Backpack advice needed

[jme5343]

Originally posted by: dud
Just a warning ...

You are visiting right in the middle of tourist hunting season. Recommend NOT staying in the 192/I-4 corridor as many TH tournaments are ocurring in this area.

In all seriousness ... have you ever gone to a theme park ... for 9 days? Are you prepared for 9 days of extreme heat and humidity? It hasn't rained here in like forever so we also have forest fires as well. Have you considered how much stress you are putting on yourself/your spouse by going on this "vacation"? Have you bought your tickets yet? Do you know how expensive the Disney parks are? I have 3 relatives coming in about the same time and are getting them into the park for free ... but remember, this is Disney World ... nothing is free. Just feeding yourself is a major expense.

Whatever backpack you buy make sure that it can hold a LOT of bottled water. You'll need it to get through the sweltering heat.

Good luck ... you will need it.

My entire family will be wearing flak jackets and helmets seeing as we're "in season".

It's 8 days, with a day off...or two or three if needed. We don't plan to be there from open to close, we want a leisurely pace and maybe even naps in the afternoon before going back at night. There is no difference in the price of a 3 day and 7 day ticket right now, so nothing to lose even if we take more than one day off.

I'm well aware of the expenses, which is part of my reason for wanting to carry the pack with snacks. Water is free at the counter service locations and we're bringing some of those lemonade or kool aid packs in case we don't like the water taste.

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't think disney has anything to do with what you are looking for.

Almost any backpack is weather resistant and pretty light.

When I go on vacation last thing I want to do is lug a bunch of crap around though. Large bags are a pain on many rides and you will have to surrender it on some. Please don't get into a pissing match at the front of the line over this. If you don't want to give up your bag, then don't ride the ride.

I carry a small camera bag that doubles as my wifes purse when we travel. Fits a Canon A series, Elph and small tripod/memory cards/batteries. It's got a raincoat as well so if it rains it's protected.

If you want to bring food into the park, pick a centralized locker and go with that. I don't think it will be big enough for a cooler though...an insulated soft pack should work though.

I just don't think it's really worth it overall. Disney fast food is not terribly expensive.

I guarantee that I'm consicious of the people around me. If I ever felt like I was holding up a line, I'd step out of the way and let the next person go through. It's not all about the cost of the food, it's also about not being hungry for a meal on what you mention are 90 degree and humid days. I, personally, do not like to eat much when I'm hot. Snacks are usually just fine.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
9 days at Disneyland? That sounds like about 8 days too many...

Good thing he's not going to Disneyland.

9 days is great. That gives you enough time to spend more than one day at each park, so you don't feel like you have to rush to see everything.

Tips:
Spend at least 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 2 days at Epcot. Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have fewer attractions, so 1 day is probably enough. Although if you want to see all the rides and shows at Hollywood Studios, it would be easier with a day and a half.

The first two hours after opening time are the least crowded time of the entire day. If you arrive at the parks a few minutes before opening time, you can hit the most popular rides first, with minimal waits.

Since you are staying offsite, do NOT go to the park that has Extra Magic Hours. The EMH schedule is available on the Disney website. Whichever parks have EMH will be the most crowded parks that day, because so many of the resort guests are going to be there taking advantage of the extra hours.

Use fastpass as much as possible.

For rides your younger kid isn't tall enough for, ask them for a rider switch pass.

Spend a day at Blizzard Beach. Overall, we liked it better than Typhoon Lagoon. Bigger thrill slides and a better area for younger kids. Although Typhoon Lagoon does have the shark swim, which was pretty cool.

Don't do more than 2 full days in a row. It's exhausting and by the 3rd day, you'll be wiped out and everyone will be grumpy. Try to plan a couple of rest(or at least half) days where you can sleep in and recover. My ideal plan is 2 park days, 1 rest/water park/shopping/whatever day, then repeat.

Definitely plan to see Wishes, Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Spectromagic if you can. they are all worthwhile shows.

If you've never been to Sea World, it's a great park, but it's an extra expense that you wouldn't have if you spent that extra day at a Disney park. So it's up to you if you want to spend the money.

I'm a self-professed WDW expert, so if you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't think disney has anything to do with what you are looking for.

Almost any backpack is weather resistant and pretty light.

When I go on vacation last thing I want to do is lug a bunch of crap around though. Large bags are a pain on many rides and you will have to surrender it on some. Please don't get into a pissing match at the front of the line over this. If you don't want to give up your bag, then don't ride the ride.

