Firstimer Packing Advice

[ZoZo]

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.

Wow! What a compehensive list! Great ideas, but probably only workable if you drive instead of fly, since clothes are not on the list.

 

[Big V]

Wow! What a compehensive list! Great ideas, but probably only workable if you drive instead of fly, since clothes are not on the list.

I knew I forgot something! Clothes! Actually, we have never driven down to WDW. We don't bring all of this list. It's more like a "suggestion list" than a packing list.

 

[vhoffman]

Here'a another suggestion--a hairdryer. Yes, I know all just about all hotels provide them now. However, they're wall-mounted in the bathroom. Well, what if someone else wants to use the bathroom and yu're in there drying your hair? Also, more than one person can dry their hair at once. It really is a stress-buster to take another along. Just get a small, travel-type.

 

[vhoffman]

For unpredictable weather get at least one pair of Cargo pants--the type that you can zip off the bottom half of the legs and turn them into shorts. Great for a day at the park if it starts out hot then becomes chilly. Just take your "pant legs" with you and zip up!

 

[lordhavemercy]

ok...we're ready I bought the over-the-door hanger AND the collapsable laundry hamper with handles...!!!! WHOO-HOOO!!!
....i'm sure i'll over-pack...always do. I try to cut back...but when i've packed..i'm not sure what to take out....i get full of "what-if's"...

 

[Soccerpooh]

Something we forgot last year was an extra pair of shoes for DSs and DH. We got caught in a huge downpour in MK just as we were thinking about leaving. It came down so fast there was standing water EVERYWHERE! Of course our shoes were soaked. DH spent a good 1 1/2 hours back at WL laundry room sitting in front of the dryer, holding the door shut (Shoes knocked the door open every 3 minutes !! ) We had no choice- they had no other shoes for the next day! Moral of my story- pack 2 pairs of shoes for everyone!!

 

[RUDisney]

http://www.illuminationz.com/ is the place I usually go to buy glow bracelets and glow rings for our trips. Our kids love giving them out to other kids at night, too.

It's a great way to spread the magic!

I second the motion on taking 2 pairs of long pants/capris per person.

DH and I went in December 1997 and only had the jeans that we wore down with us. Hey, we were going to FL and it was supposed to be warm.

Only thing is... it was cold for 2-3 days. We wore our jeans all of those days and then home again at the end of the trip. We also bought sweatshirts since I didn't pack any for us. I was happy to throw them in the washer when we got home. Thankfully, it got warmer and we could wear our shorts the rest of the time.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Target has the glow in the dark necklaces. I am going to try convince my DH that we need these for the trip . I really like the idea of sharing the pixie dust.

 

[jeanadave]

Some great ideas! Thanks (I really like the shoe organizer thing). I'm a serious overpacker, but I'm really going to try to pack lighter this time (even though this is our first trip to Disney -- well, it might as well be, it's been 20 years!). Maybe I can use the shoe organizer for things other than shoes (I take a girls' beach trip every year, and a couple of years ago, I took 13, yes THIRTEEN! pairs of shoes - I think I wore the same pair of flipflops all week - but my friends (two of whom wore the same size as me) got a kick out of picking through my shoes every day!)

 

[pooch]

charter member of overpackers anonymous!! Told everyone this time:

4 shirts (one "good" one)
3 pr shorts
1 pr long pants (probably khaki's of some sort)
1 sweatshirt or jacket
4-5 pr socks & undies
sneakers & sandals (wear the sneakers down there!)
Pj's
swimsuit
toiletries
sundries

That's it. I'm hoping for 1 checked bag (w/an empty duffle inside) and 2 small
carry-ons. Ok, I said HOPING. I will do laundry once, maybe twice, down there and if we run out of clothes, them t-shirts make great souveniers!!!

Pooch

 

[ZoZo]

charter member of overpackers anonymous!! Told everyone this time:

4 shirts (one "good" one)
3 pr shorts
1 pr long pants (probably khaki's of some sort)
1 sweatshirt or jacket
4-5 pr socks & undies
sneakers & sandals (wear the sneakers down there!)
Pj's
swimsuit
toiletries
sundries

That's it. I'm hoping for 1 checked bag (w/an empty duffle inside) and 2 small
carry-ons. Ok, I said HOPING. I will do laundry once, maybe twice, down there and if we run out of clothes, them t-shirts make great souveniers!!!

Pooch

Good for you! I, too, am a chronic over-packer. Took twice as much as I needed last October, because I did do laundry mid-week.

Don't forget the emergency ponchos! They saved us, big-time, because we went during the hurricane in October. Those in our group who didn't have the 79-cent version had to buy the WDW ponchos (at several dollars more) - I was so glad I had tucked my little poncho in my fanny pack! It worked just as well as the expensive ones, plus I was able to throw it away afterward!!

 

[NotUrsula]

The first thing to do is put the suitcase back in the closet! Suitcases are deadly for overpackers, because you feel compelled to fill them.

Put the things you intend to bring into some sort of container you can see into all around, such as a laundry basket; put your open baskets on a bed or someplace with room, check them for duplicates, etc., and THEN transfer the items into suitcases. I guarantee you won't bring as much. (This especially cuts down on toiletries duplication.)

