Do I really need to bring all the extras?

[dkbnyc]

i see sooo many posts about what to pack and people seem to bring lots of little extra things.

Are some of these things really necessary?

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those
-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)
-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
-a first aid kit?
-swimsuits?

we are first timers and are flying- i hate to carry things i dont really need
thanks
d

 

[yasuern]

I will attempt to answer some of your ?s

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?

The 5 y/o might - 2 y/o doubt it

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those

Any dollar store and again more fro your 5y/o

-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)

The little toys that the portable venders sell can be outragously priced - so a toy that you can pull out and hand to your children will in the long run save you money

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)

Better safe than sorry - again can usually purchase the one time use ones at a Dollar store heavier multi use ones either at Walmart or at the park


-a first aid kit?

Basic stuff - bandaids bacitracin liquid cold meds for the kids tylenol for the adults(maybe kids) I usually bring something for a rash/bug bites and something for upset stomach ALL SMALL CONTAINERS - its alot cheaper to have them then to need them and have to buy them at WDW.


-swimsuits?


Yes - pools are heated and sometimes its quite warm in DEC - BUT it can also be very chill to cold so when you pack think LAYERS - We've gone many times in Dec and we have actually packed hats and gloves - AGAIN cheaper than buying at WDW


Enjoy your trip - its beautiful (WDW) at that time of year with all the Holiday decorations and special Holiday events


Sue

 

[cglaura]

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
Depends on the kid...will they get upset seeing other kids with one? We've used simple notepads for autographs, one year we used a hat. It doesn't have to be a disney book.

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those.
No, but we do. It is small enough to not make a difference. W found ours at Walmart. And if you are going after Halloween, you can get them super inexpensive on after holiday discount...like $0.15 for a tube of 25 necklaces.

-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)
We've never done this. She sometimes drew in a notepad though, but most of the time we just talked about our day.

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
Yes. They don't take up too much space and one downpour you'll realize why you needed them. You don't have to get the disney ones, whatever you find ok quality for you.

-a first aid kit?
For us yes. But just basics. Bandages, neosporin, ibuprofin, cold meds. Now for me that is more because I hate to pay the resort prices (way overinflated) if it turns out we need some. For the parks, I just stick a few in a small ziplock bag.

-swimsuits?
Personal choice. We don't, but we don't use public swimming facilities anywhere it skeeves us out.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Are some of these things really necessary?

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them? not for the 2 year old but the 5 year old will probably want something to get signed. You could just bring index cards and put them in a photo album with a picture of your kids and the character

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those - the one and only time we ever did this we actually forgot them in the room so I don't bother anymore-

Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5) My kids went on their first trip at 2 years old and we never brought toys for them to play with in line. We just played peek a boo and eye spy which was just fine.

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5) - oh yes, because if rains you'll really wish you had them or you could buy them at Disney

-a first aid kit? - we bring the basics - bandaids, kids cold meds, kids tylenol, kids spray bendadryl (the new kind that is really small) in case of bug bites, and immodium. I also add some sort of flu meds in December like theraflu that you mix with hot water. The resorts don't have much in the way of medicines

-swimsuits? I would since the 5 year old might want at least an hour in the pool one night. The pools are heated but keep in mind it'll be cold once you get out of them.

we are first timers and are flying- i hate to carry things i dont really need

 

[DisTwix]

i see sooo many posts about what to pack and people seem to bring lots of little extra things.

Are some of these things really necessary?

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those
-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)
-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
-a first aid kit?
-swimsuits?

we are first timers and are flying- i hate to carry things i dont really need
thanks
d

Hi there!

Really, all these things boil down to money and time saving tips. All of these things are available to you at the resort or the parks, but some can be a pain to find, and all will be considerably more expensive than you'd what you'd be bringing.

Autograph book - Your 5 year old will see other kids with books, and see characters signing t hem, and it could be an issue... and, it's FUN to get autographs! Any sort of little book will do (I love the idea of using one of those index card books and tearing out the cards for use in an album) and a nice fat clickie sharpie. The book at the park is something like $7-8 and the big fat pen will be $3-4.... buy both @ Office Max or whereever for under $5 for both.

Glow sticks - you don't need them... BUT, there are lots of carts and shops selling various light-up products once it gets dark and these things are NOT CHEAP (I think a spinnie thing was $8-10). Glow sticks are incredibly cheap and your kids will LOOOOVE them. Pull them out once it gets dark and you'll be a hero. Bonus - it makes your kids more visable in a dark park. (We had a large group and it definitely made it easier to spot everyone.)

Line toys - not really necessary, IMO. I've been with little ones (friend's little ones), and they'll usually have one little stuffed thing that they bring into the park. In line we talk about the ride we're about to go on, the ride we were just on, the things we've seen, the things we MIGHT see... you know, interact like humans. I'm personally saddened when I see a kid in line glued to a game system...

