What happened to the fanny pack?

[DanniDeer]

haha I'm 21, and use a fanny pack all the time at Disney.

My sunglasses are prescription, so I have to take my normal glasses in a case to change out for rides/shows. I'm not going to take my huge purse in to the park when I just have to carry that, plus my ID/pass/money/phone.


The only exception is when we go for the day, and I pack lunch/snacks, or when I decide to bring my DSLR camera. Then the backpack gets a go.


No way am I able, or going, to carry all of that in my pockets.

And frankly, I don't think I'd eat a turkey sandwich or chips someone pulls out of their cargo pocket.

 

[ryels]

At our house, we fondly refer to the fanny pack as a "waist satchel". It adds a little coolness to it!

I am totally stealing this. Maybe it is just a marketing thing?

I bet if you put out a line of "waist satchels" people would think they are trendy and buy them up.

In October, I will be wearing my "waist satchel" and my lanyard with pins. I'm not afraid.

 

[torinsmom]

Just a little off topic but just for the purpose of information. Every park has a first aid station which, it appears, is staffed with trained personnel. If you need a band-aid they have them and they are free. No need to carry them around with you.

Now back to the heated, multi-generational discussion on the merits of telling fashion police to take a hike and continue to use and enjoy the miracle that is the Fanny Pack!

Bandaids take up very little room, and it is not worth it to trek to the one first aid station in a park. I don't really need trained personnel to help me either, LOL. I could stick bandaids in my pocket; the sling pack is for bigger things like ponchos(50 cents at Dollar Tree, $10 at the parks), camera, sunscreen(have to reapply), medications(prescription migraine meds) etc.

 

[goofyernmost]

Bandaids take up very little room, and it is not worth it to trek to the one first aid station in a park. I don't really need trained personnel to help me either, LOL. I could stick bandaids in my pocket; the sling pack is for bigger things like ponchos(50 cents at Dollar Tree, $10 at the parks), camera, sunscreen(have to reapply), medications(prescription migraine meds) etc.

My post was not meant as a put down for those that bring them, I'm just saying that they are available at the first aid station, cleaned, antiseptic cleaned and band-aid provided. I cannot imagine caring if you bring your own or not. Just a FYI post.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I think the bigger issue with the "cool factor" of the Fanny pack is the name. I don't think you can really consider anything with Fanny in the name remotely cool or hip.

Maybe if you renamed it?

The name causes more than a few giggles in my family. Being British, the word "fanny" is not one you are ever allowed to say as a child nor is it one you would see posted on a sign in a Disney store. Whenever my aunt and uncle join me for a trip and bring my little cousins it is a hard pressed battle to make the kids understand that just because the sign says "fanny packs" does not mean they can go around yelling the word. It makes my aunt cringe.

 

[disneylooper]

what exactly are you bringing into the parks that requires a fanny pack?

I always use a fanny pack in WDW, it holds everything, my cellphone, camera, wallet, kleenex, it leaves me hands free and doesn't make my back hurt. It may not be stylish but it sure is practical.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I have read through this entire thread, and my burning fanny pack question has not been answered, so I will ask it now:

Why is it called a fanny pack if it doesn't sit on your fanny?

 

[joenan88]

I got myself a Gucci Fanny Pack....I where it on every vacation...It was worth every dollar!!!! I carry my fastpasses, money, lipstick, small purell and keys...PERFECT!!!

 

[ryels]

I have read through this entire thread, and my burning fanny pack question has not been answered, so I will ask it now:

Why is it called a fanny pack if it doesn't sit on your fanny?

Great question. I assume that originally they were supposed to be on your back, but I nearly always keep mine in front or on the side when on those rides with lap bars.

That's another great thing about them: you can move them anywhere you want!

 

[pharmgirl69]

I almost 100% positive that I am the only 38-year-old woman wearing a fanny pack (it's quite a fashion statement), but I love having my hands free and everything right where I need it. My fanny pack is a Disney one, it's lightweight and I will wear it until it falls apart--at which point I will buy another one!

You aren't the only one! Ok I may be 42 instead of 38 but I wear my "en vogue" fanny pack at Disney. I, too, love having my hands free....my back free and everything is within easy reach. I, too will wear mine til it slowly falls apart after too many Disney trips (just the fact of "too many disney trips" makes it all worthwhile).

I do confess that once I am home the fanny pack returns to the closet and awaits its next appearance in Orlando, but my beloved fanny pack will always be there....patiently waiting.

 

[roydavid7771]

Can't say that I wear a fanny pack. I use one of those drawstring bags that all the kids use nowadays. It's small and lightweight, and more importantly, has a breathable cushion on my back so I don't sweat using it. It's become second nature to me at WDW using it that I don't even notice me doing the twist to take it off when I sit down!

