Opinions on fanny packs.....

[Twende]

I can't believe I'm even considering one but I'm finding that the VB cross body bags that I tend to use in the parks are either too small or bigger than I need.

Any fanny pack wearers out there?

Which one do you have?
Can it fit a lot without being bulky?
Does it sag on you when its full of stuff?
How unflattering do you think it looks lol?

I have used a fanny pack, worn to the front for decades. I carry a purse in real life but in my happy place I use an REI fanny pack. I do not ever have to take it off. It fits over or under ride restraints and is easy to access if I need to get something out be it a bandaid or chap stick. It is all right there. I carry many things as I usually travel with family including young grandchildren. I have clear zipper bags that fit nicely inside it to carry thing like medicines or first aid supplies. The clear bags help security clear the bag quicker. I attach a beaner to the strap so that I can easily attach a filter water bottle.

Mine fits well and does not sag. it is comfortable to wear. I am a 5'5" old woman who loves food, so thinking about how it looks is the last thing on my mind!

 

[mousefan73]

I can't believe I'm even considering one but I'm finding that the VB cross body bags that I tend to use in the parks are either too small or bigger than I need.

Any fanny pack wearers out there?

Which one do you have?
Can it fit a lot without being bulky?
Does it sag on you when its full of stuff?
How unflattering do you think it looks lol?

I have a "hip" bag from Northface that is pretty cool can also convert to a crossbody. I love it while hiking and traveling. Nice to have passport/ bording pass/ phone easily accesable. You cant compate todays to those ugly nylon ones from the 80's/90s. The ones with your bank/car insurance logos on them !! I would look into some from outdoor places.

 

[CattailGal]

Although they may not look great...I think nothing is as comfortable in the park for a day of walking as a fanny pack. I alternate between a small suede fanny pack (bought in JR dept at Kohls) and a Vera cross body (love that it's washable after sweating all day). I take both off for pictures!

KC

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I'm a big fan of the Sling Backpack.

I ordered a small canvas sling off eBay last year for about $6, popped a Mickey Mouse Club patch on it and voila - look out Parks, here I come!

It was the perfect size. Small outside pocket for my phone. Another outer pouch and just enough room inside for my wallet, chapstick, travel sized sunscreen and a case for my glasses/sunglasses.



But, on that note, if I wanted to use a Fanny Pack I'd use a Fanny Pack.

 

[housetomouse]

If they're coming back, I'll have to dig out my Disney one from the 90s! Woo hoo! Does anyone know if you can wear a fanny pack at Universal parks or would you have to put that in a locker? Thanks!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I've used a waist pack on almost every trip. I don't worry about how they look. It's a convenient way for me to carry my phone and camcorder.

My husband wears a fanny pack every trip. He doesn't want to stuff his pockets.

 

[amberpi]

There are some travel belts out there that I know work for some people which might work for you.

 

[Disney_traveler]

As an avid Vera Bradley purchaser......no, seriously, I own more than one person should....I'm surprised that you have crossbodies that are too big or too small. I have every style made and they are perfect for anything and everything.

 

[k1koala]

I love my "waist" pack! I have a coach one that i get a lot of compliments on at the parks, and I have an eddie bauer one that is larger but fits my phone, camera and a few other things. I dont care how it looks, its the easiest and coolest thing for me in the parks. It doesnt weigh me down(cross body) or make me sweat so much (back pack). I do agree with s previous poster however, and wish VERA BRADLEY would make one!!!

 

[Tinknalli]

OT, but back in the late 90s American Express was the official card of Walt Disney World. If you booked using your card the gave you the "white glove treatment". Part of the deal was they gave you black fanny packs with a picture of Mickey's white gloves on the front. I have no idea where mine went, but I wish I still had it.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

OT, but back in the late 90s American Express was the official card of Walt Disney World. If you booked using your card the gave you the "white glove treatment". Part of the deal was they gave you black fanny packs with a picture of Mickey's white gloves on the front. I have no idea where mine went, but I wish I still had it.

Saw some of these on eBay! I wondered what they were from!

 

[disnut1149]

I know what it means to them but honestly I hate saying "waist pack" so I'm gonna keep calling them fanny packs lol.

We call them a belt purse!

 

[Euby]

anyone have a link to some cool looking ones?

I ordered a custom one from this shop on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedFannies

 

[momtwoboys]

I ordered a custom one from this shop on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedFannies

super cool!

 

[klmall]

I have worn a 'waist pack' starting in 1990 and every trip ever since. I have several to use depending upon the size of camera/cameras I am carrying. I wouldn't dream of visiting Disney without one. On our first family trip in 1990 DS then 4 even rode on top of mine when he was exhausted (no wonder I had to constantly run to the restroom; all that pressure! LOL). I carry quite a bit in mine and find that having my bag checked by security at Disney is easier than filling my pockets and then emptying them. DH and DS are used to waiting for me! And I absolutely don't give a hoot what anybody thinks about my "fanny pack" and who other than my family at Disney even knows me!!!

