Does anyone have a "vacation tub?"

[TigerCheer2009]

What I mean by "vacation tub" is one of those Rubbermaid-type of storage plastic "boxes" that they keep all their vacation stuff in.

What kind of stuff do you keep in it?

TIA :)

[Pokprincess]

Not quite sure it's what you mean but..... ;)

For when we get back.. I keep a "Tub" like that of small items like shells, pixie dust, Mickey Balloon weights, park brochures etc.... :wave2:

Then I also have a box of items which we take out for packing, like the spray water fan, pool goggles etc.... :smooth:

[daisyduck123]

We have a large Rubbermaid in the master bedroom that is just for our WDW trips. Whenever I come across anything that we'll need for our next trip (and we won't need before the trip) I toss it right into the "Disney bin".

Whenever I unpack from a WDW trip, I also throw in any stuff that we won't need until the next trip. So some stuff goes straight from our suitcases, into the Disney bin.

Items in our Disney bin right now are:
* Disney waterproof money holders that hang around our necks at the water parks
* WDW fanny pack
* matching Disney sweatshirts
* 8 sets of matching Disney t-shirts for our family
* Disney rain ponchos
* jumbo sized Ziploc bags
* Disney messenger bag

that's all I can think of right now

[kerry34]

Mine is a bag instead of a tub, but that is a good idea. Basically I keep ponchos, the kids autograph and penny press books, pin lanyards, park brochures, water bottle straps, and anything else we use while we are in the world. It stays in my bedroom closet and from time to time I add stuff to it. If I get free samples in the mail for personal care items like shampoo or deoderant, I put it in there. We use it on the road while we are traveling to WDW. My main reason I started doing this is so the kids dont lose their souveniers. They know they are there and when it is time to go there are no tears because one of them lost something.

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! keep them coming, please.

[Bev J]

When we unpack from our trip I put all the WDW essentials in a small suitcase then add to that when I get new ponchos/glow necklaces, samples. That way when I pack for the new trip everything I know I need is already in a suitcase. I don't have to go searching for it all. The suitcase stays in a back bedroom in the closet, easy to get to. If we go on a different trip then I just put all this stuff in a bag but it gets returned to the suitcase when we get back.
Some things like fannypacks, water bottle straps, ponchos, park maps, guides, misty fans only are used for WDW and it is good to keep it all in one spot.

Bev

[kimbac3]

We do the tub thing to.
In it is: Disney Rain ponchos
various ziplocs
"camping" towel
hats
Stories on CD (Adventures in Odyssey)
snacks for the trip (Pirates Gummies)
coloring books and crayons

I know there's more I just can't remember right now.
It's fun to look in that book though...so many memories!!
Kimba

[lindakmonty]

we have tons of tubs... one for vacations stuff... holds
ponchos
fanny pack
water mister
autograph book
ziplock bags
lingerie bag
pop up hamper
clothes pins for closing curtains
hats
sunscreen
itineraries from previous trips
maps
over the door shoe holder

that's all I can think of right now :)

[BabyBird]

My DH thinks I am nuts to have boxes of vacation 'stuff' but seems pleased when we go on vacation and have everything we need:
~Clear plastic over the door shoe holder for the door to the bathroom - you can't imagine how great it is to have everything handy but out of the way!
~Surge protector with a 10-foot cord for DH's CPAP (sleep apnea machine)
~Cold/flu meds - I would rather take them and not need them than not have the brands that we prefer
~Airborne for flights to and from Orlando, this really does work!
~Water shoes, we never use them at home
~Swimming suits, nope we don't use those either
~Disney nametags for DH & I
~Fanny packs
~Empty plastic travel bottles - I fill them with product right before the trip

I try to get all of the 'little things' during the year between our vacations. That way it's not such a big hit on the budget right before we leave. I always watch for items that we might need and if I find any, I add them to the boxes.
Only 150 days to go... seems like a lifetime away!
:wizard:

[Mom3girls]

When we returned drom our last trip I purchased a memory box from the Rag Shop (it's a craft store sort of like A.C. Moore or Michael's). The box has Disney princesses on the outside and we keep our lanyards with pins ,pressed pennies books, autograph books, and maps of the parks and resorts. My kids get so excited when the see me take it out of the closet they can hardly contain themselves!

