DVC Experts - Packing Tips HELP!

[MJS]

We are so excited to be going home to the BCV for the first time soon! Now comes the challenging part...packing! Any tips from you DVC veterans? I think we will go light on the clothing, given the washer/dryer in the room. Any staples (food, cleaning stuff - ie. dishwasher soap, et.) that we should bring? Any tips from your previous trips? Thanks!

 

[Regina]

There's plenty of dishwashing supplies, so I wouldn't bring that.

We always bring bar soap, shampoo and conditioner.

As far as food, it depends on how much you plan on cooking. We usually hire a towncar, and do the 30 minute grocery stop. We grab breakfast items, soda, beer/wine, coffee (with accompaniments), tea, water, microwave popcorn, etc. I never cook on vacation, it gives me a rash.

Everyone is different, but the basics are pretty much the same.

 

[JOC]

I never cook on vacation, it gives me a rash.

I agree...that's what husbands are for! Actually, my husband would rather I not cook as he's the "Iron Chef" of the family.

 

[Candace]

Coffee, etc. Also, I bring the laundry tablets - they are very packable and laundry sheets in a ziploc bag. Any "comfort" foods that we might want (small jar of peanut butter cause my mom likes it in the middle of the night sometimes!) Before we started using a towncar service or renting cars, I would pack one suitcase with things my boys always eat at home (cereal, crackers, snacks, etc) Then I just would buy the milk, bread, juice, and two liter drinks at the resort store (expensive, but not as expensive as rental car!) You know your family best, and the more times you go, you will see what you need to bring.

 

[erikthewise]

Pack (almost) EVERYTHING in ziplock bags. They come in sizes up to (at least) 2.5 gallons, which is large enough to pack any clothing short of a suit or dress. Packing and unpacking is organized and more convenient, and it helps prevent wrinkles. I suspect it would be very helpful if your bags were searched, though I've not had that experience.

 

[TandyR]

JOC...I am glad to see an other DVC'er DW with the same cooking relationship with their DH that I have. I only cook at home when DH can't make it home in time to cook for the girls and he loves cooking so he cooks on vacation for us.

MJS...Since we rent a car because we go off site often we do most of our grocery shopping down there...I clip a ton of coupons for the stuff we will buy down there and bring them with us. We do bring laundy deturgent tablets, spot remover and stuff that we like that we can never find in Orlando like my girls favorate rice pilaf mix.

 

[twinmomplus2]

First off washer and dryer my fave part of DVC.... I pack, tide tablets, dryer sheets and those color catchers that catch the dye, My clothes always run in Disney, always.... somthing with the water combined with new clothing I guess. I also pack dishwasher tablets, I use the dishwasher every day to sterilize bottles. Also Since we have had a trip where all of us were very sick, I now bring everything, kids tylenol, cold medicine, The same for adults, bandaids, neosporin. And we always bring our own pillow cases for the kids, as I think It makes the transition for the little ones easier, more familar to them. Mister fans walmart for like 5 dollars. Disposable sippy cups, We leave in 19 days and we are already packing. And can not wait.

 

[ilovediznee]

I bring in a ziploc (laundry tablets, dryer sheets, stain remover). I also bring my own dish rag and throw it in the wash the night before we leave. Also a brillo pad of some type.

Everyone is different, but I've also been bringing my own small fry pan because it is non-stick. Along with that I also pack a plastic spatula since it bends better and I can't use their spatula on my non-stick pan.

Salt/Pepper is also good to pack because they do not give it to you. I also pack my own coffee.

Good luck and I totally agree that with several trips under your belt, you will know exactly what to pack.

I buy stuff on sale and just put it in a box for our next trip.

Diane

 

[Disneyaholic]

Don't forget the coffee filters -- or buy the coffee that's already packed in the filter pouches!

Since we usually drive, we have a little more flexibility than some. I usually bring one tub (1/2 lb.) of soft margarine and a stick of regular margarine, so I don't have to buy the whole pound. I also bring jelly, peanut butter, salsa, microwave popcorn, and condiments, if we're going to be eating in the room often.

 

[speedway66]

All the laundry stuff previously mentioned, plus a large-display digital clock (so the kids can quit asking you if it's time to get up yet), a flashlight (for digging that sinus medication out of the suitcase without waking up everybody else). Fewer clothes than you think you'll need (the washer/dryer are just too convenient not to use). We usually go around Christmas, so we're never sure what the temp is going to be. We used to pack full heavyweight and lightweight wardrobes, now we just bring the minimum and launder as needed. A load in the washer at bed time, and the first person up throws it in the dryer and it's done before we leave for the parks.

