newbie- fannypack or backpack?

[dbenlee]

I started with a fanny pack, but went to a backpack so I had something bigger to carry my camera's in and to carry the souviners that our DS7 decides he doesn't want to carry.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I carried a tote bag I got from Disney shopping (red with cutouts where the characters' faces would be so you can put pictures in) . I guess I'm just so used to a shoulder bag it seemed more comfortable, but by the time we got the autograph book(s), water, t-shirt DD was having autographed and sometimes the camera along with all those little emergency things, it weighed a ton! DH carried the camera bag as a fanny pack (it has multiple straps). Next time I will probably try to find some type of light backpack--I lost my waist when I had DD and me in a fanny pack is not attractive! :rotfl

It did help that DD had her own water bottle on a strap and she didn't seem to mind carrying that. I got her a princess one at Walmart for about $5.

 

[OceanStateKelly]

I have a sm/med size tote bag I use, I found for me it works the best, it zips, its made of nylon so its lite weight, has a big outside pocket that I use for a water bottle, stays really good on my shouder. I bought it a couple of trips back at TJ Maxx and its made by le sak. I don't think you'll find one like the one I have but I'm sure you could find something close.

I found that a backpack was a pain, I was always booping in to people with it or I was always putting it on or off, and a fanny pack on little old pooh size me ... I never bring my purse with me on WDW trips so I use the tote as both. I also down size my wallet, don't plan on writing checks so I leave the big wallet at home.

 

[Blondie]

I don't use either, I prefer a messenger bag that I wear across my body. This way it's right at my hip and my hands are free.

 

[theblondebee]

I wouldn't be caught dead in a fanny pack. For our last two trips I wore a Le Sac crochet backpack/purse. I liked ti because it is drawstring so when you are wearing it, it cannot come open. For our upcoming trip, I have found a small Kipling backpack with lots of compartments that zip so nothing can fall out.

 

[SarahandPaul]

My DW just purchased a Baggallini Messenger bag for our September 2007 trip to WDW and is already using it at home. They can be found here:

http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/mes..._nylon/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=18644

They come in lots of different colors too.

I also second the Baggallini

 

[DisFhan]

Please do the world a favor and don't bring the fanny pack. My mom got a Baggelini and she loved it.

Copy that........My vote Backpack.........

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I just can't support fannypacks, LOL. I find a small, drawstring backpack (with the additional flap over the top) is best for parks. Easy to open all the way, and to quickly securely close. I find backpacks with zippers and such can be such a pain and take too long to find what you need.

Good luck whatever you decide!

NED

 

[jec13]

The Baggellini messenger bag looks great. It also looks as if it might not fit around a larger woman such as myself. The pic linked above shows a petite gal. Hmmm...have any larger (tall and very large) folks tried this? Thanks!

My DW is Pooh-sized and she has no problems fitting the Baggellini bag around her. You can change how big or small the strap is.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I actually take both, for the light days I'll use the fanny pack, for those days when I want to cart around all the gear for a day, I'll use the backpack, small one.

 

[lsutigger2]

Another fannypack vote. Leaves my hands free to look at stuff I want to purchase, hold my camera and take pics, eat a , , , or .

Don't care how it looks! I dress for comfort always!

 

[dreamergirl78]

I originally bought a fanny pack for our trip but then I was not comfortable wearing it. Nothing against them, it just was not for me. I also wanted to be hands free without the weight and bulk of a backpack. I got a Travelon bag. It was perfect. A short list of what I carried in it was: autograph book, fat pen, travel pack of wipes, 2 ponchos (in the small pre pacgkaged cases), hand sanatizer, chapstick, gum, digi camera, credit cards, id cards, insurance info, cash, room keys (of course), various meds in small packages (tylenol, Dramamine, etc), and a small notebook with my ADR info touring plans and for note taking. I got a small carabiner that I attached to the strap for anything I needed to attach. Then I got a neck strap in the parks for a water bottle. To be honest we drank the bottles so fast there was not a real need to carry one around all the itme.
This bag held everything I needed and was still comfy to carry! It also sits on your front so you can see it at all times.
Long post, but I LOVED this bag.

