Disney Surprise - what to put in backpack

[Tina Martin]

Hello everyone!
My husband, two kids and I are heading to Disney in August. Kids will be 7 (girl) and 2 (boy). I plan to surprise them the morning we are leaving with a Mickey and a Minnie backpack. So far, I have a t-shirt and some pajamas for each to go in their bags. I am stumped now - what else can I put in there? I thought about coloring books and crayons, but need ideas for snacks for the plane. I'm trying to keep it all Mickey for my son and Minnie for my daughter. Thank you so much for any help!

 

[whitney250]

A pair of ears, hand sanitizer, Mickey and Minnie Chap stick (they have Mickey and Minnie tsum tsum ones), Disney fruit snacks, Disney animal crackers (Walgreens has them), Mickey and Minnie jelly beans (I have also seen these at Walgreens), and granola bars.

 

[Tina Martin]

I will definitely check out Walgreens for those snacks and I love the hand sanitizer and chap stick ideas! Thank you!!

 

[Pesky]

* swimsuit (August so definitely need swim gear)
* sunglasses (watch out -- I found Disney sunglasses run tight and were a wee bit too snug for my apparently big-headed kids)
* for your DD, Disney bracelet or necklace
* light-up toys and/or glow bracelets (from the dollar store)
* small toy(s) and/or stuffed animals
* books
* coloring books & crayons or colored pencils (consider a fun Disney pencil case to hold those items -- can usually find something in the dollar bin at Target or the dollar store)
* movies (if you are bringing any DVD players -- kidzgear headphones too)
* stickers
* journal for the 7 YO and a blank pad of paper for the 2YO
* Disney fruit snacks
* pretzel chips, pirate booty, cheerios or crispix, kind bars/granola bars/zone perfect kids cupcake bars, etc. -- I wouldn't strain your brain going Disney on the snacks just yet. Maybe instead just put them in a handy little Disney lunchbox or storage container for their backpacks. I'd pick stuff they like and won't leave them too wired for the plane ride. Like DS had a strong reaction to artificial dyes, especially red, so I avoided all artificially colored fruit snacks at that age (there went those Disney fruit snacks, in with Annie's organic). There was a snack thread on the budget board I think. I usually hit the local bagel place for bagels the day before, stash the little things of cream cheese in the fridge, and then slice and toast the bagels in the morning, put it all back in those individual bags and then they have an easy and filling snack/breakfast for the plane. Plus we don't go to the bagel place very often so it's a big treat to get those cinnamon crunch, asiago, or blueberry bagels.
* water bottle -- they can then fill it for the trip after you get through security. No asking for water when you first take off!
* gum, lollipop
* Disney toothbrush

I would give the 7 YO sanitizer but not the 2 yo due to possible poisoning concerns. Maybe travel wipes for the 2YO.

 

[Tina Martin]

Pesky, thank you! Those are all awesome ideas. I love the idea of the Mickey/Minnie lunchbox so that I don't have to 'theme' the snacks! Man, I am SO glad I found these boards!

 

[DisneyCAL]

Walmart has those pack n play coloring packs that are disney themed. We used those on our last trip on the plane, kids loved it. They each had a big backpack for the plane and then a mini sized one for the parks. The airport backpack had pirate booty, water, the grab n play packs, coloring book and ziplock of crayons, iPad mini, headphones, and a lovee or toy. We got them dunkin donut bagels before boarding too. They were responsible for their mini backpacks in the parks (these were small little backpacks). They had a snack, water bottle full, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen and their autograph pen. (this was helpful to mommy and daddy, so we didn't have to carry everything).

 

[DisMom456]

These are all great ideas! Especially the snacks and then water bottles to use in the park.

 

[emij]

I am always amazed at what Disney things I find at the dollar store! Puzzles, card games, glow wands, stickers. And they change regularly, so I would go monthly to see if you find new things! I got a little hand held game with Mickey on it that was amazing to keep the kids entertained in line.... cheap, lightweight and fun! Used it the whole trip.

 

[tami82]

An auto graph book and thin sharpie marker, a princess dress for your daughter to,wear in the parks when going to a character meal, glow sticks, disposable camera,