Carrying belongings through the parks

[norjack]

Hi everyone! I'm coming to Disney World solo in a few weeks.

I'm debating on getting a "fanny pack" (lol) or a small sling type backpack. What is everyone's preferred method of carrying things? Do they allow you to ride with a small sling-backpack? I'm looking around on Amazon for something. But I worry about leaving any bags/belongings in drop bins.

I'll have my phone, nice camera, and debit card to carry with me.

If going solo, I would have suggested going without a bag if possible. But you have a nice camera (big?)....Small backpack, then. I just find that fanny packs or other small slings can give me a backache after a while, as they don't distribute any weight very evenly.

 

[ParrotBill]

I have used hip/fanny packs for ages. just big enough to carry phone, camera, a water bottle, and a few other small items. Hard to forget somewhere since it is strapped to me most of the time. Does not bother me in hot weather like a backpack does.

Insert standard warning about debit cards vs credit cards or gift cards. Would you give an unknown Disney employee direct access to your checking account?

Just want to comment on this too. The Disney castmembers do not have access to your credit card number. When it is swiped it is encrypted and stored in a way that prevents it from being viewed. The risk is the same as with any merchant - an unscrupulous person could swipe it in a personal reader hidden from view, or write down all the details. The best assurance is a card reader in your full view and you swipe it or can see the person handle the card until they hand it back. The second half of the risk is how your bank handles fraudulent transactions. My bank is Chase and they always reverse a fradulent transaction right away. I've never been stuck in the 3 times it's happened to me. Yes it is more inconvenient when it is your checking account, but we accept that and choose not to have credit cards except for one where debit cards are not accepted.

 

[Dug720]

sling bag....goes on all rides, not a problem

This is the small one I have. On sale now....and Eddie Bauer has a lifetime guarantee

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/r...11&backToCat=&previousPage=SRC&tab=&color=354

Thanks for posting this! I popped into the Eddie Bauer on 5th Ave and snagged the peach-ish colored one at the sale price!!

 

[chelynnah]

Here's how we do it. We each carry a smallish trifold nylon wallet with a cord or metal lanyard which we attach to our belt or drawstring. This is in our pocket, but makes it secure so it can't be lifted, or it if falls out its still attached. Hubby has cargo pockets. We also used the XL version of the running buddy pouch on our last trip. The XL will hold all phones including iPhone 6plus. This held our phones plus other bits and pieces. We have a lightweight backpack (drawstring or other) to hold umbrella, drinks and ponchos. We were there in Nivember, so we brought a larger bag with sweatshirts and pants in case it got cooler, along with spare drinks and other odds and ends, and we would store this in the lockers at the front.

I can't recommend the running buddy pouches enough, especially when you don't have cargo pockets. http://www.therunningbuddy.com/collections/running-buddy-products

 

[Mitzicat]

Just bought this bag on Amazon!! It's smaller than it looks but I think it will work well after hearing I can bring it on rides.

MeganMango - when is your trip...I was looking at that bag and was wondering how small it is. I'm also looking at the Sling-back bag from 31, someone from another thread suggested that one.

After reading through all the comments I wanted to add that at first I wanted a bag with a lot of organization but then I thought...oh all those zippers (another poster mentioned this) for the security folks to look thru. The Sling-Back bag from 31 has 3 zippers. For organization in the large pocket I will use clear cosmetic bags or ziplock bags...easy for Security to see everything inside.

I too had the problem with the baggalini bags rubbing on my neck.

 

[jrmasm]

I bought this based on a recommendation last year on a similar thread.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P8UB1A0...UTF8&qid=1456344014&sr=sr-1&keywords=backpack


Worked great. Lightweight, not too big, not too small and has water bottle pockets. I liked it so much I bought them for my daughters for our next trip.

 

[larryz]

Just want to comment on this too. The Disney castmembers do not have access to your credit card number. When it is swiped it is encrypted and stored in a way that prevents it from being viewed. The risk is the same as with any merchant - an unscrupulous person could swipe it in a personal reader hidden from view, or write down all the details. The best assurance is a card reader in your full view and you swipe it or can see the person handle the card until they hand it back. The second half of the risk is how your bank handles fraudulent transactions. My bank is Chase and they always reverse a fradulent transaction right away. I've never been stuck in the 3 times it's happened to me. Yes it is more inconvenient when it is your checking account, but we accept that and choose not to have credit cards except for one where debit cards are not accepted.

It's all a matter of risk management. If asked for advice, I'd advise anyone going to WDW to avoid exposing their debit card to the maximum extent possible. Not all banks are as helpful as Chase. (I can't believe I just said that...)

 

[YukiPhnx]

I can't recommend the running buddy pouches enough, especially when you don't have cargo pockets. http://www.therunningbuddy.com/collections/running-buddy-products

This looks AWESOME!!! It's the first I've seen of something like this. How much bigger is the XL?

 

[JB212]

I have one of these Vera Bradley "backpack" bags that is SO awesome when you need a bag but not a giant bag. It has a back zipper pocket that rests against your back. I put important stuff in there because when I'm wearing the bag that pocket is totally inaccessible to anyone. Ive fit multiple bottles of water, a big Nikon DSLR camera, phones and wallets and even a change of clothes in this bag. This bag has been hiking and to amusement parks and as a carry on to many flights. Its also machine washable which I consider a must.
http://www.amazon.com/Vera-Bradley-12746-Backpack/dp/B00A7HGE06

 

[Chelle's Belles]

This thread is so helpful! We usually go in cooler weather (Oct. - Dec.) so I like having a backpack. It's nice to have a place to put the jacket or sweatshirt the kids need for early morning, but not for the rest of the day. Also allows me to stuff in rain ponchos, water and snacks. I might downsize to a sling bag, this year though. Thanks for the recs!

 

[chelynnah]

This looks AWESOME!!! It's the first I've seen of something like this. How much bigger is the XL?

The XL is one inch longer than the regular size. All other measurements are the same. It was made to fit the iPhone 6plus, so any other phone up to that size will fit. Bills will fit in it without folding them. I have both sizes. Even with a smaller phone I'd go with an XL in the parks. I used the regular size for our November trip, but bought the XL recently as my iPhone 6s (not plus) was a tighter fit than I wanted. I worried it would be massive, but I wore it every day for a week and never even noticed it.

 

[Hagrid xox 65]

Thanks for posting this! I popped into the Eddie Bauer on 5th Ave and snagged the peach-ish colored one at the sale price!!

I am a 'travel-bag-aholic' I love them. Thanks for posting this Eddie Bauer one, I did a search and my local store has them!! YAY