Fanny/Belt Pack vs. Backpack

[JoyfulHeart]

We are headed to Universal Memorial Weekend and following week. We have gone to Disney several times, but never Universal- we always have a backpack. I have been given advise of " you have to take a fanny pack, the lockers are a pain and it just easier" to " you have to have a backpack because of the drink cups and wands". So which do you recommend? I am leaning towards the Fanny/belt pack, just for the easy button. But I think my kids will miss all the snacks, water bottles and rain jackets we normally bring with us. I am sure we can fit a few small snacks but that's about it. My kids are 9 & 11 this year so they are no longer tiny. they are already trying to make their own wand carriers- lol. I would love to see what you all prefer and if you would like to explain why, even better! THANK YOU!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We love Universal attractions. We absolutely hate the annoying requirement to put things in lockers! But I think I'd recommend you take with you what you want, have the backpack with what you want during the day, and just muddle through the several times you need to utilize the lockers. In reality, it impacts a handful of rides, not all of them. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Smugpugmug]

I say bring a backpack. I always bring this bag when I go and I don't have any issues fitting it into the lockers, even when it's full of stuff. I bring things that I know I couldn't fit into a fanny pack like water bottles and sunscreen (which will be critical for Memorial Day weekend).

The only ride that I found the locker situation to be awful at was Gringotts. The corridors are really tight and it's very stressful to walk through. Also for some rides such as Velocicoaster, Hulk and Rip Ride Rocket, you will have to put the fanny pack into lockers anyway since you go through metal detectors.

 

[UOAP-Naples]

There are 8 rides at the two parks that don't allow backpacks. 3 of those 8 don't allow fanny packs either. So you'd be sacrificing your snacks and cheaper freestyle drinks to make things a little quicker on just a few rides per day.

Take the backpack, just make sure they are smaller and will fit in the free lockers. We always do the freestyle cups and usually take a wand or two so we have to do the lockers. We take one or two small backpacks with ponchos, snacks, Aleve, bandaids, sunscreen, etc.

We've been so many times that we know the drill and get in and out fast. Have one person take the backpack(s) and be ready to get it in to the locker when you get there. Don't open the locker with a line behind you and then start pulling everything out of your pockets to put into the backpacks. Get that done as you're walking to the ride and it's pretty quick and painless.

The only reason that the lockers are inconvenient is because a family of 5 will all go to the locker area, open a locker, and then stand in front of the lockers for 5 minutes while they all get everything into the bag and then try to stuff the oversized bag into the locker. The team members try to tell people to just send one person into the locker bays but many are too stupid to pay attention.

 

[lisam70]

There are 8 rides at the two parks that don't allow backpacks. 3 of those 8 don't allow fanny packs either. So you'd be sacrificing your snacks and cheaper freestyle drinks to make things a little quicker on just a few rides per day.

Take the backpack, just make sure they are smaller and will fit in the free lockers. We always do the freestyle cups and usually take a wand or two so we have to do the lockers. We take one or two small backpacks with ponchos, snacks, Aleve, bandaids, sunscreen, etc.

We've been so many times that we know the drill and get in and out fast. Have one person take the backpack(s) and be ready to get it in to the locker when you get there. Don't open the locker with a line behind you and then start pulling everything out of your pockets to put into the backpacks. Get that done as you're walking to the ride and it's pretty quick and painless.

The only reason that the lockers are inconvenient is because a family of 5 will all go to the locker area, open a locker, and then stand in front of the lockers for 5 minutes while they all get everything into the bag and then try to stuff the oversized bag into the locker. The team members try to tell people to just send one person into the locker bays but many are too stupid to pay attention.

This is exactly my response as well
Be mindful of the locker size is on the smaller size so depending how many in your party and how many things you have you may need more than one. We always take a small backpack for sunscreen, charger, wallet, meds and refillable water bottle. Can't stress enough that only the people renting the locker needs to be in the locker area. The reason its such a mess is when entire parties stand in front of lockers blocking them off.

