On a mission! Need to find the perfect bag to meet the following needs

[Dscvrlifewith3]

Okay, this weekend, I was told that next year my dad is buying all the "families" annual passes to WDW and it looks there will be a group trip in late May (13 of us). We are very excited about this!
Well I need a really good bag to carry stuff. I will probably make some disney themed totes for my kids but we are talking for like their little toys and souveniers.
I am needing something that is not too heavy, a backpack would be nice if it can convert to being used over the shoulder too. This bag can't be girly, my husband will be using it too, and I need like a department that would keep medication cool. This was not something I had to worry about on our previous trips, but this time its a must.
Here is what I normally carry with me:

A first aid kit
2-3 Water Bottles
4-5 small size snacks
Diapers if Jack isn't potty trained or pull ups (4-5)
Wipes Case
Hand Sanitizer
Inhaler
Sunscreen, Lip balm with sunscreen
Change of clothes for three kids including socks
Wallet and small make-up case
Small Flashlight
Camera and 2-3 rolls of film
Roll of Quarters
3 Autograph Books and 3 Big Pens

I was looking at the Skip Hop but now I don't think it is going to be big enough. Maybe a Timbuk2 bag? I want it to be something that lasts and that we can use mainly for vacations. We are going to Chattanooga in the fall and I am thinking I could buy something and give it a trial run.

Okay, bombard with advice!
Kim

[marnay]

Hmm.... to carry all of that I would look at the Timbuk2 in Medium. Do you use a stroller? If so you could put over the handles. I don't think a Mothership would be big enough and for sure a Skip Hop will be too small. You could also check out the Lands End Do It All Bag, it is more bulky looking though....

Maybe plan on using this bag as your big outing bag and not a regular everyday bag. Sierra Trading and ebay have good prices on Medium Timbuk2 bags, and I think there is one for sale on the babybag swap group.

Naydene

[bubbaray]

I'd recommend a LE Deluxe Backpack. You can't convert it to a messenger style, but you can hang it from a stroller if you want. That's a lot of stuff and a messenger will get heavy, especially for all day trips like Disney.

HTH

Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

http://www.babysfirstsite.org/newtickers/ticker/11089.birthday.png

[Dscvrlifewith3]

My aunt has the Land's End Do It All, it is very bulky and heavy. It hurts my shoulder.
I was thinking of the Timbuk 2. I use a stroller. I have a Graco Double Stroller but I think I will be taking an umbrella stroller and renting one at the parks. My children will be 8, 4.5 and 3 on this trip, so I was thinking renting may be better.

I will check out the swap group listings for sure.

Kim

[pritchettzoo]

Skip Hop is definitely not enough! I think you need a llama and a saddlebag... :P

Can't you just whip something up? ;)

Anna

[Dscvrlifewith3]

Well I will make something Disney, but its not something to use with day tripping in Disney, more like shopping at DownTown Disney or out with my husband.

I need something that will survive going on and off rides, being kicked, stepped on, beat up, coke spills, nacho sauce, drug on concrete with three very wild and crazy kids. Something that can survive tower of terror and roller coasters hooked to mine or hubbys legs and still look good without a washing machine and iron.

Kim

[parkersmama]

I think I might recommend the Ameribag Tote. We took this one on our trip to Disney in May and it was great. I filled it with:

4-5 disposable diapers
wipes case
sunscreen bottle
chapstick
disposable anti-bacterial wipes
snacks for 3 children (banana, small cans of fruit, ziploks of crackers, goldfish, cereal bars, etc)
water bottle
sippy cup
tickets
ID, credit card & money (but not in a wallet)
camera (fairly large digital)
hats for 3 kids
sunglasses
thin receiving blanket
walkie-talkie
a few baby toys (she was 12 months)
lipstick
bib
and maybe a few other things that aren't jumping to mind

I used caribiner clips to attach it to my P3 stroller but it would have been fine with one of the park strollers, too. We used the P3 for Amy Grace and rented a double at each park for the boys (age 4 & 6).

This bag works as a shoulder bag or a messenger bag. It is lightweight and very comfortable. It's a ballistic-type nylon and comes in masculine colors (red, black). The interior is a light gray. It has lots of pockets but is not actually made to be a diaper bag. If you do a search in this forum you'll find several pics of it since a few of us have posted them.

