Help! Overpacker

[SunflowerTigger]

I am a huge over packer. I'm famous for it with my family. I always over pack.

What is the essentials to carry into the park?

It'll be me, DH, DS 6, and DS 3. DS 3 is still in diapers (don't go there, having hard time with potty training.)

I don't want to pack so much stuff that no one can carry the bag because it's so heavy.

TIA

Becca

 

[Hannathy]

I would take ponchos, maybe jackets if cool at night and you will be there all day for everyone. for 3 yr old a couple of diapers, wipes and a change of clothes and a single snack like a pack of those orange crackers or 2 fruit roll ups. I usually bring in my purse motrin or aspirin, nail file, camera, sunglasses, bandaid, kleenex, guide book or usually just pages, and thats about it, oh other than money, tickets, room key. I have learned after many trips to cut way back on what I carry because I never used any of the other stuff. The less you carry the happier you will be. I don't carry drinks-they are too heavy.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Hannathy is my park twin. I carry very little. I'd add sunscreen and bug spray to her list.

 

[jennifer293]

I bought a big purse looking thing at Old Navy, and I put diapers and wipes (used the thin wipe holder for diaper bags), a change of clothes for DD2, and some frozen waters and kool aid packs (the skinny ones for water bottles to mix in). A few little gummy snacks, fruit roll ups, crackers, sunscreen and 2 misting fans. There was still a TON of room left in the bag and it fit nicely in the basket under the stroller!!

Now regular clothes packing..hahahaha don't even go there...I take everything but the kitchen sink and I hear you can get one of those at Disney...

Have a great trip

 

[Perditamarie]

Use a smaller bag!!! I managed a kids change of clothes, 4-5 pull-ups, camera, suntan lotion, phone, glasses, wallet in my bagallini. I usually do carry a cooler-bag of juice boxes/water, just cause they are so hard to find when you need them most. Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

First trip ds was still in diapers (almost 3!) here's what I packed for the parks - diapers, wipes, disposable diaper bags, sunscreen, sippy cups (didn't pack drinks - too heavy but one large drink can easily fill 3 sippy cups!) - small snacks (we usually eat in the parks) like goldfish, cheerios, sliced apples for those times in between , $ store ponchos (I just keep them in the stroller bag at all times). In my person I keep a small box with band-aids and I always carry instant anti-bacterial soap (Bath and Body makes a great kids one in flavors like grape and banana). I usually pack a few extra large ziploc bags and I had one extra outfit for the littlest one. I also keep shout wipes in my bag too. Can't think of anything else.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I am right with you on overpaking.
I used a kids backpack to limit myself. DH carried it and we had all the things listed above plus small toys, crayons, bubbles, and other distractions for lines and Autograph cards.

I changed out what was in the pack everytime we left the room to adjust for the weather or what we were going to do.

I had my fanny pack (geeky but it worked) for my camera, video camera and cell phone and money/ ID/ tickets and schedule.

Forget about the 8 suitcases I brought! (and the 10 that went home)

 

[scrapbook35]

Like poster # 2 said, adding sunblock, probably not bug spray in 25 days, and hand sanitizer, socks incase someones foot (yours) starts hurting, underwear (if the kids jump into a sprayer) and some type of ointment like A & D or Bacetracin to go with the bandaids. And Water. Tissues and yes to the nail file. I use it for everything (itchy tags on shirts etc...../ probably cuts a thread ..)

 

[Desnik]

Don't feel bad about the potty training! DS will be 4 March 16 and just got potty trained 2 weeks ago!

I assume you will have a stroller for DS? What I do is put a jacket for each of us in the basket underneath. Then I have a Vera Bradley backpack filled with our stuff. You can put a few diapers and wipes in a hanging bag that attatches to the stroller, or just throw them in your bag. I always take a sunscreen stick. Easy to carry and a must for the Florida sun. A small wallet with id, money, room cards/park passes. I use a sandwhich size ziplock bag and put in some bandaids, pepto chewables, advil, 2 shout wipes, anti bacterial wipes, lactaid pills for DH and DD. I also pack my cell phone, tissues, chapstick, gum, glow sticks/necklaces for the kids. Oh, and an index card that has the days plans with any confirmation #'s.

