999ghostslover
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2009
- Messages
- 767
Dear Mom and Dad,
Can you believe we are only 59 days away from our trip? I wanted to offer some packing advice from a (semi) pro. I know that you already have your Minnie ears and Goofy hat sitting in a suitcase ready to head to the World but did you know there are other more important things to think about when traveling to Dis.
1. PONCHOS-Go to Dollar Tree and buy like 4. They fold to nothing and are perfect. But they are more or less disposable so best to get a few. They cost $1! They last forever. We are going in the rainiest season.
2. SHOES-There are water rides at all of the parks now, plus it rains a lot (see above). While sneakers and socks are great they stink (literally and figuratively) when wet. And they get worse in a one room hotel. We prefer water shoes that are comfy or sandals. Think Tevas, Crocs, Sperry water shoes. You do not want a leather sole (that means no Birkenstocks for me). If you aren't sure, put your sandals in a bucket of water. Then put them on and walk 5 miles. BTdub-The average park guest walks 5-7 miles a day. A DAY! You want something comfy. I recommend Chacos. They are a fortune but guaranteed for a lifetime. 5 1/2 months pregnant often carrying someone while walking 5 miles a day. Chacos!
3. Foot first aid. Get Moleskin, band-aids and even Body Glide or Runner's Lube for chafing. It will be hot, you will be moist. It is totally gross. Here is a good article. http://www.thewalkingsite.com/blisters.html
4. A park bag. There are entire blogs just about the perfect park bag. I have no answers. Our needs are not your needs. Too big and it weighs you down, too small and you are cramming stuff the whole time. Basically, you want to bring as little to the parks as possible. There is no wi-fi in the parks so ipads are dumb. I think that we should bring one DSL camera for the days we are all there. And I think it should be yours.
Mom, I don't think you should bring your purse. I know that seems crazy but you will not want to carry it around all day. I really think a small backpack is the way to go. You can put the camera, your glasses and hats and small sweater for theaters/restaurants and you will be good. You don't need wallets. You will each have a Key to the World Card that will be your park tickets, room key and charging privileges throughout The World. Do you still have those id holder thingys you got us for Italy? That plus a small backpack will be perfect. Plus your autograph book ,pin collector's lanyard and the Mickey ears, of course.
5. Sunscreen, hats. But we'll pack enough SS for all of us to use at the parks. Pay careful attention to your toes, ankles and calves. The sun is reflected off the pavement and these burn quickly!
6. Food. We have the Disney Dining plan. That means we get one snack credit, one counter service credit and one sit down credit per day. But you can use them anytime in any order. Specifically, you have 4 of each since you are staying four nights. But granola bars, diet cokes, waters, frappuccinos, prepackaged muffins are all good ideas. Disney lets you bring any food or beverage into the park except glass. They are nice. It doesn't even have to be sealed or whatever. Please do not plan on sneaking my kids cheese-its while in line for Nemo. I'm looking at you Nancy!
7. Mugs or water bottles. Disney water tastes fine. I think it is a better plan to bring one or two stainless steel water bottles into the park and fill up at the water fountains than lug a bunch of bottles. It is going to be HOT and I hear there is some walking...There will be one small coffee pot in your room. It will have a package of terrible Cafe Valet. Pretend it isn't there. We will be bringing our 8 or maybe 12 cup coffee pot with the stainless carafe so there will be hot coffee all day. You may want to bring a travel mug in case our rooms are not right next door. Disney cannot guarantee. This resort is huge so it isn't like you will likely be able to run to the lobby for coffee. And even if you could the only coffee served at Disney is Nescafe made with Florida swamp water. Not worth a dime let alone the $3 it costs!
8. Clothes. Do not pretend that it may get chilly in the evening. It won't. It will be hot as blazes. Shorts, tanks, t-shirts are appropriate dress for all of the restaurants that we will be in. No need to pack a dress or dressy shoes. You may want a P.M. change of clothes because you stink but make sure it is just as light and casual as during the day. A sweater for restaurants and theaters is a good idea. I don't bother but I can thermoregulate better than other people.
9. Swimsuit. Duh!
10. Your unending gratitude that you have me as your vacation planner.
To recap: ponchos, shoes, sunscreen, hat, moelskin/bandaids/ runner lube, park bag, stainless water bottle are the important purchases.
