Firstimer Packing Advice

[paula70]

21 days until my families (Me, DH, DD8, DD5) first trip to DW! I have the suitcase all laid out on the extra bed...but every time I look at them I start to panic! Then I think "I have plenty of time!" But I know it is going to sneak up fast! So, i need all the veterans out there to give me your best packing advice! I've heard the ziploc baggie trick and intend to have plenty on hand. Also, I know im going to have to layer this time of year, so am planning on bringing Tide down to laundry 1/2 way through the trip. Any other great peices of advice for a newbie?

TIA-
Paula

 

[momrek06]

21 days until my families (Me, DH, DD8, DD5) first trip to DW! I have the suitcase all laid out on the extra bed...but every time I look at them I start to panic! Then I think "I have plenty of time!" But I know it is going to sneak up fast! So, i need all the veterans out there to give me your best packing advice! I've heard the ziploc baggie trick and intend to have plenty on hand. Also, I know im going to have to layer this time of year, so am planning on bringing Tide down to laundry 1/2 way through the trip. Any other great peices of advice for a newbie?

TIA-
Paula

YA, ME TOO, PAULA, I don't mean to JUMP on your THREAD!!! But I as well would love to hear from all you VETERAN packers. I absolutely HATE packing, I ALWAYS ALWAYS overpack and I get paranoid I won't have the right items!!
HELP US PLEASE!!!

 

[ZoZo]

A few things I learned from my trip in October:

1) Buy "emergency" ponchos (the kind you can buy for less than a dollar at Target or K-Mart in the camping section). They're very small and tuck easily into a pocket, purse, or fanny pack. I was so glad I had one with me - we had a torrential downpour the day before the hurricane in October, and it saved me about $7 because I didn't have to buy a WDW poncho (like my travel companions!).

2) I'm a compulsive over-packer. My advice is to put out everything you want to bring, then cut the amount in half. It's so easy to do laundry mid-trip. I brought a little of everything (shorts, jeans, long-sleeve, short-sleeve), not knowing what the weather would be like during the hurricane. As you said, plan to dress in layers and do laundry.

3) If you and your husband have cell phones, it's a great way to communicate! We had a group of four adults and made several calls per day to each other. That way, if you want to split up at all, you can have more flexibility (rather than trying to meet at specific places at specific times, which doesn't allow for unexpected things that come up!).

 

[smola09's mom]

I would only pack 1-2 sets of long pants and sweatshirts as they are very bulky and you can always wear them more than once.

 

[Goofy109]

Go out and buy, or maybe you have this at home...........an over the door shoe organizer !! The clear plastic things, with about 30 or so compartments ......for shoes. But you will hang it on the bathroom door of you're room and you can put all of the 'stuff' that would take up space at the sink and be in the way.......... now it is a CLEAN counter !!!

 

[paula70]

Good idea about the jeans and sweatshirts, we always wear our jeans twice anyways! My DH says I have to force him to pack pants...being from WI, he guarantees me he will be in shorts every day! (keep in mind this guy cut down a x-mas tree one year in shorts because it was 55 and sunny )I finally convinced to at least have 1 pr. for nightime! Any other great ideas? Keep them coming...
paula

 

[DawnaJean]

Bring your chargers - cell phone charger, digital camera charger, etc.

If you do not have a digital camera, buy film at home and bring it....so expensive in the parks.

Bring basic OTC medicine you use frequently- tylenol/motrin to save money on buying in the parks. Pack necessary prescription meds with you in your carry-on.

If you rent strollers at the park, pack a bright colored bandana to tie around the handle so you can find yours quickly in the sea of strollers.

Have a great trip!
Dawna

 

[DawnaJean]

One more thing...pack glow-in-the-dark necklaces/bracelets from the dollar store and surprise the girls at parade time.....very cheap and the kids love them!

Get a bunch and they can give extra ones to the kids beside them waiting. My DDs loved giving them to kids. One way to make the wait easier.
Have Fun!
Dawna

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

One more thing...pack glow-in-the-dark necklaces/bracelets from the dollar store and surprise the girls at parade time.....very cheap and the kids love them!

