Here's a listing of items and helpful hints that fellow WDW Travelers recommend you consider putting in your suitcase! As DVC members your needs may be different (whichever resort you call home), so choose the items that make sense to you.
A little bubble bath for the Jacuzzi tub (a must have for a DVC villa). Maybe even a bottle of wine and the opener!
Portable CD player and CDs -- Familiar music can help you get to sleep at night in an unfamiliar hotel room, or can just set the mood for fun, romance or relaxation. Having a CD player on hand lets you try out the cool CDs you can pick up at Walt Disney World, too! (Jennifer Watson 1/99)
Address book and stamps, so you can send out postcards to friends and family at home. Another idea -- Get a box or sheet of blank labels and address them all before you leave with whoever you will be writing home to. Once on your trip, buy postcards from various places and ask each kid to drop a few lines about their day's events. Peel off the label, stick, stamp and done. No need to look for the addresses. (Anita, 6/98). Include e-mail addresses so you can send virtual postcards from Innoventions in Epcot (Jennifer Watson 1/99). NOTE: you must have an E-mail account set up on the GO network in order to do this (
www.go.com).
Notebook or pad and pens - especially if you're going to write a trip report
Bring a laptop? Don't forget your Local Access Number for ISP to check the e-mail!
Backpack or Tote Bag - to store ponchos and other items in. Another reader writes: "and we'd recommend waterproof tote bags and/or backpacks for keeping cameras, etc. out of the rain."
Bottled Water - if you're driving and can throw a case in the car it makes it that much easier to grab some water on your way out each day. You'll NEED the water in the warmer/hotter months! Or get the bottles with the belt clip to be most convenient, no need to carry the bottle in your hands.
Frozen Juice Drinks - We found that the Capri Sun juice drinks (in the little pouches) were the perfect size and just sturdy enough to haul around in the backpack. Also, (if possible) freezing bottled water the night before heading out (assuming your room has a little fridge that can be turned up to extra cold), makes them extra refreshing just as you decide you need a cold drink. D. Basham (10/98)
Rain Poncho - so you can find your group amidst all those yellow slickers!
Fanny pack for you and the kids.
Pack an Autograph book and a fat pen (so the characters can hold it).
"Wipes" - we found, having 2 young children who are out of diapers, it is still imperative to carry wipes of some sort. They get very sticky from all the junk they eat while in the parks.
Ear Plugs - My daughter (age 5) is very sensitive to loud noises. In certain attractions, we found earplugs to be a great help for her She carried them in her fanny pack and we just popped them in as needed. (Christine, 11/98)
Kleenex
Disposable Camera - especially the Underwater type if you plan to go to the Water Parks
Batteries - for still and video cameras (the camera shops in the parks can usually sell you some)
Battery operated personal fan- it has a string so that you can put it around your neck, but it is still small enough to fit in your fanny pack... These fans made us a lot more comfortable while watching the Hunchback show, the Beauty and the Beast show and while standing in line... I can't tell you how many people I overheard saying to one another, "We should have gotten one too."
Film - Higher speed (over 400 for inside shots) and Extra rolls!
Film Canisters for Snacks - Kids are always hungry, food is expensive in Disney, and who has room to carry food around. I used this great way to keep the kids happy. Most people bring a lot of film to Disney. Wouldn't want to miss an important picture! When I arrive at Disney I open up my film packages and take the film containers, the little canisters the film comes in with a lid. I wash them out real good with Soap and water, and fill them with a snack. A few pretzels, skittles or M&M's usually do the trick for that in-between meal snack!
Pager -- If you have nationwide service (or can get it inexpensively for the duration of your visit), your pager can help you keep in touch with your family at the parks. (Jennifer Watson 1/99)
Walkie Talkies - sold by Motorola are invaluable at the parks. I'd say we get at least 50% more done in a day with them because there's never any waiting, you can communicate/change plans on the fly, split up and regroup effortlessly (can be rented for the duration of your visit).
Small Flashlight - for reading maps or guide books in the dark
Cigarettes - are not available in the parks
Gum - If you like to chew it, buy it in advance; you won't find any for sale on Disney property
Hats - straw, baseball whatever...something to bounce the sun off!
Jacket for dinner at Vickies and Al's (they can provide one)
Insect repellant (very useful at Vero Beach)
Aloe - our family found it extremely useful (we used almost all of a 20 oz. bottle!) in the summer heat. (Jennifer N. Labuz, 7/98)
Antacids
Anti-bacterial lotion - This was a must before all meals when we couldn't get to water. (Dawn, Ed & Eric Pauli)
Aspirin! Or other analgesic pain reliever
Johnson and Johnson Foot Bath - Those little orange and white envelops.
Band-Aids
Q-tips
Lip Stuff - like Blistex or Chapstick - with sunscreen!
Prescription Medicines
Nail clippers and file
Contact lenses - make sure you bring *both* a spare set and your glasses.
Dental floss
Tweezers
Soap -- Bring a small bar of your favorite bath/face soap, stored in a plastic bag. If you have sensitive skin, don't assume that the soap the hotels provide will work for you. Some of the moderate hotels don't provide bar soap in the bath, either.