Ponchos - these are also cheap and easy to have on hand before getting to the parks... it could rain, and since you'll likely have a stroller, you need something to cover it --- a poncho works GREAT for this. Again, ponchos in the park are more, BUT if you buy one at the park, and it rips or fails in some way, you can take it to any counter selling ponchos and they'll replace it.

First Aid kit - well... I have bandaids, motion sickness meds, allergy pills, and advil in my PURSE, so I definitely take a few items to the park with me - it's not just Disney - I take that stuff with me every single time I travel.

Swimsuits -- I happen to LOOOVE the Disney pools. It could definitely be hot enough to swim while you are there, and it's SUCH a fun thing to do as a park break. Most of the resorts have fabulously themed pools as well, and it's part of what you're paying for, so you may as well use it!!


Anywho... none of it is a big deal to have or not have. If it becomes a favored travel destination, you'll come up with your own list of things that are "must takes", just like the rest of us have!!

Regardless of how you do it, you'll have fun!!!

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Can't resist posting this, first timers, they'll be so overwhelmed by everything that the toys in line/glow stuff really doubt will matter, even the autograph book. My boy was 5 when we went (first time) and we got autographs for ME, he didn't care or notice anyone else with them. I really think there is just so much and seeing the characters, it'll go right past 'em. As for the ponchos, first aid and swimsuits, YEAH! Our first trip was in Dec and we only went to the pool once, but DS would have gone more if we weren't so TIRED from the parks... we were in the parks ALL DAY. But the pools are lots of fun. We always take ponchos but have never needed them, that risk is up to you.. as another said they are small and take up so little space. I just take a couple of band aids to cover first aid, also luckily never needed but again little space lost.
I hope you enjoy your first trip, have fun!!

 

[lynn71092]

I believe there is a first aid station in each park that could handle anything that you might need instead of having to take a first aid kit that there is a very good possibilty you will never use. Just a thought.......

 

[ZoZo]

I'd definitely bring a couple of cheap "disposable" ponchos, just in case. You can get them at the dollar store.

I'd also bring swimsuits, even tho you're going in December. You might have nice warm weather and be able to go to the pool -- and you'll be so sorry if you leave your suits at home! They don't take up much room, and would be so expensive to buy there!

I always pack a tiny first aid kit to carry with me. Bandaids, tylenol, moleskin, neosporin (things like that - you can decide what to bring). I put everything in an empty Altoids tin! There are first aid stations in all of the parks, but you might not want to drop what you're doing and walk all the way across the park just for a band-aid.

The other stuff would be extras, IMO - nice if you have room or if you're driving, not flying, but not necessities.

 

[senoraum]

 

[erincon23]

When my kids were little, they both enjoyed the autograph thing, and now that they're teenagers, whenever they come across their books, they enjoy reminiscing (the Queen of Hearts used one of their heads as a table, King John left with it -- brought it back, the Toy Story soldiers made them do jumping jacks before they'd sign). But I agree, they don't have to be the expensive Disney ones. Of course, if your concern is lugging stuff rather than paying for stuff, buy it there if your kids start to express interest.

Glow sticks/line toys -- NEVER used any of these things. Not that they wouldn't have enjoyed them, it just never occurred to me. We did buy one glowy thing at the park once -- but it was actually a cool toy that that when you waved it it would shine words that you programmed into it (and it was paid for with my son's own souvenier allowance). There is so much in most of the queues for the kids to look at that you probably won't need any additional toys. Eye Spy and other word games -- even for teh little one -- should keep them busy enough.

Swimsuits -- they really don't take up that much room, and if you don't have them, the kids will surely want to swim, especially if you're staying on property. And it's a good break in the middle of the day. Except for the family that gets the heebie jeebies from public pools...

- Erin

 

[WantToGoNow]

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?

My kids have done the autograph books every time we went and yes, they would have noticed the other kids getting autographs from characters. I hadn't planned on doing the autographs this time since we are doing pin trading but I was informed the other day by my dd5 that we were indeed collecting autographs as well.

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those

Honestly, we took them last trip and forgot them in the room most nights. We did have a nice family on the bus give each of my kids a couple of glow bracelets one night (and dd2 bit into it and had a glowing face). They still wanted the light up toys during Specromagic - and if memory serves right they were something like $18 each.

-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)

We never have brought anything to occupy in lines because generally we don't stand in long lines. If the lines are more than 15-20 minutes, we use fastpass or come back later. I don't think I've stood in any single line more than 20 minutes for the past 5 trips.

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)

I would take this if I were you. We never do and end up paying Disney's expensive prices every time. Last time we bought umbrellas - we still use them at home.

