Do I HAVE to wear a backpack?

[gramd44]

Is it really necessary? or can I get by with a fanny pack? Except if I want to bring in waters and snacks for the two kids, right? Do you like backpacks or the sling bag better??

 

[Aimeedyan]

Um, we go without anything if we can. And if DH is wearing his cargo shorts, we go bagless and it makes our experience SO much nicer. The more I visit, the less I carry in with me. Course I don't have children...

All I need is inhaler, cell phone, ID and money, camera. Sometimes I carry a lightweight jacket with me during certain times of the year, but not always.

When I do carry a bag, I prefer my lightweight drawstring backpack.

 

[disnut8]

I just use a shoulder bag but my husband (who ends up carrying that since I have my camera case) is wanting to switch to something on his back. But not a backpack, a "day pack" which is basically one big bag but with straps to go over your shoulders.

My advice to you is to lay out on your bed every single thing you possibly think you could need in a typical (note - typical) day at the park. Things you absolutely cannot do without and Disney cannot provide. Then think about it again. Do you really need six different bags of snacks so the kids can have a choice or do you just want to tell them to pick one that morning and that's it? Do you really need an umbrella and a poncho so you have one for light rain and one for heavy rain or do you want to just pick one for the day? Do you really need a first aid kit that could function for an entire Boy Scout Troop for a full weekend or can you put a few bandaids and aspirin in a baggie and be happy or just rely on the Disney First Aid Stations? Do you really need to guide book or can you put things on index cards and be happy?
Can your kids carry their own little packs? Give them their own snacks to carry.

Once you have it down to what you absolutely need on a typical day at the parks, find a bag you can live with. And then go for a two mile walk and see how it feels.

 

[crisi]

No, we've done "pocket trips" - and my husband has a fanny pack (oh so fashionable, but practical) that will fit snacks in it for us.

If you want to start carrying in jackets, snacks and water for kids, you'll need a bag - whether that is a backpack or a sling bag is up to you (I like a backpack for lots of stuff - like cold weather travel where we put on and take off sweatshirts - and a sling for warm weather travel - when we don't even care about rainjackets because wet is cooler.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Um, we go without anything if we can. And if DH is wearing his cargo shorts, we go bagless and it makes our experience SO much nicer.

My DH is our pack mule too. If it doesn't fit in his pockets, it gets left behind. I used to carry a bag years ago, but they are a nuisance. Using only his pockets, allows us to more freely move through the security line & the parks.

 

[NMAmy]

Heck, no, you don't have to. I've been taking dd since she was 5 and I've never taken anything more than I can fit in my pockets.

I have a lanyard around my neck for tickets and fast passes. My sunglasses are on a string. Dd's inhaler, room key, driver's license, credit card, and my money go in my pockets. And my tiny camera in its tiny camera bag on my wrist (DH will sometimes put this in his pocket on some of the rougher rides.) That's it! Anything else we can get in the parks or go back to the room to get it.

 

[tkldisney]

I always use a fanny pack...
It holds my cell, travel wallet, camera, hair brush, lip balm, kleenex & hand sanitizer & a pen. It's waterproof, with Disney characters on the front of course. I don't have to take it off for any rides so no chance of forgetting.

 

[wdw1972]

Is it really necessary? or can I get by with a fanny pack? Except if I want to bring in waters and snacks for the two kids, right? Do you like backpacks or the sling bag better??

Why not have the kids carry their own - or drink from the many free water fountains??? My son grew up with his own little fanny pack - he had asthma then & needed to keep his inhaler nearby just in case. He also carried a bottle of water, mainly because he thought the strap was cool.

Kids really don't NEED anything.....and I guess neither do we. How much you carry for yourself or others is strictly up to you.

 

[Tricia1972]

Moving to the tip board.

 

[Joyful Pixiedust]

Cargo shorts are definitely the way to go, IMO!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My DH prefers a backpack for some strange reason.

I prefer to go without a bag. I just wear my passporter pouch with tickets around my neck, I also add cash, credit card and ID plus I tuck in a few emergency bandaids. Sunglasses go around my neck on an eyeglass leash.

Then I put other stuff in my cargo shorts pockets - like camera, travel size advil, ponchos, tiny notebook, hair comb. I've got 2 kids and we managed just fine without all the stuff in the backpack. I just hand carry DD's autograph book and have never lost it or had a problem hand carrying it.

The only time I can see needing one is with cold weather. I don't have any cargo pants so I'd have to carry jackets and our other stuff with a backpack then.
We normally go to WDW when it's hot so it's not normally an issue for us except for the upcoming weekend trip that DD and I are doing in November. That one I'll probably have to break down and use a backpack for.

 

[marynpaul]

I carry what is called a backpack/purse. can be used as sling or unzipped to use as a backpack. Got it from Kohls on sale for about $24.00

 

[perriwinkleblue]

My DH prefers a backpack for some strange reason.

Mine too. He doesn't mind a huge heavy backpack stuffed with everything we could possibly need. I'm just the opposite. Even at home if I don't have to carry a purse, I don't. It's all about the pockets! I will do a fanny pack at DW so I can tote a little bottle of sunscreen and the camera and cell phone in a ziplock (to keep dry). That is, if I am not w/dh and The Backpack. I'll also hand a bag on the stroller with non-valuable things like a change of clothes for ds)