Security question: Best bag

[TOBS2010]

I was thinking of buying a new back pack for our summer trip. Last time we went I just used my old college jansport bag---it has just the one zipper to the main part of the bag and then a smaller zip compartment on the outside. I was thinking of getting something with more zippered compartments. When we went last time, I put things in multiple ziplock bags to stay organized and keep things dry, in the event of rain.

I thought it would be more convenient to stay more organized with a nicer back pack----now I am rethinking it will make things more complicated going through security. We likely will go in and out of the parks at least twice a day most days because we have two littles (2 & 5). I am hoping to be done with diapers by the time we go---but will still need to bring changes of clothes for my youngest, wet wipes and autograph books, hence needing some kind of back pack.

Any tips on what makes it easier and more difficult when it comes to bags and security into the parks?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was thinking of buying a new back pack for our summer trip. Last time we went I just used my old college jansport bag---it has just the one zipper to the main part of the bag and then a smaller zip compartment on the outside. I was thinking of getting something with more zippered compartments. When we went last time, I put things in multiple ziplock bags to stay organized and keep things dry, in the event of rain.

I thought it would be more convenient to stay more organized with a nicer back pack----now I am rethinking it will make things more complicated going through security. We likely will go in and out of the parks at least twice a day most days because we have two littles (2 & 5). I am hoping to be done with diapers by the time we go---but will still need to bring changes of clothes for my youngest, wet wipes and autograph books, hence needing some kind of back pack.

Any tips on what makes it easier and more difficult when it comes to bags and security into the parks?

I can relate. We're more bag less these days, but for several years I used the same simple bag - one big pocket, one small outside pocket. Light, easy, no big deal, easy to have on rides, etc. The one downside was always having to fish around for things in the big pocket.

Last summer I got a new bag with 10x the number of zippers and compartments - the logic being I could better organize. It did help with organization, but it also slowed things down in bag check - especially when you get the ones who meticulously go through every single pocket.

It didn't really add 'that much' time to it, but it did add some overall, generally speaking.

I went back to my old bag, mostly because I liked my old/lighter bag better, but a small part was easier bag check.

 

[donnishobson]

I was thinking of buying a new back pack for our summer trip. Last time we went I just used my old college jansport bag---it has just the one zipper to the main part of the bag and then a smaller zip compartment on the outside. I was thinking of getting something with more zippered compartments. When we went last time, I put things in multiple ziplock bags to stay organized and keep things dry, in the event of rain.

I thought it would be more convenient to stay more organized with a nicer back pack----now I am rethinking it will make things more complicated going through security. We likely will go in and out of the parks at least twice a day most days because we have two littles (2 & 5). I am hoping to be done with diapers by the time we go---but will still need to bring changes of clothes for my youngest, wet wipes and autograph books, hence needing some kind of back pack.

Any tips on what makes it easier and more difficult when it comes to bags and security into the parks?

i think that clear zip lock bags are the way to go. The jumbo bags with smaller bags inside. 3 or 4 pockets would be okay if each has a clear ziplock inside. Really speeds security.

 

[JessicaW1234]

Keep in mind that security will want you to unzip & open all parts of your bag so the less the better

 

[720L]

I agree less pockets the better. I would love a better looking backpack, but just can't bring myself to buy one because I don't want to be less efficient LOL. I use the same Jansport bag you use ( recommended by someone on disboards). I do put everything in clear zip lock bags which helps also.

 

[monorailmom]

I also agree with the less pockets that need to be unzipped and searched, the better. I'd also add to not use a bag so small that everything is tightly packed in, because they will take everything out until they can clearly see the bottom of the bag.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I use a backpack I got at the Disney store (used a WDW one prior) that has a few pockets. DH is diabetic, so I keep his testing kit in the outside bag so he can easily access it. Ponchos are in their own compartment in case we have to get them in a hurry. Sunscreens are in the big compartment, along with our water bottle(s). The front pocket also holds my phone and battery charger, gum, wipes, and Tylenol. When I am approaching the bag check, I unzip every compartment. It never takes more than a few seconds for them to check everything, just make sure it's unzipped before you get to the guard.

 

[CrazyHare]

I have a smaller backpack that has a a main compartment and one other zipper. I used to use one that lots of zippers and I ditched that quick because they have to open every compartment. I just put the stuff in ziplock bags in it.