 

[burnurcomputer]

I have a fanny pack that I wear in Disney. It makes leaving my diaper bag a very easy thing, as I do not have to dig for items that I would be upset if they were taken. I noramally have my ID and money items, a few bandaids (because my 4 kids really do need them on demand), some tylenol, camera, small bottle of SPF, ect.... I like having my items at hand, not having to stow a bag, haing my item close to my person because it gives me a feel of personal security.

Its funny how my DH will bog down his cargo pockets and have to wear a belt to keep his pants up, lol!!!!! Give in to the dark side and buy me a bigger fanny pack!!!!

I am actually NOT using my fanny pack when we go next week, because it will just be DH and I Pockets will be less loaded and a small body purse will hold all I need this trip. But when we go in May?????? Fanny pack time!!!!!

I think that what works for each person is the best thing for them

 

[Cruz91]

Yeah - I don't want to be you... You know, that dorky middle-aged guy with the fanny pack. I do, however, like being prepared. So I choose instead to be me... You know, that dorky middle-aged guy with 5 pairs of cargo shorts, each of which have way more storage capacity than your biggest fannie pack AND do not require me to go through bag check! So I walk through the no-bags line, and I look, and I laugh at the guys with fannie packs AND back packs! Cha-Ching!!!

 

[ryels]

Yeah - I don't want to be you... You know, that dorky middle-aged guy with the fanny pack. I do, however, like being prepared. So I choose instead to be me... You know, that dorky middle-aged guy with 5 pairs of cargo shorts, each of which have way more storage capacity than your biggest fannie pack AND do not require me to go through bag check! So I walk through the no-bags line, and I look, and I laugh at the guys with fannie packs AND back packs! Cha-Ching!!!

Haha. The giant-pocket cargo shorts are cool for getting through bag check, but I hate the idea of my camera and phone banging around every time I walk or move quickly. And then there's the whole water ride/pop-up thunderstorm issue. Pockets just don't keep things dry enough for me. I'll keep being dorky fanny pack guy just to keep stuff dry

 

[sms]

I found a really cute, fashionable fanny pack. They call them "waist purses"

kinies.com/product/157

They come in a couple of different colors

 

[ols386]

I still have a fanny pack, but I don't wear mine around my waist, I just carry it with me. I like that it's compact and has compartments in it. I've always just carried it, have never actually wore it, lol, but it works for me.

 

[Cruz91]

Haha. The giant-pocket cargo shorts are cool for getting through bag check, but I hate the idea of my camera and phone banging around every time I walk or move quickly. And then there's the whole water ride/pop-up thunderstorm issue. Pockets just don't keep things dry enough for me. I'll keep being dorky fanny pack guy just to keep stuff dry

One of the things I carry in my big ol' short pockets is ponchos. Great for helping keep things dry. I also carry a FLIP camera, and my wife usually has the regular camera in her purse. Although we don't carry those every day. As often as we go, we've already taken pictures of just about everything there is to see.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Fanny packs don't go with the neon spandex booty shorts I like to wear. Jk! But, seriously, I would totally go for the cargo shorts idea if they made them for women. Or do they?

I use a backpack or just a camera bag, since I like being hands-free. My mom still uses a fanny pack though. I teased her on our last trip, but I was secretly jealous she had that stupid little bag.

 

[Dolby1000]

The Fanny Pack (I do prefer Waist Satchel) is essential for us. My DW is a diabetic and the FP is a perfect tool for carrying the essentials she needs, and could need, at a moment's notice. No cargo shorts have enough pockets for what we need to carry:

PDM (personal device manager), this is for the Insulin pump she wears, it allows her to program her insulin to avoid highs and lows. It is a bit larger and fatter than say an iPhone. It really does not fit in a pocket. And, you have to keep it totally dry.
Insulin pens - in case the pump breaks down (which happens only at the worst possible times ), she needs these to control her sugar levels until she replaces the pump. These are sealed enough that water from a water ride shouldn't really impact them, no electronic parts.
Gluecose (I know I spelled that wrong) tablets and syrup in case she has an emergency low; these can come up almost without warning, especially when it is hot, and can bring her sugars back up high enough until a more suitable snack can be found. There may not be a cart or restuarant close enough, and without a line, to help her over the low.
Additional snacks, like crackers or raisins (no raisins when it is hot, though) to also help low sugar moments. Avoiding lows is very critical to maintain good overall health, low blood sugars can cause longer term health issues, and we take this seriously. Been doing a good job too, because she has had diabetes for over 40 years and has not had serious complications 50 somethingish year-old diabetics can have (I'm so proud her, sorry if off topic).
All these things take room, and the FP has been so helpful in allowing us to roam the parks without needing lockers are hauling a backpack around.

I don't care if the fashion gods (and who the heck are they anyway) like it or don't, for some of us, it is a tool, and a darn useful one at that.

Dolby1000

 

[KNovacovschi]

I am totally stealing this. Maybe it is just a marketing thing?

I bet if you put out a line of "waist satchels" people would think they are trendy and buy them up.

In October, I will be wearing my "waist satchel" and my lanyard with pins. I'm not afraid.

I will wear my "waist satchel" with you in October.