Get a bunch and they can give extra ones to the kids beside them waiting. My DDs loved giving them to kids. One way to make the wait easier.
Have Fun!
Dawna

That is a great idea.. If I have to pay ANOTHER $12-15 dollars for a spinning tinkerbell/mickey/buzz (or whoever they are peddling at the time). Light up rose/bands etc!!! thats a lot over a 17 day period!!!

 

[eeyoreforever]

Go out and buy, or maybe you have this at home...........an over the door shoe organizer !! The clear plastic things, with about 30 or so compartments ......for shoes. But you will hang it on the bathroom door of you're room and you can put all of the 'stuff' that would take up space at the sink and be in the way.......... now it is a CLEAN counter !!!

This is a tip we used on our last trip and it really worked well. At first, I thought I'd never fill up all of the pockets, but I acutally could have used a few more. My bag had like 16 pockets (approx). We put suntan lotion, brushes, hair ribbons, toothpaste, q-tips, bandaids, moleskin, safety pins - every small item that we didn't want sitting on the counter, but also didn't want to have to dig through a drawer to find.

This (along with the moleskin) is one of the best tips I have ever picked up off of these boards.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[Wendy31]

Last year, I packed from an "outfit" list -

For both kids & myself (I let DH worry about himself), I had a list of each outfit(s) needed for each day.

For the kids, I put the whole outfits in gallon ziploc bags (shirt, shorts, underwear) & labeled the outside of the bag - Monday, Epcot. On some days, we had dinners scheduled where I wanted the kids to be in "fresh" clothes so I put those entire outfits in bags as well & labeled them accordingly - Friday, Dinner - Ohana.

This way, both I & DH knew what the child was wearing on what day and/or event. It was also easy to grab the bags out of their suitcases, lay them on their beds, & then let them dress themselves - w/o rummaging through the suitcases looking for matching shirts & shorts.

However, we were there in May, so I don't know if you can fit an entire outfit for February in a gallon bag, but the principle is the same.

In the same vein, I also planned matching outfits for all of us, so we knew what color was for each day - Monday was Epcot & Blue Shirts, Tuesday was MK & Disney shirts, etc.

Then, after I was sure that everyone had the right outfit(s) w/ all the accessories (underwear, hairbows, etc.) for each day, I packed the "extra" things like sleepwear, swimsuits w/ coverups, hats, & shoes, & a couple (or 3 or 4 or 5) of additional outfits & pairs of underwear & socks for each of us.

I also pre-packed the bag I took w/ us into the parks w/ ponchos, sunscreen, band-aids & Neosporin & 1st-Aid spray, lip balm, lipstick & compact (for me!), camera film, small notebook & pen, Tylenol & Benodryl, wipes, antibacterial gel, extra t-shirt/shorts & underwear for each kid, small sunglasses for the kids, etc. (Believe it or not - all this "stuff" fits into a small-to-medium-size messenger bag!)

We always drive, so I always overpack. But some "extra" essentials (besides the normal stuff) - scissors, tape, paper & pen/pencil, ziplock bags, rubber bands, safety pins & small sewing kit, Lysol (I spray the door handles, remote control, etc. when we first check into our room), spray bathroom cleaner or wipes (so I don't have to worry about our toothbrushes laying on the sink & don't have to worry about the kids sitting in the bathtub), paper plates & napkins, paper towels, flashlight, nightlight, sound machine, envelopes for tipping the mousekeepers, and my list goes on & on!

I've thought about the over-door organizer for this trip, and, in theory, I think it sounds marvelous. However, I don't think DH nor I are self-disciplined enough to get the stuff back into the organizer after we used it - everything would end up on the sink anyway!

Have fun! I adore packing!!

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Good idea about the jeans and sweatshirts, we always wear our jeans twice anyways! My DH says I have to force him to pack pants...being from WI, he guarantees me he will be in shorts every day! (keep in mind this guy cut down a x-mas tree one year in shorts because it was 55 and sunny )I finally convinced to at least have 1 pr. for nightime! Any other great ideas? Keep them coming...
paula

As another normal person from WI here - 50's is perfect for shorts!

 

[paula70]

That is a great idea.. If I have to pay ANOTHER $12-15 dollars for a spinning tinkerbell/mickey/buzz (or whoever they are peddling at the time). Light up rose/bands etc!!! thats a lot over a 17 day period!!!

