Who uses fannypacks?

[kcbean]

I have been shopping online for fannypacks. I never ever thought I would own one but now I am considering it. Our children are getting older and I am tired of carrying so much stuff. So, I am thinking of resorting to fannypacks. I know my excuses are terrible, I think they look silly, it will be all our pictures, etc but I can carry the things I will need.

So, do you use one? What are the pros and cons? I know this sounds silly but I don't want to buy one if they aren't the best thing ever! Also, where do you go to buy one besides Ebags. What type of store do you go to. We are close to leaving and I can't put this decision off much longer. Many thanks!

 

[cymomtx]

I used one last year at WDW and it is quite handy. I also bought a replacement one at WDW that I will use this year. It just big enough to hold, chapstick, gel soap, camera, "secret" not exposed zipper area to keep money and credit cards in, also my cell phone.

 

[beattyfamily]

I love my fannypack and I couldn't imagine my vacation without it. That is where I keep my money, room key, passes, sunglasses, chapstick, sanitizer, and sometimes even my camera fits!

I feel safer with this stuff close to me. We also carry a backpack for the ponchos, video camera, snacks/water, sunscreen etc...we also end up putting souvenirs in it.

There are MANY people who wear fannypacks at WDW. I got my first one at Walmart but then I purchased one at Disney World.

Have fun!

 

[spiceycat]

love mind - I got in a local leather store.

I even wear it to work.

had problems at work - money missing that type of thing - so I kept my money and check with me at all times.

you can get fanny packs all over the place.

when in the parks I also carry a back pack - however I think a pickpocket could easily get in my back pack - not so my fanny pack.

So I put the money, credit cards in my fanny pack plus my favorite camera and my cell phone. the others camera, water, rain coats, umbrellas, medicine, snack - are in the back pack.

 

[Pixie]

I use my fannypack for the essentials. I have always over packed and was always on the look out for a huge carry- it- all. The problem with the huge bag for me was that I could never find anything in it, it was so huge. NowI use the fannypack and I know that I have what I need and I feel more secure that the zips are out of the way. I slip the wrap around belt into the loops of my jeans and secure it to me that way. I really like having my hands free.

Also, the huge bag was an issue at some rides, the fannypack hasn't been a problem for me.

I got mine at a local leather shoe/purse store. Since then I found them at Walmart.

 

[jonestavern]

Hi!
we love the fanny packs. I googled & bought ours online. there are 3 of us & each has a different style bag & different color. All are water repellent & DH's & DS's have a backing that prevents stickiness due to body sweat. DH's also has light padding
for ease on the back (or tum). One has an insulated pouch for water bottle, another has a netted bottle bag.
I wear mine loose enough so can easily push it to the side when sitting down or putting on seat belts.
My pack is smallest yet I have room for: cell phone; lipstick; compact; tissues; poncho as needed
checkbook; room key; hopper card; cash; pen; wipes; sunblock & room to spare.
DH carries: cell phone; car keys; wallet; room Key Hopper pass; F700 Fugi camera; sunblock; water bottle; driedfruit-
Here in the East fanny packs available begining spring at Target, Walmart & sporting goods stores-

Jean

 

[WDWorBUST]

I love my fannypack - but I wear it as a "belly" bag. I always have the bag part to the front - I just feel my stuff is safer that way. I felt silly at first too...but now it's a must have. Even when I go shopping at the outlets on a Branson weekend I want it....there have been times I didn't have it there and really missed it. I wear it loose. And for pictures I flip it around backwards and the belt part is under my shirt since I usually don't tuck in. It works for me....and I just have a cheapy Jansport from Wal-Mart....actually between DH & I we have 4 - 2 black and 2 navy. We always wear different colors and then have a back-up for those quick trips when we can't find them - we can usually find at least one set of them. Now with Sammi and the stroller and all the other baby "stuff" I wouldn't have ever made it through the airport without it.

 

[Forevryoung]

I am still sooooo torn as to what kind of bag to use. I saw a fannypack that I could use from kmart that was nice and cheap if I never used it again I wouldnt care or a sling backpack (one strap) that I wouldnt fill up but I might get tired of carrying, a little more expensive but definitely definitely looks nicer than the fanny pack. I thought and thought I was going to be anti-fanny pack but now I am second guessing myself.

