Fannypack or Backpack?

[Aquira]

I'm planning on going to Disney alone. This has given me a new problem to think about, as I've previously just piggybacked off someone else's bag. Are fannypacks searched? What about camera cases around the neck? I'd honestly prefer to go without any bag, but at the bare minimum I will need my camera, phone, and debit card. If I didn't need the camera I'd just go with an around the neck money pouch but unfortunately I do need space for a camera.

 

[ArielLover]

Both are searched.

 

[Aquira]

dang I was hoping a camera case wouldn't be searched. I might just put the camera around my wrist.

 

[Club34]

you just admitted openly to being a bagleech. for shame. i use a small camera bag. at the gate, just peel it open and its so small the guard just peeks in for a nanosecond. barely more time then just walking through. i can sling it across my body and its light enough and small enough that i don't even know its there. people tell me i have a purse and i generally reply with the ol' Seinfeld, "IT'S EUROPEON!!"

 

[JIMINYCR]

Wish I could go into the parks backpack-less, but I have too much to carry in with me that I need for the day. I hate having to wait through those long time consuming bag search lines. Some security take very quick looks and I'm on my way while others have to inspect every tiny crevice. I try scoping out those guards that are being less and try getting in their lanes.

 

[RMichael21]

Wish I could go into the parks backpack-less, but I have too much to carry in with me that I need for the day. I hate having to wait through those long time consuming bag search lines. Some security take very quick looks and I'm on my way while others have to inspect every tiny crevice. I try scoping out those guards that are being less and try getting in their lanes.

I'll have to start using that method. At DL last month, we got stuck behjnd the slowest guard ever and missed park opening! (We were late anyway)...

 

[Baldy]

If your camera is small enough, you could wear cargo pants or something else with multiple pockets and just keep everything in there.

 

[unkadug]

I just thought of a strategy... as long as no bag is visible, you can skip the bag check lines, right? So, what if I empty the contents of the bag into pockets, or actually carry them in my hands (like water bottle), and either put the empty pack in a pocket, under a shirt, or tucked into the shorts? Would that work?

I think it would work. What's the difference in that and buying a bag once inside the park as far as security is concerned.

 

[stevehousse]

Don't wear a pack LOL

 

[DVCPluto]

Stay away from a fannypack... Far, far away.

 

[Aquira]

Don't wear a pack LOL

Stay away from a fannypack... Far, far away.

Haha, I know fannypacks look awful but to be honest I don't mind looking ridiculous if its convenient. I really have no sense of fashion at all. I'm also a frequent croc wearer, they are the only shoes that actually fit my bizarre shaped feet. Though, I usually do wear the crocs that don't look like crocs. But I have worn bright purple ones covered in Disney charms. I'm that tacky sometimes.

 

[Aquira]

If your camera is small enough, you could wear cargo pants or something else with multiple pockets and just keep everything in there.

I actually thought of getting cargo shorts last night. I was thinking I could sew a zipper along the pocket so my camera wouldn't fall out during rides.

I just thought of a strategy... as long as no bag is visible, you can skip the bag check lines, right? So, what if I empty the contents of the bag into pockets, or actually carry them in my hands (like water bottle), and either put the empty pack in a pocket, under a shirt, or tucked into the shorts? Would that work?

I really hope someone has tried this, because I have had the passing thought before and think its a great idea. Anything to avoid slow lines. I don't know if its testing security too much, like it seems like a fine line. I've also thought of wearing a skirt over some shorts and sewing big pockets into the inside of the skirt. Though that probably sounds a lot better in my head then it would be in practice, probably wayyy too heavy.

 

[bigorangeandy]

The time or two I've been by myself, its put everything in the cargo pockets and off I go. When the family has arrived its a pack for everything that they want. The best way for everyone to help speed the line is to make sure all the pockets are open so security can look inside without delay.

 

[IWantMyMagicBand]

I have an old WDW Minnie Mouse pack that I'll be using. Tis a theme park, not a fashion parade. BUT if I could I'd have everyone in cargo trousers I would, especially if it meant quicker entry times. This year I'll send dad, dh and kids into the park and I'll do bag security with my on-trend bright red, shiny pack, or as we call it, the bum bag ( means ladybits in the UK fyi)

 

[Chernaboggles]

I actually thought of getting cargo shorts last night. I was thinking I could sew a zipper along the pocket so my camera wouldn't fall out during rides.

