A few suggestions need for our trip

[sassy40]

My family and I are planning our first Disney trip for the beginning of September. We are soooo excited, but are a little overwhelmed with what to pack, etc.

- Best shoes ???? I opt for sandals or flip-flops, my husband feels sneakers are the way to go.

- Strollers ??? Bring an umbrella stroller or rent one fro the week (quite expensive). I have a four year old whose little legs tire easily.

- Toiletries ??? In light of the new packing restrictions, would it make more sense to purchase things like shampoo, etc. after we arrive? Will we have to sell a kidney to pay for it, or is there any shopping downtown? How is the shopping at the resorts? We are staying at the contemporary.

Any suggestions/opinions would be so appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

I say bring your stroller, wear crocs and mail a care package to the hotel a few days before you leave with all your necessities that you didn't want to pack.

 

[mikymouse]

Hello!

I would recommend sneakers with coolmax socks. I walk alot at home but I even got blisters after a day at Epcot that place is huge. So bring some blister bandaids just in case.

I bought umbrella strollers for my 6&4 year olds, they haven't used strollers in a gizillon years but Disney is huge and crowded at times.They were a little over in the weight and height restrictions but I got them at a second store for cheap and if they broke then I was just going to ditch and rent. They were great for keeping track of the kids in the crowds and getting places quick but most of the time we simply used them to get to an area, parked them for a while and picked them back up to move into other areas or leave. It was worth it alone for the firework night at MK when both kids passed out and we had to go all the way back to the resort. We stayed at AKL and it was a hike from bus stop to room..I would have never made it without those strollers.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation.

 

[LoveMickey]

You can put your toiletries in the checked baggage. Just make sure you double baggie the liquids to prevent spills. I also put my stuff in one of the small soft sided lunch zipper packs.

Do you buy these at Disney - too expensive and it cuts into your vacation funds.

I do sneakers - 2 pair. I change when we go back to the room to freshen up - freshens up the fee too.

Don't know about the stroller, but would suggest not paying the $$

 

[ZoZo]

1) Shoes are a very individual thing: some like Crocs, some like sneakers, some like sandals or flip-flops - it depends on you. Whatever you do, though, bring several options, in case the one you think will work for you doesn't work out. (I ended up with a big blister on my toe from some sneakers I could have sworn were well broken in!) Bring moleskin and bodyglide to prevent blisters. Also, check out the many threads on this page regarding footwear.

2) Strollers: I can't give you advice on this, since I don't have kids.

3) Put travel-size toiletries in your checked luggage, being sure to double-ziploc-bag them. Don't buy them after you arrive; you'll waste time, you might not find the products you like, and you'll pay much more.

 

[Em_in_FL]

- Best shoes ???? I opt for sandals or flip-flops, my husband feels sneakers are the way to go.

Bring a couple pairs. If you have a rainy day in your sneakers you'll need to let themm dry out for the day... so it's always best to have a backup.
Plus, if you happen to get a blister in one pair, you can switch it up!



- Strollers ??? Bring an umbrella stroller or rent one fro the week (quite expensive). I have a four year old whose little legs tire easily.

DEFINITELY go with the umbrella! Label it really well, and don't leave personal stuff in it when you "park" it in front of the rides... but umbrella's are so light and easy to travel with, they're worth it!


- Toiletries ??? In light of the new packing restrictions, would it make more sense to purchase things like shampoo, etc. after we arrive? Will we have to sell a kidney to pay for it, or is there any shopping downtown? How is the shopping at the resorts? We are staying at the contemporary.

First off, you can CHECK this stuff in your suitcase... just can't have it in carry-ons...
BUT, there's LOTS of shopping in the area... just off property I know of several major chain grocery stores... you'll have no problem finding WHATEVER you need!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Shoes - I would have to agree w/you husband. I took several pairs of shoes (Skeetchers slip ons w/really thick cushy soles, flip flops, and tennies) Both the Skeetchers & flips starting to rub my feet wrong in different spots - I ended up w/tennis shoes from day 3 on!

Stroller - we took an umbrella stroller for our 5 year old & glad we did. The strollers you rent are very hard plastic - don't look a bit comfortable, and sometimes she needed to rest from the park to the bus & we were too tired to carry her too! And if she walks (which ours did - too much to see to just sit) then our backpack full of snacks, camera, water, etc - sat in the stroller & less for us to carry on our backs!