-a first aid kit?

We don't take a first aid kit but we sure take everything that would fit inside of one. Nothing like a cut or blister with no bandaids, diarhhea with no immodium or an upset tummy with no pepto. Yes, you can buy everything there - at a much high price. And don't forget prescription medications - my dd forgot her reflux medicine last trip and spent nearly an entire day at DHS on the phone between the doctor, pharmacy and insurance companies.

-swimsuits?

Absolutely. We always go in November/December and usually swim every day of the trip. The water is warm even if the air is not.

 

[ScrappyRN]

i see sooo many posts about what to pack and people seem to bring lots of little extra things.

Are some of these things really necessary?

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those
-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)
-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
-a first aid kit?
-swimsuits?

we are first timers and are flying- i hate to carry things i dont really need
thanks
d

I'm going to add my 2 cents for what it's worth.
I don't think you NEED an autograph book, but you might want to have something in case the 5 YO sees the other kids with one. If you do decide to do autographs, I STRONGLY suggest bringing a few different WASHABLE Markers(I recommend Crayola Flip-top, they are washable and you won't lose the cap), this way if kids get marker on their shirt it will come out. I had a few ruined shirts on one of our trips and then I learned washable markers is the way to go!

I've never brought glow sticks, but did just buy a couple packs to take for my DS(8) in Oct. I got 2 necklaces for $1 at AC Moore, but also the Dollar Tree has them.

We never brought toys because DS always had his PAL Mickey which they won't be selling anymore. Last trip I remember playing tic tac toe with DS in one of the longer lines. So maybe keep a pen an paper handy in your backpack.

Ponchos- I always get the 2 for a $1 packs at Dollar Tree, packages are light and flat, easy to pack in a purse or backpack, I'm assuming you'll have a diaper bag for the 2 YO, so keep them in there. Better to be safe than sorry is my motto.

I always travel with a small amount of pain reliever(Adult and Childrens), Pepto chewables, Immodium, Band-aids. A few of each will fit in small tin box like a mint tin, but I usually just throw those in the toiletry case and keep them in the room

Swimsuits are a must!!!!!! We went 2 years ago in Dec. and went swimming. It's always a nice option to leave the park for a few hours in the afternoon to nap and swim so that everyone doesn't get overwhelmed. Plus, again there are some spray areas in Toontown(Donald's Boat) and at Ariels Grotto at the MK and at Epcot as well, so you could change the kids into their suits for that.

 

[Missytara]

I also carry a small misting sunscreen, baby powder for my sneakers (the travel size), and crystal-lite-to-go and hydration-to-go in my backpack. They are also lifesavers as well.

You can also now get the neosporin-to-go; and I pack an assortment of bandaids in case of blisters. One year I had to purchase neosporin at the resort and it was costly. I also take a nail care kit with my make-up brushes.

What is nice is by taking the travel size of everything, you can throw the containers away as you use them. I do that for hairspray, toothpaste, etc.

 

[Schmoodle]

I think it all depends on your travel style and a lot of it is trial and error. Even if you haven't been to WDW, think about other trips you've made and how much stuff you like to carry. I like to travel light. Even when my kids were babies, I never carried a diaper bag, just kept some diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes in the car. My favorite bag is my Vera mini-hipster.

At WDW,
-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them? - Some kids really get into autographs, mine don't really care. So, hard to say for your 5YO.

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those - try the $ store. Will your kids want them if they see other kids with them?

-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5) - we haven't needed these. By the way, we don't stand in lines that are longer than about 30 minutes, and only then if we are dying to do it. IMO, no ride is worth investing that much time.

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
We have needed these on every trip.

-a first aid kit?
No, I do carry band-aids for blisters, and some tylenol in case I get a headache, but those things don't take up much room. For more serious situations, they have first aid stations in each park.

-swimsuits?
Wherever you are staying should have a pool so yes, but I don't carry them into parks. If they want to, they could wear them.

Other things I don't carry:
Water bottles (free water everywhere), towels, extra clothes or shoes, toys.
I DO carry:
$, tickets, camera, aforementioned band-aids and tylenol, lip balm, phone, ponchos. That's pretty much all we need and anything else the kids want, they can haul along themselves. I really like being able to maneuver around the park quickly and having my hands free without hauling and having to keep up with a bunch of stuff. And if you buy anything, be sure and have it sent to your resort or to the front gate for pick up later.

 

[gn2wdw]

I would take the cheap dolllar store ponchos, first aid kit and swimsuits. You can do without the rest.

I also wanted to add that December weather in Florida can change dramatically from day to day. We have been that first week of December three times and the weather is always different. Once it was beautiful and in the 80's all week. Another time it was very cold and we were wearing coats and gloves. Another time it was a mix of warm, sunny, cold and rainy. Be prepared for anything.

