By Amanda, Disney’s Cheapskate Princess.
The fanny pack is a fashion statement that has struck fear into the heart of Disney fashionsitas for years. For anybody hiding out under a Prada rock, a fanny pack is a small fabric pouch secured with a zipper and worn with a strap around the hips or waist. The name “fanny pack” was derived from the fact that these bags were traditionally worn facing the rear above the “fanny.” Yet despite this highly amusing name, many people do not wear fanny packs on their actual rear because they are easier to pick pocket and much harder to access.
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When you head off to Disney for your vacation, do you use a traditional bag or backpack, or do you opt for the fanny pack? Here are some reasons for both.
Reasons to use a fanny pack.
1. They are smaller than regular bags.
2. While many a shoulder has been pained by a backpack, fanny packs don’t create the same strain on the shoulders, the main reason being, they are restin’ on your fanny or thereabouts.
3. With your bag around your waist, you have you arms more free to push little Mickey in a stroller, get in and out of rides a bit easier, hold onto monorail poles a bit easier, etc.
4. On rides where bulky backpacks are not allowed, you will pass through with no problem.
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Reasons you should stick to a traditional backpack.
1. I will stop short of calling them ugly. I will simply say that you will not see Rianna or Lady GaGaga rocking a fanny pack on any red carpet. I have yet to see a Dooney & Bourke fanny pack featured prominently in anyDisney gift shop, but I wait with curious fascination to be corrected. The photo below offers an example of current styles, and you can make your own judgement of fashion worthy-ness. These fanny packs are available at tillys.com for $12.99 before shipping.
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2. You cannot carry as many items in a fanny pack due to their smaller nature.
Why am I not carrying a fanny pack? Because Dooney &Bourke don’t currently have one available, and I personally am holding out for style over substance. Plus as small as fanny packs are, this may be the only Disney Dooney I can actually ever afford.
Style over substance, size and comfort over fashionista superstar status…what do you wear to Disney to haul your stuff in?
How about a Disney Dooney & Bourke handbag to haul your vacation necessities? Have you checked out the prices on those babies lately? Check out these new styles and c.r.a.z.y. prices!
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Thanks for stopping by Couponing to Disney for a journey down fashion lane. Keep clipping those coupons and dreaming Disney!
Amanda
Disney’s Cheapskate Princess
Come see us at Disney’s Cheapskate Princess on Facebook and Cheapskate Princess on Pinterest.
only thing I didn’t remember to say was that I always forgot to fix my crossbody bag and so nearly every picture there is a black strap from it dividing the “girls” in two….almost as bad as a fannypack picture…lol
I recently used the “waist wallet” from L.L.Bean… It lays flat and you can fit the essentials in there… The camera, money and key to the world. It did work well for us!
I switch between my crossbody Baggallini and a fanny pack. I can hide the fanny pack for pictures. And as far as how everyone else there sees me, well, they don’t know who I am, they don’t care who I am, and I’ll most likely never see them again, so I really don’t care what they think. :-) Comfort and practicality is more important to me than appearance.
I’m far from being a fashionista, but considering we share these family Disney photos with friends, I say “NO!” to the fanny pack. I also have started saying no to “mom clothes”. My sister (not a mom) & I were at the parks one day and she pointed out the mom uniform. So I try to actually put on a bra that keeps me from looking like a uniboob & a nice comfy top. Not something I would go running in but a cute t-shirt or layered tank that is flattering.
I am at Disney world as we speak. I do use a Fanny pack but I have only seen a couple others. I know they look corny but they make life so much easier at Disney. Most women wear the cross body bags and I have tried those but if you have a large chest it’s not good and they rub on my hips uncomfortably. I am also not a fan of lugging around a backpack and I hate to tell you all but a grown.
person with a backpackers is not cool either. I want to enjoy my vacation not worry what other people think. We’re all on vacation right?
