Fanny pack, mini pack or backpack...thoughts?

[pdmedic]

I used a small hydration pack that was big enough to carry a few things as well as ice water the last couple times we went to the parks. It worked out really well.

 

[Krandor]

I go no bags and cargo shorts or pants for plenty of pockets. Though I normally only bring phone, phone charges, ID in case asked for alcohol, and some headphone if I want to listen to stuff in queue and that's about it. But I prefer just plenty of pockets and use those to any kind of pack or bag

 

[kirstenb1]

I have 3 Dooney backpacks. 2 are pretty big, and the third one has a palm tree print and is a mini, about 5x7. I love them! They have a keychain clip inside. There are 3 outer pockets. Those I use for reading glasses, sunglasses, wallet and cel phone. Inside I usually have a water bottle, sunblock, throwaway ponchos.

If I carry one of the larger ones, then they easily fit purchases like t shirts, too.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I prefer a crossbody bag for the parks. I can keep my hands free and don't have to take it off for rides.

 

[Michigan_tinkerbell]

Same. This trip tho I'm going to alternate between the fanny pack and a Vera bradley crossbody

Could you share a pic of the Crossbody? I love Vara Bradley

 

[MrsPete]

Fanny pack: No, unless you never take any pictures.
Mini-pack: Okay.
Backpack: Unless you have a small child, put some thought into carrying less.

Pockets only: Winner!

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I started carrying a backpack last two trips. I thought it would be a pain, but it was so nice to have it to store things we needed. A lot of the rides, you can put it between your feet or place it in a net on the seat in front of you.

 

[boop0524]

I have tried a variety of bags, and found the mini backpack (Loungefly) to be my favorite. It fits a bottle of water and all the necessities without being too big. Crossbody bags always end up hurting one shoulder and a regular size backpack is too big most of the time. Plus the designs are fun and Disney themed, yay!

 

[kylenne]

Fanny pack: No, unless you never take any pictures.
Mini-pack: Okay.
Backpack: Unless you have a small child, put some thought into carrying less.

Pockets only: Winner!

“Put some thought into it” is a little insensitive...those of us who are disabled and/or neurodiverse require a little more than pockets will carry sometimes. Like when you’re chronically ill and have to carry a whole bunch of meds and can’t subsist on tiny free cups of ice water from QS locations. And Gods help you if Aunt Flo pays a visit and you need to carry those supplies (that happened to me on a trip and it sucked!). My gf brings a set of noise canceling Bose cans to drown out ambient noise during times she’s feeling overstimulated and it’s the only way she can enjoy fireworks.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons why childless adults need to carry backpacks into the parks. It’s easy to assume everyone has your circumstances, but not everyone does. Everyone is different and has different needs.

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

We have older children, but still found the backpack useful for carrying a couple bottles of water, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer. I also have a larger cell phone, which doesn't fit in my pocket. Additionally, I found it helpful to bring a portable cell charger, because using the app and taking photos, the battery goes quick. For photos, you can set the backpack down.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Fanny pack: No, unless you never take any pictures.
Mini-pack: Okay.
Backpack: Unless you have a small child, put some thought into carrying less.

Pockets only: Winner!

How are people getting by with just a pocket during an entire day at a park? I must be doing it wrong... usually I take;

Advil, cell, sanitizer, Bandaids, poncho and even have taken a batt bank (and now extra masks).

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a smaller Signare Tapestry bag that I use for the parks. It's a cross body bag. The specific one I bought it currently unavailable, but they have many other fabrics.

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I have a smaller Signare Tapestry bag that I use for the parks. It's a cross body bag. The specific one I bought it currently unavailable, but they have many other fabrics.
View attachment 550618

This is super cute!

 

[MrsPete]

“Put some thought into it” is a little insensitive...those of us who are disabled and/or neurodiverse require a little more than pockets will carry sometimes. Like when you’re chronically ill and have to carry a whole bunch of meds and can’t subsist on tiny free cups of ice water from QS locations. And Gods help you if Aunt Flo pays a visit and you need to carry those supplies (that happened to me on a trip and it sucked!). My gf brings a set of noise canceling Bose cans to drown out ambient noise during times she’s feeling overstimulated and it’s the only way she can enjoy fireworks.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons why childless adults need to carry backpacks into the parks. It’s easy to assume everyone has your circumstances, but not everyone does. Everyone is different and has different needs.

