What is your not so normal item to pack, which is helpful while at WDW ?

[scarlet_ibis]

I take a stack of lids from take-out drinks. If you turn it upside down and insert a popsicle or mickey bar through the straw x-cut, then the lid will catch any drips!

I love this tip! Thank you!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

We bring night lights for the room(s) and glow sticks, which do triple duty of entertaining the kids, helping to identify the stroller, and lighting up the room after dark.

We bring our own pins to trade (bought off of ebay).

Postcard stamps. I'm another one who likes to pre-print postcard addresses on labels.

We sort of scoffed when my mom suggested bringing our wireless router, but it would have been VERY useful in our 2BR villa, where the only internet connection was by the dining area.

On the tech side, we also bring a second SD card for the camera for when we fill the first.

My favorite ziploc bag use for the parks is for keeping the autograph books dry and the Sharpies separate from anything they might leak on. (I make custom autograph books for my kids, so I have a lot of time and money invested in them!)

We brought the over-the-door shoe organizer last time and didn't really use it. (And the door was too wide to use it, so it had to hang in the closet.) Now, I really like the tip for the hanging collapsible shelves because we had 5 people and only 4 small drawers in our room and 4 small drawers in the TV cabinet in the main room.

Tip: Baby wipes work similarly to Shout wipes on a lot of stains. SO well that you may question what's in them that you're putting on your baby's bottom!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

valium....really for my sanity

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Tip I read somewhere else: an electronics bag. I plan on trying this for our next trip. All charging cords, chargers, power strip...With two phones, laptop, pocket video cam, ipod, cameras...it will be easier for it all to be together.

 

[Hedy]

I get a lot of mockery for always having shout wipes in my theme park backpack, but how QUICKLY the tune changes when one has a ketchup incident!

Ahhhh, Shout wipes! Fantastic idea. I used to always carry a Tide pen in my purse, but there were a couple of white things that it turned "yellow" where I used it.....thanks for the suggestion!

...

LOVE LOVE my Shout wipes on vacation. Much better than a tide pen when you are on the go.

I am a bit germaphobic so in addition to some things already mentioned I bring...

A small can of lysol, great to germ killing on room surfaces, public tables, or public bathrooms.

Lysol wipes, I know they are horrible for the environment but I have to clean the TV remote, phone, etc in the room. Not to mention the pack n play we got on our last trip was covered with dried peanut butter left over from its last user! I cleaned that thing from top to bottom before putting DS in it!

I order my water from Staples, and this year I also added some Lysol wipes and pump soap to my order-that way I didn't nee to pack them.

this one would probably be for adults!

i bring those oil absorbing sheets that clean and clear or neutragena(sp?) put out. they have like 50 in a little box (so its really easy to just pop into a bag!) but they are great for just wiping off the oil from your face so you don't look all greasy and sweaty in your pics. they dont smudge makeup and from my experience they dont interfere with sunscreen. the sunscreen thing being mainly why i use them -- i hate having my face feel all greasy nasty after i apply faceblock!

ELF makes these-you can get them for $1 at Target.

Here's my weirdest one: I cut off a piece of a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth. It folds up very small, and packs into a ziploc bag. So nice to have when you want to sit on the ground (in case it's wet, dirty, sticky, etc.). Sit on it flannel-side-up! You can get those tablecloths at dollar stores - I keep one in the trunk of my car.

A swimmer's towel. They're also really small, but soak up so much liquid. If you're going on a ride after a rain shower, or on a water ride like Kali, you can wipe off the seat and wring out the towel.

Bandanas to keep cool. Soak in cold water, wring out, then wear around your neck.

LOVE mine.

 

[pooh2001]

I love the idea of personalized beach towels.

Disney Store website I think can personalize beach towels
http://www.disneystore.com/disney/s...n=0&lid=search_submit&Search.x=48&Search.y=21


www.landsend.com also does beach towels with personalizations.
http://www.landsend.com/ix/index.html?store=le&action=newSearch&search=beach+towels
select to monogram it - I think for $5
Max. Characters: 10, including numbers, letters and the following punctuation: ! . # / - " '



You may even have a t-shirt design store which can personalize beach towels.

 

[irisesareblue]

I'm not sure if this is relevant but I pack all my clothing in Ziploc bags when I'm packing my suitcase - just roll the clothes and pop them into quart sized bags and push out the air, then zip. I can get more clothing into my carry-on and not pay the extra fee for checked luggage. As well, if the suitcase is opened at security, my un-mentionables are not out on display.

I also purchase Mary Kay face wash cloths - they are "dry" and don't count towards liquids in the carry-on. You just run them under the tap and they suds up - I cut them in half before using them as I find that half of one is sufficient. And no need for toner as it's a two in one! Keeps the maintenance down as well. My Mary Kay rep thinks I'm nuts as this is the only thing I ever buy from her....