 

[Rory607]

One alternative is to carry a fanny pack yourself and then the kids can each have a small backpack of their own. It depends on your kids and their responsibility level. My 12 year started carrying her own Loungefly at 11 and clipping her wand carrier either to the backpack or her lanyard. She keeps her poncho, hoodie, snacks, etc. in it. She’s responsible enough not to set it down and lose it. My 9 year old…not yet. So I do a fanny pack, 12 year old has a Loungefly and then my H carries a small string backpack. It saves anyone having to carry a big backpack. We also don’t all do big rides, so I can hold stuff to avoid using lockers, though.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We have brought the 20L packable backpack from Eddie Bauer and it fit just fine in the lockers for the rides. https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/823001...a&utm_source=google&utm_term=0230168764000000 (we have a different color than this but this is what it is). It was also easy to bring on rides for the ones that you can.


Regardless of belt or backpack at Universal you'd probably find yourself using the free lockers a lot at rides. Some rides don't allow anything in your pockets so you'd have to put them in a locker. Some rides a belt or fanny pack may still not be allowed due to the restraint system. I wouldn't pack a bag to the gills but we overall don't find the locker system at Universal a pain.

You could also decide to get a paid locker for the whole day for snacks (things that aren't perishable). We actually did a locker (paid one) the day we decided to do the water rides at IOA so we could change into water shoes. We didn't actually change clothes because we were fine drying out but knew we wanted different shoes. But if you wanted to bring a change of clothes, snacks, etc you could do the paid locker option.

 

[DisneyMom93]

When we went to Universal the first time our girls were old enough to carry their own waist packs. They could each fit their own snacks, wipes, tissues, disposable poncho (if they didn't want to get wet on a ride), lip balm, phone, etc. We only use the lockers for rides where nothing is allowed on the rides (not even in pockets). They still use their own waist packs now that they are older.

 

[UOAP-Naples]

I think the vloggers recommending only Fanny packs are locals with annual passes who don’t usually go for the full day. If you’re an adult or two going for 4 or 5 hours, take the Fanny packs.

If you’re a family of 4 with kids doing open to close every day (especially during the summer when it’s hottest and rains every day), then take the backpack or two.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I think the vloggers recommending only Fanny packs are locals with annual passes who don’t usually go for the full day. If you’re an adult or two going for 4 or 5 hours, take the Fanny packs.

If you’re a family of 4 with kids doing open to close every day (especially during the summer when it’s hottest and rains every day), then take the backpack or two.

Family of four here... not a vlogger (not sure if you were referring to comments on here, too).

We go open to close, rain or shine (but not in the dead of summer).

But I will say that we don't carry a bunch of snacks, or drinks. We used to carry maybe a snack bar or goldfish crackers for the kids when they were little, but the park snacks are some of the things we enjoy so we just buy them.

Husband wears shorts with zipper pockets for his phone and we all use lanyards, either neck or retractable ones clipped to waist packs or shorts, for Express Pass and Photopass, etc.

We do find the lockers inconvenient. They can be quick but can also be annoying.

 

[georgina]

The lockers are not that much of a pain, the worst are the Hagrid's and Gringott's ones get blocked up a bit with people. I prefer to have a water bottle, bag to put my sunscreen, sunglasses and hat in for the rides, etc

 

[Kit Jackson]

We are headed to Universal Memorial Weekend and following week. We have gone to Disney several times, but never Universal- we always have a backpack.

Take the backpack. The lockers are not that big of a deal. I use the same crossbody bag in the parks that I use in my regular day to day life and I have never had a problem. If having certain things with you during the day is important, bring the backpack. As long as it is small and not a giant bag, it will fit in the lockers. The lockers are not that big of a deal.

 

[Skywalker3]

I vote backpack. I tried to just do the fanny pack, and I just need my stuff. DH usually just does the cargo pants or fanny pack. DS doesn't carry much, and DD sometimes has a small backpack. While storing stuff in lockers at FJ and Gringotts is a bit of a pain, I'd much rather do that then not have all my usual stuff. I have had to make sure my full sized backpack can flatten, not be over stuffed, but it always fits when I really squish it. Have had to take out water bottles and cups sometimes and get another locker, but worth it to me.