I have tried shoulder bags, sling bags and all kinds of camera bags but none are comfortable enough to wear all day and I hate to either take the bag off or swing it around from my back to reach in for my camera or whatever. I carry either a high-end P&S camera or my dSLR and one extra lens every day to the parks. And three weeks ago I had rotator cuff surgery so that would limit any shoulder bag to one shoulder only; not acceptable.

At Universal unless I am riding one of the rides that forbid bags I either use a smaller 'waist pack' tucked under my clothes; cargo pants or lockers. Here is info quoted from Touring Plans for Universal Orlando. (https://touringplans.com/universal-orlando/lockers)

"Universal Studios Florida Free Short-Term Lockers

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Revenge of the Mummy
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Islands of Adventure Free Short-Term Lockers

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Dragon Challenge
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Universal Orlando Lockers
When visiting Universal's theme parks, we try to pare down our gear to a bare minimum, and only bring those necessities that fit comfortably in our pockets: admission, ID, a credit card or cash, and a cell phone. Many guests keep their tickets handy in a plastic lanyard (readily available around the resort for around $10 and up), and Seth swears by cargo shorts with zippered pockets, for function if not fashion. However, many guests (especially those accompanying young children or those with special needs) find they simply can't travel that light. When your burden becomes too much to bear, make a beeline for a bank of lockers and lighten your load.

All of Universal Orlando's lockers are automated and use a biometric or ticket-scanning locking system. The locker banks are easy to find, and each bank has a small touchscreen computer in the center. Begin by approaching a locker computer, selecting your language, and touching “RENT a locker.” (When the sun is bright, the screen is almost impossible to read, so have someone block the sun or use a different computer.) After selecting your language and locker size (if applicable), you press your thumb onto the keypad and have your fingerprint scanned. We’ve seen people walk away cursing at this step, having repeated it over and over with no success. Don’t press down too hard-m-the computer can’t read your thumbprint that way. Instead, take a deep breath and lightly place your thumb on the scanner."

In addition our own DIS Universal forums have excellent advice on this topic from moderators and others who truly know all the ins and outs of carrying items on rides at Universal.

 

[GPC0321]

I can't believe I'm even considering one but I'm finding that the VB cross body bags that I tend to use in the parks are either too small or bigger than I need.

Any fanny pack wearers out there?

Which one do you have?
Can it fit a lot without being bulky?
Does it sag on you when its full of stuff?
How unflattering do you think it looks lol?

I haven't read any of the other posts, and I'll be interested to see the replies!
My mom (then 73) and I wore our fanny packs to the parks every day when we were there last year, and we loved them! Ours are fairly small, got them from Wal-Mart. We just put money, cell phone, a cheapo folded up poncho, and maybe a lip balm, small hand-sanitizer, and a couple band-aids in them. Not very much at all. We took them off for bag check, then snapped them back on and off we went.

We loved ours, and one of the "sad" things about coming home to regular life after that was not wearing our fanny packs anymore. Because while I didn't care how flattering/unflattering they may have looked while we were there, I wouldn't wear one in everyday/normal day-to-day life. But to hike around the parks for hours on end? Heck yes!
Mine was royal blue with neon yellow zippers, and Mom's was black and white zebra striped with neon pink zippers!

We also usually had lightweight zip-up hoodies tied around our waists too, because it was March and sometimes the weather either started out a little crisp or turned cooler in the evenings OR some of the places inside had the AC cranked to freezing (especially if we got sprinkled on without warning and were a little damp).

So the whole ensemble was not going to earn us high fashion marks, but it was totally functional.

*sigh* Good times.

 

[dsdeleon]

Luckily I don't care what other guests think and love being hands free. It especially is great at Universal where mine is long enough to carry the wands and still not need the lockers for most rides. It does not sag as long as it's tight and sometimes I make my youngest wear it as a cross body. We are all about touring and timing things efficiently so anything that helps in that regards is what we do.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I wear the fanny pack for the family, DW and I. A LLBean I have had since our first visit to WDW many years ago. In it goes two bottles of water and when necessary, a couple of small ponchos. Saves us a few $$ every visit.

 

[cavepig]

If it's comfortable than wear it Fanny packs can rock!

 

[KittyKitty]

I went to Universal last Oct. and wore my fanny pack. I was able to keep it on while riding Gringotts and The Mummy. I don't do roller coasters, but I think I would have to use a locker if I did ride.

BTW, I use my fanny pack when I sub teach since I now need reading glasses to see the students' papers while walking around the class. At my age, comfort is the way I go.