 

[LadyMar]

The baggellini looks great, not too big, not too small and comfortable.

I always wear a medium-small one that has a long soft strap, crosses my chest and sits on my hip directly in line with my hands. I try not to over stuff.

And I must say...the fanny pack...ugh....seeing one on any woman is kinda like the same feeling you get when you see any man in a speedo.
There has to be a better choice out there.

Just my little ol' silly opinion

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Right now I have plans to use my fanny pack again. Yesterday I did order the Bagallini messenger bag so I'll check it out when it gets here. What I liked about the fanny back is its easy to get things in and out. I'm not sure I'll like the messenger bag draped over me in 80-90 degree heat but I'm going to try it out.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DH and I put our room key/tickets in our front pockets. I don't remember what we do with our camera. It may go in a front pocket too!

No backpack! No fannypack! No security check!

 

[4EverFigment]

We're a family of packrats, so even when "downsizing" we end up carrying tons of stuff into the parks. So, we usually end up with fannypacks and backpacks. We're toting a digital still camera, a DVD camera, water and ponchos, sweatshirts, tiny umbrellas, snacks, kleenex, and other essentials for a party of 3. Even my son gets a backpack for his autograph book and etc's.

And I have to firmly, vehemently disagree with anyone who implies a female with a fanny pack is unattractive in some way...it ain't how we accessorize! Fanny packs are much safer to carry than a purse as they can't be snatched away as easily, and they leave your arms free to move about for Mickey hugs and popsicles.

peace
figgy

 

[blewits]

And I have to firmly, vehemently disagree with anyone who implies a female with a fanny pack is unattractive in some way...it ain't how we accessorize! Fanny packs are much safer to carry than a purse as they can't be snatched away as easily, and they leave your arms free to move about for Mickey hugs and popsicles.

peace
figgy

Thanks figgy! I agree. And honestly vanity is pretty low on my list when I'm walking around WDW w/2 kids in tow. Practicality reigns supreme for me!

Peace out,
Wendy

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks figgy! I agree. And honestly vanity is pretty low on my list when I'm walking around WDW w/2 kids in tow. Practicality reigns supreme for me!

Peace out,
Wendy

I agree totally. Practicality is a must when you have kids. Vanity is definitely not high on my list either just getting everyone packed, dressed, fed, sunscreened and out the door.

 

[LadyGracey]

I always carry a small, well-padded backpack I got at Eddie Bauer a couple years ago...fanny packs are more convenient for tickets, etc. but they're not comfortable for me.
(exception: there's a store in Canada at Epcot that sells really nice Roots fanny packs--it's the only one I'll use!)

Word of caution, though: if you're going to use a backpack, get one with wicking material on the back and on the straps, for hot days; and also with a sternum strap (it may be a pain to unbuckle every time and look kind of weird, but it's a necessity when your bag gets heavy--it helps distribute the weight somewhat).

I saw a little backpack at Wal-Mart a couple months ago that I bought for my mom when she got her AP. Only $10! Won't last forever but who cares when you're slinging it everywhere at the MK?!

 

[jmatias]

We have 3 kids so that makes a big determination in what type of bag we use.

When the kids were younger we used backpacks b/c we had so much gear to tote in the parks. But it sure got hot during the summer!

Now that the kids are 10, 8, and 2 and we have more Disney experience we have downsized to fanny packs. We bought nice Quiksilver fanny packs. DH carried the video camera and I had the camera and misc. After toting around backpacks for years the fanny packs were great during our hot July trip to WDW. The fanny pack was always with you, yours hands were free, easy to get things out.

Not for a moment did we feel "geeky" or "unfashionable" We also wore our Crocs and everyone was happy!