Tolietries - I thought that all I heard was you can't pack them on a carry on bag. If you can pack in the checked in luggage, save yourself alot of money & do it!

Have a great trip - hope my suggestions help!

 

[ctbasketlady]

Remember that most hotels supply shampoo & soap & hair driers. So unless you are locked into a brand for one reason or another, don't bother bringing it.

As for shoes, I wore slip on Keds one day then switched to my Adidas tie sneakers for the next day. When we got back to the room it was shoes off and flip flops on! My DD got blisters from her shoes and we used the BANDAID Blister wraps and they worked good.

Just my observation about double stroller - I noticed many parents struggling through tight places in shops etc with the side by side strollers. My kids are 11 and up so it's been a long time since I've used one so others would know best.

 

[goofinoff]

Yes, definetly sneakers. I have been hearing a lot about Crocs...not for me. I also am going to try bodyglide that a lot of people have been talking about. Do not do flip flops or sandles. You will regret it! All the parks are huge!
Bring strollers. We went last year when my kids were 4 and 2 and brought umbrella strollers. They were great. Easy to fold up, especially if you're riding the bus. My kids were really good about staying in them. Going back in October and plan on bringing them.
Don't try to bring anything liquid on board with you. It will not get through security and you will just have to replace it once you get there. If you have access to a car, I suggest buying what ever you can down there. There is a Walmart about 15 minutes into Orlando.

 

[writersblock42]

I used an umbrella stroller for our son when he was little.
On shoe gear this is my advice-take a pair of sandals that have good rubber soles like the old tevas or something like that-I haven't tried crocs so I don't know. But also take a good pair of walking shoes. You will want the shoes to fit correctly-not too small or too big, be slightly worn in but still fairly new so it has all the padding and everything. Then you can switch back and forth. Small kids might want to wear water shoes so they can play in the fountains and stuff. But also have sneakers because they make a huge difference in long walking.
Make sense?
As far as shampoo and stuff just pack in your checked luggage.

 

[kimis]

I would say wear tennis shoes or crocs. It is a long day to be flip flops. I believe if you have a Disney Visa you can rent a stroller for free. We did this a year ago for our granddaughter but I am not sure if the policy is still in effect. You might want to check on this. I would pack my toiletries in my check in baggage rather than buy them there. Use your money for some sovvies. HA!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sneakers or Crocs...don't bring cute sandels/flip flops to wear all day in the parks. It's way too much walking and you don't won't to be in pain by day 2!

Bring the stroller...who wants to pay $$$ for something that you have at home. Plus, it's nice to have at the airport.

Toiletries...pack them in your checked luggage and keep checking the TSA guidelines because some things that were banned last week are no longer banned in carryons.

 

[julsmom]

We rent a stroller. Even though our daughter is 6 now, I think it saves our sanity and keeps her energy so we can keep going. It is just so nice to say "Get in" and we zip to the next spot. And because we rent, we ditch it at the stroller return. I see way too many people STRUGGLING on the buses with their strollers. We definitely believe that is not worth it. Keep it easy.

Bring your toiletries with you. I could never imagine leaving to go to a grocery store once we are at Disney. We are too busy having fun. Just bring it with you and enjoy vacation every minute you are there. We check in and hit the parks or downtown disney.

DD 6

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

we just got back on Wednesday. We used the shampoo and soap that came with the room. We had the free dining plan, it was great. A good pair of sneakers is what I would suggest. And cotton socks. Definitely bring a stroller, we always did when the kids were small. You have it for the airport. I overpacked this time, I usually don't, I didn't use alot of what I had packed. I did have to buy bandaids though. That hand sanitizer came in handy, a small bottle, trial size.

 

[Boncho]

Footwear - take all three, sneakers, sandals and flipflops (ones with lots of cushioning) I wear all three at some time or another while I am there.

Stroller - take your umbrella stroller and label it with your name, resort etc.

Toiletries - take them from home and pack them (double zip lock bag them) and put them in the middle of your checked bags so that there are lots of clothes around them for lots of cushioning.

Have a great time!!!!!!!

 

[ellyn2000]

#1--Bring more than one pair of shoes (may get caught in rain or just have a day that's hard on your feet and you'll want something different) #2--Pack toiletries in checked luggage OR ship a package to your resort in advance. #3--Take your own stroller. #4---Have a wonderful time!