Fanny packs vs. Backpacks

[tkyes]

I never understand why people who don't have kids use backpacks.

1. we don't bring much, but it definately doesn't fit in a fanny pack

2. I'm with bonzo, I can't bring myself to carry a fannypack!


Just DH and I. We have 1 small backpack. We put passes, sunglasses, brita refillable water bottle, small travel umbrella, small notebook that has our PS's written down, and we put the camera in it if we don't feel like carrying the camera seperately.

It's never gotten heavy and we just take turns carrying it. To make going through security easier, one person takes the camera case and another takes the backpack since we have to open both.

tamie

 

[NotUrsula]

I carry a flat cloth backpack, the sort that has drawstrings that loop through the bottom corners. The water bottle goes in a neoprene sleeve on my belt loop. The light backpack is small enough to fold into a pocket if we don't need it for whatever reason, such as when it's raining, and we've eaten all the snacks that we carried in. It's also nice that it doesn't stick out behind me very much.

 

[kc&dmom]

Originally posted by LJ01
Do many men wear fanny packs at Disney? I have never wore one but I think I could fit everything I need in one and not carry a back pack.

My DH was not alone wearing his --- did he look a little goofy?? Well maybe -- but whose going to say anything to 6'4" 280 lbs Norwegian??

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Fanny pack & "Healthy Back" bag

Fanny/waist pack for checkbook, KTTW card, car keys.

HB Bag for ponchos and mini-umbrella (it rains a lot in August), autograph albums, fat pens, camera and water bottle in outer "sleeve."

 

[renniks]

Originally posted by Twirly41
Is security only checking backpacks or do they look in fanny packs also?

Last time I was there they checked both.

 

[DizneeCM]

I carry a fannypack over my shoulder (like a purse). Helps to avoid the "geeky " look. Works better than a purse because you can clip it onto the rides so it doesn't fall off. We also carry one backpack for the family, and DH and I take turns lugging it (comes in handy for jackets, etc...)

 

[HollyJoy]

Wow! Lots of differences of opinions! I don't particuarly like fannypacs, but am willing to forgo looking cool in the name of Walt Disney World! LOL

 

[Jaklackus]

I use a backpack...padded for a laptop to protect cameras and such. I also discovered while pregnant that it acts as a counterbalance to your extra belly weight...greatly reducing back strain(heavenly to find such relief with a 5 pound backpack,who would have thought!!) ...you just need to fight everyone in your party to let you carry it since they'll get 'dirty' looks for using the pregnant lady as the 'pack mule' DH kept trying to take it away...only to endure my pregnant wrath 20 minutes later when I could barely stand up from the strain.

 

[Alison Wonderland]

Lots of men carry fannypacks at Disney. Noone thinks they are geeky there.

 

[ccalip]

Since you are on the subject, I have an add'l question... My kids sometimes carry their snacks in small backpacks at Disneyland, but I want them not to have to worry about it at WDW. We'll put as much as possible in stroller, but it will probably be full with water bottles and rain gear. I thought about having the older kids carry their snacks (and maybe their money) in their own fanny packs (I'll take mine, and my husband will probably take his).

However, I'm having a hard time finding small fanny packs... anyone know who may sell them... cheap!? Online or in a store..

Thanks!

 

[TammyNC]

We used to do the fanny packs and backpacks. Now, we have both of our children wear one with their autograph books, pens, etc. and DH wore one with the camera, tickets, etc. We did start switching off near the end of the week and I wore it. We enjoy it because it is attached to the body and we don't have to put it down while on a ride or eating so we aren't as likely to leave it behind.

If we though we were going to need a jacket or sweatshirt, we tied it around our waist because those can get heavy in a backpack.

Yes, the security is checking the fanny packs too (I couldn't remember if someone had already answered that question or not).

 

[metman12345]

i had a fany pack and back pack that i bought at a garage sale in england last year. it was for animal kingdon in brown leather and look the (bizz) . any way i left it in our house in america in our locked room and over the winter someone worked how to pick the lock and stole both packs leaving me very sad. if any one nows where i could buy a new one even at full price i would be very greatfull.we did ask at all the disney stores but to now luck.

again it was ark brown with a hand stiched walt disney world name tag plus a picture of wdw on it from animal kingom

many thanks

ANDY

 

[Kitty 34]

My family consists of me, DH and three sons (teenage and older) and we all wear fanny packs.

