Early arrival questions

[hcmommy]

I booked an early flight and we will be at CBR before lunch. I know our room will probably not be ready and my luggage will not be delivered to my room for several hours after we get in the room. We plan to check in and hit Epcot right away but just take it easy in the park and then maybe go swimming. What should I pack in my carry on backpack to get us through the day in the parks without access to our luggage?

I'm thinking:

Extra outfits for the kids
Extra shirts for the adults
Swimwear
Mini Fans
Ponchos
Autograph books
Wipes
Mini deoderant
What do I do about sunscreen? Take a mini tube of cream in my carryon?
Gate check the double stroller so we have access to it
If we have a bag with snacks, coloring books, etc. for the kids on the plane can we leave it at the hotel and have them hold it for us so we don't have to take it into the park.

Any other ideas?

 

[srauchbauer]

I am in the same boat it's a good thing we get to carry on's. One is going to have to be customes and park stuff. I love your list hope people add on to it.

Not sure if I missed it or not but don't forget the pen or markers for the autograph book.

 

[hcmommy]

Oh yes, Sharpies! Thanks.

 

[Best Aunt]

When I got to Beach Club before my room was ready, I was able to go into the bell services room (accompanied by an employee) to get stuff out of my suitcase. I got my sneakers out of my suitcase, took my shoes off, and stuck my shoes on the shelf with my bags. I think you're supposed to have unlimited access to your bags while bell services is holding them, but I can't swear on a Bible about that.

My list of stuff that I wanted to have with me (which you didn't have on your lists) included:
- camera
- sunglasses
- hat
- gift cards
- park admission
- lip block (chapstick or whatever you put on your lips with SPF)

If it's not going to rain, leave the ponchos with your suitcases. They get heavy to carry around.

 

[srauchbauer]

When I got to Beach Club before my room was ready, I was able to go into the bell services room (accompanied by an employee) to get stuff out of my suitcase. I got my sneakers out of my suitcase, took my shoes off, and stuck my shoes on the shelf with my bags. I think you're supposed to have unlimited access to your bags while bell services is holding them, but I can't swear on a Bible about that.

My list of stuff that I wanted to have with me (which you didn't have on your lists) included:
- camera
- sunglasses
- hat
- gift cards
- park admission
- lip block (chapstick or whatever you put on your lips with SPF)

If it's not going to rain, leave the ponchos with your suitcases. They get heavy to carry around.

wow these lists are great - when i talked to a cm this morning about early check - in she really focused on carrying on what you want for the day. Since luggage may even come on a different bus.

 

[Best Aunt]

wow these lists are great - when i talked to a cm this morning about early check - in she really focused on carrying on what you want for the day. Since luggage may even come on a different bus.

Oh, sorry, I should have mentioned that I did not use Magical Express to get to the hotel. I had Tiffany Towncar pick me up at the airport, so I had all of my luggage with me.

I had Tiffany Towncar stop at a CVS on the way to the hotel, so bell services stored my suitcases and all my bags from CVS until my room was ready.

(Most people have Tiffany Towncar stop at a grocery store, but I didn't need groceries. I wanted toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturizer, etc.)

 

[frannable]

Hubby and I try to take carry-ons only, so we have our luggage with us on Magical Expres. That gets stored at the hotel if we can't get into our room. I have a purse/backpack (allowed as my personal item on the plane) and in that we carry:

- Park tickets
- Gift Cards (and in the past, Disney Dollars)
- Sunglasses
- Small snacks
- Small bottles of water (you can refill these in the parks)
- Sunscreen
- Camera with extra battery & SD card
- Tissues
- Wipes/hand sanitizer
- Small first aid kid (band-aids, neosporin, aspirin, antacid, etc.)
- One-page list with dining reservations & confirmation numbers, phone numbers for our hotel, transporation (cabs, Mears), etc.

Depending on the weather, I can add rain ponchos or a light sweater. Every night I check to see if anything needs replaced, and it's ready to grab and go in the morning. It's large enough to carry what we need, and small enough to fit in the personal item nets on the park rides.