[priscilla73]

Hi Kim
When I go to Disney (3-4x a year) I always bring a stroller. What I like to do is pack up a bag for underneath the stroller (in the basket) for extra clothing, extra diapers, wipes, and sometimes a small cooler w/ frozen water bottles (I always open the bottle, pour a tiny bit out and freeze a few the night before)

I carry a backpack on the rides with my valuables, meds, diapers and any other essentials and snacks. This way, I'm not so totally loaded down with my kids' laundry all day long. And I restock it as needed throughout the day.

If you do this, you could bring the Skip Hop or a Small Timbuk2 (or both) and have that hanging on the back of the stroller ready to go when you are.

Just a thought
Priscilla

[Jeanmick]

Hi Kim,

Two things that you were needing got my attention.

1. The need for a compartment to keep medication cool: We use the California Innovations Messenger Bag in Black. I did a review of it a few months back. Others posted their thoughts as well, so here's the link:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=63&topic_id=12079&mesg_id=12079&listing_type=search

It might not be big enough for all the things you have listed above, but take a look at it anyway. I know that Amazon sells them and the company has come out w/ a backpack version, but I don't own it, so I can't comment on it.

2. Backpack w/ option to use as a shoulder/messenger bag: Check out the Eagle Creek Parent Survival Pack. I bought mine back in 2000, so exterior features appear different than what's available now. I think the basics features are still intact, though. It can hold a lot of things and also has an option for you to use as a shoulder/messenger bag. You have to buy the straps separately, though. Here's the link:

http://www.eaglecreek.com/60115.html

HTH and good luck in your search.

[Ami]

I used my Baby Sherpa at Disneyland last fall and it worked great for hauling snacks in the cooler, the video camera, digital camera, jackets, change of clothes, etc. The lug handle makes it easy to lug on and off rides and it is water resistant for the wet rides. YOur DH will love it and the ergonomic design makes it easy to carry. You can find their website at www.babysherpa.com

HTH

Ami

[Ami]

I used my Baby Sherpa at Disneyland last fall and it worked great for hauling snacks in the cooler, the video camera, digital camera, jackets, change of clothes, etc. The lug handle makes it easy to lug on and off rides and it is water resistant for the wet rides. YOur DH will love it and the ergonomic design makes it easy to carry. You can find their website at www.babysherpa.com

HTH

Ami

[justlearning]

I think this backpack would work perfectly for your needs: http://store.babycenter.com/product/safety_babycare/diapering/bags_and_backpacks/3485;jsessionid=EH4UOUZUBWUEACUAQMMCHPQ

I've done a couple of reviews on it, so you can search for those if you're interested. This is the backpack that my husband uses as his diaper bag and the one that we always use on trips.

The whole bottom compartment is insulated, so you could tons of stuff in there including medication, food, water, etc. The side bottle pouch on the outside is also insulated and is big enough to hold a huge water bottle, sippy cup, etc. There's also another side pocket with a flap that velcros shut, which we usually use for keeping our digital camera (or sunglasses, cell phone, etc.).

Inside the bag are two pieces of elastic that can keep a thin water bottle separate from the other contents inside the bag. There is also a very large zippered pocket as well as a large mesh pocket (holds tons of diapers, wipes, etc.) Outside the backpack is a detachable bag that also has a separate zippered pocket (great for IDs or other things that you need to get to quickly) as well as a mesh pocket inside, a hook strap, and a detachable strap for wearing that little bag separately over your shoulder (or messenger style). I like being able to detach that so if we're going somewhere and I don't need the whole huge bag, I can just take off that front satchel and wear it like a purse (not an attractive purse but functions like one!).

This backpack really is great. The only reason that I may not take it to Disneyworld myself, though, is that it can get pretty bulky once packed full (you could pack SO MUCH stuff in it!) and thus wouldn't fit in a stroller basket and would be kind of bulky to have over the handles of a stroller. If your husband's willing to carry it, though, and/or you have a large stroller basket, then I think it'd work perfectly for you.

HTH!