Death of the Fanny Pack

I could start off this entry by simply listing the many reasons why I hate fanny packs with a burning passion. But, instead, I'd like to give you some more practical (and more fashionable) alternatives to the neon nylon crotch warmer.

The Backpack

It's simple! It's practical! It's... stylish?! You really can't go wrong with this option. Backpacks come in all different colors and sizes. With all of the variety you're bound to find a style that no one in the family with be ashamed to carry. Best of all, a backpack is your largest option next to a rolling suitcase. For big families this is wonderful.

I once owned a backpack that had two nets for water bottles and a super hip reflector that flashed when you pushed on it. 'Cause you know how hard it is to find people in the crowd after Wishes just finished and everyone is dashing for the exit on Main Street.

The only downside to a backpack is the way it's constructed. For those of you with a bad back (like me) the weight of a backpack seems to crush your shoulders and leaves you cranky at the end of the day. On that note, I move onto...

The Baggallini

These little babies have become quite popular on Disney forums. I first saw a family wearing them in a trip report and decided to look into it. They come in many colors and technically the brand does make different styles. I use the messenger bag style. Because of the single adjustable strap I don't have a pained back when the day is done.

The cool thing about this bag is all of the compartments that the average bag doesn't have. It looks like a relatively small bag but with all of the compartments you can really fit a lot! There is a net for your water bottle on the side. The strap has a flat zipper pouch that I carry all of our room key/park tickets in. It's SO handy to get up to the turnstiles and be able to whip out the cards in no time. I never have to worry about the cards falling out even if I forget to zip it back up because of the elastic band that holds them in tight. The construction of the bag is obviously genius. It's even machine washable!

If you're interested in ordering one of these beauties make sure to order from a place like ebags.com. If I remember correctly, you receive a discount for creating an ebags.com account and another one for using Google Checkout. Also be sure to order when the website is having a promotion or you can find a promo code. Talk about steep discounts! Check out Shoebuy.com and Bagsbuy.com as well because they also carry Baggallinis and have discounts now and then.

In the event that you're a solo traveler or aren't into carrying a lot of stuff with you into the parks, here are a few accessories that you might find handy.

The parks sell lanyards that have a plastic zipper pouch connected. It's a great, bag free, lightweight way of storing your park tickets and cash. Perfect for kids to store their spending cash in as well!

I've also seen canteen type things with a strap. They come in different colors and are quite large. If you're like me and you don't care if your water comes from a plastic bottle or a water fountain, then this might be a great way to stay hydrated throughout the day. There are also carriers that will fit your own water bottle inside.