What if you have a fanny pack phobia?!?

[Amyg]

I used to use a fanny pack but the last WDW trip I decided to buy an Ameribag and I'm glad I did! I bought the small size and this is what I carried in it: compact camera, extra battery & smart card, medium sized wallet, sunglasses, 6 packs of towelettes, facial tissue, 4 x 6 photo album which had info for each park, pen, lipbalm, bottled water and in the evenings I stuffed a long sleeved shirt for sitting in the a/c.

I bought a brand new lavendar colored one for $30 (including shipping) and a slightly used black one for $20 both on ebay. You can wear the bag on one shoulder or diagonally over the chest, take a look here.

http://www.ameribag.com/catalog/home

 

[Todd&Copper]

I do not like the feel of a fanny pack (I also do not like belts and didn't want to feel something right up against my waist/belly all day long in the heat), so I couldn't imagine using one just b/c so many other people do. I used a bag very similar to the OE Donner mentioned upthread. I carried a water bottle (usually empty when I put it in the bag so it was light), my wallet, tickets, camera, band-aids, and some snacks. I like bags with one longer strap, so I can wear it diagonally across my chest, and the bag rested low enough that it was not making a sweaty patch on my side or anything. I just took it off for pictures.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Wow! I cannot believe the hangups people have about wearing a fanny pack. And you think a baggallini makes you look cool? Get real. Just put your stuff in your pack, keep your hands free, and enjoy yourself. Because if you're worried about how you look wearing one, you probably weren't too cool start with. Look for me at WDW in two weeks; I'll be one of many wearing a pack. See you there!

LOL!! Amen!

(P.S. I'm a fanny pack and Baggallini wearer)

 

[loriandmatt]

i too don't care to ever wear a fanny pack. i don't like how that stap around my middle accentuates the parts of me i care for the least. (tummy and rear)

i find that an over the shoulder tote bag is perfect for us. (was for years DH, myself and DS who was ages 5-9 on our yearly trips before we had the baby - now we lug all sorts of stuff.)

i tried a back pack on one trip, but there was way too much taking it off an rooting for something. the over the shoulder tote is wide open and i can get to things very easily. we don't drag many snacks with us and everyone was responsible for their own sunglasses (on a strap) and water bottle (also on a strap)

the bag wasn't too heavy and i could get to park maps, tickets, cameras, autograph books, pressed penny stuff - at a quick glance without having to take the bag off.

 

[PittypatBR]

I agree with Amyg. I have used these for years as a purse and they are fantastic. I have small and medium sizes, and they are wonderful for traveling. They hang securely under your arm and are SO comfortable. You can fit as much or little as you want. On a daily basis I carry in the small size my large wallet, my agenda, cellphone, umbrella, toys for the grandkids, two checkbooks and pens, makeup kit, first aid kit, keys, gum and peppermint bag, small water bottle, etc. I just bought a new red nylon one from ebags to bring to DW. However, I will still probably use my fanny pack from Wal-Mart in the parks, because of the no hands thing, and it holds two Brita water bottles. (I am the pack horse for the whole family.) But if you really don't like the fanny-packs, try the healthy back bag.

 

[Parla]

Hmmm... Thanks for the tips. The healthy back bag is looking interesting. The site says that Von Maur carries them but I'm sure they are more than full price there. I think I will check them out this week though and possibly order one on ebay or something. I'm liking that lime green HelixX one.

 

[Jill72]

Wow! I cannot believe the hangups people have about wearing a fanny pack. And you think a baggallini makes you look cool? Get real. Just put your stuff in your pack, keep your hands free, and enjoy yourself. Because if you're worried about how you look wearing one, you probably weren't too cool start with. Look for me at WDW in two weeks; I'll be one of many wearing a pack. See you there!

No offense taken - I knew (or hoped) you weren't aiming this at me personally. I do personally hate fanny packs - but more than that, I was hoping to find something to use that would work beyond just at WDW.

Glad to hear that the VB hipster worked for someone - I think I'm going back to the mall to get it!

 

[kcdancer_01]

I bought a backpack (one of those nylon backpacks with the straps that are drawstrings) at the park after having a small purse. It was SO handy! I recommend a small backpack if you can find one. You can take it on rides and it holds all of your stuff!

 

[hairdresserchick]

I have that fannypack phobia also!! But, I think they're great for most people! I am a pooh-sized girl and a fanny pack on me is not my best look!!!! I'm looking for a good bag to take in the parks. I have a 3 yr old and a 4 yr old. They require a lot of "stuff"!!!!! I read every "bag" post I see!! I'm learning a lot!!

 

[american_gramma]

I'm pooh sized too & am not fond of having a fanny pack hanging by my waist. But the alternative isn't appealing either. I don't use a shoulder purse anymore because it makes my shoulder ache so even though the messenger bags would work super for us I wouldn't be comfortable the way it fits the body. The thought of a bag on the back hanging by strings also doesn't appeal.

