A few tips I will definitely use again...

[bopper]

You can also use film canisters to hold quarters/pennies for squished pennies.

 

[KimRaye]

Speaking of Dollar Store ideas - buy rain ponchos before you go! Much cheaper AND you'll stand out in the crowd of Disney-sold ponchos.

 

[java]

OH MY!! the over the door shoe holder I LOVE IT!! I may actually pack our carryon eveything in a place bag this time- that comes with a hanger for the door. But if I do what I always end up doing- dumping it all in at the last minute- I am bringing that shoe thing! Thanks for the idea. We also use Ziplocs for everything- I pack baby's clothes in it by category(shirts in one bag- onsies in another ect...) for the bigger kids I put underwear in one and socks in another- so no more Whose socks are these fights in the morning. And another ziploc use..in the summer we place a washcloth in the ice bucket the night before we are headed out - then in the morning we grab it put it in the ziploc with some more ice and it is an instant cool off.

 

[iamjkmb]

I have 5 little kids and we go to Florida every other year. The first year we went I bought them all adult size fanny packs and then tied a knot or two in the belt part to make it fit better. Then they have more room for all of their shtuff...and if you put the knots on the side so it rests above their hip they don't feel it when they sit back on a ride.

 

[plummer925]

Wow - these are fantastic tips! Please keep them coming!! My DH and I are starting the adoption process and will be celebrating our "Forever Family" at Disney World when it gets finalized (we're adopting through DHS, a child who has been in foster care - I can imagine that they probably have never been to Disney - I think it's the perfect way for us to all start our new life together )

We need LOTS of tips! Thanks so much!

 

[RumpleMom]

I don't know anything about adopting kids, but I do have experience with my kids and working with kids.

Also, I remember a thread on here about taking newly adopted kids to WDW. Here's a couple things I remember. Someone suggested watching Disney movies before going, to build recognition of the characters because sometimes we take it for granted that others have had the same experiences that we have had and that just isn't true.

If your child is from another culture, the hustle and bustle of WDW may be overwhelming at first, so take things slowly. They might not appreciate where they are, but will appreciate being part of a loving family no matter where they are. Best wishes.

 

[plummer925]

I don't know anything about adopting kids, but I do have experience with my kids and working with kids.

Also, I remember a thread on here about taking newly adopted kids to WDW. Here's a couple things I remember. Someone suggested watching Disney movies before going, to build recognition of the characters because sometimes we take it for granted that others have had the same experiences that we have had and that just isn't true.

If your child is from another culture, the hustle and bustle of WDW may be overwhelming at first, so take things slowly. They might not appreciate where they are, but will appreciate being part of a loving family no matter where they are. Best wishes.

Wow - great idea of getting them familiar with the characters - you're completely right - I did take that for granted!

We are adopting through the state of Maine (a child that has been in foster care) so hopefully they will know and appreciate where they are - we will, of course, play it by ear - if it seems 'too much' we will wait a bit before going.

Thank you!

 

[jenr812]

What a great thread. I love the Mini M&M container idea! It was such a pain to dig for coins last summer! We used the ziplocs and it was great. DH was skeptical when I was packing but agreed that it was a terrific idea by the end of the trip. Made things so simple! I am going to buy a pop-up mesh hamper for next time and one of the over the door things since my dd will be 13 and will have a whole plethora of toiletries this time LOL We also always brought a hand towel or two into the parks - we went in July and DH liked to have one around his neck. A small pack of baby wipes for quick hand washings, along with the antibacterial gel. The gel doesn't get dirt off! We also used them to wash off a table at CS occasionally if needed. We used the generic packets of drink mix for the water bottles. The kids loved it. I bought several of the single serving cereals and several plastic spoons for quick breakfasts or snacks in our room. The kids could get it themselves while I was getting ready. Spray on sunscreen - aerosol - so fast and convenient - I'll never use lotion again. Teva's for all family members = no blisters!

 

[IowaGirl]

A poster earlier mentioned bringing Kool Aid to flavor kids water, and carrying it in a little container--well now Kool Aid makes Kool Aid singles--they just came out in the stores a few weeks ago.
they are just like the Crystal Light On the Go, but Kool Aid!
Grape, Cherry and Tropical Punch.
They also have a Country Time lemonade version.
I think it said it would take two little tubes to flavor a 16-20oz bottle.

 

[Piglet843]

Great Ideas!

Keep 'em Comin!!!

 

[ms.ojo]

We too bring a small softsided case of wipes (usually w/ a Disney theme!) along w/ the purel. Soooo many times the wipes work better than the Purel...and then you finish off w/ the purel to sanitize.