Much to my children’s chagrin, I do use a fanny pack to hold the most important, non-replaceable items(tickets, ID, health insurance card, Disney Visa, etc.) and then we carry a family backpack as well to hold bulky items such as our 6 water bottles, rain ponchos, etc.
I have to say NO to the fanny pack…LOL. I don’t need anything calling attention to my midsection OR rear. By the same token, I never wear belts or tuck-in shirts, LOL. We will be taking a crossbody-type backpack from 31. And my husband will be carrying it…….I will rock the organizing wallet on a cross-body strap. ;-)
We use a fanny pack, but the hubby wears it. It is a little larger, and has water bottle holders on each side. It is a fantastic thing, snacks, water, sunscreen, hand wipes…But, after the 1st day of out 1st trip, we were looking at the pica and laughing hysterically at the hubby wearing it in all the pics, so after that he wears it backward. I LOVE my Dooney and Bourke Mickey purse, but would never bring it to the park.
I went to Disney in March with my husband and 4 year old and I PROUDLY rocked the fanny pack – on my hip. I was the coolest looking 29 year old there :) People were rushing into stores, knocking each other over, just trying to find a fanny pack to be as cool as I was!
I LOVE this article!!! I have not seen a fanny pack in years. I agree with one of the ladies I do not need any help adding weight to the midsection so we rock the backpack. I really enjoyed reading this:)
I use a super small cross body bag that I had ordered from Mary Kay a few years ago. It fits my KTTWC, band aids, camera, phone, and small hand sanitizer from B&B works. Thanks to my hubby for carrying the back pack with water & sunscreen, and rain ponchos, which we did use!!!
I personally do not use a fanny pack….I’d rather use a book bag. But I have to say that these comments are cracking me up.
what if you end up on the news, a Disney advertisement, or God forbid, you have a heat stroke at Disney and pass away?…and there you would be in a fanny pack…yikes!
I also used the Vera Bradley small hipster on my last Disney trip and it was perfect for my needs. I was able to carry my room key, license, phone, camera and hand sanitizer while my hands stayed completely free and without looking like an 80’s flashback :) They make a bigger size for someone with small kids that probably needs to carry more things, and they’re affordable as far as designer bags go.
I have a small cross body bag I got years ago. It has two small front pockets that I can keep my phone and camera in and a waterbottle pocket too. it is the perfect size for amusement parks. I do however still carry in a backpack with all our our rain ponchos, and things that wont fit in my bag. WHen we do the frisght fests up here I usually bring one of those small drawstring bags with extra hats and gloves and handwarmers. It’s easy now becuase the littlest is still using the stroller, not sure what we are gonna do when he no longer uses one..lol I guess it’s time to talk Nana into a scooter…lol
My hubby wears one. I do not. LOL.
Another vote for the Vera Bradley hipster (although now we’re using a big Vera Bradley since our kids are all under 5)! I refuse to put anything around my midsection to make it appear larger – I’m already rocking the “I’ve had 3 kids in 4 yrs” pooch, and I don’t need any more help in that area. ;)
Lol I have to say, though it looks slightly embarrasing to older kids…my mom wore one on our vacation! She found it easier to keep track of and not as heavy as wearing a backpack. It also made it easier for her to make us older kids accountable for our own belongings we chose to purchase or bring along in the first place!
Just want to put it out there that I have carried a standard size backpack on all four trips and have taken it on every. single. ride. without any problems. Even on Rockin’ Roller Coaster where you go upside down, it stays secured just fine under feet- I even have my DSLR camera in there.
I’ve found a great solution to the fanny pack. Vera Bradley carries a variety of small cross body bags. They allow the convenience of having your stuff in front and within easy reach, but without causing the fashion police to ticket you. I use mine for the basic necessities: phone, money and tickets. I also add on a antibacterial hand soap from Bath & Body Works and can barely notice I’m wearing it.
We stay on property, use the dining plan and carry the key to the world and our phone/camera in the pocket! Sometimes less is best. Imagine the freedom. It is spectacular.