 

[Jenny22]

We fly from Michigan. I agree it's always hard to decide what to take. We always ship a couple boxes UPS ahead of time. I pack extra snacks, and anything else that we don't want to carry down.

We usually go in January, and yes we do being our swimsuits. Even though it's chilly we usually try to swim at least once.

The less we have to carry around the parks the better - so I don't bother with toys while waiting in line. We just try to talk about what we are doing next, or talk about the things we see around us.

Have fun!

Jenny

 

[jennc27]

Here is our experence. We bought a lot of stuff from the Dollar Store. I did not want to spend a lot of money on something we would only use once.

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
I did not think that my kids wanted to do this either and the 2 days before we left my DS8 was decided he just had to do this. I used blank 4 X 6 index cards and a clickable Sharpie and threw those into a ziplock bag.

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those
The Dollar Store and Michaels has them for $1.00, but the kids did not use them.

-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5)
Grandma and Grandpa went with us and they spoiled them rotten. So yes they had toys to play with.

-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5)
They are small, do not take up that much room, are great when you need them, and at the Dollar Store you get 2 for $1.00.

-a first aid kit?
I bought a small kit from Wal-Mart that cost about a dollar. It was in the section with all the travel/sample size items. We did use it when DS8 fell and skined his knee.

-swimsuits?
For us in Aug yes. For Dec it would depend on the weather.

 

[Kim1964]

Rain ponchos, small first aid kit, and something for autographs are the things I would definitely take. We did the glow necklaces one year but the kids didn't care that much about them. I never bring something for them to do while waiting in line. We use Fast Passes extensively and plan our park touring with Tour Guide Mike so we hardly ever wait in a line more than 10 minutes long.

In 2008 I threw our ponchos into the suitcase as kind of an afterthought and I was sure glad I did. Hurricane Fay hit during our trip but the parks remained open and we had a blast and stayed relatively dry with our Walmart ponchos. I'll never go again without ponchos.

 

[danalea10]

Hi we just got back from Disney and we drove so we took so much more stuff then we needed! As for autograph books I made three one for each of my children ( 4,4, and almost2) They would not have cared either way I was the one to hand them to the character most of the time. I thought this would be something they enjoyed but by the end of the first day we didnt really care to stand in the extreme heat and long lines to meet the characters when our kids werent all that interested! You are going in Dec so it probably wont be as hot and your kids might enjoy it more than mine! You could do just one autograph book. As for the light up necklaces we werent there for any of the parades or fireworks at night, the heat from spending all day in the parks was too much so we were back at our resort by 8 or 9 each night. We had planned on going the first night there but unexpected things happen and we just didnt make it. I brought first aid stuff and did use it once for myself and for my husband but not the kids. We went swimming once- would have liked to go more but there wasnt enough time and we were to tired at night to go. I brought toys and gifts to leave for them each night- made these cute tags with the characters oin them and they stayed in the car the entire trip- I just didnt remember or have time to bring them in for the kids- they didnt know about them so they didnt miss them. we did not bring toys for them to play with in line just let them play with each other and look at what was around- we used fast passes a lot so there wasnt too many times we waited a long time except for the character meals even with reservations the wait time was ridiculous. I brought ponchos but it felt better to get rained on in the heat then to wear them. You will be there in Dec. so it might be worth it to buy some. I hope you have a great trip I do not think you need to take everything some people list on here take what you need for your family and if you really need it there are stores in Orlando!

 

[Resseda]

Are some of these things really necessary?

-will my kids know the difference if i dont have an autograph book for them?
Notice? Probably no. Want? Probably. It all depends on your family...I'm sure for some it is a treasured keepsake, and for others, it's lost at the bottom of the toy bin in a week.

-Do we really need glow sticks/necklaces? i dont even know where to get those I've gotten mine at Walmart. You don't need them, but it you are going to cave in and buy $10 light up gizmos for the kids...you might rather have given them a 6/$1 glow bracelet from Target/Walmart instead
-Toys to play with while waiting line? really? (kids are 2 and 5) based on your trip dates, I'd say no, because I don't think you will find the waits overwhelming.
-rain ponchos? (dec 3-5) Always. It's your call, of course, bring them or buy them, but they are far, far cheaper if you bring them, and if you need them...it's nice to not have the exact same poncho at 15,000 other people.
-a first aid kit? I always pack some band aids and polysporin, amybe some advil. I wouldn't pack a full on kit, but, if you have clumsy kids (as I was), a small kit might not be a bad idea.
-swimsuits? No. Not because of the weather, but because of your short stay. For 3 days, I wouldn't even think about spending precious time swimming.

Ress