I carry a small camera bag that doubles as my wifes purse when we travel. Fits a Canon A series, Elph and small tripod/memory cards/batteries. It's got a raincoat as well so if it rains it's protected.

If you want to bring food into the park, pick a centralized locker and go with that. I don't think it will be big enough for a cooler though...an insulated soft pack should work though.

I just don't think it's really worth it overall. Disney fast food is not terribly expensive.

I also wouldn't want to lug a whole bunch of food into the parks.

But you can take a backpack on almost all the rides. Universal doesn't let you take anything on a lot of the rides, but we never had a problem at Disney. Even most of the coasters, you can bring a backpack and just put it between your legs.

 

[Chryso]

Take a double stroller for the kids. Put back pack in stroller basket.

 

[Bill Brasky]

You should really try the french pastry shop in Epcot. My coworker used to work in Epcot and it was his favorite!

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Chryso
Take a double stroller for the kids. Put back pack in stroller basket.

Good advice. The 7 yr old probably won't need a stroller, but I think I'd definitely bring a stroller for a 4 yr old. WDW involves a LOT of walking and it's tiring for a young kid. None of our kids used a stroller in everyday life after about 3 yrs old, but we always planned on having them ride in a stroller at WDW until they were at least 5 or 6 yrs old.

 

[alkemyst]

That timeframe backs up to memorial day and will be a bitch to see any park in a day fully.

Most locals (kids) come to the parks on the weekend...most families are hoping to use the day out of school and work for at least a 3 day trip...many staying through that week after and prior.

Being he has 9 days takes off the burden...many of the shows in MGM will 'seat out' if you don't get in line early (probably 2hours prior to show during busy times).

We travel totally non-peak in October usually outside of halloween. Even then to take in MGM in one day is pushing it. There are a lot of things many miss just trying to hit the E-ticket rides. We don't have kids so it makes travel dates a bit easier to pick.

I'd hit up a disney forum and get some advice there. They will know what's closed at the time as well.

 

[The_Dude8]

this is a good daypack from rei:

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/775739. It should fits your need, and rei has a great return policy too.


you can apply this 20% off coupon for rei outlet:

Use Coupon Code OUTLET20GM at REI-OUTLET.com May 4 ? May 13. Exclusions apply.*

it should save you at least the shipping cost.

 

[DT4K]

http://www.disboards.com

 

[ProfJohn]

Ok, I am going to be a little harsh, but call it tough love from someone who has been to these parks at least 100 times.

I don't think you have a full grasp of how crazy the idea of going to the park, leaving for a nap, and coming back is. Unless you are at a Disney hotel and can take a bus the idea is crazy!!!! It takes FOREVER to get in and out of the parks because of how they are laid out, the size of the parking lots etc etc.

Here is how it would work in reality:
You are at the Magic Kingdom and decide to leave for a nap. It will take at least 15-30 minutes to get from any place in the park back to the car, most likely closer to 30 because you can't walk to the car you have to ride the monorail or ferry aka wait in line. Then getting out out of the parking lot may be another 5 minutes (the parking lot is over 100 acres) Then getting from the Magic Kingdom to the CLOSEST non-Disney hotel is at least 15 minutes and most likely closer to 30 minutes. (Use google or yahoo maps and plot out the distance)

So if you decide to leave the park at 1pm it will most likely be 2pm or later before you get back to the hotel. And then expect the same thing to happen when you return.

So a two hour nap at the hotel will take close to 4 hours including drive time to and from the park, parking, getting into park etc etc.

My suggestions:
1. It should not be that busy, at least compared to summer or the holidays, so you should be able to complete each parks in a day. Animal Kingdom and Studios can EASILY be done in a day.

So you do this:
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Studios
1 day most of Magic Kingdom
1 day most of Epcot
1 day start at Magic Kingdom and finish that park then head over to Epcot and finish that park

5 days and you should have no problem seeing everything in the parks. This leaves you with time to see other stuff in Florida. Beaches, Downtown Disney etc etc.

or

2. If you buy the 7 day pass and feel you have to use all 7 days this trip (dont know if they expire etc etc) then go to the park in the morning and stay till about 2ish and then leave the park and do something else completely in the evening. Just make sure you see the 3 big fireworks/night shows. One each at Studio, Epcot and Magic Kingdom (if the fireworks show is on the schedule)

You could go to Epcot/Magic Kingdom early and stay till 4 or so then head out for the day and do other stuff. Then the next day sleep in and relax at the hotel and head to the park around 2ish and stay till the fireworks show.

