DVC Experts - Packing Tips HELP!

[speedway66]

While I can't personally attest to their comfort, there was a thread a long time ago on one of these forums about shoes, and a whole bunch of people started raving about Nike Air Presto shoes for WDW use. I went to their website back then (for some reason I still have it bookmarked) and they have 4 womens and 5 mens styles. Since styling is a matter of personal taste, I won't comment about a few of them, but I know that several posters said they were going to stop at the outlet malls on their way to WDW and pick some up.

Jim

 

[Halle]

We fly and I always bring the nonstick skillet, aluminum foil, ziploc bags and a collapsible cooler ( to take to the water parks and the pool). Have fun!!

 

[Mary Ellen]

Even though we fly, we've been bringing our own fitted bottom sheet. Their bottom sheets NEVER cover the entire mattress.

We also make a grocery stop to pick up our preferred brand of tp - HATE the WDW stuff.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by speedway66
While I can't personally attest to their comfort, there was a thread a long time ago on one of these forums about shoes, and a whole bunch of people started raving about Nike Air Presto shoes for WDW use. I went to their website back then (for some reason I still have it bookmarked) and they have 4 womens and 5 mens styles. Since styling is a matter of personal taste, I won't comment about a few of them, but I know that several posters said they were going to stop at the outlet malls on their way to WDW and pick some up.

Jim

Never bring brand new shoes to WDW, always where them in for at least a month before going. (or be sure to bring the old ones too.) Bisters always happen when wearing brand new shoes for long periods of time.

Mole skin is a sicky pacth you can cut and put on parts of your feet where the shoe wears agaisnt them or a bister is forming. They sell it at WDW shops, but best to bring some from home, and a small pair of sissors to cut it to the needed shape. I has saved a number of trips in the past, but since I have been bringing it every trip for the past 4 years, I haven't needed it.

Don't forget umbrellas, rain ponchos and hats for all kinds of weather (sun and rain.) SUN SCREEN and FILM are expensive at WDW, so don't forget to bring enough.

Oh I almost forget, if you have stroller one of the rain covers for them is God sent. Really helps at WDW when you are walking, and doesn't take up much room.

 

[KellyDVC]

the coffee filters (the cup-shaped type, round bottom).

And DO forget the beach/pool towels, all are provided for your use.

That's all I can add! Have fun!!!

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
SUN SCREEN and FILM are expensive at WDW, so don't forget to bring enough.

I can guarantee you if you forget to bring an extra camera battery, it will die while you are on the trip! These, too, are rather expensive at WDW. It has happened to me twice (don't you think I would learn?). One time was right when Goofy was bringing out DS's birthday cake for his birthday at Goofy's Kitchen in DL.

 

[CK1]

You folks are true minimalists! I bow to your packing prowess.

As for us, however, we have 3 kids, we always drive, and we always stay for awhile (9+ days), and we do cook (we dine in about 70% for bfast, and 40% dinner, and lunch -- hard to say, we always pack snacks and such for the park.) We always get a 2br (love that space and kitchen with our family of 5!) We bring certain staples as well as do some shopping for the bulky or otherwise cheap but still needed stuff in Orlando. On our last trip, I brought a crock pot (WONDERFUL -- set it, forget it, but return to a great meal!). I always bring a small (less than 1 cup) amount of sugar and a pair of those disposable salt/pepper shakers, and a few other spices (basic italian herbs and some cinnamon (about a TBS each in a Ziploc bag...) I bring a scrubbie for dishes, and laundry tabs. We drink ONLY bottled water... research with our family has shown that failure to do so will result in 2 key members of my family becoming very ill by Day 5 if we don't. We do bring the squirty fans, sunscreen, and an array of basic meds (Tylenol, cold/allergy, etc.) We have kids, so I always have a box of Disney "goodies" I have collected over the past several months. Each kid decorates a small paper gift bag with Disney stickers, etc. and sets it out each night of our stay. Each morning, it has a new small Disney "goodie" or 2 in it (small toys, candies, a disposable camera, light sticks, playing cards, Disney character figures, etc.) I find these at various stores on sale, at Disney outlets, etc and stockpile them for the next trip -- the kids love it and it really cuts down on the gimme-gimmes at the parks when they know they get a little something new each day anyway! I also pack fanny packs for each person, and a set of 2 way radios, and a nightlight, lots of film and an extra battery for my camera. And I always bring 2 or 3 film containers that I have pre-filled with lots of quarters and pennies for the penny presses! We bring a mid-sized soft-sided collapsible cooler for the parks, and we always bring a big 8 pack of the Gatorade bottles with the sipper-tops that screw off and a big Sams-size can of Gatorade. Once we drink all the gatorade in the bottles, we can easily make more (or just use our bottled water), freeze them overnight, and take them to the park the next day. They recycle this way quite well! THen, when our trip is done, so are the bottles.

My dh thinks I am the world's most obsessive packer/planner, but at least he also realizes that the planning stage is incredibly fun and energizing for me! Now packing at WDW to go back home -- THAT, I'm afraid, is a DIFFERENT story!

Cindy

 

[erikthewise]

Cindy,

That is impressive planning! Do you tow a trailer?

 

[CK1]

Erikthewise --

Nah. We just don't bring any clothes with us, and we strap the 3 kids to the luggage rack....

Cindy


(Seriously.. I am a master packer! You'd be amazed what I can fit in the back of a Toyota Sienna! But that's why long trips suit us better... I simply couldn't forego my packing style just because the trip was short, so dh and I agreed it is far better to take a longer trip and maximize the time between UNPACKing and REPACKing the van!)


(here's my dh's face when he sees what I've packed for our next trip... )

 

[sweetp267]

Ok I have a question. I already have a trip or two under my belt, but that was before the crackdown on luggage restrictions. I would like to know that if your luggage is searched and I packed alot of powdered things, that is some basic seasonings other than s&p and other misc. things that are in clear bags, would that be a potential problem? Also if I bring juice boxes on the plane and I open them in flight, would the change of pressure make them squirt all over when they are opened with the poke of the straw?

Thanks everyone

 

[CK1]

It is amazing, but typically, if you declare "Hey, look, I've got all these baggies full of mystery powders", they don't glance a second at you. I went overseas and brought back about 50 little 3 oz vials of white powders (I am a research chemist, and it was some material that a colleague wanted analyzed). Dumbo that I am, it didn't dawn on me until I got to customs baggage search that, uh oh, I have all those powders with me! And labeled only with cryptic names, like Batch 3 or Rxn Process 2 or #32475-2... Can you believe it, they pushed all those aside and continued rifling through my dirty underwear.... I asked what pray tell were they looking for... "Any weapons, mam'am... weapons and opals." (I was returning from Australia). So word to the wise -- if you want to smuggle drugs (or opals... or very very tiny weapons), just put them into 3 oz vials with some flour and say, "Here they are!!" Just label your spices accordingly... if they doubt ya, bring enough so they can taste 'em for proof!

As for the juice box -- the cabin is pressurized, so no big squirtola... unless of course your kid squeezes the daylights out of it (like my 2 yr old always does, and in such a way that I am the only target, never her....). I think they even use large boxes of juice/milk on the airline beverage cart service.

Happy Travelin'!

Cindy