Jim

 

[dbond]

Is frozen pizza considered cooking on vacation? We usually do pick up a frozen pizza or two. I think some of the frozen pizzas are just as good as the pizza delivery, and you don't have to wait as long. We often don't take the time for dinner if we had a big lunch somewhere and the munchies set in at about park closing time. I pick up lunch meat, bread, chips, etc and on a sleep late day have sandwiches in the room before we take off for the parks. I also pick up a 4-roll package of toilet paper. We always seem to run out when it's not convenient to find housekeeping for more. We buy breakfast groceries for most every day, we'll usually plan one character breakfast as a brunch. My family really enjoys the Pillsbury frozen biscuits for breakfast. Which means I also have to get butter & jelly. We don't do cereal at WDW. Too much is wasted. We eat biscuits & jelly, Pop Tarts, fruit, bagels, toast, breakfast bars, powdered sugar donuts (yuk! but hey, it's vacation!) Everything mentioned above I buy in FL during our grocery stop.

From home, I bring coffee in filter packets, dry detergent in a tupperware container, dryer sheets, my favorite tea bags, medications and cold remedies, soap, shampoo, bubble bath (in small leak proof travel bottles), film, batteries.

Have fun!

 

[bres@westernMA]

We generally bring a suit case of goodies which includes coffee, 4inch round filters, creamer, tea bags, juice mix (chrystal lite), pbutter, jelly, a can of nuts, some cookies that will travel well, hard candies, gum, etc. and some personal hygiene stuff like ponds face wipes (real nice at the parks), powder for sneakers, bandaids, mole skin, etc. We include ribbon or a bandana to hook to the rental car’s antenna to help find it in the parking lots. We fill this suitcase up with souvenirs for the trip home.

 

[colleen costello]

One thing I pack a lot of is bags. I like to be able to have a choice depending on what we are doing that day. I have a tiny purse for dinners out and a small LandsEnd bag with compartments for the parks. I have a bigger beach-bag type thing that holds a change of clothes when we pool-hop. I also have a backpack that I sometimes use. Last visit I bought a nice WDW souvenir canvas bag which is smaller than the beach bag. My husband thinks I am crazy but I did use every one of them on our last trip. I am kind of an organization-freak and having the right bag for the right occasion helps. I like to be prepared!

I also never leave home without various sizes of the zip-type bags.

 

[JackieMD]

Go to Target or where ever and pick up one of those Britta Sports water bottles. They have a carbon filter in them and kill the nasty Florida water taste. Each day before we head to the parks we pack it full of ice then top it off with water. It stays cold for most of the morning and will save you a ton of money. Just keep refilling at water fountains. A soda for $2.50 to $3.00? Ouch!

 

[colleen costello]

I looked at our Walmart for the Brita bottles but had no luck. Where are these? By the sports, camping, or household stuff? All I could ever find was the larger Brita pitchers. I'd like to get the smaller bottles before our next WDW trip in June.

 

[AZKathy]

Are you driving? Then a non stick stillet! Otherwise, the brillo pad is a great idea and some Pam (if you cook). Salt and pepper, paper napkins, bubble bath for the jacuzzi tub (but don't put too much in or the bubbles will take over the bathroom when the jets are put on), and dye magnets ( I don't want to be doing tons of laundry, so I fudge on the trip using the dye magnets).

Have a great trip!

 

[MJS]

Thanks for all of the great ideas! I never would have thought of some of them, so thanks for saving us some frustration. I will post a trip report when we get back.

 

[BillPA]

If you plan to cook at all or just make popcorn, you will need salt and pepper. These are no longer provided.

 

[queenof4hearts]

Great tips out there?

I wonder why there is not salt and pepper. Did there used to be?

What is mole skin?

Lately I have been having feet problems when I am on them for a long time at the parks, like blisters and sores. I have never in my life had foot problems and it is becoming a huge inconvenience! Does anyone have any good solutions or similar situations?

I am going to bring down those expensive lollipop holders that spin with some regular blowpops to stick in. Hopefully they will work. Those darn spinning pops cost an arm and a leg!!

 

[colleen costello]

Queenof4Hearts, I have been reading a lot about foot problems lately. USA Today is running a series on how common foot pain is. Trouble comes with aging, gaining weight (and arent' we ALL aging and gaining weight?), walking lots or exercising too much (WDW!) and poorly-fitting shoes. They pointed out that improper shoes can really cause lots of pain, even when you don't realize the shoes are "wrong" for you. They suggest getting fitted for a good pair of shoes at a legitimate shoe store and using these for your exercising (or walking around WDW).

Also, I subscribe to Prevention Magazine and one of the last issues (April I think) had a great article where they rated good walking shoes. I plan to buy one pair of these high-priced goodies before our next trip to Mickey. It's no fun when your feet are killing you!