grandparent backpacks

[nonzerosum]

I would like to prepare small canvas drawstring backpacks for my parents who will be joining us on our next WDW trip. This will be their first trip to WDW (they've done Disneyland), and the first trip with grandkids. I go ALL OUT with all things disney for our kids when preparing for WDW--personalized t-shirt, tinkerbell gifts each night, 24 day countdown calendar with daily treasure hunt for WDW necessity items, disney gift bags for the airplane, you get the point and I'm sure can relate. Anyways, my DH and kids (even though they're pretty little yet) love this and I feel it's a big part of the planning, the fun, and the magic. My parents, on the other hand, aren't really into this kind of stuff. They are not nearly as corny as I am, although they see that my kids love it and appreciate my efforts. They are the kind of people that would bring a pack of kleenex and that's it for 1 week in the bush--very low key, very "we don't need much and we'll make due with what we have". Anyway, I am trying to think of things to put in their backpacks to include them in the fun, without forcing them into our Disney crazy way of being while in the parks. Any suggestions would be so helpful. They are amazing people and I can't imagine having better grandparents for our kids, they just aren't the Disney t-shirt types. Help.....

 

[MinnieVanMom]

A nice water bottle, Tylenol, ban-aides, bug spray, a neck wrap that you soak in water and then keeps you cool. Perhaps a Disney Pin but just a generic one they could give to the kids.

Keep it very practical and sensible. We love the hidden mickeys book and it has kept us busy while the wee ones are on the rides.

Hope this helps.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you really feel the need to make something like this for someone who is unlikely to want it, I'd stick to useful items that are good for theme-parking in general, not cutesy stuff.

Sunscreen (especially the stick kind for the face), a smallish water bottle in a sleeve that won't sweat, a crushable PLAIN sunhat, a couple of stain-remover wipes, perhaps a disposable camera if they are the type not to carry real cameras. Also park maps, a cheap pedometer, a small compass, and a laminated pocket-sized card with a list of important phone numbers. Oh, and a little pocket-sized misting fan if you can find one -- NOT the large kind. People who prefer to travel light won't use the large fans.

Maybe also an envelope with postcard stamps, blank address stickers, and a pen, for filling out postcard labels in dull moments, if they are the postcard type.

 

[nonzerosum]

I know I posting on myself, but I thought of a couple of ideas and if I don't put them here, I'll forget. Lipbalm with sunscreen, ponchos, tic tacs or scotch mints (my dad always has these in his pockets), small pad and pen.

 

[Taja]

Do they like crossword, word search or sudoku (spelling?) puzzles? Perhaps a small book of them for each them (for on the plane, in particular).

What do they like to do? Hobbies and interests? A magazine each?

Do they wear eyeglasses/sunglasses? Packets of lens cleaning wipes.

Disney Dollars--doesn't have to be a lot. They may just spend them on the grandchildren, but you never know!

And rather than the misting fan, just a small one from WalMart--they're about $1 each. And extra batteries. Those things are quite dear in the parks!