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This will be our first year without a stroller for our daughter. Not gonna lie, the stroller was convenient to hang things on and store things under so I found it not so bad packing things for the park. We would keep valuables with us on rides but otherwise would leave water bottles etc behind in stroller parking. How do others cart stuff around the park during the day. We typically like to carry water bottles with us plus essentials like bandaids, tylenol, hand sanitizer, a granola bar or two just in case but we rarely get hungry with the dining plan and all it offers to eat. While I know what I want to bring with me, I am wondering how others plan for a full day and bring everything they want without being bogged down too much. I do plan on carrying a crossbody bag of some sort but will keep the size small for carting in onto rides and things. Please give me your ideas on how you pack and store things for the day. (p.s. we have considered a locker rental)
Here's my advice for "going strollerless." We've always done it, when the kids were as young as 4, and it has been AWESOME.
1 - Take the bare minimum with you: a snack-size baggie with your "first aid kit" (a few band-aids, a couple of individually-wrapped antiseptic wipes, a couple of Tylenol), hand sanitizer or a baggie of individually-wrapped wipes (or just stop at a restroom and wash your hands, like it's 1999!
), a couple of granola bars, your sunglasses, chapstick or gum, extra cash, credit card, ID, your phone (stick it in a sandwich bag if you're going on wet rides), 3x5 cards with your itinerary/FP+/ADR confirmation numbers/important phone #s, etc. Any combination of those essentials will fit easily into a small crossbody bag, with room to spare. (I've used a Vera Bradley hipster crossbody, and a Baggallini Petite crossbody, and they were perfect. I didn't even have to remove them on any of the attractions -- just tucked them over or under lap bars as needed -- so there was no chance of forgetting anything. My husband wears cargo shorts, so he has a tons of pockets to put the small items he requires (his sunglasses, inhaler, etc.).
2 - You can get free iced water on request at any counter-service location, so I'd really suggest skipping the water bottles, which add a huge amount of weight and bulk to your load. Instead, just stop for a water/potty/snack break every couple of hours at a convenient counter service location. If you must have fresh water on your person at all times, consider investing in a single filter bottle per person (which you can refill with the free water throughout the day), and have one person in your party wear a mid-sized backpack to hold them. Ditto if you need to bring sweatshirts or other "larger" items with you -- bring them in a backpack and wear it around. My husband does this when we visit parks in the evening if we think we might need our jackets, umbrellas, or kids' autograph books. The backpack goes on every attraction with no problem. If there's no place to stow it (e.g., Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, etc.), he simply puts it on the floor and sticks his foot through the straps to anchor it, or even puts it on backwards. Just make sure you can resist the temptation to load the backpack down with unnecessary items -- you want it to be a convenience, not a burden!
3 - Don't bother with a locker. It costs money and will "tie you down" as you return to it for things. From what you described, you're not bringing so much stuff that it will be necessary.
3 - If you are staying on property and want to shop for souvenirs, take advantage of the complimentary service whereby Disney will deliver your purchases to your resort for you, so you won't have to carry them around.
That's it. I think you'll love the ease and freedom of the "Strollerless Disney" lifestyle!
"Ain't got no strollers to tie me down..."
