Since many of us reading this board will have trips coming up soon, the question of how to pack for a Disney vacation comes up. Since there are so many different ways that this question can be answered I thought I would describe the process rather than go into specifics.
I think there is a whole process that one goes through when packing for a Disney trip. If you are even asking this question ahead of time you fall into the "Careful Planner" packing type as opposed to the "We can buy clean underwear down there" packing type.
The first stage as a "Careful Planner" is
"OMG I'm going to WDW what do I need to take with me!"
This is the stage where you start to compile lists of recommended items that you may need. These lists come from many sources and some of the best obsessive compulsive packing authorities are represented here.
The second stage is one that I refer to as
the "Gathering stage". There is a place in your house and you start to gather the things that someone else has told you you need. Things like ear muffs- in case it gets cold but you are going in May and 2 liter personal misting fans for each member of your group start to appear in this area. You have the dollar store Disney autograph books, the 3 different types of bug repellent, travel games for the kids, ear plugs for the parents, giant floppy sun hats, one for each person, 2 for the bald people and a pack of coffee filters even though you're not quite sure what a Pod coffee maker is.
The third stage is that you put all of this in a suitcase and realize that you have no room for your clothes. This is the stage I refer to as
"DENIAL".
The fourth stage is
the "Rationalization stage". You start removing the recommended items and replacing them with things like underwear and pants. Everyone will have to share the sole remaining 2 liter misting fan that you think you can't live without and the bald people are on their own because their hats no longer fit in the luggage.
The fifth stage is one that I refer to as the
"Hernia stage". This is where you weigh the luggage and are truly convinced that your scale is broken when you discover your luggage weighs 80 pounds per suitcase. More stuff is removed from the luggage and decrees are issued stating that everybody gets two sets of underwear for the trip so they better not fart.
Depending upon how you travel you might experience the
"Horror stage" This stage is realized when you discover you've booked with an airline that charges $50 dollars PER CHECKED BAG and $25 for EACH carry on. Plans are made where each family member will wear as many layers as possible on the plane and warnings are issued that going commando is imminent.
The seventh stage is the
"Realization stage". This stage occurs when you are on vacation and you realize that you really didn't need the two liter misting fan because no one wants to carry it around and those 2 pairs of underwear worked out just fine because you can do laundry when you are at the pool.
There are some people who still must pack as if they were moving permanently and other people who pack so lightly that they are wearing the same t-shirt in every vacation picture (Dee I'm looking at YOU!).
In any case
the Beach Club Market Place has a great selection of items (excluding underwear!) that will cover some of the gaps you may experience in your packing efforts. PixarMom has done a WONDERFUL job keeping us informed as to the offerings in the Beach Club Market place. Use this link to get to her PICTURE FILLED thread showing you just what can be found there.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3007564
The savvy guest also knows that when you don't see it out, it really pays to ask the CM's if they have it somewhere out of sight. I recently read on another thread that some resort shops keep distilled water on hand for use in those breathing machines for the night snorers. I've also read that sometimes the resort has a (very limited) collection of phone chargers that you can borrow in case you forgot yours. In any case the tip here is to ask if there is something that you've discovered you need but have failed to pack.
Good luck with your packing and remember to put some thought into packing what you're sure you'll need, not so much what you MIGHT need.
~NM