About backpacks...advice please!

[MARCIAKAZ]

We--a family of five--are taking our first trip to Disney the first week of August. I've loved reading all the terrific info on these boards!! Now that we're in the final planning stages, we're debating backpacks Vs fannypacks Vs ? My DD--16--thinks fannypacks are too "nerdy" for her. I think backpacks are too bulky for any of us to have to carry. Where do you put your backpack when you go on a ride? I don't want to waste time or energy running back yo a locker. I assume fannypacks can go with you anywhere--am I right? What about a purse with a long strap that she can wear across her body--would that be portable, or would that have to be stored somewhere during a ride? Please help us settle this with some facts and opinions! I can't wait to start packing!!

 

[melk]

If you wear a long purse or a fanny pack you can go on any rides with it on. Tell your dd to be assured she won't look too nerdy at WDW with a fanny pack, every one wears them!! Seriously, my DH and I would never wear them normally, but at WDW we both do because they're invaluable and every one else has them on so you don't stick out.

As far as a backpack, they are bulky. You didn't say if you have young kids but if we have brought one we keep it in the bottom of the stroller. If we're going on a ride then we take out anything valuable (the camcorder) but leave the backpack. It's always been fine.

You can bring a backpack on just about all rides (not sure about the thrill ones like TOT, etc). If you have someone in your party not riding, have them hold it. But you definitely do not want to be making the trek to a locker several times a day.

My vote would be to go the fanny pack route if possible. They're less cumbersome and you never have to think about them. Have fun!

 

[jodistar]

I agree with melk, fanny bags are the way to go.

Also, if you are buying stuff at the different parks don't forget that you can have those items brought to your room (provided that you are staying at Disney hotel). I learned from my mistake last year....lugging around bags is very tiring.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My son and I both carry backpacks. He has the nylon, Nike backpack. He uses it to carry his autograph book, pen, water bottle, and a light jacket.

My son will be 13 in October. There's no way I'd ever be able to get him to wear a fanny pack. I think it's funny that at this age he still enjoys interacting with the characters, but he has to be wearing the “right” clothes while doing it.

I carry snacks (that we rarely eat ) Ziploc bags filled with ice and a wash cloth, used to cool off when it's hot. I keep a light jacket in my bag, park maps, cameras, hand sanitizer, park passes, money, keys and a water bottle. I also keep a notebook with me so that I write down notes about our trip.

 

[CharityLynn]

We just bought a backpack for our honeymoon trip to WDW. I like the idea about having a notebook and pen in it to write down little things. I have a horrible memory, I'm not sure why exactly, I am only 24. When I was younger (before I had my son) I had an awesome memory, but that is no longer the case lo. Thanks for the tip though

 

[iceskatejen]

You can bring a backpack on any of the rides. Just place them on the floor and stick one leg through a strap and you'll be fine.

 

[disneyjunkie]

oops

 

[maddy]

Just my 2 cents. We also ware fanny packs to Disney and no where else. We have quite a collection of mickey FP we seem to need to buy one on each trip.lol. There are some great disney ones on Ebay right now as well as a Nicole Miller limited edition mickey backpack Search Disney and Nikole Miller and you will find them. Maddy

 

[Keebles]

I had a little backpack I got at Wal-Mart for $8 and although the first day it was packed to the brim, after that I just carried the camera, my inhaler, my wallet, and my resort key (all in plastic zip-locks in case it rained, which it didn't). Half the time I didn't even know it was there. Some rides I had to wrap it around my leg, but others had a pouch to put it in. I probably could have done with a smaller backpack that what I got, but I too couldn't bring myself to fannypack! I saw a few of them, but more people seemed to have backpacks and I felt confident in my decision.

 

[crazelion]

If have a Dollar Tree near where live go into the store buy Arctic Blast Backpack sling stlye it's onely 1.00 dollar.

I have several different style bags that I carry in a theme park. I use a fanny pack, messanger bag or my new sling style backpack. I love all them it depends which one I am carry and how much stuff that's when I decide whcih one to carry.

