Got our park bags this weekend...

[mudnuri]

We purchased our park bags this weekend at EMS at a local mall. DH and both wanted to get fanny/waist packs as that would keep our hands free. I have looked on line at many different places etc. and found that I wanted one that holds 2 water bottles and had enough room for everything else, including the camera, park hoppers, money, rain ponchos, glow sticks for the kids, and extra stuff like that.

I was lucky enough to find the exact packs that I wanted at EMS for $39.00 Here's the link to them

I took out the EMS bottles that come with them, and the Britta bottles fit, and the straps that hold the bottles- are adjustable and they do go over the brittas then sinch down to hold them.

I also put this pack on the front, and it's just as comfortable as the back. It is very well padded, and I think I'm really going to love it.

DH got the blue, I got a red....I figured the red matches my motorcycle, so this summer I can use it for that too!...

for $39.00 I couldnt go wrong!

Brandy

 

[mum4jenn]

Sounds nice but good luck with walking around with two heavy water bottles!! Hands free or not they wear you down after a while. I know from experience!!LOL!!

 

[mudnuri]

well, its either walk around with 2 water bottles in a pack DESIGNED for them, or carry them in our hands- or worst yet, around our necks....looking at the options, I'd certainly say we made the right decision to research a pack designed for this specific purpose......

But gee- thanks for your encouragement.

Brandy

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

 

[mum4jenn]

I never said it was a bad "idea". It is just the reality is much heavier than the fantasy!!!! We did this same thing several years ago (although we most definitely did not spend THAT much for them!!LOL!!)and as soon as we were able to drink the water the bottles went bye bye!!! They get very heavy. I still have those packs but I have not used them in years. Our backs were stressed from carrying them on the pack.

But.... I just guess you will have to find that out all on your own.To each his own and to quote the diaper commercial "You live.....you learn"

 

[mum4jenn]

Just found this on the post about what did you regret taking to the park: Glad to see SOMEONE agrees with me!!!
quote:
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Originally posted by MickeyMonstersMom
I do regret purchasing - and wearing - the massive, expensive fanny pack from Eastern Mountain Sports. It had a huge center carrying compartment divided into one large and 2 small sections, flanked by a water-bottle holder on each side. The worst of it was that I'd put ice in the water bottles in the morning, and as it melted, the condensation soaked through the fanny pack and onto my shorts - creating 2 spreading circles of visible dampness on the legs of my shorts. The crowning glory? The kids decided that the water from the fountains tasted fine, and didn't even use the water bottles. Ack!
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[tiggereyore]

Brandy
I bought one just like that from Huberts in Lebanon before our trip. We loved it!!! Bothe DH and I carried it I wrapped the bottles in a paper towel and a sandwich bag and never got leaked on. It held the camcorder (uses the 8mm tapes) and mom's digital camera plus the Mickey wallet and keys. It wasn't bad to carry. BTW We were also pushing 2 jogging strollers with a 40lb 4 yr old and a 25 lb 22 month old and his stroller had their cooler and diaper bag and my regular (big) camera. Which was the only thing I had to grab because everything else of value was attached. Even my diaper bag is a big old fanny pack one big pocket from LL Bean I could carry diapers 5, sm wipes, ziplocs fo used diapers & ice to cool off the sleeping kids, first aid kit pressed penny tubes sm unbrella used to shade DS, ponchos and so much other stuff. I attached that around the frame of the stroller and that left the basket for the cooler and purchases.
You'll be fine with them. I was

 

[steveanddonna]

We have a Swiss Army convertible bag (fanny/shoulder/sling) that is similar, and we would never go to WDW without it. It has taken tons of abuse over the last 5 years through Disney, Thailand, Japan, New Orleans...and is VERY comfortable to wear. Never felt weighted down, even with 2 water bottles, our DV cam, extra battery, keys, etc. While I love a bargain, we went through a lot of cheapie, Wal-mart/Target type bags with poor results before we realized "you get what you pay for." Their poor design contributed to them being uncomfortable and hard to use. I probably wouldn't spend a lot on a pack if it were for 1 or 2 trips, but ours was well worth the investment, since we'll probably use it for many more years.

 

[mudnuri]

Just found this on the post about what did you regret taking to the park: Glad to see SOMEONE agrees with me!!!

How can you agree with them if you've never carried an EXPENSIVE ONE??? You said yourself yours "wasnt THAT much"
Your comparing apples to oranges....its like comparing stitch to mickey.......they're just not the same!!

I do regret purchasing - and wearing - the massive, expensive fanny pack from Eastern Mountain Sports. It had a huge center carrying compartment divided into one large and 2 small sections, flanked by a water-bottle holder on each side.

Good thing for me, it's not the same one- mine isnt Massive, nor was it expensive...though others might think so

I'll be sure to post when I get back just how great the packs are......and all through the summer, when' DH and I use them on our motorcycles, and quads...I'll post then too! I'm sure I'll get that HUGE amount of money I spent on them out of them!!!