I will pretty much be carrying just my own stuff (water, snacks, wallet, cell phone, pal mickey possibly, autograph stuff, camera, poncho, sunscreen) If I use a backpack I would include my crappy light flipflops for the rain/water rides. Would all that stuff fit in a medium sized fanny pack? Do I need to buy one and stuff it to see?

 

[Pir8girl]

I am still sooooo torn as to what kind of bag to use. I saw a fannypack that I could use from kmart that was nice and cheap if I never used it again I wouldnt care or a sling backpack (one strap) that I wouldnt fill up but I might get tired of carrying, a little more expensive but definitely definitely looks nicer than the fanny pack. I thought and thought I was going to be anti-fanny pack but now I am second guessing myself.

I will pretty much be carrying just my own stuff (water, snacks, wallet, cell phone, pal mickey possibly, autograph stuff, camera, poncho, sunscreen) If I use a backpack I would include my crappy light flipflops for the rain/water rides. Would all that stuff fit in a medium sized fanny pack? Do I need to buy one and stuff it to see?

Here's what we do when we go to DL: I use a leather fanny pack that is just big enough to hold my cell phone, credit cards, cash, lip balm etc. I use a regular backpack to hold sweatshirts, sunscreen and the like. I put the backpack in a locker and go back only when we need something out of it. I like the flexibility of the fanny pack and I too wear it in the front. That way you know everything is secure.

Pirate Girl

 

[oogieboogie]

I bought my fanny pack at walmart. I used it to carry cell phone, 2 autograph books, 1 ziploc bag of wet wipes, a mini tripod, 2 autograph pens, my water bottle hanging from the side, and in the front pouch I have extra batteries, memory cards, room key, drivers license, APs, credit card and a small notebook to write notes on. I also carry around a bandana that is my multitasker - used as a towel after wet rides, a stroller tag, a mini blankie for youngest DS, cool towel when used damp, etc.

This trip, since I got a bigger tripod, I got a small/medium sized messenger bag from walmart that would fit my tripod. I'll be carrying that instead. I don't bother with a backpack - did that before and was just totally annoyed by it after 1 day.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

WE carried a backpack to WDW ONE day. Then we went to fanny packs. DH got a really nice one at the World of Disney at DD. It's nice size and looks cool. DS has one that he carries some days, and I have a very small hand bag type thing that has a long strap that goes around my neck that i carry sometimes. Often we have just the one fanny pack for us all. DH does tend to remove it for pictures. I am sure there are packs in every giftshop but DD has a great selection if you have the time to get over there your first day

 

[golfgal]

We will be using fanny packs. I don't care how they look, I don't want to lug a backpack around. THe idea of being there when it is 90+ degrees and having a backpack on just makes me sweat! I found some nice ones at ebags.com that have insulated waterbottle holders. They should be delivered today or tomorrow and should be large enough to hold cell phone, camera, tickets and blister supplies. The kids will be loaded up with snacks and their money.

 

[kcbean]

OK, you have convinced me! I am going to get one. But, I think I will wait and get one at WDW. Thanks for your help! Now, I am excited about it.

 

[MickeyMacks]

The flatter the fannypack lays to your body, the more likely you'll use it. If you're not worried about looks and want something practical, definitely go for one that has a netting pocket for your waterbottle. If you do use a backpack, make sure you get a good quality one with wheels and extendable handle (like airport carryon luggage, but with straps) so you can take it off your back when you're standing in lines and just wheel it along with you. Put labels on it and inside with your name, resort & contact info, just in case. I have a great Roots pack from Costco for about $30, and it has compression straps, a water bottle net pocket on each side, 2 large inside compartments and several outer zipped pockets, and elastic cords criss-crossing the back. I'm sure you can get something comparable for about the same price in the U.S. My son will wear a fannypack and I'll bring one too for around the resort and non-park days. I'm used to hiking with a pack so it doesn't bother me to have one on. If I was going in hot weather though I wouldn't carry a pack around all day, just leave it in the lockers at park entrance and go with the fanny pack until I needed to get sunblock/guidebook/towel/change of shoes/clothes from the pack.

