask my DH to just carry the bottle. Also, I like being hands free, so everything has to be crossbody or back pack so I can use my hands.

Good tips! Do you think a water bottle is necessary or is getting water (free) at food places good enough. Also - any thoughts on how the water tastes in the park? My grandma was there 20+ years ago and is still talking about how bad the water tasted. I assumed it would taste fine though? When we do Hersheypark (our hometown park), we do free tap water from the stands - although I do feel bad about the waste!

 

[Hannah1284]

This...I just got a messenger bag and keep the bare essentials in it.

I like to travel light and quick....

Thanks! I was looking at a sling camera case with just the essentials, but plenty of camera protection!

 

[Hannah1284]

Disney World is the only place that I rock a pack. I bought one last trip, it's smallish, but perfect to hold our passes, some money, camera/iphone. Just the things you really need. I love it! It's the perfect and safe way to carry a few things hands free. My DH was kind of making fun of me for it last year and then brought it up the other day and says he's going to buy one for himself when we get down there in 11 days!!!!

I considered a -pack type bag, but it won't fit my camera and I would have no other use for it than this trip!

 

[twinnstar]

I try to keep it simple. Camera, phone, poncho, hat/sunglasses...thats about it. For my last trip I found this bag that was PHENOMINAL... you could roll it up inside itself. So, if you want to bring a smaller bag, but then suddenly need a larger one cause you shop or something, you unwravel this bag and voila! Here they are if you are interested: http://baggubag.com/#Shop this is the one i got: http://baggubag.com/#/Enlarge/DAYPACK/Papaya/

 

[Hannah1284]

I try to keep it simple. Camera, phone, poncho, hat/sunglasses...thats about it. For my last trip I found this bag that was PHENOMINAL... you could roll it up inside itself. So, if you want to bring a smaller bag, but then suddenly need a larger one cause you shop or something, you unwravel this bag and voila! Here they are if you are interested: http://baggubag.com/#Shop this is the one i got: http://baggubag.com/#/Enlarge/DAYPACK/Papaya/

I have a Baggu! I have a blog where I review products and companies and have a Baggu sitting here, waiting for its review! Good idea to bring it along for Disney! That reminds me I have another similar bag I can toss in my suitcase as well!

 

[Joshua&CalebDad]

Thanks! I was looking at a sling camera case with just the essentials, but plenty of camera protection!

If you are looking for a sling then I would recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-DC...6&sr=8-2&keywords=case+logic+camera+sling+bag

I have one and it is amazing. Its easy to open up and grab your camera either stationary or while you are walking. It has plenty of space to carry all of your camera essentials (extra lenses, batteries, battery charges, etc.) and small enough to carry on the rides without a problem. It has a waterproof cover that you can slide out of the bag to cover itself in case it starts to rain. On the side you also have a space to carry a tripod.

It also has some extra compartments for snacks and a waterbottle. I have a 3 and 5 year old son, so I know all about carrying snacks.

There are other more expensive camera sling bags out there, like the one made by Lowepro, but in my opinion this bag easily compares at half the price. Good luck with whatever you end up taking and have a great time on your trip.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

A backpack, not a camera bag for sure --- just put some padding inside the backpack and you are good to go (camera stores sell the foam inserts you find in camera bags -- get a two-compartment foam insert and you are good to go with your camera plus one extra lens)....Whenever possible I carry nothing -- I stopped bringing a dSLR to WDW years ago, its too heavy and burdensome for the types of shots you take at WDW...I bring a top of the line compact camera that fits in a cargo pants pocket. In case of rain, I bring a small disney messenger bag with my folded up WDW windbreaker, and umbrella, and some plastic baggies for belongings when it starts to rain. Otherwise -- its cargo pants pockets and go....