Well, let's consider your list: A "whole bunch of meds" can be packaged quite small for day-use (and by carrying only the pills you're likely to need THAT DAY, you don't risk losing larger bottles). You can order two "tiny" cups of water or specify that you'd like a large cup. A couple tampons take some space (I used a Diva Cup for the last decade + that I needed such supplies, and I loved not needing to carry supplies /only needing to change first thing in the morning, once in the afternoon, once at bedtime). A waterbottle and headphones do take some space, but all -- and more -- that will fit in a mini-backpack (or a sling pack is about the same quantity).

A daypack is pretty big, and it's not necessary for the things you've listed. Also, a person with a chronic illness is certainly going to have a better day in the parks if they don't load themselves down with a bunch of stuff.

We have older children, but still found the backpack useful for carrying a couple bottles of water, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer. I also have a larger cell phone, which doesn't fit in my pocket. Additionally, I found it helpful to bring a portable cell charger, because using the app and taking photos, the battery goes quick. For photos, you can set the backpack down.

Again, the things you mention don't require a whole day pack.

How are people getting by with just a pocket during an entire day at a park? I must be doing it wrong... usually I take;

Advil, cell, sanitizer, Bandaids, poncho and even have taken a batt bank (and now extra masks).

I only go to Disney during warm months, and I tend to wear one of two things:

- A casual dress with bicycle shorts underneath. The bicycle shorts have a big pocket on each leg -- my large phone fits easily into one. With a hat and prescription sunglasses.
- Shorts with lots of pockets and a blouse-y top. I wear a women's small in shorts, and my large phone fits in my back pocket. Again, with a hat and prescription sunglasses.

The for-sure things I carry in pockets are: my (large) phone, a couple Neospirin-infused bandaids, and a little ziplock with my ID, tickets, money.
I might carry a point-and-shoot camera, and IF the weather looks to be bad I will carry a disposable poncho (if a quick afternoon shower is expected, I'm more likely to sit down in a restaurant for a drink and a snack, or go into an indoor attraction). I wash my hands in restrooms, and since I don't play on my phone my battery will last a whole day.

Going "light" is very freeing, and I highly recommend it.

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I was considering backpack, anything your carry on your back. What I carry is Loungefly.

 

[MrsPete]

I was considering backpack, anything your carry on your back. What I carry is Loungefly.

Unless they make larger packs than I know, I'd call a Loungefly a mini-pack. The woman ahead of me at Target yesterday had a super-cute one, and I was definitely coveting it.

 

[Twitterpaited]

A sling bag is a good compromise. It doesn’t pull on your shoulder as much as a crossbody, and it can easily swing around to the front on rides and to access pockets.

 

[jbrinkm]

I hadn’t thought about waters though. We usually all 4 have a refillable water bottle. Hmmmm. What do fanny pack or mini backpack fans do about water?

I'm struggling with this dilemma as well! We're doing a combo Disney/Universal trip and really hoping to avoid backpacks, but need water.

We use the hiking-style waist packs. They are padded for comfort, are fairly breathable, and have more storage than a typical fanny pack. Some even have water bottle holders, although larger water bottles don't fit into them well (they are top heavy and tip out of the pack pretty easily). On our last trip, we tried to do the larger water bottles on the first day and quickly realized that they didn't work, and then ended up buying bottles of water in between meals. Those fit pretty well in the packs that we had, but I hate buying disposable plastic bottles, plus the cost added up.

My current plan is that I just ordered one of those LifeStraw Flex contraptions to see how they fit into the bags. If we get those little free cups of ice water, we can just use the straw to filter for taste, and the flexible "bag"/bottle will both keep the straw clean and could also be filled from water stations if needed. I'm just hoping they fit well into the waist packs and work for our needs.

 

[MomOTwins]

You can get a water bottle with a belt clip/carabiner and attach it to the strap of the fanny pack.

 

[samsonjs]

I really like the Eddie Bauer stowaway backpack. It’s super lightweight and more comfortable to carry than a crossbody. It’s small and easy to take on rides.