But please for the love of god and your own sanity don't try leaving the park for a few hours and then returning. It will take forever and it will drive you and the kids crazy going through all the hassle.

 

[alkemyst]

also get fast passes for whatever key rides you want early on. Even on non-busy days things can get to 2+ hours. Being it's memorial day week I wouldn't be surprised if you see 3 hour wait times on some rides.

I think someone that's been to the parks 100 times is a bit impressive...I go every year and sometimes twice (I live 2 hours away), I have only been about 70ish times and I am near 40.

I'd get over to allears.net, talkdisney.com and the like and get some real bonafide advice esp targeting your kids ages. Those people know exactly the trials and tribulations that you will encounter based on the time of year, the current wait times and all the other variables.

 

[Evadman]

See the automotive stunt show.

I have been there so many times, probably 50+. Half of my extended family works there in different places. I was literally on the 2nd non-testing train/car on Epcot's Test Track ride and saw most of the lion king about a year before it came out in theaters. I love my family.

 

[The_Dude8]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Ok, I am going to be a little harsh, but call it tough love from someone who has been to these parks at least 100 times.

I don't think you have a full grasp of how crazy the idea of going to the park, leaving for a nap, and coming back is. Unless you are at a Disney hotel and can take a bus the idea is crazy!!!! It takes FOREVER to get in and out of the parks because of how they are laid out, the size of the parking lots etc etc.

Here is how it would work in reality:
You are at the Magic Kingdom and decide to leave for a nap. It will take at least 15-30 minutes to get from any place in the park back to the car, most likely closer to 30 because you can't walk to the car you have to ride the monorail or ferry aka wait in line. Then getting out out of the parking lot may be another 5 minutes (the parking lot is over 100 acres) Then getting from the Magic Kingdom to the CLOSEST non-Disney hotel is at least 15 minutes and most likely closer to 30 minutes. (Use google or yahoo maps and plot out the distance)

So if you decide to leave the park at 1pm it will most likely be 2pm or later before you get back to the hotel. And then expect the same thing to happen when you return.

So a two hour nap at the hotel will take close to 4 hours including drive time to and from the park, parking, getting into park etc etc.

My suggestions:
1. It should not be that busy, at least compared to summer or the holidays, so you should be able to complete each parks in a day. Animal Kingdom and Studios can EASILY be done in a day.

So you do this:
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Studios
1 day most of Magic Kingdom
1 day most of Epcot
1 day start at Magic Kingdom and finish that park then head over to Epcot and finish that park

5 days and you should have no problem seeing everything in the parks. This leaves you with time to see other stuff in Florida. Beaches, Downtown Disney etc etc.

or

2. If you buy the 7 day pass and feel you have to use all 7 days this trip (dont know if they expire etc etc) then go to the park in the morning and stay till about 2ish and then leave the park and do something else completely in the evening. Just make sure you see the 3 big fireworks/night shows. One each at Studio, Epcot and Magic Kingdom (if the fireworks show is on the schedule)

You could go to Epcot/Magic Kingdom early and stay till 4 or so then head out for the day and do other stuff. Then the next day sleep in and relax at the hotel and head to the park around 2ish and stay till the fireworks show.

But please for the love of god and your own sanity don't try leaving the park for a few hours and then returning. It will take forever and it will drive you and the kids crazy going through all the hassle.

Does DW has the club 33 like disneyland?

 

[ProfJohn]

Nope, nothing fancy like that.

There was talk about putting a hotel room in the castle though, not sure if that every happened.

 

[Dualist]

When getting food, go with something tasty and cheap, and research about the restaurants and stores in that area that have the best deals on items for your trip.

Try not to overload your backpack with stuff you do not often use, only you may need for your trip, it makes carrying your backpack around a little easier. Also it's good to have a first aid kit and some emergency supplies on hand in case you happen to be stranded.

 

[ProfJohn]

It's Disney World... you don't need first aid supplies.

They do have lockers at all of the parks so you could pack heavy and then unload half the stuff to a locker when you get into the park.

 

[quikah]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Nope, nothing fancy like that.

There was talk about putting a hotel room in the castle though, not sure if that every happened.

There is a suite in the castle, they put it in for the Year of a Million Dreams promotion a couple of years ago, gave a stay away each day to a random person supposedly. Not sure what they are doing with it now. http://hotels.about.com/od/dis...inderella-s-Castle.htm

 

[ProfJohn]

Ah... apparently they may still be using it, but supposedly have no desire to let people pay for the room at this time.

If they wanted I am sure they could easily get a few grand a night for the place.