backpack or what ?

[magic cruiser]

What does everyone carry their "stuff" in ??

 

[zcomic]

At the parks it's fanny packs. With 4 of us wearing them we can carry rain ponchos, cameras, film, band-aids, etc. We even have a slightly oversized one that our video camera fits in. We don't have a problem with wearing them on any of the rides and it's a lot easier than hauling a backpack. Also, a couple of our fanny packs have built in holders for water bottles.

 

[tc]

It's just my husband and I, so we carry very little. Stephen always wears shorts with big pockets in them, so we put ponchos there if it looks like rain. I have a water bottle on a strap I carry, and he carries the camera on days we take it. I also put snack bars in his pockets. This plans makes going past the security check points a breeze.

 

[prncess674]

I can't stand fanny packs, and I tend to tote too much junk that gets heavy if I bring a back pack so I have downsized to an over the body purse. It holds all the essentials and a few granola bars. You can see it in this picture. I bought it at Target for $10.

 

[sistertrip]

I like the sling-style backpack. It's bigger than a fanny pack, so you can fit more. It's also easier to carry than a regular backpack because it has just one strap that slings around you. I got mine from L.L. Bean, and I love it!

 

[missypie]

Fanny packs - one for everyone. May look dorky, but works perfectly. DH's and I's are big enough for water bottles. Kids' have snacks, lip gloss, etc. If you shop at a sporting goods store (like Academy) you can get fanny packs that are a decent size with several compartments.

 

[BellyDaisy]

I found mini-backpacks on sale at Kmart for $3.50. They're big enough to fit a water bottle, essentials, and a few snacks. The front has a pouch that will fit our ponchos, so these are perfect for us!

 

[I am JEN]

I feel silly for worrying about it...but I made sure the kids, dh and myself had new backpacks for this trip. Not only for WDW, but also to haul through the airport! I just have in mind making this as easy as possible and packing lightly...even with a backpack. I though about a sling, but couldn't find one that was adequate for my SLR canon camera and it's lens. I just lucked out and went into Marshals dept store and found the most beautiful leather backpack that was marked down from $100 to just $36...my camera can be thrown into the pack and be protected by the leather. I have way too much to carry to use a fanny pack.

 

[missypie]

I always have my kids bring their backpacks with them (but for the plane - not for walking aroung in the parks.) They can fill them with their walkman, gameboy, snacks, etc. Each also has a small suitcase on wheels (I found them years ago at Macy's for $15 each. They were ticked that they were all black, but if I'd bought Ariel or Lion King or whatever was popular then they'd never use them now.) Anyway, with a back pack and rolling suitcase, each can be responsible for all of his or her own stuff,which is great on Mommy!

 

[eeyorefanatic]

Just a note rolling backpacks/suitcases are not allowed in the parks. CM's will ask you to pick them up and carry them.

 

[vellamint]

I usually bring both AND the kids have thier own fannybag for snacks, park maps, small souveniers!

If I only bring the fannybag then I can't bring the ponchos (which means it will rain)....

If I only bring the fannybag then I can't bring the videocamera (which means something spectacular will happen)...

I don't want to bring both but don't like my "valuables" in a backpack.

At least hubby and I take turns though.......

 

[nataliesdaddy]

we bought a killer fanny pack at a local sproting good store - its made by mountainsmith - it wears in front, back or on the side, it has compression straps - it can be worn as a fanny pack, back pack, by soft handles like a briefcase, or over the shoulder with a cushioned shoulder strap like a purse - very versatile. And it has good suports for the back should you wear it as a fanny pack. Has several pockets, a main pouch, holds two water bottles and is cushioned. It can hold (I know because this is what I carried) two brita water bottles, a Misty Mate, a Sony TRV miniDV, a kodak Preview APS, wallets, maps, ponchos, fast passes, room keys, safe key, itinerary from CR, and descriptions and pictures of every activity on the WDW website that I printed off 4 per page so we could keep track of things we wanted to do.

it is an awesome bag whatever you call it whether fanny pack, backpack or purse. Well worth the money spent.

 

[vhoffman]

Rolling backpacks are not allowed in the parks? We were there this April and had a rolling backpack. No one said anything to us.

 

[suzimar57]

i used to use a backpack, but found it made me feel even hotter when wearing it on my back - use only a fanny pack now - forces me to bring less stuff in the parks too! (used to feel like a pack mule with the backpack, lugging along all sorts of often unused stuff just because there was room to carry it in the backpack)

 

[thumperjr9]

Last trip I carried a small backpack with a built in section(wallet) for money, credit card etc. I think it made easier than having to dig through bigger compartment for wallet. I also took a small waterproof bag to keep with stroller with rain ponchos, sunscreen, extra set of clothes for DS-3, snacks etc. That way I didn't have to carry anything heavy or bulky on the rides.

 

[KIMHELMS99]

This year was the last trip with a stroller ( it probably should have been sooner but I didn't cherish the idea of a backpack).

It was always nice to have a small bag that we put in the stroller and left there (we never kept anything of real value in there) but now...... as you can understand I am very interested in the replies also. That way I'll know what to do for next time.

 

[diane1102]

For those of you that use regular sized backpacks... what do you do with them when you go on rides-- I assume you can bring them on the tame rides, but what do you do on Space Mountain????

Diane.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

ALWAYS a FANNY PACK! Leave your purse at home. Fanny packs leave you 'hands free' for the rides, shopping, etc. Carry your money in the front pocket so it's easy to get. Get a fanny pack that is big enough for camera, blistex, small sunscreen, advil, a sharpie (for character signatures and to mark the guidemaps), and the daily guidemap (which can be obtained at the entrance of the park).

 

[yzma]

We found one of those clear, see through backpack's on clearance for 3$ and it has worked great. It seems to be waterproof and best of all it doesn't take long to get through security at the parks. They were joking with me at every park we went to at the security point, made their job easier. I could also find things easily since it is see-through.

 

[honeymo78]

Diane - I carry a regular size backpack or maybe slightly smaller backpack and when I go on the "thrill" rides I just secure the bag by slipping a leg through one of the straps and put it under my legs. I have never had any problems bringing it on rides. This method is also used by many other DISers.