 

[JoyfulHeart]

Thank you all so much for your advise and help!!

 

[disney-inspired]

I voted fanny pack.
I try to go in with as little as possible. Also, backpacks in the heat make my back sweaty.

 

[xipotec]

Neither, Sling bag.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I tend to go with just a belt pack at Universal, and mine fits a small sunscreen. It's nice to only have to get a locker at a few rides.

But buying bottled water in the park does get expensive, so don't be afraid to take a string backpack if you want to do the refillable cups.

(And those are easy/tiny to pack in your luggage, so you can always take one, go with the belt pack the first day, and then switch to the string backpack if you miss having more stuff.)


I'm intrigued by this, though:

they are already trying to make their own wand carriers- lol.

(I haven't done the interactive wands.)
What do people make?

 

[JoyfulHeart]

Thank you all for your help. I THINK we are going with a backpack for DH but it will not be loaded down like normal and will have a filtered refillable water bottle and room for 2 Freestyle Cups ( I really liked the Powerade option and DH LOVES soda). My girls HATED the water a Disney but did great with the filtered water bottle last time ( I am assuming its the same taste issue at Universal). So this way I don't have to worry about them being dehydrated due to taste (my girls would so do this). Both daughters love the idea of small fanny packs to keep a snack or two and something to do in line so we are doing that for them. I will probably bring a fanny pack for myself. This will work well if we only come for a few hours before or after a break, too. I know we will need a backpack for Volcano Bay ( with locker) anyway, so if we end up getting by without we can always leave it in the room. We are driving so luggage isn't near the issue you flyers have to deal with. Again, thank you all for your input. Hopefully this helps others as well.

 

[UOAP-Naples]

Thank you all for your help. I THINK we are going with a backpack for DH but it will not be loaded down like normal and will have a filtered refillable water bottle and room for 2 Freestyle Cups ( I really liked the Powerade option and DH LOVES soda). My girls HATED the water a Disney but did great with the filtered water bottle last time ( I am assuming its the same taste issue at Universal). So this way I don't have to worry about them being dehydrated due to taste (my girls would so do this). Both daughters love the idea of small fanny packs to keep a snack or two and something to do in line so we are doing that for them. I will probably bring a fanny pack for myself. This will work well if we only come for a few hours before or after a break, too. I know we will need a backpack for Volcano Bay ( with locker) anyway, so if we end up getting by without we can always leave it in the room. We are driving so luggage isn't near the issue you flyers have to deal with. Again, thank you all for your input. Hopefully this helps others as well.

I think a lot of people don't do the Freestyle machines because they think it's just soda. They have a ton of options and flavors. Powerade, Powerade Zero, Vitamin Water, Vitamin Water Zero, Minute Maid, Minute Maid Zero, etc in addition to all the different sodas. And all of those have 5-10 different flavors so hundreds of choices. Sometimes a machine might be out of some of the different options but there still should be something you like.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

There are 8 rides at the two parks that don't allow backpacks. 3 of those 8 don't allow fanny packs either. So you'd be sacrificing your snacks and cheaper freestyle drinks to make things a little quicker on just a few rides per day.

This.

I nominate, bring the backpack if you're used to it. I wouldn't change my touring style based on having to spend 2 minutes at a locker 5x a day. If you dislike the lockers after that first day, leave the backpack in the hotel afterwards.

Almost everyone on here also says to use a lanyard because they're so convenient. After bringing a lanyard a few trips and never using it, and never missing it, we don't bring a lanyard anymore - we have pockets. So do what you normally do, then make adjustments - don't assume the adjustments based on what other people do. I do pockets only, but we'll use the lockers occasionally (when bringing a change of clothes for the water rides, after shopping, metal detector rides, etc.).