Backpack or Fannypack????

[Miranda Danda]

Hello everyone! Once again I have a question........ My boyfriend (23) and I (21) are going to WDW in one month (YAY!) I want to carry along my digital camera, some gum, and some money. I found a cute small Jansport backback at Academy, but I am hesitant to carry it behind my back (who knows who might sneak in there?). I am exploring the fannypack option, but I am not thrilled about it. I don't want to look dorky or old (no offense anyone, my mom swears by them). I am only 21 and I kind of small and I don't want it to overpower me. Plus, I want a cute one.... like maybe pink or purple. Does anyone have any sugestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[buzzz1]

Hey Miranda -
We are practically neighbors !! I am in PC, Florida !
Ummmm.... if it were me, I would go for the fanny-pack. I don't like lugging things on my back. There are cute ones out there, don't worry you won't look silly !! You certainly won't be the only one there with one on !!

Have fun !!!

 

[SkylarKD]

Ahhh... the eternal question....

I think taking a fanny pack would be a great idea, and so much lighter than taking a backpack, but I know my fiance and I just won't be able to do it. We like to take stuff with us when we go places. There's no way we can fit our camera, sunscreen, ponchos, extra socks, extra shirts, foot care items, water bottle, etc. in 2 fanny packs. Plus, like you, I'm not sure if I could find one that I like the look of. I'd probably put so much in it that it would weigh me down anyways. So we're going to go with a backpack, packed as light as we can get it, and each carry it for part of the day. This way, we can also carry any small purchases that we make in the parks along the way. (We'll send larger purchases to the front of the park for pick-up.)

Who knows though, by the end of the trip we might end up buying Mickey fanny packs!

Regarding looks: I wouldn't be too worried about how you look in the parks. Tons of people will be wearing fanny packs. And, it will probably be so hot that you'll melt off your makeup and have wet, sweaty, frizzy or hat-hair anyways! Just like everyone else.

 

[hoosll]

I use both - but I keep both very light - sunglasses, sunscreen towlettes, small wallet and tickets (and fast passes) in fanny pack - things I need frequently.

backpack - ponchos, things I buy, guidebook stuff - things I need only periodically.

If you keep the contents light, inspecion is very quick. Always have your zippers open as you get to the inspection.

 

[MelanieC]

I always carry a fanny pack. I don't think they look silly. It's a great hands free way to carry everything. Plus I feel way more secure putting my season passes, ID's, room cards etc a fanny pack than a backpack.

My husband does usually carry a small packpack as well with poncho's, long sleeve shirts (we go when it gets chilly early and late).

I wouldn't leave home without my fannypack at WDW!

I get a nice looking black one.

 

[jerbroni]

I don't care for the looks of fanny packs, so I use a sling-style backpack like this:

http://www.ebags.com/ebags/slingshot_cross_body_sling/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15028

Not sure if that link will work, so you might need to copy and paste it.

 

[Suzanne033]

I vote for Fanny Pack. First, they are in front of you so you don't have to worry about someone stealing anything. Second, you don't have to remove it on the rides. Lastly, easy access. You don't need to take it off to get into it.

 

[Suzanne033]

Just saw this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52360&item=8117119689&rd=1

 

[Carrieberry]

I have always used a fanny pack when just my hsband and I go, but when we go with the kids I take a backpack. This trip i am taking a sling style hip bag like this (and it is bubblegum pink with black trim):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63852&item=3491617850&rd=1

This way I can carry my 2 way radio or cell phone and the front flap helps from anyone getting in it. I think it will be much more comfortable and have access as easy as a fanny pack.

 

[daisylove]

I am another vote for both. I don't think fanny packs look particulary fetching but they are handy for the things you do not want to lose(wallet, room key, fastpasses, Aps, phone and camera) I wear a small one for those things. We also bring a backpack which I love. It is one of those you buy for picnics(they come with plates glasses etc) I have emptied out the picnic stuff from the front section and use it for sun lotion, change of clothes for Dd, purchases etc and the back section is a cooler that I put in some juice snacks (put the mister in there as well for cool mist). The backpack has attached to the side a wine cooler sleeve that closes over the top of the bottle ... Perfect for my Brita bottle. Publix sells one that is great for $20. it is not very heavy and if I got sick of the fanny pack I stick it in there as well. This works for us of course we have a 5year old with accompanying stuff. I would suggest bring both and try just a fanny pack if you do not have a lot of stuff and if you need the backpack it is in your room for the next day.

