Can we talk waist packs or day packs?

[geochick]

Disneyland in July:

I have a 4 and 6yo, and will be bringing only one small umbrella stroller. If it becomes a burden (my kids are hikers and walkers, so I'm not too worried about them, esp the older one) I may even ditch it in some area so we can maneuver better. Anyway, I wonder what you carry on your body for stuff (kid snacks, hats, sunscreen, water, etc.)?

I've been looking online at REI's waist packs. Some of them look really comfortable. I already have a lightweight travel day pack that collapses, and that could work. I like the idea of a waist pack since I could easily twirl it around to my waist on rides, or easily get our Fast Passes out when I need them.

What do you like, and why? I'd love to be able to carry in a few bottles of water (do you think they'll be confiscated?). Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[GrandBob]

I used to carry a day pack. But for the last trip I purchased one of the waist packs from REI. Don't know the model number, but it's one that has pouches for water bottles on each side, plus a very generous main pouch. It's SO much more comfortable than my old day pack.

The only problem I have is that it really wants to be worn in just one way, with the pack in the back (fanny pack). So I either have to remove it or twist it around to get things in or out. Of course, I had to take off the day pack for the same reason, so no big deal. But with some of the smaller fanny packs I own, I could twist it easily to get out my camera; or even just wear it in the front. Not practical with the bigger REI waist packs, due to the way they fasten and have their padding configured. But it's a small price. Overall, I like it.

-Bob

 

[LuLusApple]

I have an ameribag healthy back bag. I love it it holds sooo much and can be worn shoulder, across, and even fanny style. Which I do wear it fanny style to help support the weight of DGD it's semi waterproof
and sooo comfy.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I wear a waist pack to carry my stuff and my DD's diabetic supplies. I too have one from REI, which is very roomy. My DH carries the backpack with sunscreen, water bottles, cameras, etc.

I don't like to carry the backpack because it hurts my back and my shoulders start aching at the end of the day. I much prefer to wear the weight around my waist. It is very easy to tuck the seat belts and lap bars on the rides under the waist pack. I also prefer to wear my waist pack in the front for easy access.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I'd love to be able to carry in a few bottles of water (do you think they'll be confiscated?).

They will not take your water bottles. We bring in several water bottles, snacks, uncrustables, etc. all of the time. No issues.

 

[cypressmom]

I have a Winn fanny pack that can easily be worn on the front or side. My husband will use his Swiss Army sling pack (Target $27) that has lots of storage, but isn't bulky.

 

[rentayenta]

I carry a messenger bag. DH likes his ergonomic backpack.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I carry a back pack.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

I use a the Peabody mini sling bag by ful. It carries everything that I need for the parks, it's not too bulky or heavy, and the strap is padded and comfortable. I also like that it has a zipper compartment in the strap that carries my passes, bank card, and phone right at my chest and it's very easy to pull the bag around to the side or front without taking it off.

My little ones wear their own little waist packs with snacks, mini waters, low value gift cards, antibacterial wipes, chap stick, etc. They really like having their own stuff and it keeps me from having to drag around a bigger bag. If they get sick of carrying them or can't for some reason I can easily clip their packs onto the strap of my backpack.

Last time the guys (husband and 2 teens) just used their pockets and then didn't have a place to keep waters (so they drank mine, lol!) so this time I think that we're planning to get them personalized sling bags off of the Disney Store site. Does anyone have those and can maybe let us know how they are and if you're happy with them?

 

[CrazyDuck]

You are not going to have much fun using your waist/fanny pack to carry bottles of water!

 

[geochick]

You are not going to have much fun using your waist/fanny pack to carry bottles of water!

Do you think it would feel heavier on a waist as opposed to a back???

I was looking at a waist pack from REI called:
Ultimate Direction Katoa Hydration Waistpack

I can't post a picture because DISBOARDS requires more posts before allowing pictures. Sigh.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Do you think it would feel heavier on a waist as opposed to a back???

I was looking at a waist pack from REI called:
Ultimate Direction Katoa Hydration Waistpack

It'll feel about the same... until you sit down on a ride... then you'll be like "Why the hell is this thing on my way?". It's not like a backpack where you can, easily, take it off and put it by your feet durring the ride. Although, that is a really nice looking waistpack! You will look really cool wearing that. Be sure to post pics after your trip!