 

[MazdaUK]

We got lucky in the sales last summer and bought three great O'Neil fanny packs in different colours - one each for DH, DS(11) and me. Younger DS(5)refuses to wear one, so we didn't waste our money as he also refuses to ask for autographs.
My pack held: coin purse, disposable camera (for YDS), kleenex, moist toilet tissues (singles) painkillers, bandaid, room keys (x 3) credit cards and (on occasion) TC and passport. I did have to do some forward planning, and instead of my usual credit card case with store cards etc I only took my AA card and the 2 credit cards I would be using, and used a travel pass holder. I could have fitted my digital camera in as well if I took it out of its case, but to keep it safe I threaded the case onto the waistband AND double-wrapped the strap around the waistband (the loops fasten with velcro and I didn't want to lose the camera if they became detached).
DH didn't wear his often as he bought some great shorts with lots of pockets, which he prefers. We also took a messenger bag for water, waterproofs and snacks (but carried only 2 waterbottled between 4 and refilled them regularly) which DH carried if we didn't have the stroller. Most days we did take the stroller, which had a basket underneath big enough to tuck the bag into.

 

[Marseeya]

I have been shopping online for fannypacks. I never ever thought I would own one but now I am considering it. Our children are getting older and I am tired of carrying so much stuff. So, I am thinking of resorting to fannypacks. I know my excuses are terrible, I think they look silly, it will be all our pictures, etc but I can carry the things I will need.

So, do you use one? What are the pros and cons? I know this sounds silly but I don't want to buy one if they aren't the best thing ever! Also, where do you go to buy one besides Ebags. What type of store do you go to. We are close to leaving and I can't put this decision off much longer. Many thanks!

I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

Anyway, I'm overweight and I've never wanted to be "the fat woman with a fannypack" at the parks, because I felt bad enough about myself as it was. One year I took a backpack to an amusement park, and when we sat down for a rest, I forgot to pick it back up! After a long day, we had to go running all over the park to search for that backpack. I was frantic because it had my good camera & all our money in it. We did find it, but that was a scary 20 minutes!

Never again!

The next year I caved in and bought a fannypack and nobody looked twice at me. The truth of the matter is, nobody cares what you're wearing! It's a theme park; we're there to have fun and who cares what you've got on to keep you comfortable!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Thank you Marseeya! I told mh DH that I was wearing a fannypack this July when we go to DW. He definitely did not like the idea of his wife wearing a fannypack ...We are thirty-somethings....You can't look cool all of your life....The thing is, is that we have 3 kids, and drive a huge full size GREEN van...You can't get any uncooler than a big green van....And nobody pays any attention to what you look like at DW! Why? Because they are at DW!!! He got over that fact that we have an ugly green van - you'd think he could get over the fact that I have on a fannypack!

 

[tlbwriter]

I love my fannypack - but I wear it as a "belly" bag. I always have the bag part to the front - I just feel my stuff is safer that way. I felt silly at first too...but now it's a must have. Even when I go shopping at the outlets on a Branson weekend I want it....there have been times I didn't have it there and really missed it. I wear it loose. And for pictures I flip it around backwards and the belt part is under my shirt since I usually don't tuck in. It works for me....and I just have a cheapy Jansport from Wal-Mart....

Ditto - I have the same bag, probably, and I wear it in front (and off to the side). I don't feel silly at all. I would *never* choose to carry a purse or backpack all day... the straps slip off my shoulders and I spend the whole day yanking them back up again. Drives me crazy. Not to mention having to take off the backpack every time you sit down for longer than a couple of minutes, and then putting it back on again. No thanks!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

There's no comparison, in terms of comfort and convenience and security. I agree they don't look as nice, but the truth is that I don't care. It's an easy choice for me. Each person has to draw the line somewhere. Most people wear comfortable shoes to WDW, but you always see some women in their very cute, but impractical, shoes. Not me.

I agree with the poster who said she wears it in the front but moves it around back for pictures. That way, there's no lasting evidence of your fashion faux pas!

Jackie

 

[MazdaUK]

We bought our first bumbags in California when we were twentysomethings! (OK, they were slightly fashionable then, but even so....)

I did take a small handbag with me because I didn't want to look dorky round the malls, but it is far less convenient. And honestly, some of the people you see.....well lets just say it would take more than swapping a fanny pack for a back pack to turn them into supermodels! (DH and myself being cases in point!)

As I said, DH didn't always wear his fanny pack, instead taking charge of the buggy containing the messenger bag. Result - at Kennedy he left the bag in the cafe, forgetting we didn't have it under a parked buggy outside as in the parks! Raced back and luckily they'd put it behind the counter to take to lost property (in the UK it would have been blown up as a suspect package)