Fanny Packing List - did I miss anything?

[MomlovesDad]

Just thought I'd post my daily packing list for you experienced Disers to review and let me know how you think it will work. Is this just too much to pack, too little to pack, anything I need to add or take out?

Thanks so much! I have learned SO much from the DIS. WHAT would we do without it? MomlovesDad

ITEM CHECKLIST FOR PARKS:
Each Fanny Pack/Backpack:
I.D. Badge
Water
Sunscreen – travel bottle/wipes
Chapstick
Moleskin –individual
Band-aids
Cool-danas
Ear Plugs
Glow jewelry
Pen-light
Autograph Book
Pen
Camera
Snacks
Spray fans
Sunglasses
Washcloth in Ziploc bag
Poncho
Quarters and pennies for presses
Tissues
Toothbrush

Mom’s in addition to above:
Park Tickets
Priority Seating Tickets
Tour Plan for the day
Pen
Advil
Hand Sanitizer
Stain stick
Digital Camera
Little Happies for the day
Walkie Talkies
Wet Wipes
Safety Pins

Locker/Car Backpack:
Extra change of clothes
Extra socks/shoes
Frozen drinks
Snacks

 

[pjlla]

OKay, I'm all for oral hygiene, but does everyone need to carry a toothbrush?? Also, why does everyone need a washcloth if you are taking wipes?? And why the hand sanitizer if you are taking wipes? Make them antibacterial hand wipes and kill two birds with one stone. Also, regarding the stain stick.... take the Shout wipes... they are individually wrapped and really work well.
Also, is there a reason why everyone needs earplugs? Since I don't know what "cool-danas" are, I guess I cannot comment on those!! Also, you may want to consider using your cell phones instead of walkie-talkies. We used the w/t on our trip in 01/2002 and had LOADS of interference. Difficult to use. We used our cellphones on our last trip and it was MUCH EASIER!

The only things we might want to add would be a comb and and children's chewable advil and benadryl (assuming there are children along on this trip!). BTW, I didn't see anywhere where you mentioned $$ or credit cards!! In a pocket or wallet?? And YES, having one person in charge of all the park hoppers is the way to do it!! Just don't forget to take them back from the FastPass machines! Most of all.....HAVE FUN!! Tell Mickey I miss him!......P

 

[HunnyPots]

Question: Just how BIG are these fanny packs???
Mine would never hold all that!

This is what I have packed in mine:

autograpph book
pen
camera
small bottle with tylenol, advil, etc.
2 disposable ponchos
cell phone (very small)
park tickets
credit card
lip balm
pre-cut moleskin
bandaids
kleenex

 

[bigbabyblues]

Ummm...you have all those toothbrushes, but no toothpaste??

 

[Musky]

Yeah, I'm also wondering how big these fanny packs are. My fanny pack is as big as any I've ever seen - as is my fanny - but it wouldn't hold half of that! I second the Benadryl, especially if anyone as allergies - you never know what you might react to in Florida. I also don't see why Mom can't carry one bottle of sunblock for everyone and why everyone can't share a Chapstick (not that they take up much room, but the sunblock does). Also, why does everyone need a penlight. Kids who are afraid of the dark, sure, but do the adults really need one? I'm also a bit flummoxed by the toothbrushes. Being the commando that I am, if I told my family they had to spend precious touring time brushing their teeth, they'd have me committed! I'm assuming cool-danas are the bandannas with gel in them - those are a good idea, and since the idea is to wear them, you shouldn't have to carry them around too much (they get kind of heavy after you soak them). I have no idea what a "little happy" is, so I can't comment on that. You don't mention extra film and batteries - definite must haves. Also, unless you pre-cut your moleskin, you'll have to have something to cut it with. The only other things I can think that you might need are bug repellant and something to keep your kids busy in line - handheld games or something. Oh, and make sure someone has the car and room keys!

Musky

 

[CamColt]

May be a stupid question, but I have to ask...What are "Little Happies for the day"?

 

[MrsJ Henry]

That sounds more like backpack packing rather than fanny pack packing. I don't think it would all fit either

 

[Disney Doc]

I second the children's Advil idea... there are going to be sore backs lugging all that gear around!

 

[oogieboogie]

That's sure is a lot to carry in a fanny pack. Mine had this when we went:

- 2 autograph books & 2 fat pens
- 10 sheets of wet wipes in a ziploc bag
- 1 bandana (multipurpose napkin, wipes, towel for those wet rides)
- 1 mini m&m tube for pressed pennies
- 1 small hotel notepad for taking notes on where we parked the car etc
- ID, resort key, disney dollars
- contact lens drops
- travel size purell
- extra memory card
- 4 band-aids
- cellphone

Then I had my water bottle and camera hanging on the outside.

