Which bag to bring??

[SASM]

We are going to WDW in March. The last few times that we've gone I've used either my VB Hipster or my VB small backpack. I have donated the Hipster and I believe the last time I used my VB backpack it rained and some items got wet. I can easily put electronics in bags but I THINK I want to go with a crossbody again. I found a Baggalini Everywhere Bagg and a Kipling Alvar at TJ Maxx. Any experience with these? Any other suggestions? My kids usually carry small satchels for their books, water, small snacks, etc but my thought is that at least the older two will carry their backpacks to carry a book, water, electronics, and jacket. Really on the fence about the VB backpack vs crossbody.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Are you talking about through the airports or in the parks?

I'm all about carrying the bare minimum needed size wise and I'd prefer a cross body over a backpack, hands down.

We just got back from Universal and I was the only who carried a bag. I just had a small purse that held our keys, tickets, phone and lip gloss. I almost just went with pockets and no bag. This looks like my bag but mine i solder and maybe a tad smaller (bought it at TJ Maxx) http://www.rei.com/product/884112/sherpani-milli-le-cross-body-bag-womens-2014-closeout

Both of the 2 bags you said are good brands because they are light and not at all bulky. Of the 2, the Kipling looks like it has a wider strap, which I find more comfortable (less chance it'll dig in).

[urquie]

Just used this bag for five days at Disneyland and it was fabulous. I kept in on for all the rides... Just adjusted the strap length as needed, to accommodate the safety bars on thrill rides.

http://amazon.com/gp/product/B00FOHJF1Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[npace19147]

I love a backpack for Disney, as I am *ahem* not small chested and find a crossbody super uncomfortable. I used this one for our last trip: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086DQI18/ref=s9_hps_bw_g468_ir41?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-9&pf_rd_r=1WYQP9CAC70XNR2GJCKJ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1865597222&pf_rd_i=2588046011 and it was great. I love the water bottle pockets, the bungee on the outside for a fleece or rain jacket, the chest clip for security. And also that it was inexpensive enough that if something happened to it I didn't really care. As it turns out it wore like iron and is still in great shape.

[ang79]

I have a Kipling Alvar bag that I use as my everyday purse and love it, but it is not tall enough to carry a water bottle. We went to WDW this past fall and I bought a Baggallini Messenger Sling Bag, as it was highly recommended on the disboards site. http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Messenger-Organizer-Shoulder-MES160/dp/B00MU3HSXM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1455308328&sr=8-9&keywords=baggallini+messenger I got mine for a great price on Amazon.

It worked well for carrying a reusable water bottle, my camera, phone and charger, first aide items, sunscreen, tissues, hand sanitizer, small snacks, etc. But, I realized that it was way to small to carry the photo/autograph books that MIL bought the girls to take. They were on a princess finding mission (we got every. single. princess autograph and picture, and then lots of other characters!), so the books went with us every day. I also had packed this foldable backpack: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P8UE7WY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 DH carried that most days with the autograph books and another water bottle (and ponchos on rainy days).

I also had a kids string backpack from Lands End that I took along, just in case. I ended up using it a few days at the end of the trip because the Baggallini bag was making my one shoulder a bit sore. That happens when I carry cross body bags for long periods of time in general, so I'm glad I had a few different bags to rotate through! Oh, when we went, the last few days of our trip were in the 90's, and none of our bags made our backs super sweaty. Unlike my friends we traveled with that took along a regular school backpack.