Unless you already have a PS for V&A's, forget about packing something dressy "just in case"; you won't wear it. "Casual Friday" style stuff is the dressiest thing you would need at WDW, and only bring one like that. Do not pack jeans at all--they are heavy, bulky, and not warm at all if warm is what you are providing for; a pr. of khakis and a pr. of silk longjohns are a much better combination and take up a LOT less space.

Assign one person in the family to do the final packing of everyone's bags. That prevents unnecessary duplication. A good rule to follow is that no item of clothing gets into a suitcase unless it matches at least two other items. Do bring 2 pr. of shoes, but exclude shoes that are put in to match a particular outfit; you need both pr. of shoes to match anything there. I personally recommend sports sandals if the weather is warm enough; they are very comfortable, can get wet with no problem, and they don't require socks.

 

[cwnhokie]

For late Feb/early March, should we take sandals for DSs. That is all they wore last May. Especially since DS5 is a magnet for water. Will it be too cool this time of year? I guess I had better go look for them or it's not even an issue. I think it may finally be time for me to starty packing.

 

[JennSaint]

For late Feb/early March, should we take sandals for DSs. That is all they wore last May. Especially since DS5 is a magnet for water. Will it be too cool this time of year? I guess I had better go look for them or it's not even an issue. I think it may finally be time for me to starty packing.

I always pack sandals for everyone and we are leaving in one week. Usually the boys will wear their sandals to go to the pool. Geez I just realized I better go and get the suitcases out today. LOL

 

[goofy4tink]

For those flying into Orlando from the chillier spots....I always fly in my jeans, turtleneck, sweatshirt and windbreaker, with heavish socks and sneakers. That way I don't have to use up space in my luggage and I will have that stuff for the chilly nights in WDW. I also pack a pair of shoes that can get wet...my Crocs, water sandals. I have about 4 of those disposable rain ponchos for each person. They go in the fanny pack every day...doesn't matter if rain is predicted or not.
Be sure to pack shorts/tee shirt in your carryon. Also put anything you may need for the first 5 hrs of your stay. Just in case your bags get held up. Then you have clothes to change into when you get there rather then keep those 'heavy' clothes on.
The shoe organizer is a great thing. I always bring it if there are more than two of us going. We also use the zip-loc bags a lot. The dirty clothes go in when the clean ones come out..unless I do laundry there. I only do laundry if I'm staying more than 5 nights.

 

[mommyluvsmickey]

thanks from me too! We will on our way before we know it too!

 

[tinkerbell716]

This thread is great I just subsrcibed to it. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[cwnhokie]

I just read the 10 day forecast for Orlando. The temps range from 32 to 81, how do you not overpack with a range like that?

 

[Rebecca12345]

If you have a digital camera, take a photo of your group each morning before you leave your hotel IN CASE any small child gets separated from your group (HEAVEN FORBID) You have an instant ID to show CM to help search - Your color coordinated outfits is a WONDERFUL idea. It really does make a difference to spot your group quickly.

On a side note, always state a meeting place in each new area you enter in case you get separated (unless you all have a cell phone then you can just call )

On a lighter note, if you collect the smashed pennies from the many machines thruout the parks, take a film canister of quarters & shiny pennies in your fanny pack- The smashed pennies are a wonderful collector item for kids who have out grown stuffed animals ALOT cheaper too You can buy smashed penny booklets to store the collection in =Very cool

Gum is not sold in any Disney park (for obvious reasons) If you are a gum chewer - pack some or go without

Did you mention sunscreen already? The small sizes are found in the dollar aisle at Target or grocery store or there are the stick versions= very portable

Don't forget to take a wide pen (easier for Disney characters to grasp) & some type of small autograph book for when you meet the CM!

Pack well worn shoes - don't bring brand new ones=blisters! Another trick is to take an extra pair of socks to switch halfway thru the day I found it cuts down on any blisters or hot spots if one is prone to that. Also switch from one pair of shoes to the other each day You will be walking approx 7 miles a day (I checked we wore pedometers last time!) so don't neglect your feet or you'll be miserable

Sunglasses with a neckstrap, so they are secured to you (they will need to be removed on some rides though

Hat -to prevent sunburned noses & if it rains, you can cover your wet hairdo

Shorts or pants with CARGO pockets It cuts down on all the little items in the backpack/fanny pack

I suggest small ziplock baggies for your camera & cell phone in case it rains, or wet ride to protect the electronics in your pocket or fanny pack

I also carry some wet wipes in small foil packs - I dole out enough for each family member each day & they keep them in their pockets / nice before a quick snack & no bathroom nearby to wash up

I placed an address label on my digital camera In case it was left someplace, there is a better chance of it being reunited with me

 

[bscs]

I just read the 10 day forecast for Orlando. The temps range from 32 to 81, how do you not overpack with a range like that?

Also everyone says bring half of what we need and do laundry. Well we do have a washer & dryer in our rented condo but I worry about everything including "what if the washer is broken?'

I should go take somethings out of my suitcase right now