 

[Amy&Dan]

There are four of us including DD7 and DS9. We all carry backpacks. I carry a small one I bought at a luggage store. It has nice compartments on the side for cell phone and camera. Inside I keep wipes, kleenex, extra film, small wallet with only one credit card and small amount of cash, bandaids, moleskins, sunscreen, water bottle and toothpaste (don't know why I always have to have a small toothbrush and toothpaste). The kids have small ones they use for water bottles and autograph books. DH has the mother load of all back packs. Camcorder, camera, jackets, his sweatshirt and Lord knows what else. I tell him to scale back but its his back I guess. I bought fanny packs for the kids but they are skinny and they won't go tight enough. Some day soon maybe because they have both left the backpacks on the the rides at DL numberous times (we always get them back) and it would be nice if they had a fanny pack that could stay on. I guess my point is pack what you think you need at first and then you may either downsize or need more depending on what your needs are!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

We use a sling type backpack that has one strap and goes across your body. It's not as large as a full-size school type backpack but it stills holds quite a bit. I like the sling strap because it distributes the weight of the pack unlike a regular backpack that pulls on your shoulders and kills your back.

I bought mine at Eddie Bauer but I saw something very similar to at Target near the school supplies for $12.99.

 

[gigi1313]

how 'bout cargo shorts? i found that i rarely needed to carry anything that did not fit in my pockets when wearing cargo shorts... it might be a nice compromise for your dd?

 

[MommaBear]

I can't live without my wallet, which is large, bulky and carries the entire family ID.

I had my DH, and 2 DS's carry fanny packs with lip balm, individual wet wipes and their hard earned vacation money. Both DS's each took a small amount and not the entire wad for each day.

I carried a small back pack with wallet, tickets, 2 spare water bottles, camera and film. Although it was 'clumsy' as some say I didn't find it bothersome especially getting on rides.

We found the 'sending purchases to Main Street' most convenient. In Frontierland my youngest (who will eventually be heading for a military career as he is very interested in weapons and all things army) took a liking to the guns/muskets in one of the stores. Since we drove down we figured they would be easy to take home so we purchased them and sent them to the front. At the end of the day we picked up all our purchases without having to lug them around the park!

 

[ktj1]

I've carried both and still prefer the fannypack especially now that I travel with my DD-6. It keeps my hands free and I don't have to worry about where to put it on the rides. I bought one to take on my honeymoon to WDW 21 years ago. I still use the same one each time we go. When my husband or I carried a backpack it seemed to get in the way.



Next Trip
October 27, 2004

 

[daisylove]

Wal Mart sells a clear backpack that security won't make you open up. Makes going through line much quicker.

Personally I am a fanny pack (small:camera, wallet) and backpack girl. The backpack I have is a picnic one so the front where all the picnic stuff was now carries DD5 assessories: lotion, clothes, autograph book etc. and the back portion is a cooler for juice and snacks. This BP also has a attached wine sleeve that fits my Brita perfectly and keeps it perefctly cool. When we go on rides the BP stays in the stroller and I bring valuables: DD,camera and wallet with me. End of the day drinks and snacks are gone and I just stick my fanny pack in the BP on the way out and deal with the stroller, bags of loot etc...

 

[disneygoof]

Didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this is a repeat, but backsaver, or healthy back bags are great and, I don't think, nerdy. They sling over one shoulder like a purse and are designed not to put too much strain on your back or shoulder. LL Bean sells them, as well as lots of other catalogs, a bit pricey but you could probably find them at reasonable prices. They're a great size for Disney and have lots of pockets.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

This is the sling bag I carried through disney I had a 5 and 2 yr old with me so I need more room than a fanny pack and didnt want to have to unpack the stroller everytime I got on and off the bus

here is the link to ebags

http://www.ebags.com/urban_gear/sling_bags/category_search/index.cfm?N=20014195

 

[daisylove]

Hi guys
I keep seeing post about the sling type of bags. I have a bad right shoulder. Carrying any weight even my purse for too long will give me incredible pain. I always see these bags and think how good they must be for your back but how is the weight distribution on the shoulder?

Unfortunately most I have seen are made to fit over the right shoulder.

 

[disneygoof]

The LL Bean bags are for either side, and as someone who struggles with shoulder and neck pain, I find them to be a Godsend.