Attn: DIS Dads! Need your tips for a Dad's WDW Survival Kit!

[supercalisarah]

Hello everyone! I have been a LONGTIME lurker (about 2 or 3 years now! ) and this is my first post!

I have decided to come out of lurkdome...because I need some help...and I figured the kind folks on the DIS Boards would be the best help I could get for this question!

I have been to Disney World MANY times with my family of all girls (Mom, Myself, and 3 Sisters) but this September will be the first time I will be taking my boyfriend and his two daughters (ages 14 & 16). (It will be their first trip ever to Disney! And they are sooo excited!)

My boyfriends birthday is coming up soon and I wanted to put together a "DAD'S WDW SURVIVAL KIT" for him.
My plan was to get a comfortable backpack and fill it with things he will need while in Disney. I have already planned to have a couple packs of ponchos, Ziploc bags to keep his cell phone dry, sunscreen, baby powder, and a clip on water bottle.
BUT....never traveling with a guy before I'm a little stumped as to what else he may need? So...I am asking all you DisDad's or DisMom's who pack for DisDad's for your recommendations!
Thank you in advance for any tips or suggestions you may have

Sarah

 

[RFrank9504]

A disney gift card for some brew

 

[supercalisarah]

A disney gift card for some brew

I did think about a gift card for when we go to Raglan Road. I think I read somewhere they do a beer flight, but I'm not sure?

 

[ryem's mom]

How about a Florida themed or Disney themed hat?

 

[gingersnapacosta]

Carabineer for mugs (or anything really)

Hidden Mickey's book

A clicker sharpie pen for the girls' autograph book (and maybe even autograph books for the girls so he doesn't have to buy them there)

 

[Ress76]

You know your DBF best, but what about a fishing excurision, a round of golf, renting one of the little boats on Bay Lake, parasailing or some time in an arcade or at Disneyquest. Simply thinking of the estrogen with 3 women, my DH would just want a little time to be away from us, and even just a couple hours would allow him some time to be away from giggling and shopping and girl-things, and allow you to spend some quality time with his kids...giggling, shopping and doing girl-things.

If your DBF is set on doing everything together as a family, I would opt for the beer flight, or maybe a gentle version of drink around the world at Epcot.

 

[supercalisarah]

You know your DBF best, but what about a fishing excurision, a round of golf, renting one of the little boats on Bay Lake, parasailing or some time in an arcade or at Disneyquest. Simply thinking of the estrogen with 3 women, my DH would just want a little time to be away from us, and even just a couple hours would allow him some time to be away from giggling and shopping and girl-things, and allow you to spend some quality time with his kids...giggling, shopping and doing girl-things.

If your DBF is set on doing everything together as a family, I would opt for the beer flight, or maybe a gentle version of drink around the world at Epcot.

Carabineer for mugs (or anything really)

Hidden Mickey's book

A clicker sharpie pen for the girls' autograph book (and maybe even autograph books for the girls so he doesn't have to buy them there)

How about a Florida themed or Disney themed hat?

Thanks for the suggestions! I think he would prefer to do things as a family...he is quite used to us giggling and shopping LOL! But maybe I could look into those things for all of us to do together.
The hidden mickeys book is a GREAT idea! I didn't think of that and I believe he would really be interested in that!
A sharpie is a good idea too, the girls and I are scrapbooking their autograph books - so that is definitely gonna save us some $$!
Thanks again for all the help! I truly appreciate it

 

[Dyllan]

Well, last time I went to Disney with my wife and two daughters, we discovered pin trading. If there's one thing I could have done differently, it would have been to show up with plenty of pins for everyone.

Admittedly, I spent all my trading time just looking for pins the girls wanted, but I still enjoyed doing that. Maybe get him a lanyard and a few pins to trade?

 

[lsherry]

What is a beer fight? TIA

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I have already planned to have a couple packs of ponchos, Ziploc bags to keep his cell phone dry, sunscreen, baby powder, and a clip on water bottle.


Sarah

Sounds to me like you are right on target. He's a dude. We are not complicated animals. It's Disney World. It's not a complicated place. (well, it is, but it isn't, know what I mean?)

You want to make your man happy? You really want him to have an awesome time? YOU HAVE FUN. It's that simple. Don't get upset that he sleeps a little late on an Early Morning Hours day. Let that go. Wake him up with Small World on the mp3, a cup of coffee and a kiss.

Go to HIS favorite park. Ride HIS favorite ride. Go with him, even if you're scared of Rockin Roller Coaster. Get Minnie to make a fuss over him. In short, DO DISNEY.

Guys like to see the people they love having the time of their lives. That's the secret. That's it. And, if you bring all that stuff -- the water bottle, the lotion, the powder, etc., he won't have to worry about it and that is so, so nice.

We are simple beings. Simple things make us really happy. I promise.


Oh, Yes! One more thing. Dyllan, above, had a great idea! Pin trading is soooooo cool! Get a starter kit on eBay and start trading with the CMs and anybody else you can find. You can meet some pretty cool people doing that. It's a good time.

 

[papertraveller]

I'm still planning to surprise DH with an afternoon at the Richard Petty track one of these trips ...

 

[disneydad78]

Have FUN!! I love to just see my Fam. have FUN! When I see the laughing and smiles , makes the trip all worth it. Then talk about it for months to come. I love having my kids talk about WDW and the rides. Some nights , we watch my playlist on YouTube. I have alot of WDW rides on playlist, we watch and remember. My DD is 14, man is she going threw some "changes" fights with her brothers, normal stuff, but when we go to WDW or talk about WDW she becomes a "kid" again. That is what makes my trip for this DISDad!

 

[dearinggirl]

If his tootsies are sensitive, or even if they're not, you might want to add moleskin cut in strips and a couple Band Aids (there are cute Mickey ones at Target right now).

Also, I agree with all the above posters!!

I don't know if he's a Disney shirt kind of guy, but there's some cute ones on the Disney store's website, including one that says "I'm Going To the Walt Disney World Resort". I got those for my kids. Still, a subtle Mickey shirt would be fun for the anticipation stage

 

[supercalisarah]

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate the advice! I am definitely an OVERPLANNER...and I am trying hard NOT to to add too many things or have a tight schedule every day, but I just want to make sure everyone is comfortable and has everything we could possibly need!
I did buy some pins on ebay and I plan on giving him a couple now and then give the three of them a little goody bag filled with the pins and some snacks when we get on the flight to MCO.
His birthday is today so I think I'm all set for tonight!
Thanks once again for the responses...I wish I had stopped lurking sooner! Haha!

 

[Redarrow5150]

Ummm yeah give him a coupon for 60 minutes of alone time...if you know what I mean.

 

[AndreaDM]

I'd add a small bottle of Advil to the backpack, it's been 4 times the price at any WDW park. Also, a pack of gum if he chews it, since they don't sell it at all on Disney property.

 

[chynnaandian]

What is a beer fight? TIA

This.