Love,
Erin
Can you believe we are only 59 days away from our trip? I wanted to offer some packing advice from a (semi) pro. I know that you already have your Minnie ears and Goofy hat sitting in a suitcase ready to head to the World but did you know there are other more important things to think about when traveling to Dis.
1. PONCHOS-Go to Dollar Tree and buy like 4. They fold to nothing and are perfect. But they are more or less disposable so best to get a few. They cost $1! They last forever. We are going in the rainiest season.
2. SHOES-There are water rides at all of the parks now, plus it rains a lot (see above). While sneakers and socks are great they stink (literally and figuratively) when wet. And they get worse in a one room hotel. We prefer water shoes that are comfy or sandals. Think Tevas, Crocs, Sperry water shoes. You do not want a leather sole (that means no Birkenstocks for me). If you aren't sure, put your sandals in a bucket of water. Then put them on and walk 5 miles. BTdub-The average park guest walks 5-7 miles a day. A DAY! You want something comfy. I recommend Chacos. They are a fortune but guaranteed for a lifetime. 5 1/2 months pregnant often carrying someone while walking 5 miles a day. Chacos!
3. Foot first aid. Get Moleskin, band-aids and even Body Glide or Runner's Lube for chafing. It will be hot, you will be moist. It is totally gross. Here is a good article. http://www.thewalkingsite.com/blisters.html
4. A park bag. There are entire blogs just about the perfect park bag. I have no answers. Our needs are not your needs. Too big and it weighs you down, too small and you are cramming stuff the whole time. Basically, you want to bring as little to the parks as possible. There is no wi-fi in the parks so ipads are dumb. I think that we should bring one DSL camera for the days we are all there. And I think it should be yours.
Mom, I don't think you should bring your purse. I know that seems crazy but you will not want to carry it around all day. I really think a small backpack is the way to go. You can put the camera, your glasses and hats and small sweater for theaters/restaurants and you will be good. You don't need wallets. You will each have a Key to the World Card that will be your park tickets, room key and charging privileges throughout The World. Do you still have those id holder thingys you got us for Italy? That plus a small backpack will be perfect. Plus your autograph book ,pin collector's lanyard and the Mickey ears, of course.5. Sunscreen, hats. But we'll pack enough SS for all of us to use at the parks. Pay careful attention to your toes, ankles and calves. The sun is reflected off the pavement and these burn quickly!
6. Food. We have the Disney Dining plan. That means we get one snack credit, one counter service credit and one sit down credit per day. But you can use them anytime in any order. Specifically, you have 4 of each since you are staying four nights. But granola bars, diet cokes, waters, frappuccinos, prepackaged muffins are all good ideas. Disney lets you bring any food or beverage into the park except glass. They are nice. It doesn't even have to be sealed or whatever. Please do not plan on sneaking my kids cheese-its while in line for Nemo. I'm looking at you Nancy!
7. Mugs or water bottles. Disney water tastes fine. I think it is a better plan to bring one or two stainless steel water bottles into the park and fill up at the water fountains than lug a bunch of bottles. It is going to be HOT and I hear there is some walking...There will be one small coffee pot in your room. It will have a package of terrible Cafe Valet. Pretend it isn't there. We will be bringing our 8 or maybe 12 cup coffee pot with the stainless carafe so there will be hot coffee all day. You may want to bring a travel mug in case our rooms are not right next door. Disney cannot guarantee. This resort is huge so it isn't like you will likely be able to run to the lobby for coffee. And even if you could the only coffee served at Disney is Nescafe made with Florida swamp water. Not worth a dime let alone the $3 it costs!
8. Clothes. Do not pretend that it may get chilly in the evening. It won't. It will be hot as blazes. Shorts, tanks, t-shirts are appropriate dress for all of the restaurants that we will be in. No need to pack a dress or dressy shoes. You may want a P.M. change of clothes because you stink but make sure it is just as light and casual as during the day. A sweater for restaurants and theaters is a good idea. I don't bother but I can thermoregulate better than other people.
9. Swimsuit. Duh!
10. Your unending gratitude that you have me as your vacation planner.
To recap: ponchos, shoes, sunscreen, hat, moelskin/bandaids/ runner lube, park bag, stainless water bottle are the important purchases.
Love,
Erin
). Cracking up over your letter to Mom! 
!!
I read them backwards too sometimes! We have got some fun challenges with my mom and dad. We are like a sitcom when we get together. 
How exciting!!!!! I would love to go on a 