That was it and it was stuffed!

 

[sters]

I also carried my rain poncho in mine smashed into a ziplock bag. If it hasn't been mentioned, I'd include Tylenol for those heat-induced headaches.

As for the rest of it... will it fit? I have a big 3-compartment fanny pack and it wouldn't fit all that stuff, and even if it did, I'd have a hard time locating what I needed when I needed it. This is important, because whipping out those park tickets for Fastpasses means you'll be in and out of the fanny pack several times a day. It makes it that much easier to lose your park ticket, as I did on my last trip. I blamed this on having "too much stuff" in my fanny pack. So be warned!!!

 

[MomlovesDad]

THANKS EVERYONE!!! I had a feeling it may be too much, but really needed to find out if anyone else had tried to take this much. Now I'm really thinking that we will pack a separate backpack to put in the lockers with the small drink cooler. Bad part is we'll have to make a break for it and it will be a big inconvenience! May not even do that.

As for the toothbrush - this is really just for dd who just had braces put on her teeth and we are REALLY not familiar with this. We found the CUTEST little Tigger travel brush and some tiny toothpaste that would fit in her fanny pack. BUT, if there are some of you who are experienced with braces, I need advice on what you did in the parks after meals. Maybe just some good 'ole water and "swish and rinse"?

Regarding the wet wipes and hand sanitizer - I thought wet wipes for nasty tables where we may want to sit, or after eating something sticky- which I plan to do! I haven't been to Disney since I was a teen and I can't remember how well they keep outside tables clean. I did find some small wipes today, 2" x 2" package, and that will probably work. The reason for the additional sanitizer is for after they've had their hands all over everything - it just seems to make them feel better - at least dd. She is a clean freak, except for her room! And the Shout towelettes - I couldn't find ANY at WalMart!! But I did get something similar. Someone always seems to get something on them. And it's usually their FAVORITE shirt!

The "cool-danas" will really be around their necks - may be put in the ice-chest in the lockers to have during the hotter part of the day. (They are the gel filled bandanas that go around your neck to keep you cool). I added washclothes to the list to use to cool off, but if we have the cool-danas, we probably won't need them.

DH is in charge of the $$ and credit card, so I didn't list them for the fanny packs.

I am blessed that my children are now at the ages of being able to swallow pills, therefore the Advil. I may add some Tylenol & Benedryl to the bottle - thanks for the reminder!

I'm beginning to think we won't have the walkie talkies. We will only use the cell phones in emergency cases - since dh's is company owned. But we're not planning on being separated. So we may have to rough it and not have a portable communication device.

The pen lights are really only for the night time. I read that you need them getting out of Epcot and MGM at night. Any advice there? They are tiny pen lights. Not really for comfort, but seeing. If we can do without, by all means we will!

I LOVE the mini M&M tube idea for pressed pennies! We just got some, but I think they are the larger tubes. I'm going to have to get some smaller ones.

Okay - surprised that so many are baffled by the "happies for the day". I've bought Disney Pez animals, pen-bubble blowers, fun candy, stuff like that to give them something to do in line. I also printed up some hidden mickey lists and some SMALL "secrets" lists for them to read while we're in line.

Thank you all so much for your help with this!! I'm going to downsize! I feel like such a "boyscout" trying to be prepared for EVERYTHING. You've made it much easier for me.
Keep the advice coming - MomlovesDad

 

[Maddle]

I just have to weigh in - I don't think that was an outrageous amount of things to carry, but I am a boyscout too. Still, most of the items were small (chapstick, penlight, bandaids.)

If you are going to spend most of the day together, then I would pack some of the redundant things in the Mom-Pack - sunscreen, bandaids, moleskin, Advil/Tylenol - and let them carry their personal things with them (autograph book, sunglasses, etc.)After the first day, you will have a good idea of what's really important to have on hand individually, and what isn't.

I don't think you will need a penlight for exiting the parks - they are pretty well lit. There are some dark spots, but you can see okay. One thing it is nice for is poking around in the fanny pack/back pack when you are looking for something in the dark....but you don't really *need* the penlight.

Your daughter may want to carry the toothbrush for her braces - my son had some kind of a brush with him. That's the kind of thing that it is better to have with her than wish she did.

As for the cell phone/walkie talkie comparison - I still like the walkie talkies. If you have a set with multiple channels, you should be able to find one that is clear....especially since so many people are going to cell phones now. I found the cell coverage in a lot of the resort is sometimes spotty, and they take longer to communicate with. If your husbands usage is limited by his corporation, I would look to the walkie talkies - and keep the cell phones for back-up. (I know I am in the minority here.)


