backpack or hip pack???

[TweetieSC4]

We usually go the first week in March... always just took a hip pack to store items for 2 adults. We are taking our son on his first trip Sept 13-17th. He is 4yrs, so we don't need a ton of stuff, but I was wondering if we should plan on a back pack for water, moleskin, extra socks, etc. Any opinions?

Also, since we've never taken a backpack, what do you do with them on the more "intense" rides??? (ex: Space Mtn, BTMR, etc.)

 

[can'twait]

I was wondering this too. If you have a stroller, you can leave it there while you are on rides, otherwise leave it in a locker, although that won't do you much good if you are at the other end of the park and you need something from it. My kids are 5 and 7 and I'm glad not to have to lug a diaper bag and stroller anymore, but sometimes I miss the convenience too. Anyone else?

 

[Forevryoung]

I bought a Baggallini messenger bag from ebags.com (through mousesavers link in tons of colors) or you could get it from ebay (but they only have black). I LOVED it. It is a little smaller than a regular backpack but it has a compartment for everything. I also loved the fact that I didnt have to take it off every time I needed something from inside of it. I just swung it around to my front.

For rides I either put it on the floor with my leg through the strap or I left it turned to the front.

 

[Quaktastic]

I've always been a hippack wearer with a bookbag in the locker for the JIC items.

PS It's a WDW hippack from 1999 BTW, still in awsome condition

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Don't like hip packs, so I bring a backpack. Last trip my dbf brought his, so this trip, it's my turn. I usually slip one arm through the strings/straps (I have a small, waterproof, drawstring one) and keep it close to my body if tehre are no nets to hold objects like that.

Actually, the only place I had a problem with my stuff was Universal. We had to use their lockers. Kind of inconvenient.

 

[bigorangeandy]

I've carried a backpack for the last few years and only had trouble once on a ride. Usually I place the pack on the floor of the ride vehicle, and put my foot through one of the straps. This year on Dinosaur I put it on the floor but didn't put my foot on or through the straps and it slide past my kids and wife. We were able to get the pack at the end of the day from guest services, but had to do without our water and snacks until then. We usually start with 7 or 8 bottles of water, some snacks, autograph books, and ponchos for the four of us; this would not fit into a hip pack. I guess it weighs about 25 pounds in the morning and much less at the end of the day. No matter what you decide to take make sure that it fits good and if a pack has lots of padding in the shoulder straps.

 

[-blonde-]

I personally think that the hippacks are a lot eaiser...you will have more comfort.

 

[8 Ears]

All 4 of us chose hip packs. This way we were not turning and hitting someone. Also we did not have to take them off on rides.

 

[SarahandPaul]

We're backpack people. We usually carry water (plus something to put in the water to kill the taste), light jackets, snacks (Pringles, homemade granola, fruit snacks), digital camera and still have room for souvenirs.

 

[Nite0wl71]

I usually do both, my backpack isn't a huge one but I carry snacks, jackets ponchos etc in it. I carry money, tickets, keys etc in the hip/fanny pack.

On the rides I turn my fanny pack to the side so the bars can fit comfortably and I put my legs through the straps on the backpack.

This way my hands are alwys free

 

[AlaskaMOM]

When children were younger we did the back pack thing, Dh and I trading off, or actually on. But now kids are older they each have their own small hip pack, just large enought to carry a water bottle and a couple of snacks and a camera. What more do they need?
DH and I also have our own hip packs for water, snacks, camera, and mini 1st aid kit (moleskin, bandaids, etc.)