Backpacks for fanny packs?

[anelth]

I'm 41 years old, and this June will be my (and my 8 y/o dd's) first trip to WDW. I'm trying to decipher what to take and where to go, and one question is whether we should take fanny packs or just a backpack. DH seems to think we shouldn't have to take anything, and asks me what we would put in it. My guess is cameras and water bottle at the least.

Which do you like the best -- backpack or fanny pack?

What to you carry to the park with you?

Thanks for all you help.

 

[PattnFmly]

We carry both. One fanny pack for money/tickets/travelers checks. And one backpack for camera(s) (video & print) anyways. Sometimes we carry water, snacks, sweater. Not too much, but I do like to have a place to put my empty souvenir popcorn bucket so I don't leave it behind anywhere! We are a family of 4 and me & DH just take turns carrying the backpack. I'm a little regimented and like to have control of the money so I carry the fanny pack!

 

[RochTigger]

This is one of the age old questions on this board ... For me ... I usually travel with my sony camcorder, digital camera, advantix camera (For those panaramic shots), and a bunch of other little odds and ends. My first trip home I had only a fanny pack and had to carry the camcorder around with the shoulder strap ... I did this for my first couple of trips home actually.

Then, I read a post about 2 years ago where someone was talking about a fanny pack that converted into a backpack ... So I searched around online and I found a ton of sites that carried packs just like this ... I even found one with a pocket large enough to hold my camcorder seperate from all the rest of my stuff.

So now when I make my trips "home" I go with this pack in toe ... And I've found it really useful ... Esp. when I make purchases in the park and don't want to hold onto those tiny little plastic bags ... I just unzip the back compartment of the fanny pack and it pulls out into a full sized back pack where I can store all of my purchases.

I'm sorry that I don't remember the exact site where I purchased this pack ... I do remember it had the name "travel" in it's URL.

Just thought that I would throw this out as a suggestion .. That way you can start off with a fanny pack and as you purchase stuff during the day you will have the convience of a backpack w/o having to leave the pack to go back to your room and "switch off".

I also recommend this sort of packs for anyone who has a lot of video and camera equipment that they wish to carry around ... Because as I can vouch ... It's MUCH more comfortable carrying that weight on your hips then on your shoulders all day

Just my .02 cents
-RochTigger

 

[goofy4tink]

I've done both. I found the backpack chafed my upper arms a bit in the warmer weather. So, I switched to fanny packs. I was wearing them higher up, closer to my waistline and my back got sore. I found that if I dropped the pack down onto my fanny (hence the name I guess!) it was much more comfortable. Then I say life guards wearing theirs the same way. My only question is...how safe is it to have your fanny pack behind you? It just made me uneasy to not be able to see it. But is sure was easier to carry.

 

[loriandmatt]

Ah - this depate goes on in our house before and after each trip.

We were back pack people the first time around and for us, found it was a drag. DS was constantly wanting in the thing for his autograph book, or we were needing in it for a camera or passes to run thru a fast pass machine.

Since that first trip we have been using a large over the arm bag. It holds a few bottles of water, small first aid kit, ponchos for all, hats, sunglasses, camera, extra film, autograph book, tons of change in a coin purse for presses pennies and the ever so valuable AP's.

Last trip however, i (the bag lady) had enough. I informed my DH and DS (then 8 and plenty old enough to schlep his own crap) that this is the last trip i will be carrying their stuff. If DH wants a poncho, water bottle or a place to stow his wallet, he will have to either suck up his pride an wear a fanny pack or load up the pockets in those cargo shorts of his. DS is a little jazzed about having his own fanny pack that can fit his poncho (folded up nice and tight), this autograph book and his sunglasses and what by far is the heaviest item in my old bag - the dreaded pressed penny change. We each will get a bottle strap for a water bottle and that will be that.

My aching neck and sholders are already thanking me.

- lori

 

[Melann]

For the majority of my vacation, I carried a fannypack. Granted, it was just my boyfriend and I traveling which meant that we did not have to carry a lot to begin with. Usually, my camera (Kodak Advantix), extra film, money, and park maps would be in the pack. I used a laynard to carry my resort id and drivers lic. On the days that it might rain, I carried my backpak with our ponchos in it. I found it more enjoyable to have the fannypack because I didn't really seem to notice it, and I also liked not having to take it off or anything...everything was right where I needed it.

One thing to think about is the security checkpoints. Each park has them and you must go through them before getting into the park. I found the fannypack easier and more quickly to get me through the line than my backpak. The backpak had several compartments which needed to be opened even though nothing was in them.

