Park Touring with Waistpacks

[SamR]

With three young children and a wife that insists on a good supply of pictures and video footage to record our park experiences, I often find myself hauling a fair amount of "stuff" into the parks with me. You know the drill...camcorder, digital camera, spare batteries, extra camcorder tapes, ponchos, sunscreen, baby wipes, kitchen sink, '67 volkswagon, etc.

I usually wear a fanny pack and carry a backpack (for which my wife shares toting duties). However, I've recently become intrigued by some of the larger waistpacks, such as those made by Mountainsmith. These look like they would carry a lot of stuff, yet be more "out of the way" and easier on the back than our trusty "Pooh" backpack.

So, my question for any folks who might have used one of these types of packs: Do you find these packs to be inconvenient at ride time? That is, since they tend to put the bulk of the load at your lower back, I would assume that you must unstrap them before you sit in the ride vehicle? Or, in some cases I suppose you might rotate the load to the front, if that is even feasible, depending on the load size and flexibility. (Load size and flexibility refers to the cargo in this case, not the carrier of the cargo. )

I would be interested in any observations/experiences that my fellow DIS-ers might have with touring with "large waistpacks."

 

[cats mom]

Too bad DH is not home right now so you could get his perspective!
He carries a pretty large eddie bauer waistpack complete w/camera supplies and 2 waterbottles. For most things I think he does just slide it around to the front - occasionally has to take it off for rides - but not often.
Seems to work out fine - but then we don't give him much choice in the matter. Dad is the designated carrier of supplies and that's just the way it is!

 

[SamR]

Dad is the designated carrier of supplies and that's just the way it is!

Hold on, let me check the paper work...(Pulls out "Dad Job Description - List of Reponsibilities" and starts scanning...) Ah, shoot! "Designated Packmule"...It's right here between "trapper of feared insects" and "master toy assembler". I knew I should have read the fine print before I signed the contract!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't know how old you are, but I used to use a waist pack, but as I get, ahem, less young, and my weight shifts more toward my waist, I find that my lower back hurts if I wear a heavy waist pack. I think the waist pack causes me to walk kind of sway-backed and that's why my back hurts. So, sadly, one of the changes when I turned 50 last year is that I no longer wear a waist pack, but carry a back pack.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by SamR
Hold on, let me check the paper work...(Pulls out "Dad Job Description - List of Reponsibilities" and starts scanning...) Ah, shoot! "Designated Packmule"...It's right here between "trapper of feared insects" and "master toy assembler". I knew I should have read the fine print before I signed the contract!

LOL
All so true..... LOL

 

[aesalsa]

LOL!!!

 

[SamR]

Simba's Mom,

... as I get, ahem, less young, and my weight shifts more toward my waist...

Unfortunately, my weight began that migration very early in the aging process.

I find that my lower back hurts if I wear a heavy waist pack.

Hmmm...that's unfortunate. I find that the regular backpack causes me discomfort after awhile. I was hoping that by going to one of the "lumbar" type waistpacks that I would have less strain, not more. Thanks for the input.

Any other experiences out there?

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Originally posted by SamR


Any other experiences out there?

Yes, but it's radical.

I went to HersheyPark this summer and did the preview evening. Since it was only 2 hours, I went in EMPTY HANDED with NO backpack, fannypack or purse. I had on cargo shorts and stuck my cell phone, money, JUST my car key, license and money in the pockets. What a FREE and EASY experience. The park map fit in my back pocket.

Next day...a full day in the park. Could I do it? YES! I did. And LOVED it.

Fast forward 1 month. Cedar Point in Ohio. Full day. Had my backpack packed. I ditched it at the last second and went EMPTY-HANDED again!!!

Dorney Park 2 weeks ago and I did it again! This time I even pocketed a small digital camera.

Now, I haven't tried this at Disney, but since we only do half days, I don't see why not! The only thing I missed at CP and then I forgot at Dorney was Chapstick. And I definitely need the cargo pants shorts to carry it off.

Plus my kids are teenagers, so I don't need any of that kid stuff anymore.

I told you it was radical. I don't think I'll ever go back to my backpack!

 

[TimeWarp]

SamR: I use a large fanny pack with the double water bottles. The multi zippered departments on the front carry our tickets,keys,maps, digital camera, etc. . The kids and their multi pocketed shorts carry their own snacks (things that don't melt). DH carries the movie camera and a small backpack for those supplies. When on rides we both shift our gear to the front and this hasn't been a problem. By experience I would just remind you to remove those items around your waist before family pictures.