DH carries the camera, it does both video and pics so less to carry!!!

I hate to over pack and have a ton of stuff to lug around the parks!!

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

My rule of thumb was if it wasnt used the day before it probably wont be used. Of course, diapers, wipes, advil, and change of cloths. No need to take ponchos when there is no rain in forcast. Use your stroller to carry most of these things. You wont need them in the que areas. I too over pack and have learned over time to take less.

 

[northriver]

Great lists everyone - I am packing now and this is what I have so far:

Cell phone, camera, daily itinerary and park map, quart ziplock w/4 diapers, travel pack wipes, travel size antibacterial wet ones, rain coat for DD - actually packs into a snack size ziploc, 2 rain ponchos for water rides, antibacterial lotion, travel sz sunblock, travel klenex, snack baggie of precut moleskin, blister bandaids and antibacterial lotion, mini flashlight for DD, 2 disposable bibs, 2 disposable changing pad covers, extra ziplocs, various snacks: pretzels, granola bar, rasins, fruit. I do carry a small water bottle to make sure we stay hydrated and DD 21 months drinks from that - I don't carry a tippy cup.

Still undecided about a change of clothes and small toys for DD. Without those my bag is still under 5#.

 

[canwegosoon]

-Cell phone, camera..Do you need both? Can your cell phone cover for your camera in the parks?Keep to one if possible.
-daily itinerary and park map(ok)
-quart ziplock w/4 diapers(Do you need 4- are you going back to the hotel for a nap?(cut to 2-3)
-travel pack wipes, travel size antibacterial wet ones(cut one)
-rain coat for DD - actually packs into a snack size ziploc, 2 rain ponchos for water rides(besure to have kids wear bathing suits so they dry quick)
-antibacterial lotion(if you have antibacterial wipes you don't need lotion too, cut one or the other)
-travel sz sunblock(apply before you leave the hotel-reapply after nap)
-travel klenex(ok to keep)
-snack baggie of precut moleskin(do you really need this?)
-blister bandaids and antibacterial lotion(WDW first aid station if this is needed, so you can leave this home)
-mini flashlight for DD(ok)
-2 disposable bibs(ok)
-2 disposable changing pad covers(ok)
-extra ziplocs, various snacks: pretzels, granola bar, rasins, fruit(ok)
-I do carry a small water bottle(instead get free water at any counter service-bring several of those single serve pour in's instead-use 2 per large cup of ice water, 1 for small)

***Bring Glow in the dark necklaces for kids at night(you will be suprised at the number of people that do not see children), and a sweater, sweatshirt or something that has a water repelant side and a warmth side...evenings get cool quick)
Make sure everyone has a hat and sunglasses. Take a picture(on cell phone what your DD is wearing every day). I carry my kids ID, and insurance card too(you never know with my bunch if we are heading to a hospital).
Around your neck get one of those little clear pouches-put your room card and park tickets there and Fastpasses,poss a $20 bill and a cc(tuck inside your shirt)...it saves going into your pockets or worse your bag. I totally agree with the poster that said they use a VB backpack...so easy(although if you want DH to carry it sometimes, get a small navy blue one). Utilize WDW first aid if necessary. I have gotten Tylenol there for my son who started to spike a fever.I know they have diapers for emergencies, etc...don't feel you have to carry it all. Another handy thing is a few extra napkins that you have left over from lunch...you never know when you need them. Carry a dollar store umbrella on days that they are predicting rain(with the ponchos) and you will feel a lot better.
RE: clothes..usually bringing a bottom is enough, and perhaps a pair of socks. a great activity for a 3 yo is a little sticker book from Acmoore)

 

[pl'smama]

I would just add that to the list and you are good to go. Get the adjustable kind and you can hook them around the stroller or belt when they are off.

Have a wonderful time!!!

Suz