Your favorite type waist pack/backpack

[cricket429]

I will definately check out the Ameribag and thanks for the advice on water resistant. I didnt even think about that with water rides.

 

[Carrieberry]

Well waist or "fanny packs" are not really socially acceptable in the US, so I only know about backpacks.l

DOH! Totally not true when it comes to WDW.My husband and son wear them. Everyone wears them! I wouldn't wear one on a day to day basis, and when I am at WDW I actually wear a sling bag style messenger bag. It is Similar to this one & it isn't $80!:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63852&item=6736791011&rd=1

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I don't like using either a back or fanny pack. They simply are not big enough to hold all my park necessities. You should look into the Char Broil Fire and Ice Combination Grill and Cooler for your park visits (picture in my sig). It's very convenient and it makes a day in the park just like being at home...except for all the attractions and millions of people around you.

 

[VA_mouseman]

I dislike backpacks, due to shoulder strain and the big ol' sweat stains, between your back and the backpack, during the warm weather!

I got an LL Bean 'lumbar' pack for our last visit and it worked out wonderfully!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...langId=-1&categoryId=36670&sc1=Search&feat=sr

Two large compartments, with subcompartments ... outer pockets for water bottles, etc. Very nice product for only $29

 

[PIPER618]

Can any one comment on the security lines checking backpacks and bags at the gates. Friend of mine told me today don't bring any packs as you will wait in long lines getting into the parks. I would imagine this would be right if the park was crowded.

 

[VA_mouseman]

Can any one comment on the security lines checking backpacks and bags at the gates. Friend of mine told me today don't bring any packs as you will wait in long lines getting into the parks. I would imagine this would be right if the park was crowded.

Well, it all depends. First, what time you arrive at the park; the earlier the better, of course. Also, what season you're visiting; spring break/x-mas are obviously busier times than Jan/Feb.

There are two security points to pass through at each park. One line for people w/o packs (obviously quick) and others for packs, etc. to be checked (obviously longer, but depending on the above listed factors).

If traveling to the parks with kids, a stratagy to use would be to have one adult take the kid(s) through the 'no bags' line and get ahead for stroller rental, line to a favorite ride, etc. and have the other adult go through with the bag(s) and then catch up ...

 

[cmonroe]

Well, it all depends. First, what time you arrive at the park; the earlier the better, of course. Also, what season you're visiting; spring break/x-mas are obviously busier times than Jan/Feb.

There are two security points to pass through at each park. One line for people w/o packs (obviously quick) and others for packs, etc. to be checked (obviously longer, but depending on the above listed factors).

If traveling to the parks with kids, a stratagy to use would be to have one adult take the kid(s) through the 'no bags' line and get ahead for stroller rental, line to a favorite ride, etc. and have the other adult go through with the bag(s) and then catch up ...

I'm in total agreement with VA_mouseman. But I would also like to add that after your first time through the security checkpoint, you get a lot better at it. Our last trip we had multiple bags and a double stroller. Make sure as your waiting that you open all of the compartments in your bag, so the guard doesn't have to unzip once your there. I never waited longer than a couple of minutes, so I would not worry about it.

 

[golfgal]

I don't like using either a back or fanny pack. They simply are not big enough to hold all my park necessities. You should look into the Char Broil Fire and Ice Combination Grill and Cooler for your park visits (picture in my sig). It's very convenient and it makes a day in the park just like being at home...except for all the attractions and millions of people around you.

Thanks for the great laugh!!! Good visual of someone pushing a grill around the parks! I would LOVE to see the looks on the faces of the CM at the entrance lines if someone really tried this.

 

[ljones]

I have a back pack a bit larger than a purse, yet alot smaller then a "school" pack, that I got from Gap about 5yrsago. 2 nice sized zip close compartments, small zipper compartment inside. Carrying poncho, very small umbrella, ziploc bag with medicine,bandaids, wallet, wipes, brush,essential makeup items, sunglasses, water bottle

 

[Nebsky]

Chalk another one up for the backpack group.
Fannypacks are hideous in my opinion, but I understand alot of people like them. To each his own I guess.

I have a Jansport BackPack. It only has two pockets. A small one in the front for little things. A Big Zipper that goes the length of the bag. It has been to WDW 4 times and several other trips all over the world. I only use one strap most of the time. Just sling it over the shoulder and go. On rides, Ill "step" into it by putting the straps over my legs so I dont lose it.