 

[campinggal]

Just jumping in here hoping you will see my posting...

I love my Mountainsmith Lumbar fanny- great design!! While I don't have any 'Disney' touring experience with it- I have been using one for years for day excursions. It is the bag I plan on bringing to Disney when we go later in the month.

The adjustments they have on the bag really allow you to snug it into the lumbar region of your back. You can easily loosen them up to swing it to the front for sitting on rides. It also comes with a shoulder strap so you can carry it like a regular bag when you don't want it around your waist.

Load it up at home with what you are going to take and wear it around for a while to make sure it fits all you want to bring.

Hope this helps!

Have fun!

 

[erikthewise]

I have used a large waistpack the last couple years and have not had any ride problems. I've worn it on everything including Rock 'n' Roller coaster. It's much more convenient than a fanny pack or backpack. However it might not be feasible if you have a "pre-existing waist pack" to deal with!

This year I may try and go without it, or at least put less in it.

 

[crazelion]

I have carry a large waistpack in the parks. i found if I pack it to the fullust it's heavy. I found now I carry a messager type bag which I like better.

I have not decide which one I will carry to WDW next year but I will try out some possibles at Six Flags Over Georgia next summer when i get my season pass.

I would go with the one is feel most comfortable to me. I love the carge shorts idea. I planing on buy some next summer for my trip.

 

[Dancind]

Dorothy, I'm with you. It's so nice to be carefree in the parks! The problem I have over and over, though, is those darn rainclouds. Never fails, if I decide not to carry the pack with the rain jackets in it, it rains! Diana

 

[helenabear]

I was just thinking about this a few days ago myself. I know that with the larger waist packs, I do wind up with my back hurting me tons more than with a backpack... even if I have them fitting around the lumbar region. Granted I do have a lot of back trouble, but I doubt I would go back to that after doing better with a smaller back pack. How I wish I could go w/o anything at all!!!!! Dorothy, I don't know how you do it!!! Maybe if I left my camera and other such stuff behind, I could handle it!

 

[SamR]

It's so nice to be carefree in the parks!

I certainly agree with this sentiment, but with three young children, I find myself always trying to strike a balance between "carefree" and "packmule."

I know that with the larger waist packs, I do wind up with my back hurting me tons more than with a backpack... even if I have them fitting around the lumbar region.

Lots of good feedback here...with several posters suggesting that the waistpack may be worse for back strain than the backpack/daypack. I'm beginning to think that I may stick with my current combo of a smaller size "fanny pack" (for small, frequently-accessed items) and a backpack.

Thanks to all for the input!

 

[cindyfan]

Hold on, let me check the paper work...(Pulls out "Dad Job Description - List of Reponsibilities" and starts scanning...) Ah, shoot! "Designated Packmule"...It's right here between "trapper of feared insects" and "master toy assembler". I knew I should have read the fine print before I signed the contract!

Oh Man......I should have made sure DH read that part of his contract!!! I missed it too....
Here, I've been the designated "pack-mule" for the last 6 years!!!
I may have to make a change next trip.

It does get a little frustrating when I have a waist pack and back pack. Then I'm asked, no I should say "told" : "here, hold this for a minute!" as DD hands me her bottle of water, visor, and spritzer fan, just as I'm trying to retrieve all of our passes in order to get FP before running to the next ride. And then DH also wants me to pull his wallet out of my waist pack so he can buy a drink. Then they both laugh at me when I get stuck in the car at Space Mtn because I have all THEIR stuff!!
After the second or third day.....I'd had enough of that!
DD now has her own waist pack and DH has cargo shorts.
I will only carry a few snacks and ponchos in my back pack. I've had to learn to keep it light.
Then just my wallet, passes, chapstick, comb, etc in my waist pack. My camera is small enough to fit in it's own little pouch that attaches to my waist pack.
We gave up carrying the video camera about 2 years ago.

 

[goofy4tink]

Everyone in our family is responsible for their own fanny packs. If you need something then you carry it! Now, that being said...I, not dh, usually carry the camcorder and 35mm camera. I found that if I wear the fanny pack truely as a fanny pack, it isn't all that heavy. I watched the lifeguards wear theirs and it almost looks like they are going to lose them right off their behinds!! But, it is much more comfortable. Only problem I have with this method is that I'm always concerned about someone getting into it while it is behind me.