Do you carry a park bag as a solo traveler?

I will point out that, in spite of what phone manufacturers tout, the resolution on a compact point and shoot camera will always be superior to a phone camera(and obviously, micro 2/3rds cameras and DSLRs have even better, in that order). In choosing whether to carry a bag or not, consider how you plan to use your photos and if you are willing to sacrifice resolution for portability. If you plan to have anything made with your photos, a point and shoot digital camera is a bare minimum to get a usable resolution. This is why I carry a small bag or a hip pouch(about camera sized).....I prefer a point and shoot camera for photos over my phone. Just some food for thought.
Some of the modern phones do have both resolution and lens fidelity that meet or exceed a basic P&S nowadays. The iPhone X and Google Pixel 3 come to mind as both having larger than P&S sensors, as well as the Nokia PureView which approach m4/3 resolution and sensor size, in addition to having a faster aperture than a P&S, most of which are stuck at f/2.8 or f/3.5. Now, the phones cannot zoom, unlike a P&S cameras, they don't have a strobe flash so they can't lift shadows under the midday Florida sun using a fill flash, and numerous other useful features.

But if all you want is a fixed lens 28mm camera without a flash that fits in your pocket, a good phone does it better than most P&S.

Now, when you talk about premium compacts, that's a whole different ballgame, as the sensor size goes up rapidly. A premium compact though requires as much or more expertise to shoot as their bigger ILC cousins, and often cost more than entry DLSRs.
 
Some of the modern phones do have both resolution and lens fidelity that meet or exceed a basic P&S nowadays. The iPhone X and Google Pixel 3 come to mind as both having larger than P&S sensors, as well as the Nokia PureView which approach m4/3 resolution and sensor size, in addition to having a faster aperture than a P&S, most of which are stuck at f/2.8 or f/3.5. Now, the phones cannot zoom, unlike a P&S cameras, they don't have a strobe flash so they can't lift shadows under the midday Florida sun using a fill flash, and numerous other useful features.

But if all you want is a fixed lens 28mm camera without a flash that fits in your pocket, a good phone does it better than most P&S.

Now, when you talk about premium compacts, that's a whole different ballgame, as the sensor size goes up rapidly. A premium compact though requires as much or more expertise to shoot as their bigger ILC cousins, and often cost more than entry DLSRs.

I had some resolution issues when trying to order physical products using my phone photos, so I was basically just trying to remind people to make sure they are getting good resolution, but obviously what camera a person carries determines if they need a bag or not and what size.
 
I'm going without the kids for the first time this year, and I can't imagine not carrying a bag! No matter when I went, I'd want a small bag for phone, portable charger, poncho, camera, water bottle, paper copies of our plans, and a few small odds and ends (lip balm, Advil, band aids, a hair tie, etc.). I think trying to carry all of that in clothing pockets would be a lot more uncomfortable than carrying a small bag. During Disney trips I switch to a very small wallet and keep that in my pocket just in case. I only carry cash, a credit card, my license, and health insurance card. No need for my library cards and everything else I have to carry at home! Our trip is in November, so I'll use a bag that can fit a light sweatshirt, too.
 
Yup.......
A small messenger bag.
I carry my Nikon, spare batteries, spare SD cards, a Thermos insulated bottle, and other items that oldsters might need.
 


My personal bag is a Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home, in brown and orange. Carries any cameras I'd want park-bound, fits into all of the slots on the rides, and doesn't get too much in the way. I've had it for 7 years and it's used dozens of times per year (not just WDW) and it's held up against anything.
 
Yes, always. I have a mini purse/convertible backpack that I carry my sunscreen, wallet, lip gloss, sunglasses etc in.
 


I like to use a backpack and it carries a drink, phone charger, sun screen and rain coat.

By end of day it also holds anything I have bought.
 
I will point out that, in spite of what phone manufacturers tout, the resolution on a compact point and shoot camera will always be superior to a phone camera(and obviously, micro 2/3rds cameras and DSLRs have even better, in that order). In choosing whether to carry a bag or not, consider how you plan to use your photos and if you are willing to sacrifice resolution for portability. If you plan to have anything made with your photos, a point and shoot digital camera is a bare minimum to get a usable resolution. This is why I carry a small bag or a hip pouch(about camera sized).....I prefer a point and shoot camera for photos over my phone. Just some food for thought.

