The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
Staff writer Lani Teshima’s article on the best bags for travel (link) inspired these readers to write in, with some sharing their own tips and favorite bags. Anna B. writes:
I was so happy to see that Rick (Steves) made it into your article. We are from the Seattle area and are fortunate enough to have “Europe through the Back Door” right in our backyard (practically). We’ve gone to visit Rick Steves many times and consider ourselves “followers of Rick.” He’s a great guy and I’m so happy that you featured him in your article.
My favorite things to bring to the parks are: a small backpack (similar to Rick’s) with sunscreen, my camera, memory cards, batteries, a thick clickable Sharpie (for autographs), a light change of clothes for my three-year-old, snacks for him such as bags of fish crackers and juice box, change of socks for all of us (that makes 3 pairs), my wallet, a light hoody sweatshirt for my son and a small umbrella. Sometimes we have folded up ponchos too. I usually wear the kind of capris that unbutton and fold down into pants and my husband brings his zip off pants and just puts the legs in the backpack. I also have a small pouch with some first aid stuff (Neosporin packets, Band-Aids, tweezers, etc.) We are fortunate at the moment to have an umbrella stroller that we put the backpack onto. It also has clip on drink holders (the clips are attached to the stroller and we just click in the drink holder part). We put our little water bottles in there. We bought a cool water bottle top from Gerber that is spill proof for my son. It’s awesome!
Hope that helps! I’m certainly going to check out more of the luggage you suggested. Nice stuff!!
One of my favorite quotes:
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan HellerI think this is a must-do for Disney… especially the money part!
Pam B. writes:
I am constantly searching for the best bag to take into the park with me. For my purposes, the bag has to be able to hold money, ID, credit card and ticket media safely. It also has to have different pockets that can each be independently accessed, so that you’re not pulling everything out every time you open your bag. It also has to be roomy enough to carry lip gloss/balm, sunglasses, aspirin, band-aids, my Tide pen, a regular pen, wipes and light make-up. It also has to be easily movable to accommodate ride restraints and getting in and out of ride vehicles. I want to be able to walk with my hands free and not worry that something is going to fall off my shoulder or wear a mark in it by the end of the day. It always amazes me how HEAVY the lightest things are by the end of the day. I also always want to carry water, but hate carrying it around my neck on those lanyards.
I have tried waist packs, a see through vertical barrel bag, you name it. I finally found Nirvana during this last trip.
I work out at Curves and they came out with a water bottle tote. The bag is a tiny version of the better back bag and is worn either on the hip or mid torso. It straps on shoulder to shoulder. A water bottle fits in the front pocket, which has an elastic band at the top to secure the bottle around the cap. I also found my mini-camera fits in that pocket.
The bag zips open and there is a zippered mesh pocket inside for money, checkbook, credit cards, ID, and ticket media. I also put my aspirin, band-aids and lip gloss in there, so I could get it quickly and easily. The rest of the pocket fit my compact and eyeliner and Tide pen. I could also easily slip my sunglasses into it either by opening the zipper or by slipping them through an opening at the back of the front water bottle pocket. There is an open vent there and I could just slip them right in.
When I bought the bag, it didn’t seem like it would hold all that, but it did. My camera is tiny. I bought a cheap, small 35 mm and it’s easily worn around my neck, but did fit in the pocket and I was able to secure it with the elastic. Best of all, I could move the bag further down on my hip or higher on my torso to accommodate ride restraints. I didn’t hit the ride vehicles or catch when I climbed in and out and I had my water with me all the time and an easy place to put it once I was through a queue. You always need something to drink, but either have to carry your bottle with you or throw a drink away if you drink while waiting in the queue.
I am a person who likes as little as possible with me while I walk the park. My backpack, in case I ride Splash or Grizzly River Run, is put in a locker, along with heavier jackets or jackets period for nighttime, first thing in the morning.
Disney Fan writes:
The bag I like when traveling to Disney is the one that can be bought at the end of Kilimanjaro Safaris. I did not buy it one year, and regretted it later during the trip. Before my next time down, I looked in LL Bean and other outdoor stores but could not find the bag for the life of me. When I returned, I bought the bag at the park and have not ever regretted it. Every time thereafter they have still had the bag.
The bag is a tan color, goes over the shoulder, has lots of pockets for maps, can hold a cell phone, can hold two water bottles, and does not put a strain on the body. Most importantly (since I am a guy), it looks masculine and does not fall into the category of the European man’s pocketbook (a la Jerry Seinfeld).
Since Disney is the only place I have seen such a bag, I am surprised they do not sell variations at the other three parks (i.e. other colors), or other useful bags. So many times people realize after they go that their choice of bags stink. Disney could make great profits if they developed bags ideal to se at the parks (i.e. come pre-configured with a poncho or compact umbrella, easy to open at security checkpoints, have a pocket an ideal size for 4 park maps, have a Dasani water holder since that is what is sold there, etc.)
Anne writes:
I love your Travelite Web site and have taken away many, many ideas from it. This article and others you’ve done (and will do) for MP will definitely keep me up to date. I am one of those who is always looking for that “perfect” bag! Thanks for all your research.
Next, readers Ron and Russell both wrote in to ask about volunteering for Disney endurance events. Marathon Guide editor Lani Teshima answers their questions. For more insight on volunteering, you can also read Lani’s article in the WDW Marathon Guide (link). Ron H. writes:
I want to volunteer for the 2008 WDW marathon – Sunday January 13, 2008. I have volunteered before and want to offer again as I can no longer run the marathon distance. Please contact me. I live in Maitland, Florida, just minutes away.
Russell N. writes:
I wish to volunteer for the Thursday, Friday or Saturday mini-marathon/ marathon registration that takes place in the field house. I have done so for the past 8-10 years but it seems to be more complex each year to get involved. I probably would need to have at least two applications… can you help?
You will be happy to know that Disney has a Web site where interested people can register to be a volunteer for its endurance events. Go to this link.
And click on the events of your choice. You can volunteer for the half-marathon on Saturday, the full marathon on Sunday, or help with the fitness expo on the days leading up to the events themselves. It looks like you can choose to fill out an online form, or print out a paper form off of their PDF documents, so you can submit request forms for more than one person.
It’s folks like you who help make the event a fun and memorable experience for the participants, so kudos for you for wanting to continue to be part of the marathon magic through volunteerism!
Finally, the mailbag editor answers a letter from MousePlanet reader David, who has a question about traveling to Walt Disney World in October. David writes:
I’m planning a Walt Disney World Vacation during a week in October (13th – 19th) and I’m wondering what the crowd levels and weather might be like. I’ve checked many different Web sites and they all seem to say different things. One site said wait times for headliner attractions could get up to 65 to 75 minutes at peak hours!
Also, I know the Magic Kingdom no longer has a submarine voyage. What did they do with the subs and the show building that used to house it?
Crowds and weather are not easily predicted. WDW seems to have fewer and fewer “slow periods” as the people in charge run different promotions to entice more people to visit during the times that are not usually vacation periods for families.
October crowds can grow due to the Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom, as well as the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. I wouldn’t expect long lines, but you should go with a strategy and be prepared to use FastPass.
As far as the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride, Disney removed all of the vehicles and paved in the lagoon. The area is now Pooh’s Playful Spot (link), a play area for the younger set.