[ZoZo]

I have a WDW tub, too! (And I thought I was being too anal-retentive! Guess not!)

Last year, I got organized and started gathering up things several months before my trip. (Previously, my vacation stuff was scattered all over the place.) I started putting things in the tub, including:

- Emergency ponchos
- Moleskin
- Bodyglide
- Disposable cameras
- Extra batteries
- Neck-cooling wraps
- Mister fan
- Fanny pack
- Sun hat
- Swimsuit
- Etc.

I started tossing things in the tub as I thought of them. It was great, because it helped to spread the expense of the things I needed to buy over a longer period of time.

As summer ended, I also put the warm-weather clothing I would need on my trip into the tub. That saved me from digging through all of my out-of-season clothes before the trip.

I also made a master packing list (using great ideas from the DIS!) that I now have on hand for next time. I edited my list after my return from my trip (note: bring half the clothes you think you'll need and plan to do laundry mid-trip!), so that I won't repeat the same mistakes next time.

Now that I'm organized, I put away all of my travel items into the tub for "next time." I'm so glad they're finally all in one place!!

[bobcat]

Mine is so full my pin bag no longer fits!

[katied]

I have a WDW rubbermaid underbed storage tub. It stays under the bed in the guest room, and keeps all kinds of things for Disney year after year - rain ponchos, disney clothes, travel fans, disney hats, etc.

When I then start buying for the next trip, I add to the tub. Eventually, I outgrow the tub and then keep a shopping bag in the guest closet with the rest of the the stuff. Since I joined this board, the # of things I'm buying for the trip just grows, but some don't stay in the tub (my crocs and my bagglini get lots of use).

[we3disneygo]

:banana: I have a WDW rubbermaid tub also!!!!! so far we have: small flashlight,sunscreen, visor from last trip, light sticks, small fans for room(bought last summer at Lowe's for 1.00, it even has a alarm clock.perfect for next to the bed.), new socks,undies for everyone, over the door organizer, 2 new britta bottles and filters., big ziplock baggies, space bags, camcorder tapes, black and white film for "old" camera, disney tote bag, disney messenger bag, water bottle holders. all bought over the last year, that's all I can remember!! I also have another tub full of packs, camera bags, etc. we use these for other trips also!!!!! I also have all the samples from ordering free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :smooth:

[WillCAD]

I don't use Rubbermaid tubs. I have some plastic file folder type storage containers - the type with the flap that has a string on it - and I put stuff from each year's trip into one.

Stuff like my Mickey poncho, ID lanyard, and toiletries bag, I store in my luggage, since I don't use it except when I travel.

Now, for planning materials, I have a file folder with any printed stuff (coupons, tickets, etc), and a folder on my computer with PDFs of any ressies, plus any spreadsheets I might create for budgeting or scheduling. And I keep that stuff after the trip as souveniers - I have PDFs of ressies going back 6 years.

[mousiemom]

I just emptied my vacation tub out from our 4th of July Destin trip. I can't live w/out mine. We pack all of our paper products, groceries, film , all that we can't pack in there. After we unload ours in the disney hotel room, we store all of our snacks in there. It comes in very handy. I can't go anywhere without them!!!

[cindarella]

LOL we have two!! I even have dd,ds,& ds small backpacks half loaded for our trip in 80 days :rotfl:

[goingbackagain]

I have a bag too! After each trip, I keep my tickets, any left over disney dollars, autograph book and pen, etc. in it. I also continue to had basic essentials in between trips to the bag. For instance, like many other have said, toothpaste, razors, etc. I find it a lot easier to pack and be ready for the next trip. Sometimes, I put a little cash in there and tend to forget about it until my next trip. That's a nice surprise - the extra money! I also have a couple of games of disney facts that we quiz each other on every trip.

