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[fancythemouse]

I was wondering, how does everyone carry around their valuables while at WDW? Are fanny packs a help or burden? Is a back pack more helpful?
Please give me any an all advice for this and other things concerning WDW because I will be going for my VERY FIRST TIME this summer!!!!

 

[eryn the pooh]

I was lucky enough to find a great bag a few years ago. Its the size of alot of purses BUT it is actually a cooler bag! It holds a bottle of water and some snacks. then it has on the front two pockets , one has a clear id pouch and a zipper bag for change, the other is just a pocket. And then the flip over has a zipper on it to hold maps, receipts etc.. and it has a cross the chest strap. i find its size is perfect for everything i need and its not to big. it fits somewhere on every single ride. my daughter carries a small backpack with a bottle of water and munchies.

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

I think a backpack is a must, but it may just depend on how much stuff you plan to carry. Traveling with 2 kids, I carried an extra change of clothes for each, wet wipes, sunglasses, money, tickets, cameras, blankie, tissues, etc. I like a backpack because it keeps your hands free and it is easier to me to carry a load on your back. We would strap it onto the stroller a lot when we were pushing it and it easily fit down at your feet when on rides.

Congratulations on your 1st trip!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We use backpacks. I prefer my ds' LL Bean school backpack because the straps are well-padded. However, I sometimes use my Vera Bradley backpack purse. I've tried smaller bags, but then I end up carrying the odds and ends of things we accumulate throughout the day. Sometimes I take a fair amount of "stuff" (changes of clothes, wipes, etc.) into the park with us, sometimes I don't; but I've found a backpack to work best for us at all times.

 

[crisi]

When the kids were younger, my husband had a large fanny pack and I had a backpack. The fanny pack was big enough for a few diapers and wipes and a camera - I had water bottles, juice boxes, fruit snacks, more diapers, jackets, etc. in the backpack.

Now that the kids are in elementary school, we are down to the fanny pack on most days - the diapers are gone and the camcorder fits.. The backpack comes along for princess breakfasts (change of clothes from princess dress) and such.

 

[kat3668]

Just returned from my trip and I used both. I found that the fanny pack was very useful for carrying around money ,park tickets and room key...
the back pack was good for all else...

 

[lauritagoddess]

I plan on using a small waistpack just for money and a couple of other essentials, the kind that you don't even see under your clothes. And then a small backpack, probably my son's mini Jansport backpack. I'm also taking the stroller and can leave water bottles and some other things in there.

 

[TravelinGal]

We used a backpack in the past and had good luck with it. This year we are taking our DS so we will have a stroller and will just use all the pockets in the stroller.

(side note - not everyone has the same meaning for "fanny" as we do in the USA - it is better to call it a waist pack - shall we just say that the word refers to a female body part in the lower region...)

 

[rt2dz]

I HATE fannypacks, but find it a godsend at WDW. I carry our tickets, fastpasses, room keys, some cash, a credit card, cell phone, the camera and a few (very few) miss. items (ie my sunglasses).

DH carries a backpack that slings over his shoulder. It basically has a few items he needs and our video camera.

Npthing else is valuable and goes in the stroller basket.

 

[Wendy31]

Last year, we carried a Baggellini Messenger Bag that I ordered from ebags.com. (I ordered it after seeing several other people on this site recommend it.)

W/ 2 young kids, I knew we would need something bigger than a waistpack, but I didn't want the traditional backpack. The messenger bag was just right & had several pockets & little slots. In it, I carried the following:

change of clothes for DD & DS
Passporter w/ small notepad & pen
2 autograph books & 2 pens
sunscreen
lip balm
compact & lipstick (for me!)
small container of mixed pills for me & DH (Tylenol, Advil, Benodryl, etc.)
liquid Benodryl for DD & DS
small bottle of liquid Tylenol for DD & DS
bandaids
small bottle of first aid spray
Neosporin
small sewing kit
small bottle of antibacterial gel
travel pack of wipes
cell phone
my ID
"Key to the World" cards for me, DD, & DS (DH carried his in his wallet)
several rolls of film for the camera
DD's & DS's sunglasses
my water bottle

It was really cool because the bag had slots for all the bottles (sunscreen, first aid spray, liquid benodryl, liquid tylenol, antibacterial gel, lip balm) and zippered inside pockets for my ID & our "Key to the World" cards & the small container of pills, bandaids & Neosporin. The rolls of film went on one velcroed side pocket; my water bottle went on the other side mesh pocket. There was a specific place for the cell phone. The changes of clothes, Passporter, auto books, & wipes went in the large rear section. There was a small front section for my lipstick, compact, & kids' sunglasses. So even though we took a lot w/ us, it all fit neatly inside the bag which was compact enough that it was no problem taking it on rides. Really, it wasn't any bigger than a large purse. I wore it like a messenger bag, but, when DH carried it, he wore it slung over his shoulder like a slingbag/backpack. And, because of all the little compartments, when I went through the bag-check upon entering the parks, it was really easy & fast - I didn't even have to take it off - just unzipped all the sections. When we didn't want to carry it, it fit nicely on the back of the strollers as well.

Love my Baggellini messenger bag!

 

[Sonya]

So I have carried a backpack before and was wondering if a messenger bag would be better?

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

In the past we have always used both. I carry a fanny pack (only at WDW) with cash, room keys, cell phone. I always had a back pack with snacks, water, jacket in the stroller. Our next trip will be the first one without a stroller. I'm still thinking we will use both. I just don't like the idea of money or room keys in a backpack that I will take off to eat or for a ride. The fanny pack stays on me until I'm back in my room. While I hate fanny packs in general I do think they are a must at WDW.

 

[lpbm4]

Last year, we carried a Baggellini Messenger Bag that I ordered from ebags.com. (I ordered it after seeing several other people on this site recommend it.)

I just looked this up and it looks like a perfect size for everything!! Thanks for posting this!! Plus it's 10% off and free shipping now. Thanks!

 

[Molly K]

My husband and I went about 5 years ago. Before we went I found a water proof back pack (I got it at Target for I think around $30 - made by Eddie Bauer) I had a few valuable camera so I took a mid size towel and put it in the bottom of it. That also came in handy for when we rode water rides we used it to dry off. Then DH put the towel around his neck while we walked around until it was dry. I still have that bag and plan on using it again when we go in 2007 for our first FAMILY trip with our son.

 

[fancythemouse]

A question for all the people who have used/ still use a waist pack, did you find it at all uncomfortable at any time in your trip? Did your waist ever get sore. Please let me know because my mom says I shouldn't take one for the reasons listed previously, but I think it would be alot better than a back pack since a back pack would make your back sweaty and gross....i dunno but I want to be comfortable.

 

[mommyceratops]

We took a fanny pack for our last trip but I never wore it. I took my backpack filled with stuff for my boys 2 and 5 year old (diapers, coloring books for line stuff like that) then in a smaller bag I kept my camera and cam corder in it along with a few other things like hand cleaner (cold and flu season I did not want us getting sick in WDW) that way when we left the stroller for a ride we left the backpack in it and just grabed the smaller bag that had anything valuable.

We each bought a comfy cel phone clip before we left so we clipped that to our pants and didn't have to carry it around.

My theory was whatever I took to the park that day was never what I needed!