I finally bought a point and shoot last year because I was tired of being unable to get decent photos if the light was at all dim. Having a camera built into one's phone is very very handy, but yeah, if you want to do anything beyond post it to Facebook or use it as your phone's wallpaper, the phone's not going to cut it. I strongly considered going higher end, but decided the point and shoot was the right mix of convenience and quality for the way I was likely to use it. Took it to Disneyland Paris and snapped up a storm...but then, I haven't actually done anything with those photos. I'm spoiled by the convenience of immediately uploading things to the internet from my phone...and tbh I don't really know what to do with photos anyway. I dunno, I'll probably get around to it sometime before my next trip and bring it again...and then take another six months to do anything with those photos.....
 
I'm going on my second solo trip in about a month and I'm desperately trying to figure out how to avoid taking a bag but also have my essentials. One of the most convenient things about going solo is not having to wait around for anyone. But then you hit bag check and suddenly your waiting for hundreds of other people. I generally only need my cell phone, wallet and phone charger but my shorts pockets don't quite cut it.

I'm sure I'll end up bringing a bag just incase but try and figure something out to avoid it.
 
I’m a big fan of the oft ridiculed fanny pack. Mine holds:
ID/money/credit card
Phone
Extra battery/cords
Ziplock bag
Reusable shopping bag
Disposable poncho
Small umbrella

If I bring a lunch I use a medium crossbody.
 
I'm thinking about rocking a fanny pack. any issues with security for that?

It’s still a bag so you do have to go through bag check. As far as rides go, I’ve taken it on everything in WDW and SeaWorld and on all rides except for Rip Ride Rock-It and Hulk at Universal. The bag does have to have a three prong clasp at UO and SW. Disney isn’t as picky.

I have no shoulders to speak of and everything but a crossbody slips off so the fanny pack works best for me.
 
My favorite park bag is a fanny pack, but I find it more comfortable to wear over one shoulder, like a crossbody. Sometimes I'll put it down around my waist when I get on a ride, depending on how the restraints fit. No particular issues, but I'll provide second confirmation that it still counts as a bag and you have to go through bag check, and at Universal they'll make you take it off and put it in a locker for any ride that has a metal detector.

Having carried various purses into the parks over the years, I like the fanny pack because you don't have to fuss with where you're going to stow it on most rides. Since the actual bag is so small and it's strapped close to your body, you can just shift it to one side and wear it underneath most ride restraints.
 
Last edited:
I finally bought a point and shoot last year because I was tired of being unable to get decent photos if the light was at all dim. Having a camera built into one's phone is very very handy, but yeah, if you want to do anything beyond post it to Facebook or use it as your phone's wallpaper, the phone's not going to cut it. I strongly considered going higher end, but decided the point and shoot was the right mix of convenience and quality for the way I was likely to use it. Took it to Disneyland Paris and snapped up a storm...but then, I haven't actually done anything with those photos. I'm spoiled by the convenience of immediately uploading things to the internet from my phone...and tbh I don't really know what to do with photos anyway. I dunno, I'll probably get around to it sometime before my next trip and bring it again...and then take another six months to do anything with those photos.....

I tend to prefer clever little souvenirs like you can get through Shutterfly. Actually have a checkbook cover with a photo from a trip to Colombia on it. I like functional aesthetics, as it were.
 
I have a small cross body purse....i'll put sunscreen and my wallet. If i can fit a poncho or a water bottle in there, i'll stick that in there too. But not always. Sometimes i'll carry a back pack. All depends what i feel like that day.
 
I bring a small backpack with sunscreen, hat, reusable water bottle, ID, phone, and a few other small toiletry things.
 
No. No. No and no. When we go as a family, even now with the kids older and out of strollers, my wife straddles us with enough provisions to make an apocalypse prepper envious. So when the kids and I go without her, we carry nothing but phones, unless she's bribed the younger one to conceal a tube of sunscreen in his pocket. When I go alone, I carry my phone, cash, a credit card and the car key fob - and I can't wait until all places take Apple Pay so I can ditch the cash and credit cards.
 
Yes, but it's significantly lighter if my husband's not with me. When I'm on my own I have my wallet, sunscreen and my camera.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top