I carry this thing all over the place. Because I dont want to feel like a grown up, I use this for work too. I dont want a briefcase.

ETA at 2:08 Central, 3 hours after my last post, its nice to see I still can kill a thread.

 

[trstno1]

I've been really happy with Mountainsmith waist packs. They have probably a dozen different styles, and you can probably find one that fits your budget, and what you plan to carry.

Check out:

http://www.ebags.com/backpacks/wais...tegory_search/index.cfm?N=4001+2003994+500201

 

[LoriMistress]

JanSport isn't a bad brand at all. Though, you can buy a backpack at Vans at a reasonable price. Though, when I had my Vans backpack for over five years, I brough my backpack during our trip to WDW, and it broke at Epcot at our first day, so I bought a WDW backpack at the parks and it worked great.

 

[bobcat]

I swear by my Ameribag backback and it was well worth the money I spent on it. I have the extra small in black nylon and it holds so much more than you can imagine. I love that all the pockets keep me organized and like someone said it opens up pretty wide so that it is easy to go through bag check. Mine is 3 years old, made 4 trips to WDW and I carry it as a purse sometimes as well, and it looks brand new. This is a great quality bag.

I also wear a fanny pack for the days I don't want to carry alot. The kids have their own as well so I am not carrying their stuff.

 

[sanibelover]

I do have a fanny pack but I would never wear it around my waist!!!!

Mine has a strap that can be slung over your shoulder and across your chest like a purse. It also has two outside waterbottle holders and a couple of zippered compartments. I love it. I wish I could carry it as a purse every day. (yes, we all do things on vacation that we wouldn't be caught dead doing at home.....) Got it at The Gap a couple of years ago.

 

[wisbucky]

I have four different fanny packs. My favorite one is the smalles one I have. The less bulky the more I forget I am even wearing it. I only use it for my digital camera, bandaids (if needed), passes, and written information. I have used a larger one that carries a water bottle, 5 different zippered areas, but I found that it was heavy on my waist and with the heat very uncomfortable.

 

[Disnurse2B]

This is so funny! DH and I have been arguing over whether or not to buy fanny packs or just use our backpacks. He said he wouldn't be caught dead with a fanny pack on! Fine by me! He can carry around a big bulky backpack with all the junk in it he wants and I'll just order myself that really cool LL bean one found on the link above. I don't see how anyone can look too silly with LL Bean, right? Another reason to opt for a waist pack over a back pack is that, when you get on a ride, you can just spin it around so the pack is in the front and you don't even have to remove it. One less thing for me to lose!

 

[bytheblood]

Somehow I duped.

 

[cdntourguide]

I do not use a backpack and never liked the fanny packs, but with the things that need to be carried, I looked and looked for something.
On my last trip to Animal Kingdom I found a one-shoulder pack. It cost $24.00 (about that anyway) and has a pocket for a cell phone, a large zippered enclosure that will hold two bottles of water, a second zippered pocket that will hold all the maps and paperwork that you would ever want to carry, a velcro snapped pocket for thin little things like fastpasses, and a really large pocket that will also hold two bottles of water. Plus it has the Animal Kingdom Icon embossed on the front, has a large velco fastened flag and when completely full weights almost nothing. I even got my name embrodered on it when I went to MGM (cost another $8).
Size is ten inches high, seven inches wide and three inches deep, Sash going over your shoulder goes from sixes inches wide down to about three inches. Best of all it is really comfortable to carry.

 

[bytheblood]

Well waist or "fanny packs" are not really socially acceptable in the US, so I only know about backpacks.

My FIL uses a fanny pack. I use my Nikon camera bag. My daughter has a princess backpack and my husband uses a nice backpack. The MIL makes everybody carry her stuff.

Hubby will not entertain the idea of using a fanny pack - does not want to be mistaken for a sissy he says. Ooohhhhh - men have to be so macho.

My brother, who lives in North Hollywood, goes to WDL every weekend. He is gay and will not carry a fanny pack because he says (this is what he says, not me) he does not want to look like the flames hanging out at WDL on the weekends. I think it is a different culture view in different parts of the states. Some people really like the fanny pack and others find them to be quite distasteful. I think whatever makes you comfortable in the parks, you should carry and not worry about what other people think. After all, it is your body that is holding the thing.