 

[Mister Toad]

It'll feel about the same... until you sit down on a ride... then you'll be like "Why the hell is this thing on my way?". It's not like a backpack where you can, easily, take it off and put it by your feet durring the ride. Although, that is a really nice looking waistpack! You will look really cool wearing that. Be sure to post pics after your trip!

My fiancee always carries around a little kids Thomas the Tank backpack (shes a teacher, so I guess that makes it ok?). Always fits either in between my legs or in the pouch they provide. Holds money, keys, wallets, etc, water, its a really good size if you want to carry something manageable around. She has even managed to get a hoodie in there in the winter.

 

[TiggerMomNine]

We use waist packs, which we usually have in front of us. We also use caribiner clips that have bottle holders (a round rubbery ring) that we clip to the waist pack. Then we have an additional caribiner that we use to clip our hats to the pack when we are indoors. Our waist packs are cheap ones from Walmart, as are the bottle holders. You don't even have to take them off for rides - just move them to the side, front, or back, to fit the ride. Everyone in our party has their own, even the kids. The children are older now, but they've been carrying their fanny packs since age 5 or so.

Inside the packs, the kids have their camera with lanyard, their gameboy sp with lanyard, their ipod with earbuds, their M&M container of quarters and pennies, some stickers to give to other kids, their glowsticks for the night time, earplugs, hand sanitizer, and chapstick.

In our waist packs, we have tylenol, sharpie, extra batteries, moleskin, shout wipes, bandaids, neosporin, sunscreen, tweezers, nail clippers, kleenex, cell phone, pedometer, zip lock bags, etc.

 

[tanyaewa]

I carried my camera bag with cell phone & cash. Dh carried his wallet, fast passes & 1 bottle of water in his cargo shorts - who knew they really could carry CARGO! lol
We had a backpack with all extra supplies in the locker on Main Street (sunscreen/hoodies/sneakers/hats etc) When the sun went down around 4:30 we swithced to *night-time* stuff and left the camera in the locker. It worked so awesome fo us.

 

[PigletGurl]

waist packs

 

[chrissiecutie]

After many positive reviews from other fellow dis'ers, I bought a baggallini messenger bag and really like it. See link below, I have it in light pink cuz pink is my fav color! I got it off ebay brand new for much less then retail.

http://www.baggallini.com/product1.asp?collection='cmb'&product='MES160'

It has a ton of pockets, can hold a water bottle and comes in lots of different colors. It slides around to my front super easy and I can even fit a small sweater in there if need be- very roomy. Plus, after vacation I can always throw it in the wash. I always use it for travel, trips to the zoo, hiking, etc and works great!

Off topic, but based upon another review from these boards, I bought the Teva Mush flip flops for my entire family. I walked ALL DAY in these things at DLR on our last visit and my feet didn't hurt at all. One day I made the mistake of wearing Old Navy white flip flops instead (because they matched my outfit better) and I regretted it!!

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3653178

DH wouldn't wear flip flops before, now he'll only wear these!

Hope the links show up, check ebay or other websites for better deals!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Our family wear travel/safari vests, best thing ever.My DH also gets a lot of use out of his cargo shorts.

 

[GrandBob]

Do you think it would feel heavier on a waist as opposed to a back???

I was looking at a waist pack from REI called:
Ultimate Direction Katoa Hydration Waistpack

I can't post a picture because DISBOARDS requires more posts before allowing pictures. Sigh.

You're talking about this one.

Here's the one I bought from my local REI. It holds a ton, has two pouches for water bottles, and is very comfortable. I really like it.

In answer to your question about water bottles, I definitely feel that they're less cumbersome and less stress on your body to carry them in the waist pack. And it's no more difficult (less, really) to take it off and stow it on a ride. As I said, I really like everything about it except that I can't easily grab my camera for a quick picture. But it sure is easier on the neck and shoulders. It's much easier to carry weight on your hips, a lesson that I learned in my backpacking days.

-Bob

 

[emacat]

I take a messenger bag. Carries two small water bottles, cards, id, money, and a camera without weighing me down.