We have a stroller, so I also bought a clear stadium bag to put the non valuable stuff. So only valuables are in my backpack. And having all the other stuff in the clear bag mKes it easier to get through security. The stuff in the clear bag is stuff we may need with a little kid, but I don’t want to carry on my back.

 

[IvyWinter]

I use a mini jansport that just has the main compartment and a front zipped area and thats it. I get through bag check super quick.

 

[David D]

Had this exact problem before. Our first trip I took a north face bag with lots of pockets. I love organizing my bag where everything has a pocket or place. Going through security stunk because I had to open every zipper and pocket. After that I got a simple jansport style bag and just made it work. It was much easier at security.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I prefer a backpack with one small front compartment, one main compartment and a water bottle holder on the outside. I also prefer that it be light colored on this inside to make it easier to see things.

I also put the few things I bring in in ziplock bags to keep them organized and dry in case of rain. It's been quick and easy for the bag to be checked at security.

I tried using one of those backpacks with more zippers and it was a pain to unzip all the compartments and then get it re-organized after security finished going through it.
That was the trip when I bought my current backpack in Animal Kingdom. They still had them on my last trip. I've been thinking of getting another one since this one is getting discolored.

 

[CarolynFH]

I used clear plastic bags for the things in my one-compartment purse for the first time last trip, and that speeded up bag check a lot! Instead of digging around, the guard could just lift or move the various bags. All they want to do is to be sure there aren’t any weapons hidden in there, and the plastic bags let them see that quickly. So I think a backpack like your old one (one big main section, one front pocket) but with items clustered in bags, would be better for bag check as well as just as organized as one with multiple pockets.

 

[Karen46]

I just bought the cutest Jansport bag for our next trip. It is small not a full size backpack. I am willing to take long at security because it is so cute. Lol I love bags.

 

[DisneyMom1111]

Is there anyway to skip the security check lines? If you carry a mesh bag or clear backpack are you still required to stand in security line?

 

[msk]

Is there anyway to skip the security check lines? If you carry a mesh bag or clear backpack are you still required to stand in security line?

I'm pretty sure that you always go through security bag check if you have any kind of a bag.

I'm with the other PP's a simple back pack with things organized in zip lock bags is the fastest way to get through security. Those zip locks can also be used to keep things dry in case of rain or wet rides.

Have fun!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is there anyway to skip the security check lines? If you carry a mesh bag or clear backpack are you still required to stand in security line?

No, all bags of any kind will (under normal circumstances) go through the bag check line.

 

[bobbyseal]

I would recommend a thin bag that's easy for the security guards to feel the items in. A backpack with a lot of pockets will generate a lot of excessive searching. Also, a bag that is formed with a lot of padding would lead to more poking around by security.

 

[MainMom]

What will make things faster, no matter how many pockets, is having all of the zippers open. I don’t know how many times the person on the other side of the table didn’t have all of the zippers unzipped and the guard would have to tell them to unzip. Just be ready before you get to the table.

 

[Linleedo]

I would stay with a simple ultralight backpack and put your stuff in clear Ziplocs bags that can be removed at bag check. It makes for a quicker entrance into the park. We like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/HIKPRO-Unise...Format=grid&impressionTimestamp=1522548106156

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Our longest security check was when we had one very tightly packed backpack. They took everything out, we had to repack it, etc. We have changed our approach.

We have nice stroller storage so now we split up our things into 2 drawstring bags and a small 2 pocket backpack. Security clears these items very quickly and we are on our way.

The drawstring bags with supplies stay in the stroller. The backpack comes with us. This is nice because then I’m not carrying around extra clothes, diapers, bottles, etc. that we don’t need immediately. We keep the extras in the stroller. We lock the bags we keep in the stroller to the bottom so someone can’t swipe them (although if someone did they’d be pretty disappointed - just diapers, bottles and 2 sets of toddler clothes!) There’s nothing valuable in those two bags that can’t be replaced.

Our bag we carry with us through the park is a 2 pocket backpack that has only one diaper per kid, diaper mat, small package of wipes, sunscreen, etc. We restock our backpack throughout the day.

We have found that having 3 smaller loosely packed bags made our security experience very quick and much less stressful than when they emptied our large and tightly packed backpack.

Before kids I brought almost nothing to the parks. Things sure have changed!