Well, I just got back from Disney tonight (I wish I was still there! 
) and thought I'd write a brief post to share the tips I found useful from the Board, and offer some of my own.
I drove up with my daughter, who's four, and her best friend and her mother (they stayed in their own room). Don't let the fact that we were a family of two deceive you. I am a HUGE overpacker (I always say this, but I really do use almost everything!!!), and had: a medium suitcase packed to the gills full of "gear," a HUGE rolling duffel for clothes, a large duffel for toiletries, a huge duffel for dry food, a family size cooler for refrigerated food, a "park" backpack already packed up, a small backpack as my personal bag to take on the rides already packed and ready to go, a shopping bag with DD's Halloween costume and tiara (couldn't pack it, it would get squished), a small car organizer filled with toys, my stroller, and DD's portable potty. My friend and her child had a tiny carry-on size approved suitcase and a mini kids' suitcase, and her stroller, and she wore a fanny pack -- thank g-d or she wouldn't have fit in the car!!!!!
We seriously almost didn't fit on the way back, though!!!
1. Accomodations: My best advice ... Know Thyself! We originally had reservations at the Carribean Beach, but upon checking in, and then driving to our room, we quickly realized that we would not be happy staying there. We were on the second floor of a building nearby the food court and pool area, but we had to walk up and down stairs with our kids, lugging the strollers, just to get a bite to eat. On that first day after check in, we went to Hollywood Studios -- when the park closed, we had to wait over 45 minutes for the bus to come pick us up, and worst of all, on the way there, and back, had to collapse the strollers and juggle all of our bags while holding our four year olds' hands -- we knew it would ruin our trip if we had all of that hassle to deal with. So.... we switched hotels (paid more money) and stayed at the Contemporary and could not have been any happier with the location and monorail access -- and best of all, we never had to collapse the strollers.
Truly, the money was well worth it to us, and it defintely saved our trip. The only thing that could have made it better would have been staying in the main building, but there was no availability (we stayed in the Garden building). I give an A+++++++ to the Contemporary!
I read about bringing these items from this Board, and found these tips very usefl:
*can of Oust surface/air anti-bacterial sanitizer: sprayed this all over the room and bathroom when I got there.
*filled a travel size spray bottle of antibacterial Febreeze and sprayed pillows, blankets, and sheets (after reading a few posts about lack of hotel cleanliness) -- just made me feel better, even though it's definitely on the neurotic side.
*brought my daughter's pillow (she uses a toddler pillow from one step ahead)and her own blanket, and brought one large pillow case for me, rather than bringing my own pillow which would take up more room. I just covered the pillow I was using. Again, this is after reading a bunch of posts about the hotel cleanliness, but if I hadn't read about it, I'd still have brought her own pillow since she doesn't sleep well on a regular pillow.
*filled a travel size bottle of dishwashing liquid and washed out our Thermos containers every night. I also brought a sponze, but didn't use it, I just poured the soap and soaked in hot water and rinsed.
(BTW, I highly recommend the Thermos containers, I found mine at Target with every character on them. I brought one for me, and one for my daughter, and I just kept filled with water and refilled throughout the day. They really do stay cold for hours!).
Large roll of paper towels:very useful, and would do this again, along with paper plates, plastic ware, etc... I brought a lot of my own food (for convenience, and also my DD is VERY picky), and it was great to have what I needed. ****One thing to note -- there was no freezer section of the refrigerator and I brought a bunch of ice packs to put in my daily cooler, but couldn't use them since I couldn't freeze them.
BRING FREEZER BAGS!!! You can fill the bags up with ice for free right on your hotel floor (at least you can in the Contemporary), and I would have been able to keep food better for longer. I put the ice in regular ziplocks, but of course, it leaked everywhere.
Also, BRING LOTS OF ZIPLOCKS in different sizes -- I needed these for packing up the various snacks.
As far as gear:
I used my LL Bean toiletry cases and loved them! I hung these on the "towel ladder" in the bathroom, and it was perfect. It kept the toiletries together, and packing up was a breeze since I kept a lot of the stuff inside of it, just pulling it out when needed. The items I used constantly fit on the counter and under the sink on the shelves. If needed, I could have used the ironing board as additional storage (another tip I read here on the Board), but it wasn't necessary. And I have to add, I bring enough toiletries for a LARGE family, so those with many families need not worry.
