This post originally ran in 2010, and I’m giving it a facelift in July of 2013. EVERYTHING in this post is still true! I’ve been to Disney many times since I originally wrote this and still take the time to make sure my backpack is stocked appropriately. 

We’re heading to see The Mouse this weekend. Actually, we’re going to spend four days with The Mouse on a Disney Cruise and then a couple days in the parks. Are we excited? YES! Are we ready? NO!

Side note: My Sweetie seriously put his back out over the weekend. As in ER on Monday and has been FLAT on his back in the bed ever since. Please pray that he has some relief so we can actually go on this trip. We’ve got major drugs at work, but prayers would be better.

Anyhow, I mentioned on Twitter/Facebook that I had pulled out the “Disney Backpack” in order to get read for our two days in the parks. A couple of friends asked what I put in said backpack so I thought I’d share with all of you too. Let me qualify the list that’s about to come with the fact that I am a serious Type A personality (if you haven’t figured that out from the blog – duh!) and a planner. I plan EVERYTHING! Even if I don’t plan it on paper, it’s planned in my head. So, some (uhum – My Sweetie) would say that I carry too much with me in the parks. Of course, that is until we need something that is in the backpack, and I save the day.

You need to start with a backpack that is comfortable for you:

Below is the backpack we took on our honeymoon to Disney. Yes, we honeymooned at Disney. This backpack served us well for many years, but was retired as the Disney backpack two years ago.

Last year, we used a new backpack. It is MUCH lighter, but doesn’t have as many pockets. I felt okay moving away from so many pockets because I no longer had a toddler and could take a minute to find exactly what I wanted. When you have a toddler(s), the quicker you can get to what you need, the better. Therefore, the more pockets, the better.

Here’s what I keep in our “Disney Backpack”:

• Baggie w/spare socks for each member of the family
• Baggie w/spare panties for Princess and Mommy (who has Crohn’s and always has spare panties)
• (Until she was five, I brought a spare outfit for the Princess. In a baggie of course. Used it almost every day.)
• Butt cream – Princess never seems to wipe well when on vacation. Probably that horrible toilet paper.
• Baggie w/Princess’ lanyard of trading pins
• Light up thingy for night-time fun. (You can sometimes get these at the Disney Store before you go on your trip. They are usually cheaper there than the $10 your going to pay at the park. Princess buys her own. I refuse to pay for lights.)
• Pouch w/Benadryl, Tums for Princess & parents, Bug bite cream (sensitive skin child), Tylenol/Motrin for Princess & parents, lipstick for mommy, lipgloss for Princess
• Small First Aid Kit – alcohol swabs, bandaids, Neosporin
• Sunscreen
• Extra baggies – Gallons in case it rains. Sandwich for leftovers from breakfast buffet – those grapes will come in handy later in the day.
• Autograph book and pen  Note about the autograph book – we get a new one each year. They  sit on her bookshelf in chronological order. She likes to go through them and see who she met each year.
• Any lists we’ve made for the day
• Snacks – at least two for Princess, one each for Mommy and Daddy
• I start the day with at least two water bottles.
• Camera – actually, that’s usually in my pocket Update: Does anyone carry a camera anymore. Now, it’s just my phone.
• Wallet – I carry our room key, my ID, our insurance cards, one credit card, some cash – this is also in my pocket
• Hand sanitizer

In addition to the Disney backpack, I pack a “Rain Bag” that gets taken to the park if there is a chance of rain. It was always with us when we had a stroller as it just got hung on or put in the stroller. Now, we are choosier about when we take it as it goes on someone’s back. It has saved us twice now.

Here’s what I keep in our “Rain Bag”:

• A few more gallon baggies – just in case.
• A raincoat/poncho for each person.
• At least one umbrella.
• A set of extra socks for everyone.

We learned a lesson about the socks. You can get soaked, but if you have dry socks to change into, all is right with the world and you can keep on going. The rest of you will dry. Your socks – they stay wet. Update: My friend J went to see the mouse and made the choice not to pack extra socks. See how that worked out for her here.

So that’s the Disney backpack. It DEFINITELY works for me. It has for twelve years.

Is there anything you carry into the parks that I didn’t list? Share with us please!
Update: Be sure to check out the comments for some great ideas. Some I added to the above list.

And, for all my friends heading down to see The Mouse this week, my friend OhAmanda did a great post yesterday on getting ready to go to Disney. You should check it out!

Linked to Works for Me Wednesday.