Brandy

 

[mum4jenn]

Good for you.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Good for you.

Isn't she allowed to be happy about her purchase? It seems there IS a possibility that they will be just what she needs, and there are others that agree. What's the problem?

 

[mum4jenn]

No problem

 

[campingcorgi]

I have a pack very similar to your pack and I love it! I carry one water bottle and in the other pocket I carry my camera. I can carry the video camera in the middle pocket and all my other things tucked away, too.

It does not bother my back at all--a bottle around my neck would really bother me, though.

Enjoy yours!!

 

[KIS]

I just bought a pack from a local camping store having first posted here an inquiry. There were a couple of recommendations for a certain fanny pack. When I went into this store, and this is the sort of store where the salefolks tell you you could use a zip-lock rather than purchase their waterproof bag or use a shoe lace on the cheaper model rather than buy a fancy one.

I explained exactly where we were going, exactly what we needed to carry, exactly what our concerns would be (going in and out of shows, rides, eating) as well as habits about carrying and the guy recommended the exact same pack as one of the ones mentioned on the boards.

We were willing to pay because I really wanted something ergonomically correct. It is VERY pricey. I'm a backpack person. A backpack is practically glued to my back everyday. My husband uses a briefcase. He will probably carry the weight more than me and I wanted us both to be comfortable with it.

Anyway, having never been to the parks, I am concerned about this question.

It's pretty obvious that everyone has different needs, lifestyles, and our bodies wear our aches and pains differently. Also, we have differences on what value we place on various things -- different priorities.

I hope that you enjoy your stay at the park and congratulations on finding a pack that will work for you.

As for me, I'm going with this trustworthy expert's opinion. In fact, he suggested I wear the pack around the house for 8 hours filled with the stuff that I will carry so that I can be certain that when I'm in the park, I will be comfortable. Of course, he offered to assist me should I find that this one does not work for me. (Such suggestions and treatment is why I'm fairly confident that I probably have what will work for me)

Having never gone to WDW yet, I have valued suggestions. I glad you are not discouraged in sharing what your experience is.

For those who are interested in what I've come up with it's called a Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack and is about twice as big as yours is (we want to include snacks and 3 waterbottles. We plan to have it primarily on our stroller (I've even used the boards to access the risk of loosing it to a park thief). We'll have a mini-wallet hanging on a shoestring (that originally has a huge keyclip hanging from a huge reinforced hole punch) around our necks and a slightly larger around the next pouch for a cellphone and two pairs of glasses. Lastly our camera will be in a separate case that straps around the neck.

My husband will have the pack on when necessary and I will have the larger pouch and we will trade off, probably with the camera bag and the mini-wallet pouch.

I'd welcome suggestions and questions that might improve my plan thus far.

I am concerned about someone stealing the pack. It is expensive (just under $70). I don't know who might know and steal it just for the pack (everything in it will be very replaceable).

Given my history with backpacks, I know I will have it about 10-20 years. I am tempted to rough it up a little bit so that it looks more worn or something.

Anyway, mudnuri, when are you going from your trip? I'd be interested in hearing your experience.

KIS

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay, you guys all seem to be pretty knowledgable about fanny packs. I've used backpacks in the past. Bothered my shoulders after 4 days. Made the switch to fanny packs. Love 'em. But, I wear mine in front of me. But, after a bit it starts bothering my back also. If I switch the pack around to the back and wear it actually on my fanny, it feels terrific. But, I'm concerned about having it behind me where I can't see it. Yes, most people are honest but would it be easy for someone in a crowd to get into it? Or, are there any fanny packs that carry better in front? Thanks for any insight here.

 

[KIS]

I had read on the boards where other people expressed the same problem about the back being more comfortable than the front. That's when I figured we might as well try for a wallet around the neck and everything else that was replacable in the pack.

That might not be a solution for you since we are still taking a risk of someone picking that pack.

KIS

 

[goofy4tink]

Kis, you know, that's funny now that you mention the backpack being able to be picked too. I carried a backpack for years and never worried about it. Wonder why I feel differently about the fanny pack being in the back.

 

[KIS]

I know, I think I share your isolated sense of fear. I tend not to think about the pack, too, being possibly pickable. I think it is, however, despite, my perception. Like you, I'm not too sure, why I have that same sense.

KIS

 

[mad4themouse]

I love my EMS fanny pack. It's larger than most fanny packs and has several compartments, making it easier to find things. I think I paid $29 for it 11 years ago. It was well worth the money. Cheaper fanny packs either split their seams or the zippers break after only a few uses. This one still looks great.

My only complaint is that, because I don't wear it in the back, I do feel some backstrain by late afternoon. If I were not so paranoid about pickpockets, I could wear it in the back, like it was designed and save myself a little pain.

 

[Vanryan]

mad4themouse I love the picture in your signature, what a lovely family you have.