[coolbeans]

Y'all have inspired me!! I am going to start a vacation tub!! I will put our misting fan, extra mini fans, and travel size goodies in it. Along with my m & m tubes of pennies and quarters and Disney Dollars!

[briarberry]

Yep, I have a Disney tub too! ::MickeyMo I have lots of the same stuff in it as the previous posters. It''s great because if I need an item during the year (between DW trips) I know right where it is.
Some of the stuff in my tub:
*water bottle straps
*mister fans
*extra batteries
*pressed penny holder
*autograph book and fat pen
*waterproof container thing purchased at Typhoon Lagoon
*glow sticks (were a big hit at fireworks last time plus helped us stay together after the show in the huge crowd - we glowed!)
*rain ponchos
*small umbrella
*ribbon to tie on rental car (they all look the same in the parking lot)
*camera battery recharger
*mole skin (never needed it but you never know)
*special bag I carry only at Disney
*fanny pack for my DD (carries her own stuff like Gameboy for line waits,
disposal camera, sunglasses)

[hollyb]

So far I have to mini fans with lights on them for the kids. :banana: I just started a tub on Thursday.

If I buy light sticks and sun block now. Will they both still be good for when we go in May?

[PocahontasLookALike]

I have one specifically for WDW. We have our ponchos (both disney and disposable), the mini fans, my husband's StarWars Light Saber that he just HAD to have at StarWars Weekend last year. Lots of odds and ends that we end up needing each year.

[allie&mattsmom]

I've never even thought of this! Thanks for the great idea. I'm going to start filling a tub up for our August trip!!! :thumbsup2

[disneychrista]

I store everything in my suitcase.

[arminnie]

What I mean by "vacation tub" is one of those Rubbermaid-type of storage plastic "boxes" that they keep all their vacation stuff in.

What kind of stuff do you keep in it?

TIA :)
Absolutely. I use it for all of my traveling Disney or not. I have my supply of laundry tablets (found at Big Lots 2 years ago), hot pot (for heating water for tea, etc.), tea bags, coffee filters, plastic french press for coffee, spray mister, small fans, water bottle holder. Anything I might want for a trip. Not that I take all of it all of the time.

[bevtoy]

A Rubbermaid tub is in the corner, we are filling it up with stuff for a upcoming trip, waterproof camera bag, pirate costume accessories, glow in the dark sticks, mole skin, and more.......

[bettyann29]

How funny.. I thought we were the only ones that owned one of these :rotfl2:

We keep it in our closet and there are items that are always in it.. I make a vacation list of things we need before going and when I buy those items I stick them in there.. Things that we always have in there is ponchos, waterproof card holder, power strip, bungee cords, eye glass kit, sunscreen and stuff like that..

[LuvOrlando]

:rotfl2: A tub, DH would fall off his chair if I shrunk down to a tub :rotfl2:

Right now, every day in fact, I have a fully stocked WDW shelf in my basement fully devouted to keeping all my trip needs at arms length for every season...ponchos, mini Tide & Downey, fans with & without spray bottle attached, collapsed Mickey beach balls & pool/sand stuff, flip flops, kids spinning light-up Mickey & Minnie toys, glow in the dark bracelets from the Dollar store and the kids travel wallet ID's. Not that its ever happened but I keep hoping DH will one day just come home with plane tickets to WDW for a second annual trip :lmao: I know, I'm hoping for too much when,as it is, he takes me every year and 'goes with the flow;' of my addiction even when we couldn't afford it. Still, a girl can dream can't she..........

[mommyceratops]

I started one after our last trip... I am wondering I noticed no one posted this.

I took the $12 lightups and pal Mickey some other items and packed them away for next year. I knew we would be going back in 10 months and did not want to buy it all again. :rolleyes1 I know cheap and bad. But I did.

I also have picked up stuff when I see it on sale and have one place to put it.

Ponchos
Potty seat covers (I will be potty training when we go DS3)
Some little Disney toys I bought on sale at The Disney Store
Just stuff like that. I have a central place to keep it all.

:wave:

[Eeyore Excitement]

Nope, but it sure sounds like an interesting idea!