What is the best fanny pack to buy?

[TupperMom7]

We are a family of 7 and planning a WDW vacation in April 2005. We have 2 teenagers, one 12 year old and two 6 year olds. I am debating the backpack/fanny pack decision. I would like to get fanny packs that would hold a water bottle and other items, but I don't want to have one that is sticking a foot out in front of me either. Is there a fanny pack on the market that is large and kind of waterproof?

I don't know what to do about the little ones. Neither one of them has much of a waist to hold a fanny pack. At least not a fanny pack that would hold anything, LOL.

Do you all make your kids carry their own water bottles?

Thanks

 

[The Sweetness]

No, I dont make DD12 carry a water bottle. Me and DH dont carry them either. When we are thirsty in a park, and not near a COLD water fountain, and none of us needs to go into a restaurant (counter service) for a snack, we buy a drink or 2 from a vendor and share it/ them while it is still icy cold. Nothing worse than a warm drink on a hot day, IMO.

In terms of the fanny packs, DH and I each carried one last summer at USF/ IOA + Sea World. We also took turns (DD12 too) wearing a back pack, as we were carrying dry t-shirts and socks, and a towel as well as sun screen in there, not to mention small souvenier purchases. Which pack to get depends on whats comfortable for each person in your fam. And also what you expect each person to carry.

 

[gctong]

I just got one from Eddie Bauer store (not the website) that had several compartments and a side mesh drawsting thing for me to put my sun umbrella. I got it for $20. (It's a little much for a fanny pack in my opinion, but I'd rather hold one than a backpack). They also had ones that could hold water but I figured that would make it too heavy for my waist since I'm a little petite. My BF is holding a backpack wiht a side mesh compartment for the water bottles (btw, we're bringing the brita one).

Maybe the water bottles can be carried by a shoulder holder, so it won't be too heavy as a fanny pack?

Good luck.

 

[206bones]

I have an EMS fanny pack that I really like. It has wider & padded straps which makes it much more comfortable.

I got mine at http://www.ems.com

Check out # 210-163-919
It can be worn as a fanny pack or converted to a backpack.

950 cu. in.
13 x 12 x 4 in.

Price: Original $59.00 Sale $46.99

Good luck!

 

[Belle041281]

Our last trip to Disney they had really cute Fanny Packs that light up. As far as water bottles go-you can buy water holders that go around your neck. Kind of a pain but I would rather carry it there than at my waist. Also you can get a cup of ice water for free from any of the counter services. A little nasty but I am all about comfort in Disney and Definately about saving money. I also heard a great tip for their water. Take those little packs of Ice Tea or Kool-Aid to "disguise" the taste. Hope that is helpful.

 

[jeancbpugh]

My kids don't carry anything.

I use a large Eddie Bauer fanny pack that I bought at Target. It's pretty big and not flattering, but it holds my camera which is 4"x4"x4". It has two water bottle pockets. I usually just carry one bottle that we share and refill at drinking fountains.

I don't care what I look like so long I'm comfortable, my hands are free, and I don't have a backpack on (too hot in Florida!)

 

[Magically Goofy]

My mom always carries around a fanny pack but I rather the backpacks of course I am young I dont know about you old people though!

 

[Poohbear123]

I use The Wallett Bag by BAGGALINI! They come in 2 sizes, and they are made of Microfiber. You can carry a Cell Phone, Camera, etc in the larger one, and you can wear it 4 ways!

 

[Praying Colonel]

We just got back from a week in Orlando, and were pleased with the fanny packs we took. We took 2 relatively small ones which our kids (15 and 13) used to stow throwaway ponchos, snacks, small battery-powered fans, their spending $, etc. My DW and I used larger ones that held 2 water bottles each. We took out the generic water bottles that came with them and used Brita water bottles with the small filters in them. It worked out great. Plenty enough room for all our stuff (all the stuff the kids were toting, plus, billfolds, passes, cameras, glasses cases, makeup stuff for my DW, etc.), plus we could refill with water from the water fountains and the Brita bottles filtered out most of the unpleasant tastes.

I'm not sure who makes the smaller packs, but the larger ones are made by Outdoor Products. We bought all of them at Target, and they weren't that expensive--like $30 for the 4.