ALWAYS bring a nightlight w/ us and a backup bulb! just gives a little glow w/out having to have the bathroom light on. Helps the kids to feel more comfortable in a strange room when they can make out the other bed w/ Mommy & Daddy in it.

We bring a few trader pins in a ziplock bag in our pockets for each day. Easy to see and get to w/out the chafing of the lanyard around the neck.

I know I'm in the minority, but I can't stand fanny packs. They get me all sweaty around the waist, no matter how loosely I think they're hanging. I carry a purse that has a lot of compartments built into it's lining and flap. A sport for my license and a few cards...a safe zipper section for extra money, a decent size lined middle for a couple of drinks and snacks. The outside pockets hold my cell phone, sun glasses and passes so I can whip them out quickly and get FPs. It cost me $10 at Target and I love it! Days when we take the video camera it fits inside too. It has a thicker soft strap than most pocket books and looks more like a camera bag so DH doesn't mind carrying it occassionaly either (when it has the heavier camcorder in it. Otherwise, I'm fine w/ it.

We make a grocery stop on the way to the hotel and always buy a box of nice soft kleenex as it makes such a difference. We get OJ, Apple Juice boxes, gogurts, that sort of thing that we didn't want to pack in our suitcases.

Bring light sticks from home. And here's a tip.....if you have a fridge in your room, put the light stick in the small freezer section when you return at night. It will last for 2 or 3 nights. When you 1st take it out it is so cold it barely glows, but as it warms up in your hands...and you shake it around...voila! It works again. The kids think it is Disney magic.

Let your kids take some pictures. My son started when he was 5 and sure, some are a little blurry, but most came out pretty darn good. And they're from a diff't perspective. We give each one a disposable camera...and then later in the trip, I started letting him take pics w/ our digital camera too as he was so careful.

 

[Piglet843]

Here's something we always do....

How nice would it be to sleep in your own bed and still be on vacation... Well - the airplanes won't take King Size beds....Don't even ask...

Bringing your own set of sheets is something I hear of People doing... well... ok....if you have the room for them...

We bring our own pillowcases!! That's just enough personalization to the bed set to make you more comfortable to sleep on. They have your smell and are soft
and you know they are clean....

Just don't forget to bring them home after your trip (we did that once - Donated to the Disney Pillowcase Fund - wonder if I can write that one off?? )

 

[KimRaye]

We bring our own pillowcases!! That's just enough personalization to the bed set to make you more comfortable to sleep on. They have your smell and are soft
and you know they are clean....

While I agree this is a nice homey-touch, does Mousekeeping leave them alone?

Thanks for sharing!

 

[BethanyF]

While I agree this is a nice homey-touch, does Mousekeeping leave them alone?

Thanks for sharing!

Just make sure it's not a white pillowcase. Ive brought pillows from home (in colored casses) and it was obvious they were mine. Ive never had a problem. They have always fluffed them and put them on the bed with the rest of the pillows.

 

[kimbac3]

Great tips!! If you are going in the cooler months those little cotton stretch gloves are wonderful!! We arrived the weekend after Thanksgiving and while the first few days were warm, by the middle of the week it was cold in the evenings. My kids were so thanksul to have them and they only take up a little bit of space.
Kimba

 

[Andrea]

While I agree this is a nice homey-touch, does Mousekeeping leave them alone?

Thanks for sharing!

we always bring one from home and we make sure it is not in a white case

 

[Piglet843]

Hehehe....
I have some Blue and Yellow Winnie the Pooh pillowcases that I always take
So since they are not the usual white ones - I have never had a problem with Mousekeeping.
They are always awesome about never touching your stuff - even if its in the way - sometimes it looks as if they make the bed around my pillowcases!!

 

[Leash]

I just found the Downy wrinkle releaser in a travel size bottle! I love this stuff but couldn't imagine taking up the space by packing it and I had resigned myself to lots of ironing. The best thing to do is spray you clothes following the directions on the bottle, then hang those clothes up in the bathroom while you shower (steam) then you can use the hair dryer to dry the spots you sprayed. This stuff worked on everything except the clothes that really have to be ironed, like a linen blouse.

 

[plummer925]

I just found the Downy wrinkle releaser in a travel size bottle! I love this stuff but couldn't imagine taking up the space by packing it and I had resigned myself to lots of ironing. The best thing to do is spray you clothes following the directions on the bottle, then hang those clothes up in the bathroom while you shower (steam) then you can use the hair dryer to dry the spots you sprayed. This stuff worked on everything except the clothes that really have to be ironed, like a linen blouse.

Where did you find it? Thanks!

 

[Leash]

In the travel size aisle at the Wal-mart supercenter.