Maddle

 

[sarahsmom73]

I couldn't have lived without a couple of ziplocs! I used htem for many things

 

[tar heel]

You don't need penlights to get out of MGM and Epcot -- there's plenty of light and CMs to tell you where to go.

You shouldn't need everyone to carry moleskin, bandaids, etc. -- just put those in one fannypack.

A lot of your stuff is things I don't need, but maybe you do. This includes the washcloth, wetwipes (bathrooms are plentiful and one Purell in one fannypack is enough for us), and stainstick.

If your kids are old enough to swallow pills, do they really need a change of clothes? Not only will you likely have a long hike to get to your backpack, but the cost ofa locker is enough to buy three frozen slushies! We would never take enough stuff to require renting a locker unless we were hopping to a waterpark.

 

[cboudre1]

The only park we bring a change of clothes for is AK, if we are planning on riding the Kali River Rapids. If I can talk my DS out of riding it we don't bring the change of clothes. We do bring our mister fan to the AK.

 

[InstImpres]

okay, I'll give my 2 cents. I usually carry a large backpack (walmart has eben great for Disney ones in the past - try to get many compartments so you can seperate things to find easily when needed.) My DD than carries a fanny pack with autograph book/pen, pressed penny book/pennies/quarters.

I second the no need for flashlights. I usually have 1 light up something in my pocket if any of the kids get scared during a dark part of a show. I now use the dancing mickey on my cell phone so I can cary one less thing.

The other thing I do bring is a large heavy duty garbage bag - this is for Kali Rapids; took backpack in at beginning, dry at end, through out bag. It's a real savior.

Enjoy
Sandy

 

[MomlovesDad]

The reason for the change of clothes is that we plan on park hopping and I thought we wouldn need them after Kali River Rapids, Splash Mountain, and I KNOW my ds will play in the fountains at Epcot. I've heard they are really fun and plan on bringing extra clothes so the kids can change after they play in them. That way, you're not so reluctant to let them have fun.

The garbage bag idea for Kali is a great one. I may just do that! We've got PS at Rainforest Cafe after the morning at AK, and I know we'll do the rapids last. Therefore - we'll need all the dry stuff we can stand. I will definitely use our ponchos!

I've thought about the money for the lockers, and a friend of mine told me they are well worth it. But they also have 6 kids and brought their lunches with them. So I can see where the $$ paid off. I don't know if it will be that much of a life saver for us. I plan on taking a cooler in the car (we're driving) and we can just eat or drink whatever in between parks. I've split up all our park days, which will make it easier to take a break in between morning and afternoon. At least I hope my plans are correct. I figured, if they know we're coming back tomorrow, then they won't be so upset when we leave. Anyone else use that philosophy?

These posts have been great. Thank you for the advice on the pen lights. It's good to know that you really don't need them exiting the park. I think I'll just pack one in my bag. The other advice, moleskin and bandaids and what not that could be used by anyone be put in Mom's backpack. SO I'll do that. I did buy some Star Wars bandaids that may serve as some happies for MGM on Sunday's Star Wars Weekends. My kids love bandaids.

I can use all the advice I can get. I really want to make this wonderful for everyone. OH - I MUST repeat this great advice - THE SMALL NOTEBOOK for writing down where you parked!!! Great idea and a DEFINITE MUST!!! Thank YOU!
MomlovesDad

 

[hyzdufan]

I don't even go the fanny pack route. We have preprinted, laminated touring ready to go. Camera goes in one pocket, wallet in the other. Not much else we need.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't bring sunglasses, but instead a visor, which I wear. When I don't want to wear the visor I velcro it to my fanny pack. I wear waterproof sandals, so don't worry about getting my feet wet. On days that we plan on getting wet we wear swimsuits (2 piece short/tankini for me, swim trunks + a t-shirt for the boys in my family, my DD wears a swim top, shorts and a shirt over the swim top). We then dry quickly and don't need the change of clothes.

My 4yo still uses a stroller so we have that to tote food, etc in. That helps a lot, but when he's out of that we'll have to start carrying a backpack. At that point I will cut down on what I bring.

I don't bring moleskin (our Nike Straprunners don't usually give us blisters) or stain stick. Like someone else mentioned, bring what you think you will need and you can add or leave out some things the second day as you fine tune.

Have fun!

T&B

 

[r3ngels]

I loved your list I think you're right on target if you divide the things up each person shouldn't have to carry to much stuff and you will have it in case you need it I would rather be safe than sorry but all my stuff can fit in a small backpack with the girls having there own fanny. I must ask where you got cooldanas and how much did they cost? And also what is moleskin and what is it used for I have read that for years on the board but never asked???? Just a funny side note my dd just got braces on monday and we have a small toothbrush for the parks for her...