One thing youmaty consider is a small foldable bag or backpack to stick in the fanny pack for purchases etc if you think you may need extra room by the end of the day. Have a great time!!!

 

[ShuisFan584]

I absolutely refuse to wear a fanny pack, so I always bring a backpack. It's not like I'm carrying a heavy load of books like I do to school so it's not that bad. It's usually pretty light, and we can always fit everyone's stuff in it so we only need one backpack. That way, everyone takes turns carrying it.

 

[Miranda Danda]

Thank ya'll so much for the wonderful advice! I am definitely going to use it while deciding. Thanks again!

 

[chyam]

I think fanny packs are much more convenient, I bought one at the world with Grumpy on it. it has 2 zipper compartments , with the 1st one having slots for credit cards, room cards etc. and another inside that one for money. The second compartment has plenty of room for a digital camera, brush, towelettes, travel size sunscreen etc. I like the idea of not having to remove it for rides and I personally don't like being a pack mule lugging a back pack all day. If you wanted to bring extra t shirts, socks etc you should just rent a locker for the day. Just my opinion of course.You will not look silly so many people have them nobody notices them.

 

[The Sweetness]

Between me, dh, and dd12, we carried a backpack and 2 fanny packs last summer. The 12 y old is perfectly capable of helping.

As far as getting things stollen from you goes, at a place like that, I think that most peeps are with their families, and even if not, wouldnt want *mickey* to catch them being naughty. If you drop or misplace something, however, all bets may be off. I think A Lot of people live by the philosophy of *finders keepers* (unless ofcourse ther actually SEE someone drop/ start to leave their things behind then they may be more likely to speak up)

BTW, tons of people at WDW carry backpacks or fanny packs

 

[Nicoal13]

I carry a purse, but one with long enough strap to go across my body. I don't need a whole backpack and don't like the look of a fanny pack on me.

My newest Disney bag is by Eagle Creek.

It has plenty of room, nice compartments and is perfect size for a poncho, camera, tickets and money.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=63652&CATID=63203

 

[DisneyMom]

I prefer a fanny pack also and have a great Micky one with several pockets that are perfect for my camera, id, tickets, money, etc. When my kids were younger and I needed to carry extra "stuff" (change of clothes, ect.) I also took a backpack, but put it in one of the lockers at the front of the parks so I didn't have to worry about lugging it around or leaving it somewhere! Locker rental is very reasonable and if you park hop, you can show your receipt from the first park's locker rental and get another locker at the second park for no addtional charge! (At least you could when I did this years ago).

 

[lsutigger2]

I'm a fanny pack person. The one I have holds what I need - camera and money! I should carry my glasses to see the prices on items but that's what DH is for. And if I really want it, who cares how much it is LOL!!

If I get tired of it on my waist, I take it off and carry it over my shoulders like a purse for a while. The one I have has several pockets with zippers (I always upzip them before I get to the inspection stations!!) and really works great. I think I got it at Wal-Mart several years ago.

Works for me!

 

[WishingOnAStar]

Hi Miranda!

Just have to tell you that I LOVE your name. I decided when I was 15 years old that would be my first daughter's name. Any guy I dated was told of these plans! When dh and I became pregnant for the first time, he didn't even bother to suggest girl names - he knew better. As it happened, our first was a girl and she is Miranda Leigh! We don't run into many Miranda's.

Anyway..... as for the backpack/fanny pack debate - I asked a similar question a few weeks ago and got pros and cons for both. I bought everyone fanny packs - ( I got my girls REALLY cute ones at Walmart for 3.99 after the 15.99 ones broke!) We've carried them to local amusement parks and the kids and I don't have any problems. DH HATES them - so, he has volunteered to carry a back pack.
After I considered that we'll need ponchos, sunscreen, bug spray, cell phones, camera, possibly video camera, wet wipes, moleskin, snacks and water, I figured it might be a good thing! I'll still have the kids wear their packs for their own snacks. I plan on buying the bottle straps for the Brita bottles I bought.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I vote for a back pack. We have the one that slings diagonally across the front chest. It also has a little clear id sized pocket on the strap so we can keep our passes in there. It's not big and the front is velcroed so it's easy on and off. It's so much easier than having two shoulder straps, and much cooler too

 

[VaGal]

Another vote for the fanny pack. I got mine at Universal Studios with the logo on it...looks really cool, and it had plenty of room for the necessities. The only thing I did was keep a plastic zip lock inside of it to keep my camera dry from the water rides.