Do I really need this stuff??

[Minnesota]

Hey all, just starting my marathon packing. I have to have everything ready to leave by 6 pm wednesday, it is now 1pm tuesday and somewhere in there I need to work 18 hours.

Anyways here is my question. Right now my list to pack could probably create a new land at epcot, technology world. I have my PDA, Laptop computer, cell phone, digital camera, film camera ( I am barrowing the digital so I want a back up incase I get technologically fumbled) CD player, MP3 player. Do I really need all that for 5 days? I can think of pros and cons for nearly all of it!

The laptop would be nice to work on trip reports, watch DVDs on the plane and my scientific research paper for Microbiology but there is no internet access at the ASMu so it would really only be used much on the plane home and weighs about 5 pounds (its not exactly brand new)

The PDA could replace the laptop for typing other than I can't download pictures into it. Of course I have enough cards for about 200 photos and would still have my film backup camera.

The cameras and the cell phone are the only things I really can't find a con to and the two music players don't weigh a pound together so I don't mind taking both. So I guess what I am asking is... Do I need anything more than the cell phone, music for the plane and the camera?

Thanks

 

[cleo]

Leave everything but the camera and the cell phone. Are you really going to write a report on microbiology while you're at Disney? It sounds possible now, but c'mon.....are you really going to do it? (Hint: No.)

Pack necessities and leave the rest behind.

 

[Horizons16]

i agree with cleo
except that i would throw the MP3 Player in. If you want some songs from a cd then put them on that, no need for both a cd player and mp3 player.
I told myself i would do a report over vacation at Disney, 2 seconds later i laughed at myself. Maybe bring a notepad and make an outline or something on that plane and then just type it all up when you get back.

Have a great time!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Don't forget that they don't let you use electronic devices on planes while they're taking off and climbing to a safe altitude and while they're landing, too.

Depending on where you're flying from that can be a fair chunk of your flying time. I planned to read some ebooks on my PDA only to find out that I had to keep it turned off for longer than I expected ... now I plan to bring a book or a couple of National Geographic magazines.

Also, it's really tough to mess up with a digital camera (just stay away from the "format card" function and you'll be fine!) ... you'll really get tired of taking one picture with the digital and then a "backup" with the film. Not to mention, the "candids" are sometimes the best pictures you take and you'll never have time to capture them with two different cameras.

If you rip just your favorite songs from your CDs and put them onto the MP3 player, you won't need to carry or shuffle CDs around, either.

Good luck trying to find 18 hours to work!

Have a great time!!

 

[vanyel]

I agree with all the above. Bring the digital and take the memory card to Walmart or Walgreens if you fill it, and have it put on a cd. Bring the mp3 for some music on the plan. Don't bother with the laptop, you'll wish you weren't carting it around before you even get on the plane!

 

[jann1033]

we pack every thing under the sun and use none of it...i'd take the digital camera( just try it out before hand, most are easy to use), phone and maybe the mp3.
we do this in the parks too, start the trip with a backpack, end it with only what will fit in our pockets !

 

[CarolMN]

I'd leave it all home except for one camera (one time use cameras are not a bad idea, FWIW).

Are you going to carry all that stuff around with you? If not, where will you keep it? Small electronics are easily stolen! Besides, if you can't find enough to entertain you at WDW without all that stuff, you might need to shorten your trip or rethink your priorities!!!! JMHO. YMMV.

Have fun - no matter what you decide. It's your vacation.

 

[durangohs]

IMHO, I would leave everything but camera and phone... Why carry all of the hassles?

Seriously, do you even need to ask? (not trying to be mean, don't take it wrong).

Should I take my $3000 pair of socks or $3000.30 ones?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I was typing up my packing list a few days ago, and I was amazed at how much stuff fell into the electronics category! I would leave out your CD player and PDA. The MP3 player is probably smaller, and holds more music than the CD, so there's really no need for both. I considered taking my PDA, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't really use it much. (Or you could load some music onto your PDA, and leave both the MP3 and cd player at home!)

And don't forget to pack chargers for everything!

 

[Meezers]

The only thing I disagree with is leaving the PDA. I have to have my PDA or I have a panic attack.

Plus it has all my ADR's, phone numbers, itinerary, menu's, maps....

I have found the safe's are not big enough for a notebook computer....

Also why would you need an MP3 player and a CD Player? I just use my PDA for music (I bought a 1 GB SD card for $69.99 with a $20 rebate today).

Just pack more money!

 

[oogieboogie]

leave everything but the laptop, digital camera, mp3 player - but that's just me. I couldn't live with just 200 pictures - that's what I take in one day! I bring the laptop, you can use it for DVDs, email, put all your music on it and dump several to the mp3, dump the pictures in there. There's so much more you can do with a laptop.

PS: there is internet access at ASMu. It's dial-up only, but if you have your own ISP, it only costs 75 cents for the local call to connect.

 

[Troy08]

Bring the cell phone(a must), a camera(one is enough) and the MP3 player(they tend to be pretty small) all that other stuff-chuck it-you are on vacation, not a business trip. Take time, smell the roses and relax!

 

[TnTsParty]

I used to bring both my digital and my film camera but that was only because I had a junky old digital camera that decided when it wanted to work and when it didn't - and it usually decided not to work when I needed it!! So I depended mostly on my film camera. This last trip I took my AWESOME new digital camera and came home with over 330 pictures for just 3 days!! I also bring my laptop and lock it up with a Kensington lock. Other than that its just our cell phones (which I don't consider an extra anymore - its more like a necessity)

 

[Skroops]

Hey my DH went to the U of M, Microbiology! (grad school)

I'd bring my computer, cell phone and digital camera. Skip the film one, unless you are a serious photographer, you can always buy a disposable if something happens to your digital.

I am a computer junkie. I was glad we had it on my last trip because we took tons of pictures and I didn't need to worry about finding a way to store them. Of course extra storage cards take up no luggage space, but who wants to spend the money on extra memory cards?

You have music, movies, and everything else you need on your computer, including work if you find yourself desperate for something to do.
Also, the MP3 comes in handy for your morning walk/jog (?)

That is just me, but I am an overpacker. Get a bigger suitcase! As long as it has wheels what's the difference? But that is another thread...

 

[bdcp]

It reallly depends on whether you think you'll use it all. My DH and I take our laptops mainly because AIM is how we keep in touch with our two DS's in college. They're also great to use for reference and to download digital photos to free up space on the memory card. I'd ditch either the CD or MP3 player, just take one.