101 things you MUST take with you every trip

[5Hfan]

lots of great things already mentioned! We bring an over the door row of hooks for suits/towels as inevitably there is no hook or one on the back of the bathroom door. For a family of 5 that doesn't cut it!

a collapsible stool for the bathroom, so kiddos can reach the sink!

in the summer: battery powered mister fans are cheaper from home. Batteries, and a small screwdriver for changing them!

in the winter, those stretchy little knit gloves to take the chill off!

 

[AthenaBolina]

Bath towels for the waterparks? Or are they supplied?

 

[siskaren]

Bath towels for the waterparks? Or are they supplied?

They're not supplied for free; they rent them for $2.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

For me, it's my camera and spending money! But I'll be looking into some of your tips, thanks!

One thing I wanted to ask though... I'm in the UK and if I bring (what we call) an extension lead (power strip) and plug it in with a UK-US adaptor and a few appliances plugged in (2 mobile phones, a camera, etc.) will it not overload and trip the fuse??

 

[ZoZo]

My two new "go to" items are:

Skechers Memory Foam Sneakers. I just wore them for the first time on my trip at the end of February. I couldn't believe how comfortable they were - like walking on marshmallows! And I didn't give myself any break-in time with these shoes - I literally wore them for the first time on the plane to Orlando. Rookie mistake, I know! But luckily, they were so comfortable that I wore them all day, every day of my trip, with not a single problem. And I have what I consider "problem feet" (foor surgeries on both feet the last five years. So these were fabulous!

Baggallini Messenger Bagg. Another great find! Was just the right size for all of my stuff. It looks kind of small, so I was worried that I wouldn't like it, but it held a surprising number of items. Also had an outside pocket for my phone, and another one for my water bottle. Plus the interior had enough compartments for me to organize my things. love this bag!

Other items are: rain poncho (I used the Frogg Toggs brand from Walmart), moleskin, power strip for charging electronics, extra sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs, nightlights for the room, clothespin to hold curtains shut in the room, and various sizes of ziploc bags.

 

[GillianP1301]

Total agreement on the hanging shoe organizer, really helps keep the room tidy!

I always have ziploc bags in varying sizes, come in handy for packing away the dessert I can't quite manage to eat, or any other leftovers on the go and also for waterproofing things like an autograph book in rainy weather.

I always have a small kit with meds (advil, tynelon, etc..) and small first aid kit, but after my last trip I have added Advil Cold & Sinus after having to jump through major hoops to buy some at Walgreen's (including having to show my passport and sign for the meds on video). In Canada, they don't even keep it behind the counter.

Travel sewing kit. The scissor come in handy for all sorts of different things and you never know when you need to make a quick clothing repair on the go.

 

[jm106]

elastic bands have Been a huge help for me too. I had to use them when I realized Ods poncho was far too long and it was not going to stop raining. I used them to tie up his poncho and to tighten the poncho that doubled as a stroller rain cover.
Then on next trip, yds stepped on my flip flop and the middle completely broke and We used my hair tie to reattach it until I could make it back to the front of DHS where they sold them. It was about 90 and sunny, it was way too hot to be shoeless. Ill make sure I have elastics with me at all times.

 

[mieuxmew]

Lots of favorites here already mentioned!

I bring a very tiny bottle of dishwashing detergent to wash our mugs. I also recommend bringing a small amount of powder laundry detergent in a couple of single load size zip lock bags. Sometimes the washer and dryer can be your best friend! (or even the sink)

I bring 50 single dollar bills. Great for tips and vending/game machines.

I love portable rechargeable batteries for our phones and kids iTouches.

For parents of very small children - bring something with you your child can wear with your name and your cell phone number. Disney is huge and no matter how careful you are, kids can get separated in big crowds. There a lot of things available - temporary tattoos, necklaces, etc.

 

[h3vin]

For me, it's Dramamine!! I've had vertigo (if you don't know what that is, it's like non-stop dizziness, and I hate being dizzy!) twice and went to the hospital both times for it (thankfully I wasn't on vacation).

I can't really go on the rides that really spin you or the orange line at mission space

 

[jodeeb]

I like bringing a couple Mesh popup Laundry hampers. That keeps the dirty cloths contained and keeps the room neat. I sort as we go, then half way thru they already are sorted and we play at the pool while we do laundry.

Has anyone used a Command Hook in the room to hang organizers on?

 

[LittleFlounder]

something i sadly learned recently. immodium or pepto. or both. much cheaper at home, and the last thing you want is to be sick on vacation and immobile. They have them both at the hotel shop, but the immodium is liquid and GROSS! also much cheaper at home.

YES! I was going to say this too... Immodium and some anti-nausea medicine!

A few trips ago, I came down with either a stomach bug or food poisoning and spent a small fortune on tiny packs of them at the resort gift shop. There are lots of germs running around WDW, or you also never know what might not agree with your tummy, so now I don't travel without these medicines.