So, the end result for us is for Gramma to use a fanny pack. It works for me & holds what I need it to--camera, film, batteries (for camera & mini fans), lip balm, cell phone, wipes, pen/paper, wallet etc. Our lanyards have a little pocket on it for park tickets/room keys. Daughter will probably use one of the string backbags & she'll carry similar things. She likes to have a small notebook to note down special things we do during the day & what pictures we might have taken. That book came in very handy as she was scrapbooking our 2005 first WDW trip! Grandkids have fanny packs to hold things they might need--pins, autograph books, pens, etc.

For a water bottle, I have two tupperware containers with their own insulated carry bags. We fill them with ice from the hotel before we leave. I also try to have straws left from breakfast but that doesn't always work. Now if I can just remember to remove the pack BEFORE picture taking...

 

[tea4sanity]

I am not a fan of the fanny packs either but my DH needed something to use when we split up with the kids. I bought this because it can be worn on the side and is more of a triangle shape than others. I also could not beat the price of $9!

We used it last week at a FIRST Robotics competition and it worked out great! It didn't look silly on him in the pictures either.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39224840&memberId=12500226

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I had a brand new fanny pack for my mom...she couldnt wear it...
She had colon cancer, and her chemo was administered over a 48 hr period, ..in a take home fanny pack. She had to do this over a 6 mth period..so that is why she has a "phobia"

 

[goofygirl71]

You'll absolutely hate yourself if you don't take something along with you. Especially if you have kids. I have a preteen and a teenager and trust me they end up needing a bandaid, hand sanitizer or something. I used to do the fanny pack thing, but I have now resorted to the small backpacks that are bigger than a purse, but smaller than a kids back pack. Don't worry, you won't need Mary Poppins bag or anything. You think you may not need anything while you're in the park, but trust me, you'll end up needing a band-aid, chapstick, or something and it saves alot of time if you have it already with you than having to stop and find what you need inside the parks. I hope this helped !!!

 

[myladyisatramp]

I Also Hate The Things, But I Purchased A Bag From Ll Bean A Few Years Back That Sits On Your Shoulder And Under Your Arm It Carries A Ton Of Stuff I Use This On Trips Were You Carry A Camera Sun Glasses Tickets All Kinds Of Stuff Place For A Bottle Of Water Etc Check It Out On Ll Beans Website Other Stores Carry Knock Off Brands Of This Bag Also.

 

[tjlovespooh]

Has anyone ever used one of Vera Bradley's small backpacks and how did that go? They aren't waterproof, I know, but it's something I prob would get more use out of after we got home. Any thoughts?

I love, love, love vera bags! I have always used a backpack on vacation. I guess I could join the "fanny-pack phobia" club

I have several vera backpacks and the small ones make great purses. I have a baby now so the small backpack is a little tight. Vera makes a larger version now and I plan to use one of those when we take DS(17mo) to disney in May. Another option for you may be the vera hipster:
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=127:1

The hipster will still allow for hands-free touring plus you won't have to slip it on and off when riding the rides

Good Luck

 

[tjlovespooh]

Glad to hear that the VB hipster worked for someone - I think I'm going back to the mall to get it!

Sorry, should've read all the posts before posting my own

At least now you have yet another vote for the bag you're longing for

 

[houseofprincesses]

Let me start by stating - I despise fanny packs!!! BUT I do own 3 different ones - which are ONLY taken out for our trips to Disney. The plus to fanny packs is that you will always have your valuable/necessities on your person without having to think about it. You can't take a backpack on rides like the Rocking Roller Coaster.

The one I wear is pretty small - I keep all of our room key/park tickets, cash and credit cards along with the park maps, pen and my daily itinerary.

The second one which my husband wears is actually designed for a camera - it has a center pouch large enough for either a large camera or a palm sized camcorder. It also has removable side pouches that can be used for a small camera or extra batteries, film, etc. Here's a link... http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpacks/modular/

The third one is a bit larger and can hold the essentials you may need for a child - a few diapers, travel wipe case, a few snacks - even a small coloring book and crayons! This one primarily stays on the stroller, but can be grabbed quickly when we go into a restaurant or a longer ride when those items may be needed.

 

[maidenfairy]

I also have a fanny pack phobia. My husband is a designer, so any time I glance at one he just starts going on and on about how horrible they are. Then he asks me if I need a Bill Cosby sweater or parachute pants to go with it. We have a child in a stroller so I just take the back pack and attach it to the stroller.

Tonya

 

[GusT]

If I take a backpack, and want to go on rides where I can't wear it, (i.e. Rockin Roller Coaster, etc.) do they let you leave them at the start of the ride where you board? I know that alot of the themeparks I have been too let us do this before.

 

[MissMouse86]

I always have a small bag, with a zip, so that nothing escapes when we're on any of the rides!