Any idea where to get these glow sticks and bracelets other than dollar stores? We dont have a dollar store near here. TIA!
Paula

 

[Banshee]

As another normal person from WI here - 50's is perfect for shorts!

I have to say were from NJ and 50's is perfect for shorts for us too!
Maybe I'm the crazy one

 

[linda0706]

Any idea where to get these glow sticks and bracelets other than dollar stores? We dont have a dollar store near here. TIA!
Paula

I've gotten them at Walmart. In the toy department they usually have a section of cheap stuff hanging up for around $0.88. The bracelets are hanging there. We bought them for my DD4 to wear in the dark rides. Just enough light that she can see herself, which was all it took to keep her calm in the dark.

 

[Amlee]

A small surge charger w/an extention cord is great. There is never enough plug ins. I found one at wal-mart in the hardware department. It has like 4 plug ins.

 

[paula70]

THANKS EVERYONE! I am always amazed at all the great advice on these boards! You have all inspired me to get my stuff together and start packing this weekend! (First, I have to see if all the girls spring clothes fit? ) WISH ME LUCK!

Paula

 

[Big V]

Packing Tips:
Address book, stamps and pre-addressed labels
Admission passes (park hoppers) with copies made in case you lose it!
Alarm clock (rooms have, but to be sure)
Aloe Vera gel
Airplane ticket (with copies made)
Antacids (Pepcid, AC, Tums)
Antibacterial gel (travel size)
Autograph book and fat pen
Back pack (pre-packed)
Band-Aids / First Aid kit
Bandana (colored, to put on suitcase, so you can easily spot your luggage at airport) Bath powder/cornstarch
Batteries-for cameras
Beach towels
Bengay
Blankets (kids)
Blow dryer
Body spray- (bath & body cucumber melon!)
Books/magazines
Bottle straps for water bottles
Bubble bath (for private jacuzzis)
Brita water bottles with filter (the water is horrible in Orlando)
Brush/comb for hair
Camera (waterproof one for water parks)
Camera bag, pre-packed
Camcorder items
Camcorder bag (pre-packed)
Camcorder CHARGER
Camcorder tapes (affixed with labels beforehand)
Cash/Credit Card (only take one, so you don’t lose them),
travelers checks, checkbook, Disney $
CD/cassette player with headphones
Cell phones/chargers
Clothespins (for hanging wet bathing suits, close snack bags)
Coffee items
4 cup coffee maker
pre-measured coffee
Coins for pressed penny/quarter machines
Confirmation #'s for PS, recreation reservations, resort reservations,
special shows
Combs
Corkscrew
Cotton sweaters
Cough drops
Deodorant
Dental items – floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste
Directions (from airport to hotel and other locations)
Dish soap (in a small bottle, to wash refillable mugs, etc.)
Disney guidebooks and notes
Disney Club card
Disposable cameras-great for kids
Disposable contacts-for water parks
Dramamine
Drivers License/ID (for airport)
Duct tape
Earplugs / jewelry (just the basics!!)
Email addresses for email postcards
Emergency #'s or contacts from home
Envelopes for maid tips
Extras (broken in walking shoes, bathing suits etc)
Eye drops/Visine
Eyeglasses
Fabreeze
Fanny packs
Feminine items
Film
Flashlights (great for little ones afraid of dark rides)
Garbage bags (cut to "wear" on wet rides-we used ponchos)
Gum (they don't sell it in the parks)
GREEN RIBBON
Hairbrushes
Hair clips/pony tail holders
Hairspray
Hand-held games
Hats/visors/bandanas
Headache medicines
Health insurance cards
Identification for kids (with name, cell phone number, other info)
Insect repellent (not in winter)
Itinerary
Juice boxes
Kleenex
Laptop
Laundry soap/dryer sheets (pre-measured in ziplock baggies)
Lip balm with sunscreen
Lotion
Magic Marker (for writing names on mugs)
Makeup (SPF base is good! If you wear any at all!)
Makeup remover
Mister fan
Midol
Moleskin
Nail clippers/file
Needle and thread
Nightlight (one for each room for late night trips to bathroom)
Notebook and pens (for jotting down trip report details)
"office" items - mini scissors, mini stapler, paper clips
Other necessities like leg/foot braces, retainers, contacts, reading glasses
Pins for trading!
Photos of kids and ID (incase they get lost, God forbid!)
Playing cards/travel games
Plastic cutlery
Ponchos (cheap, disposable ones; any color but yellow!)
Prescription meds (migraine, inhalers, asthma, etc.)
Proof of auto insurance for rental cars
Purse/wallet/checkbook
Q-tips
Razor
Rain ponchos/umbrellas
Rubber bands
Safety pins
Sea Bands (for motion sickness)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Shaving cream
Sinus meds
Snacks (granola bars, small jar of p-nut butter, dried fruits and nuts)
Soap
Soft-side coolers
Spray bottle (for hot days at the pool)
Spray-for feet
Spare batteries
Stain remover wipes (or stick)
Stamps (postcard)
Sunglasses & wags (string to hang them around your neck)
Sunscreen/sunblock
Sugar/Equal, teabags too
Suitcase (empty to bring back souvenirs)
Swiss army knife
Tape (double sided for emergency repairs)
Tea bags
Thread / threaded needle
Trash bags- (for dirty laundry etc)
Tweezers
Umbrella (only a few of us need to bring one)
Vaseline
Video camera & extra tapes
Vitamins
Walkie talkies
Water bottles
Watch (waterproof!)
Waterproof envelope (to carry important items in backpack)
Water shoes
Wet wipes
Ziploc bags