I also bring the following:
- a sunburn relief product (I bring aloe gel)
-Advil/Tylenol
-Sinus medication
-liquid water flavoring
-Power strip for resort room
-nightlight
-scotch tape! Something in our room always needs mending, tacking up or resealing (snack bag)

One really important thing I bring every trip is a needle, thread and small scissors! Without fail, one of us has some piece of clothing that needs sewing- a button falls off, a hem on a dress, taking in the waistband of a pair of shorts, bathing suit strap that needs tightening, etc.

 

[mom2jcg]

A Brita water bottle...it totally filters out the sulfur taste from the water fountains. I take it in empty so it's not heavy, fill it as needed, and don't waste snack credits on a bottle of water!

 

[ekendall2]

At least two pairs of walkable shoes.

Tylenol, Zyrtec

Small backpack

Shoe organizer

Ponchos

Sunglasses/baseball cap

Money clip instead of wallet. Don't like lugging all of my cards around if I don't need to.

This year----portable phone charger

GOLD BOND - this goes everywhere with me. For Florida, I use the green bottle. Extra strength!

 

[PrincessBCF]

This is all such helpful info!

I'm planning on bringing a sign (8 1/2" x 11") to hang onto our stroller and some ribbons to tie on so it stands out. Also planning on a stroller lock.

I'm nervous about bringing our uppababy stroller but don't need to buy stroller #5 just for FL travel!

 

[Itinkso]

I'm nervous about bringing our uppababy stroller but don't need to buy stroller #5 just for FL travel!

Your stroller should be fine! I was in DHS last month and the CMs I was with were pointing out the very expensive strollers parked outside of Disney Jr. They were lined up with all the others and no one bothered them.

 

[brandigregory]

I am guessing many of you drive! I need to get creative as a flyer

 

[JennyMP03]

1) Mini-fan for the park bag (with spare batteries). I get them in the camping section at Target and they're under $5.

On our first trip, we shared one. On our second trip, we both had our own, and this was even better. Standing in a hot, humid line while surrounded by other people is slightly more tolerable when you can direct a fan at your face.

2) I'd never go without headache and nausea medicine in my bag either. The heat, park food, and rides provide ample opportunity for some unpleasant physical reactions. Specifically: Excedrin Migraine, Dramamine/Pepto pills, and ibuprofen.

3) Anti-bacterial hand gel. Whether it works or not, it makes me feel better after touching handrails.

Out of everything I pack, I feel these three park bag items get the most use (aside from standard items like phone and money).

 

[Jeff_G]

One thing I wanted to ask though... I'm in the UK and if I bring (what we call) an extension lead (power strip) and plug it in with a UK-US adaptor and a few appliances plugged in (2 mobile phones, a camera, etc.) will it not overload and trip the fuse??

Most US power outlets are rated for 15 Amps at 110/120v, the circuit breaker should trip at 80% load. So as long as you do not exceed 10 Amps or say 1200 watts you should be ok.

Most cell phone and camera adapters should work with either 110/120v or 220/240v 50-60hz, I would double check yours and see what the current draw is. My cell phone charger pulls 150 Milli amps or 0.15 amps. So three of these would be no problem.

Here is a Good web site for more info : http://wikitravel.org/en/Electrical_systems

 

[jodeeb]

This is all such helpful info!

I'm planning on bringing a sign (8 1/2" x 11") to hang onto our stroller and some ribbons to tie on so it stands out. Also planning on a stroller lock.

I'm nervous about bringing our uppababy stroller but don't need to buy stroller #5 just for FL travel!

When the kids were young enough to be in strollers, I left way more in/on the stroller that I should have. We often left valuable(we probably shouldn't have) but never had anything stolen. Your smart to mark your stroller with something to be easy to find, but, yes it is a chance if you leave something you wont find it after visiting an attraction, but chances are you will be fine.

 

[ericaears]

Total agreement on the hanging shoe organizer, really helps keep the room tidy! I always have ziploc bags in varying sizes, come in handy for packing away the dessert I can't quite manage to eat, or any other leftovers on the go and also for waterproofing things like an autograph book in rainy weather. I always have a small kit with meds (advil, tynelon, etc..) and small first aid kit, but after my last trip I have added Advil Cold & Sinus after having to jump through major hoops to buy some at Walgreen's (including having to show my passport and sign for the meds on video). In Canada, they don't even keep it behind the counter. Travel sewing kit. The scissor come in handy for all sorts of different things and you never know when you need to make a quick clothing repair on the go.

I want to think the Cold and Sinus medication debacle isn't the norm. I may have had to show my I.D. to a cashier but that's it. It isn't behind a counter and I've definitely never had to sign for it. This is in Georgia, though.