backpack? fannypack? About This Page:

[kimmi-d]

what's the best thing to carry around the parks---any suggestions??? thanx [img]null[/img]

[allysonh]

Definitely fanny pack! If you order the one off of the PassPorter website, it will be big enough to hold your PassPorter! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

When I ordered the 2001 PassPorter, I ordered the fanny pack at the same time. Little does my wonderful fiance know it, but he is wearing it! Ha ha!

Good luck!

[debe]

With me it depends upon the day and what we are doing. If it looks like rain or is a bit chilly, I carry a backpack to store our extra items. Also, if we plan on purchasing items without having them sent to our room the backpack comes in handy.

I do like fanny packs as you can have both hands free... I am a good one to leave pocketbooks around so I don't like carrying them!!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Another thing to consider is the time of year you are traveling. If you are going down during extreme heat & humid weather, I doubt you would enjoy wearing a backpack! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[deanie]

If you are planning to spend the whole day at the parks and would like to carry along items that you think are essential in having throughout the day (and don't want to end up spending extra money inside the parks), I would definitely suggest a backpack; even if just a very small light one.

We stay at the parks all day long and always during the month of August when it is very hot. We enjoy taking the misty-fans (which were lifesavers in the summer), hats, sunscreen, face cloths, sunglasses, optional water bottles, and certainly ponchos (for that midday rain shower), and a few snacks also to tide over to lunch or dinner.

In order to keep it from getting really heavy, we only take what is only absolutely "neccessary" (that which we definitely want to have) as to not load it down. Also, if you are going with other family members/friends, you can take turns holding it on your back while you are walking around touring so no one person bears the whole brunt.

We were down more recently last year in August and it seemed many people without a doubt took advantage of bringing a bag along so I think overall it would be great to have one if you would like or need to bring one along.

[Fortissimo]

I use a fanny pack on a daily basis so this is what I prefer.

If we found that we needed to carry items we just asked a CM at a souvenir cart for a large shopping bag. The bags are very sturdy and a lot lighter than a back pack.

You may also decide to carry backpack with clothes or extra water bottles and store it in a locker.

[ 06-14-2001: Message edited by: Fortissimo ]

[Cruella]

I agree with debe - I like to take both and use whichever fits our plans for the day. If you are looking for a great fanny pack, Jennifer & Dave sell one in the Store here on the boards. It even fits your PassPorter! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Susanna]

Definitely bring both because you will need more gear if it looks rainy.

If you are staying in the world, use your fanny pack on all days except the last full day. You can have all of your souveniers sent back to your room except on the last full day.

On the last full day, take the backpack to carry the souveniers you pick up that day.

[All Ears]

DH and I have always used a backpack on every trip, and we have found it works quite well.
In the morning, we "stock" it with any needed items -- guide map for the park we are visitng, Brita water bottle, camera, film, sunscreen, notes from Passporter (with PS numbers), etc. If it looks like it will rain, we can also throw in our anoraks & ponchos.
When we take our mid-day break, we go back to the hotel, and "re-stock" the pack. This time, we include light weight jackets, etc.
I do not carry a purse while on vacation, so I just place my wallet in one of the zippered compartments (inside the backpack). DH and I will take turns throughout the day carrying our gear. The key is to keep your fanny pack or backpack as light as possible -- while still carrying all of your essentials. If you are traveling with a family, it might be a good idea to carry two back packs -- so you can carry things like handi-wipes, snacks, and extra items the children may need (like a fresh tee shirt, a wash cloth, etc.).
All Ears [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[kecall]

Sounds like everyone has their own "formula" that works for them....For us the "both" idea is the best....Each day is different, so what we need is different....This trip I have bought a large fannypack from LLBEan (I think it's called the Daypacker). It will hold 2 water bottles, video camera, plus everything else!
I'm anxious to try it out...Also, I have found it helpful to have my girls carry their own fannypacks with a few items that they need often. That way, my load is lightened and they don't have to keep asking Mom for little things....Soooo...I guess the quest for the "perfect" solution goes on.....

[Stitch]

I would have to go with the Passporter fanny pack! It easily holds your passporter pocket pages, camera, film, hard candy, lip balm, etc., etc. It fits easily on all of the rides, and you can either wear it around your waist, or looped over one shoulder. One of our best Disney vacation investments!
Thanks Jenifer & Dave!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[DVC_Don]

I got a fanny pack from this site that holds my PassPorter. We also take a back pack that we take turns carrying. Camera's, sunscreen, ponchos etc go in there. We take the backpack on all the rides. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[MrsM]

Maybe it's just a fashion thing, but for some reason I have an aversion to fanny packs! We usually just take a small backpack - it's easy to take turns carrying it so one person doesn't get stuck with it all day. On our first trip (when I didn't know any better) I actually carried a purse! What was I thinking??

[stretch2864]

Usually I bring both a fanny pack and a backpack because I don't like the idea of my wallet and valuables being in my backpack and out of sight. On my last vacation, I tried using just a backpack; but I put a cable lock on it (Zeico carries a great little lock which easily loops through the zipper pulls.) This worked great! I think I will do this again when we go to WDW because I like to have my backpack with me to carry jackets, the camera, sunscreen, snacks, waterbottles, souvenirs etc. The lock is a combination lock, so it is easy to access when you need to. But it is a heavy duty cable so it would be difficult to tamper with and because it is adjustable I can run it through as many zipper pulls on my backpack as I need to. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[coffeechef]

I wear a fanny pack for wallet & passes. Also a back pack to carry Ponchos, Our Resort Mugs(we fill up the with Coffee,Hot Choc., get a donut & wait for the Bus to get to the parks as quickly as possible in the Morning) I also keep the Video Camera in there when not filming. It not that heavy that I don't think about carrying it.

[Disneybound!]

We plan on bringing both for our trip, with our DD's having their own fanny pack for a little bit of their own money, chapstick, autograph book and pen. We will have an 11 month old with us, and so it would be impossible to not have at least a small backpack for diapering things! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]