(Jennifer Watson 1/99)
Clothespins - for hanging wet swimsuits in the shower as well as closing up bags of snacks. Our hotel (a moderate one) had a clothesline in the shower. (Bcmagargee, 1/99)
Laundry Detergent - Rather than paying high prices for a small box of laundry detergent, bring some from home in a seal able plastic bag. Doing laundry during your trip also allows you to pack less clothing. (Jennifer Watson 1/99)
Stain Stick - the laundry pre-treating stick. Since none of us like to do laundry on vacation, just rubbing the stain with the pre-treatment will let you hold off doing laundry till you return home.
Needle & thread
Safety pins
Night Lights - 2 pack of inexpensive night-lights. No bumps and crashes in the night if you just stick these in the outlets. The kids will feel more secure if they know they'll be able to get to the bathroom quickly and easily, and you don't feel bad if you leave them behind (which I usually seem to do!). (John, 3/98)
Plastic glasses for poolside
Proof of Insurance - to show when you rent your car so you don't need that expensive CDW (collision damage waver)
Sensible shoes -- Comfy, well broken in shoes are essential. This isn't the time to try a new pair of shoes. If you must get new shoes for your trip, be sure to break them in well before you depart for Florida. (Jennifer Watson 1/99)
"Moleskin" for your blisters
Extra Socks and Sneakers - One thing my daughter and I found when we visited in August, was that we ran out of dry shoes pretty fast.
Golf glove and golf shoes
Sweatbands - if you use them, bring them - very expensive at the parks.
Sunscreen
Bathing suit
Swimming goggles - as sometimes the chlorine from the hotel pools can be pretty high. Of all the things our kids enjoyed the most, was the hotel pool.
Beach Shoes / Water shoes - those rubber-soled stretchy neon shoes, for walking to the pool, or at one of the water parks, no need to go barefoot and stub your toes.
Sunglasses - for ALL members of your traveling tribe, and don't forget those handy-dandy straps that keep the sunglasses hanging around your neck. Much more convenient than tucking the sunglasses in a pocket or fanny pack every time you enter an attraction.
Hard covered Suitcase - My wife and I found that an old hard shell suitcase filled with snacks and breakfast foods as well as drink boxes made having snacks and breakfast (Non DVD room: get a fridge in your room for milk etc.) a big money saver.
Tape - I always bring a small roll of receiving tape. It has repaired my suitcase when I arrived in Moscow with a big whole in my suitcase with stuff falling out, it has repaired flip-flops that flipped to pieces on my way to the pool, it has repaired book bindings and stuck notes on doors for me and well, you get the picture. It's a great temporary relief when you need it (Glinda).
Ziploc Bags - I always find a use for these. I fill my refillable mug on the way out each day; wash it out when I'm done and put it in the Ziploc bag till I'm back at the hotel. I can then refill it on the way to my room. Another good use is to keep film together. Ziploc bags are also useful to keep things dry at water parks and in the rain. Great for cameras, spare clothes or soiled clothes if you have little ones. You also don' t have to worry about finding a waterproof backpack. (Laura 1/99)
Coffee filter packs (Maxwell House). They are filters and coffee pre-packed. Just pop them in and voila, coffee. I would also put a timer in so the coffee is made before you rise (Glinda, 2/00).
Another option is to bring pre-measured coffee and filters from home in Ziploc bags. The coffee makers have always used the round, flat-bottom, "Mr. Coffee" style coffee filters.
A box of XClaim 3 in 1 laundry sheets. They are a laundry detergent and fabric softener in one handy sheet (Glinda, 2/00).
Toaster I bought a cheapie ($6.88 at Ames) 2 slice-bagel width toaster to take along. We're not big breakfast eaters but will toast a bagel or pop-tarts to eat. (Cheryl, 5/98)
Trash Bags - a) helps with keeping room clean, trashcans full up easily and b) dirty clothes- room stays a lot more organized. Every morning I would grab a trash bag and throw our dirty clothes into it, no risk of losing any articles.
Driving to WDW? Get a combo TV/VCR for movies during the ride down and in the hotel room.
Video Tapes - extras!
Umbrella for the sun or rain
OTHER GUEST COMMENTS:
If you're staying on-site, be sure to pick up park maps at the guest relations desk at your resort. We didn't realize until our third day that they were at the resorts, and by picking them up in advance you can plan your day around show times, etc.
Items with ** are available upon request.
Kitchen Cabinets
8 dinner plates
8 salad plates
8 cereal bowls
8 coffee mugs
1 platter
2 vegetable bowls
creamer/sugar bowl set
1 salad bowl
8 juice glasses
8 wine glasses
1 shot glass
1 pitcher
1 colander
3 piece serving set
8 piece cookware set
**cookie sheet
1 oblong 3-quart dish
1 covered casserole dish 2quart
3 piece mixing bowl set
plastic measuring cups
cutting board
wicker sugar basket
**electric mixer
coffee maker
salt & pepper shakers
wastebasket
bottle dish detergent
box dish detergent
1 pot holder
small box laundry soap
Kitchen drawers
1 solid Serving Spoon
1 serving fork
2 tablespoons
8 dinner forks
8 dinner knives
8 steak knives
8 soup spoons
8 teaspoons
1 cutlery tray
1 vegetable peeler
1 bottle opener
measuring spoons
tongs
**soup ladle
hand can opener
pancake turner
slotted spoon
corkscrew
cook's knife
paring knife
roaster slicer
sponge
whisk
Misc
toaster
dish drainer
vacuum cleaner
iron
ironing board
broom
dust pan
