Could we ever by-pass the bag security line when traveling
into a Walt Disney World park?
Eventually, but not yet. After
nine trips, we are still toting and carrying various bags into the theme parks
at the most magical place on earth.
I can recall our first trip that involved a stroller and bag
needed for a just turned four year old.
The stroller was great as it held our huge bag needed for a variety of
contingencies. We have since slimmed
down our bag carrying and now tote a backpack and cross-body bag.
The husband carries the backpack it contains many
necessities of a day of park touring.
Here is a list of what you might find in his backpack:
●
ponchos
●
umbrellas
●
inflatable pocket seats (click here to read more)
●
snacks--fruit snacks, small boxes of cereal,
granola bars
●
one bottle of water with cold water to start the
day (we keep refilling)
●
toys, handheld electronic game, glow necklaces
●
jackets if needed
●
sometimes a change of clothes for the boy
●
wipes
●
sunscreen
Our history with packing snacks goes all the way back to our
very first trip in 2006. Yes, we had the
dining plan, but I was still concerned with having enough snacks to get us
through our trip. Our trip was in November
around Thanksgiving, so I took leftover Halloween candy and mixed it with dry
cereal, goldfish crackers, and other snack food in yogurt containers with
lids. We called them “surprise snacks”
as you never knew what you were going to get inside your container. Eventually, the boy figured out there was
candy in the bottom and would dump out the entire container on the tray of his
stroller looking for the sweet treat.
The yogurt containers were just the right size for packing in our
suitcases and in the bag we took to the parks.
Also, we just threw the containers away when we were done. Our snack
packing has evolved over time to more packaged snacks--fruit snacks, and small
boxes of cereal, but I still pack plastic containers of mixed snacks to take
with us to eat on the plane, bus, etc.
And, the boy still prefers a snack mix that I make with dry cereal,
salty snacks, and raisins to other snacks.
Some folks pack baggies of snacks, but I prefer the plastic
containers--recycled butter or sour cream containers--to baggies as the
contents in baggies can get crushed.
The cross-body purse that I carry has been through many
trips. I put the small bag into a larger
tote when traveling by air so it counts as one carry-on. Here is a list of what you might find in my
cross-body purse:
●
camera, video camera, batteries, SD cards
●
cell phone
●
wallet
●
autograph needs--book/pen, etc.
●
container with quarters and pennies for pressed
penny machine
●
medicines(pain & fever reducer, anti-diarrhea) /bandaids/moleskin
●
feminine needs
●
Tide sticks or Shout wipes
Both the husband and I have a list of ADR’s, confirmation
numbers, and any other information we might need--click here to read more. He has his phone and wallet in his
pockets.
To make sure we don’t forget anything, the bags get
partially emptied and repacked each night.
That way, when we are hurrying to get to the parks in the morning, we
are packed and ready to go.
Some things we don’t bring include the refillable mugs as
they can only be refilled at the resort. Another item that does not come with us is a towel, even though it may be an essential for some families. . . to dry off wet strollers after rain, wet children after playing in a water feature, provide shade, or designate a spot on the ground for parades. Some families swear by baggies of various sizes. We have yet to find a need for these, but do keep our autograph essentials in a gallon size plastic bag that zips close. We don’t bring lots of water. Our
one water bottle that we refill is enough and then we get free ice water at counter
service locations. We also don’t bring
bags that can’t be used hands free, hence the reason for the backpack and
cross-body bag. We also choose not to
use lockers.
We have also tried fanny packs and that worked well when we
also had a larger bag stored under the stroller, but when we finally went
stroller free, we needed something with a bit more room that we could carry
with us.
We still eye the “no bag” line with longing upon entering
the parks and someday, it will be for us, but not yet.
What are your thoughts on The Crystal Palace
ReplyDeleteGotta love Crystal Palace. Read our review on the Williams Family Blog as it is listed with the other dining locations.
ReplyDelete