Label everything-each film canister and videotape, hats and jackets-anything that you take or wear to a park that you can't or don't want to replace. I printed out labels with our last name and cell phone number so that if we lose something, we can receive a message while we are still there.
Kids' Totes Ideas:
books (Disney)/magazine
bubbles (small, on a string)
crayons
Disney coloring books
Disney dollars
Disney folder (to keep menus and pictures they've colored, and other souvenirs, in)
Disney gloves (may need in winter)
Disney hair clips
Disney jewelry
Disney markers
Disney mitten clips
Disney notebook
Disney pez/candy
Disney sox
disposable camera
fat pen
magnetic travel games
puzzle books
snacks
travel games
LUGGAGE
Use zip strips through your zippers instead of locks. Bring enough for trip home. Tie bandanas on handle to easily recognize at airport.
CARRY ON BAGS
To fit under the seat, a bag should be no more than 8H x 16W x 21L and no more than 40 pounds. To fit overhead, it should be no more than 10H x 16W x 24L. A garment bag brought on board should be no more than 4H x 23?? W x 45L. Any of these bags should be no more than 45 inches and 40 pounds. (Check your airline's website for their specific rules.)
ITEMS TO BRING IN CARRYON BAG
change of clothes
airline tickets
essential toiletries
park passes/trip documentation
camera/camcorder
film/extra batteries
cell phone.
Before you go:
Stop newspaper delivery.
Stop mail delivery.
Drop information off at police dept.
name
address
home phone number
vacation dates
vacation phone numbers
cell phone numbers
local emergency contact and phone number
info about the house
cars left in front of the house/license plate numbers
which lights will be left on, or timed
whether or not anyone will be checking on the house, and a description of their car/license plate.
Leave itinerary and phone numbers of resort(s) with family members
"LAST MINUTE" THINGS TO DO:
Check all door locks.
Check all window locks.
Reduce Heating /AC settings.
Secure all outdoor items (trailer, chairs, pool stuff, swings).
Set plants in water pans if someone cannot water for you.
Unplug appliances:
TVs
Coffee maker
Toaster
Microwave
Washer
Dryer.
Set light timers.
Set burglar alarm.

 

[KZE]

I love getting ready for vacation. It gets me in the mood. We are headed to Disney in two weeks and we are pretty much ready to go. I start out by making myself a list. I do a clothes list, food/snacks and misc list (sunblock, hats, etc). I then just start piling them and set aside.

For some reason, I have to worst luck with all my luggage arriving when I do so I take two suitcases for my family (three of us). Split your clothes up - put different clothes for everyone in both suitcases. This way if one suitcase is late getting there or lost, you all have at least something to wear.

I agree with the other comments - don't take pants and sweatshirts for every day - you can wear them more than once. The worse case scenario - you will have to buy a Disney sweatshirt

 

[metivier]

Any idea where to get these glow sticks and bracelets other than dollar stores? We dont have a dollar store near here. TIA!
Paula

Oriental Trading Company has lots of them.