Such a great idea for a thread BTW. One week from tonight I'll be back at Disney World.

 

[MissSha]

We found these great Brita water filters that fit in water bottles to refill and take to the parks. We think the water in the bubblers tastes aweful, and these filters take out that mineral/rotten egg taste!

 

[MissSha]

Can't forget to mention Body Glide. It's great to prevent inner thigh chafing from all that walking in shorts!!!!

 

[CandyHead09]

Hmm my parents I'm pretty sure brought coffee cause the coffee in disneyworld tastes pretty gnarly

also hangers and high heels HAHA I dont know why but this one pair of heels i have is SSSOOO comfy.

 

[SuFiMomma]

Just a quick thought on the personalized towels and/or shirts... Generally, due to "stranger danger", most experts will advise against putting your child's name on shirts. Maybe monogramming (initialing)the towels or shirts would be a better idea.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just bought a set of three packing cubes thanks to this thread. Amazon has them for $26 with free shipping. I'm hoping they work as well as advertised here!

 

[Happy Mom2]

I take a stack of lids from take-out drinks. If you turn it upside down and insert a popsicle or mickey bar through the straw x-cut, then the lid will catch any drips!

GREAT idea!! I will definitely be doing this!!

 

[cwestbrook]

I've read tons of travel packing lists and this is the first time I've read the drink lids for ice cream idea--priceless.

Thanks for all the ideas-I've made a long list.

Some ideas I can add:
room spray
bug spray or wipes
ear plugs and eye covers to sleep better
suction cup hooks to hang things from

 

[codenamejack]

Haven't seen anyone mention febreze for the bathroom yet.

Last trip, we had collapsible water bottles and attached them by carabiner loops. They were so handy. We could refill at drinking fountains throughout the day and roll them up when they were empty. Ours were the Platypus Sport Bottles and I purchased them through Amazon. The carabiners on cinch loops were $1 at Walmart.

 

[pooh2001]

Just a quick thought on the personalized towels and/or shirts... Generally, due to "stranger danger", most experts will advise against putting your child's name on shirts. Maybe monogramming (initialing)the towels or shirts would be a better idea.

I was not going to do first names - maybe our last name (5 characters)
or maybe Pooh Crew (9 characters)

we could do our zip code too - 5 characters

sort of personalized but not really

 

[Virtucomp]

We got some clear ID badge holders and retractable clips for them at Walmart in the office supplies section. We carry out Room Key in them during extra magic ours.

The CMs want to see your resort key now before letting you in. It was great to just pull the badge up and show them without having to fumble around.

The pack of badge holders was .97 and three retractable clips were $1.47 if I remember correctly.

 

[sambuster]

Moleskin, is a must.

Steve

 

[Brook1099]

what great ideas for traveling, I am thankful we drive becasue I do have to pack my
-Blanket, pillows and a fan is a must.
-over the door hooks cant leave without them
-mesh laundry bag that I hang on the over the door hooks
-Target has a fanny pack that holds a cell phone and a few card, lipstick and is has drink holder, using that this year.
- bnider ring for all my DD and myself hairbands, they always are in one spot haning them on the hooks in the bathroom(use this at home as well)
-I always freeze a water bottle a night to take to parks in the morning, in the heat this is great
- just bought from QVC cooling wraps, called Cood Downz , hoping to help stay cool when hot.going to try them @ Great Adventure this year, will post somewhere if they work
-bungy bands for folding our blankets and pillows for more room in duffle.
-small cooler for pool days to bring drinks and snacks.
_ small flashlite for dark rooms and a lite for keychain to take into parks, when dark and cannot see in front of me.
ziplocks and containers for all the leftover snacks credits.

- most important for my kids is a dogchain( usually Disney themed, I let them pick it out) w/ my cell # on it no names.I have bought the wristbands in the past too.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

We pack an extra suitcase inside another. 1) eaasier to pack all unfolded dirty clothes, but MORE importantly, luggage is bigger/heavier after souvenirs are purchased.

We also do the ziplock bags.

I bought a giant, zipper topped tote bag from LL Bean and pack in my suitcase heading out. We prop it open in the bottom of the closet and use it as a laundry hamper while at WDW and then just zip it up as we pack to leave. Souvenirs, toiletries, shoes and such, then go back into the suit cases for the trip home.

Advantages are many . . . Place to put laundry in the room, avoiding have to run around in the morning picking up dirty clothes dropped on the floor the night before. Whole bag goes straight to the laundry when we get home. Extra room to bring home more than we brought. Packing up to leave is easier and quicker. Don't have to worry quite so much about transporting home purchases made during the trip.