I really hope someone has tried this, because I have had the passing thought before and think its a great idea. Anything to avoid slow lines. I don't know if its testing security too much, like it seems like a fine line. I've also thought of wearing a skirt over some shorts and sewing big pockets into the inside of the skirt. Though that probably sounds a lot better in my head then it would be in practice, probably wayyy too heavy.

I've done it, and there's definitely a line. On out last trip, I regularly carried a small zippered make up bag (the fabric kind you get inside the bigger clinique bonus bags, about the size of my hand). Inside the bag I had my cellphone, a tiny folding hairbrush, an extra hair elastic, packet of advil, credit card, annual pass, and money. I wore regular jeans or capris and never had a problem walking in through the bagless line with this little bag in my pocket.

I also brought in an empty water bottle bag (a small nylon one with a carry strap), I just stuffed it in a pocket and carried in the water bottle by hand. Again, never had a problem going through the bagless line. Once inside the park we'd put the water bottle in and wear the bag around.

We did try a larger bag once, and that time we got stopped. It was one of those fabric backpacks that can be folded up into itself and zipped so it's like a pouch. I wore it in the pocket of my rain jacket one night, but it made a noticeable bulge and the guy at the bagless gate asked to see what was in my coat. I showed him the (empty) bag and he said "Aha!"and laughed, but waved us on through. I had the impression that we'd pushed the limits a bit but he didn't give us a hard time or send us to the other line. We never actually used the bigger bag, so we skipped it thereafter and stuck with the little ones.

 

[Clamman73]

 

[Aquira]

I've done it, and there's definitely a line. On out last trip, I regularly carried a small zippered make up bag (the fabric kind you get inside the bigger clinique bonus bags, about the size of my hand). Inside the bag I had my cellphone, a tiny folding hairbrush, an extra hair elastic, packet of advil, credit card, annual pass, and money. I wore regular jeans or capris and never had a problem walking in through the bagless line with this little bag in my pocket.

I also brought in an empty water bottle bag (a small nylon one with a carry strap), I just stuffed it in a pocket and carried in the water bottle by hand. Again, never had a problem going through the bagless line. Once inside the park we'd put the water bottle in and wear the bag around.

We did try a larger bag once, and that time we got stopped. It was one of those fabric backpacks that can be folded up into itself and zipped so it's like a pouch. I wore it in the pocket of my rain jacket one night, but it made a noticeable bulge and the guy at the bagless gate asked to see what was in my coat. I showed him the (empty) bag and he said "Aha!"and laughed, but waved us on through. I had the impression that we'd pushed the limits a bit but he didn't give us a hard time or send us to the other line. We never actually used the bigger bag, so we skipped it thereafter and stuck with the little ones.

Thanks for letting me know this! I think I'll take a small bag like you described and tuck it into my pocket or down my shirt. That way it will also be small enough to just kind of tuck away when its bothering me.

 

[Clamman73]

When I go in the fall, the bag check line is usually about a few people or so long, and as long as people know to pre-open their bag it goes pretty fast...but sometimes it does depend on who's in front of you and the checker.

Also, when I get off the Epcot monorail, I try to make sure I'm the first few people down the ramp.

 

[Chernaboggles]

Thanks for letting me know this! I think I'll take a small bag like you described and tuck it into my pocket or down my shirt. That way it will also be small enough to just kind of tuck away when its bothering me.

Just be sure that whatever you carry is secure on your person and not likely to fall out when you're sitting, riding rides or tying your shoe. I usually carry a huge purse everywhere so having just the little pocket bag was very weird at first, I kept having to check to make sure it was still there. Sailing through the bagless line and not having to lug stuff around was fantastic, though.

 

[DVCPluto]

Haha, I know fannypacks look awful but to be honest I don't mind looking ridiculous if its convenient. I really have no sense of fashion at all. I'm also a frequent croc wearer, they are the only shoes that actually fit my bizarre shaped feet. Though, I usually do wear the crocs that don't look like crocs. But I have worn bright purple ones covered in Disney charms. I'm that tacky sometimes.

I have an old WDW Minnie Mouse pack that I'll be using. Tis a theme park, not a fashion parade. BUT if I could I'd have everyone in cargo trousers I would, especially if it meant quicker entry times. This year I'll send dad, dh and kids into the park and I'll do bag security with my on-trend bright red, shiny pack, or as we call it, the bum bag ( means ladybits in the UK fyi)

Well - if you're both going to subject the rest of us to the sight of packs or crocs at least they're covered in Disney flare. I'll never be against oodles of charms, pins, ears, or character pics.