The way we approach a Disney vacation is very personal. There are so many nuances to the experiences, and no two people seem to do everything the same way. When some zig, others zag, in just about every scenario you can think of. However, there is one topic that I find has two distinct camps, and not very often do you find fellow Disney lovers on the fence. Enter this week’s Disney Debate.
When visiting the Disney Parks, do you swear by a backpack or go hands-free?
From discussing this with friends, there seems to be a pattern. Families with younger children often swear by the backpack; not only do they require it for everything the family might need, but they also can’t imagine a world where they won’t need to bring half the house with them to make it through a day in the Disney wild. Fair; I’ve been there. You need to bring just about everything you own to feel prepared: diapers, wipes, layers, and hats; it never ends. On the other hand, friends with older children or traveling in couples/solo tend to be the prime market of guests, showing us how it’s done to enjoy Disney without lugging around 20 lbs of extra stuff. They make the hands-free lifestyle look easy, I know, but one thing I can tell you is that going hands-free before you are ready can be more stressful (and expensive) than you think. I’ve made every mistake one can make when it comes to this. Taking unnecessary items, not taking enough, and needing to buy random things in the park; if you can imagine it, I’ve done it.
At this stage in my life, I am a hands-free wannabe. I opt to go in without my backpack for shorter trips like nights or same-day reentry (particularly in Disneyland). But overall, I like to be in the park for the whole day, which means my Loungefly mini backpack is perfect for the things I need and has extra space for an ornament I might pick up along the way. Better still, my little clip-on top can store my Minnie Mouse Ear Headband when I get that notorious temple headache.
Let me know your process. Are you a hands-free friend or a backpack believer? Let us know your position in the comments below, on our social channels, or on our DISboards discussion forums.