 

[jpd3]

Speaking as the family packmule . . .

I prefer a backpack. I have a fairly whiz-bang one with lots of pockets and zippers that allow me to put everything in its proper place including pockets designed for water bottles. I like the extra room afforded by the backpack over the fanny pack as well. Really it comes down to your preference. I like a lot of room because I carry a lot of unnecessary stuff. (Boy Scouts "Be Prepared" I can't help myself)

As an alternative, the fanny pack may work for you. A good item to have that may negate the lack of space in the fanny pack is the water bottle toppers with lanyards they sell all over the park.

Have fun!

 

[ncbyrne]

We always wear fanny packs, even my DH who would NEVER wear one anywhere but WDW. (He didn't on the first trip, but found them very convenient on our next trip, after seeing so many other guys wearing them). We don't carry a lot with us, but it's very handy for $, park passes, a small tube of sun screen, park maps, sunglasses, etc.

 

[anelth]

Thanks so much for answering. I think I will probably look into fanny packs. Everyone can have their own and I won't have to carry everything. I would definitely be designated the backpack carrier.

I appreciate all your suggestions and ideas.

Lisa

 

[WDWAurora]

I prefer those "backsacks" that cinch at the top-square shaped when they're open, then when the top is cinched it's more of a triangle. It's a backpack, yes, but it's very small and light. If my description doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll get a picture.

 

[KSgirl]

It really depends on what you want to bring....and how many in your party. When we have our whole family (2 adults, 4 kids) then I take a bag that I can carry in the bottom of the stroller. When it's just my hubby and I, I only take a fanny pack. It's big enough to hold my camcorder, several odds and ends, as well as our $1 Walmart ponchos. Hubby holds our park passes and the camera over his sholder. But one thing I cannot fit into my fanny pack is my autograph book. When I take my mother in February, I'm trying out one of those one sided back packs that you sling over just one shoulder. It's smaller and lightweight, but will carry more than a fanny pack...we'll see how it works!

 

[Kapp]

I carry the backpack with water, snacks, ponchos, extra film, etc. and my wife carries the fannypack with the camera, her money, etc. You really get used to carrying these things to the point of when you don't take them, you miss them! They are great for carrying gifts back to the room. The backpack also comes in handy for carrying dry/wet clothes after Kali!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

ok well - it depends on what shape you are in I suppose.

I am in adequate physical health so I got a bag that can be worn as aNY OF THE FOLLOWING: fannypack, backpack, slung over your shoulders like purse, OR carried by handles like a briefcase. Very versatile thing...

I wore it is a fanny pack most of the time - I carried 1) Kodak Preview Film Camera 2) TRV 33 camcorder 3) sunscreen 4) tickets 5) a 30 page print out I made of the rides in each park 6) room keys, 7) ponchos, 8) my smokes 9) my wallet 10) two Brita water bottles 11) 1 oceanmist mister 12) three extra rolls of film a day 13) extra videotape 14) mole skin ..... that was about it...oh and maps

it is the TOUR model by mountainsmith (they have a bunch of fannypack designs) - I would highly recommend it to anyone.

mountainsmith

it was not cheap - but for sure worth it

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I just one of the Mickey Mouse Club slingpacks from TDS for $9.99. I'm hoping that it will be a good in-between...not so small as the fanny-pack but not as big as a regular back-pack. Hubby doesn't know it yet, but he's going to be the one to carry everything around this time!!

 

[WishUponAStar]

I have used backpacks and did not like them. Even tried a mesh one thinking it would be cooler. I guess I carried them too much in college and will never get used to them. Have to take it off every time you want something... Wearing one backwards on your chest is an option but you have to take them off every time you get on a ride. Most of the time we have used fanny packs but to carry all the junk I need a big one and they can get heavy on the lower back when walking all day, and just like the back pack you need to take it off on many of rides. Next time I am going with a mesh vest (mesh so it is not hot) similar to a hunting vest. Lots of pockets to keep stuff seperate and it does not get in the way of a lap bar/belt. Most have velcro closures and pockets of different sizes. The weight is distributed evenly so it should not make any one part of the body uncomfortable. I am really excited about trying this. I might even be able to carry more stuff this way, afterall isn't that what we want- to carry more stuff (lol). Give it a try. Ebay has several mesh fishing vests with removable backs. Light weight and comfort is the key no matter which you choose.