 

[il-gander]

We took our first family trip to the World last summer. I agonized over what to put all of our um... stuff ... in (there's always so much!) and settled on a messenger-style bag which I wore across my body. Not a good idea, as it turned out. It was very heavy and I had to keep switching shoulders to keep my shoulder ache balanced between both sides, LOL.

Having said that, we carried WAY too much stuff and will be much more streamlined next trip. DH got a fanny pack a few days into the trip - he actually got into being helpful and carrying his share, spent a fair amount of time trying to find a "good" fanny pack and then had no problems whatsoever wearing it there. You wouldn't catch either of us in one anywhere else, but we all know WDW is an alternate reality anyway! Next time we will definitely be wearing his & her fanny packs. It was heaven on the days when I didn't have to carry that heavy bag and my hands were free at all times.

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

I refuse to wear a fannie pack and so does my DH!!

We have found that a backpack with wheels and a retractable handle works best for us. It's never heavy to drag and we just hook our leg through on the rides. We have a waterproof bag inside for celly's and cams. I carry my cam corder , digital cam, snacks. sun screen, and the other things I might need. It's not bad at check through cuz I unzip it all the way and they can clearly see everything at once. I will never go back to carrying a bag or start wearing one. lol

PS this backpack doubles as my DS-5's carry on luggage which is great cuz he can manage it himself through the airport.

 

[bengalfreak]

I am just thoroughly amused that anyone gives a rats patoot that people they don't know and will never see again think they look like a geek. If you think a fanny pack would be useful, wear one. Geez.

 

[gjerseygirl]

I really love these boards. They cover everything don't they? I find it amazing how people in different parts of the country think so differently. Here on the east coast (at least in the NYC area) fanny packs are definetly not "geeky". They even have designer fanny packs. I myself carry a Prada fanny pack. My physical therapist (back and neck problems) says never, never carry a shoulder bag. She probably wouldn't approve of a back pack either. Now... a man in sandals, or worse yet.....sandals with socks....that's a different story

Anyhows, I plan to bring a fanny pack for everyone. I'm also looking for waterproof fanny packs for those wet rides. I'm not bringing along snacks, I can't be bothered. Just big enough to carry money, tickets, keys, cell phones and each of us will have a camera to record our own memories of our trip. Jackets, we can tie around our waist. Rain...we'll wear our ponchos. Or go back to the room for them...it's only a monorail ride away.

So, good luck to everyone deciding what to bring. Be assured, us eastcoasters will not think you look "geeky." If its a really nice one, we'll probably even ask you where you bought it!!

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

It's not that I feel "geeky" or think others look like geeks I don't like wearing something around my waist, especially when it's hot out. The less stuff touching me the better!! LOL

 

[Aisling]

If I'm anywhere else but WDW, you would never in a million years catch me wearing a fanny pack - how geeky can you get?

Not to brag , but DH is a really cool guy, 43 years old, and he wears a fanny pack, which he calls a waist pack. He's very appearance-conscious, you know, thinking he's "all that", and he'd never wear a waist pack if he thought it geeky.

As for myself, I'm the opposite and would wear it even if I thought I looked geeky. I'm too concerned with my enjoyment to care about how i look.

But I still use a back pack, in which I carry a camera, film, ponchos, a few Capris drinks, and my cell phone.
In the evenings, I put in our light weight long sleeved Ts, in case it's chilly at night or in a restaurant.

And if we're going to AK that day, I always throw in an extra pair of shorts and a t-shirt, because I always get drenched on Kali. And also a zip lock bag to put my wet clothes in.

It may sound like a lot of stuff, but it's not really, and it's all light weight, so I don't feel any back strain carrying a pack all day.

 

[jenniwho]

To all the fanny pack people: where did you find a decent one? Anywhere online? I am a fanny pack person in DW. I had an Eastpack one that was a decent size, and somewhat waterproof, but the zipper is starting to go so I'm looking to replace it before my September trip. Thanks for any help!