I brought my Maclaren Volo -- I'm not sure I'd do this again. It's very lightweight and narrow, but if you're going to have monorail access, I almost think it's better to have a stroller that won't tip when things are hanging on the back, and will give you better storage. I was constantly having to reposition things so the stroller wouldn't tip, and since the only way to make the stroller steady was to stick the large backpack deep inside the basket, it made getting things out of it nearly impossible -- I had to wrangle it out every time I needed something, and then forcefully shove it back in again, and would rather have had the bigger basket and the ability to hang the heavy backpack on the stroller handles without it tipping. Plus, the backpack was sticking into to my daughter's back. I LOVE my Pliko P3, and would probably bring that one instead. This time, though, I couldn't have fit my friend's luggage in the car if I brought it -- she also wants her Pliko P3 next time, so if we ever go together again, I'm either going to have to find a way to cut down on what I bring, or get a new car!
Stroller backpack: got a Camp Rock large, lightweight, nylon backpack at the Disney store on sale for $7.99! GREAT backpack, won't get ruined if wet, and held the bulk of the supplies while I was on the rides. No one touched it, but I would never leave my valuables in the stroller unattended.
Personal bag: After testing dozens of bags, I ended up using the REI Nikole day bag, and wore it exclusively as a backpack rather than a sling. Loved the water bottle pockets on both sides, and it was very comfy and lightweight. One thing I learned is that a sling style wasn't necessary. I was so concerned with having the ability to wear my "rides" bag as a sling so I could easily access things and not have to take it off to go on the rides. Turns out, I'd have to take the bag off on most rides anyway b/c the bag would get in the way of the bar that comes down on your lap. Plus, I hated the feeling of the bag across my chest. I wanted it out of the way, not interfering with my movement. I attached a camera pouch and a cell phone pouch to the strap so I could easily access them, but put my video camera in the main part of the bag. That was sort of a pain b/c I was always wishing I had it as easily accessible as the camera and phone -- but even in the invidual pouches, it was a bit of a pain to try and get them out from the position they hung on the strap. I think next time I'd wear a small fanny pack with my camera, hand sanitizer, phone, mini wallet, and video camera, and then keep the water bottles, "on line" snacks and essentials (like mini sunscreen, contacts, chapstick) in the backpack. And YES, I used all of these items on line. At this point in my life, I just have to accept that I'm just one of those people who can't travel light, so I have to find the lightest/easiest solution for me, and I think that's going to mean wearing two bags, lol!!! I did try wearing a large fanny pack with everything in it, including the two large Thermos bottles, but I HATED the way it felt around my waist, it was just too heavy and cumbersome around my waist.
Portable potty!!! I don't leave home without it ever, so Disney is no exception. I have one that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE for more "permanent" use -- I keep it in my car at all times, and bring this with me to set up at my destination -- in this case, my hotel room, since right now DD won't poop in a real toilet, just her potty:
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/361755.html
I also bring this tiny fold up one that is INVALUABLE for while we're out (the Potette Potty sold at Babies R Us).
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132745
I cannot tell you how AMAZING it is to have the Potette at Disney -- no nasty bathroom seats, no waiting in line with an emergency. I go right into a bathroom and can set it up in seconds, either in the stall or anywhere in the bathroom if need be, and she has a clean potty. When the situation calls for it, in desperation, I've gone into a hidden corner when a bathroom isn't nearby, or if it's too nasty to go in. A few times, we had to step out of line, and she went potty in a hidden area, and then we ran back to my friend and her kid before they got on the ride. BTW, the lines were rediculously SHORT -- no wait at some places!!!
I always bring a pop up hamper when I travel -- keeps me feeling organized and folds up flat. Then, I bring a large garbage bag to put the laundry back in my suitcase when it's time to leave.
I brought a large Baggalini duffel that folds into a pouch and packs flat. I used it for all the souveniers I bought on the trip. I read about this one from the Board, GREAT tip. I read a lot of reviews before buying it, and everyone says that they check these bags at the airport on their return trip, filled with dirty laundry, freeing up their harder suitcases for the souveniers that need more protection than a soft duffel gives, and that the bags have held up great. I'm going to pack this for all my trips from now on.
I always pack mostly everything in ziplocks organized by clothing type (my socks in one bag, underwear in another, bras in another, and for DD, I pack shorts outfits in a couple of bags, swimwear in another, nightgowns in another.) The school size bags (they're extra large) are great for this.
Oh, and the dollar store glow sticks were a hit! We used them on the Not so Scary Halloween night -- great idea!
I know I'll think of more things, so I'll just add them as I do. Sorry for any sloppy grammar and spelling -- I can't even believe I'm still awake after the trip, and driving back.
THANKS TO EVERYONE for all the great tips! I miss Disney already and I'm already thinking of planning my next trip!!!!
Edited to add: I used my large hair clips to hold the curtain closed -- I bring them in a few colors to match what I'm wearing, so I used 4 on the curtain at night, and chose one in the morning to wear.
) and thought I'd write a brief post to share the tips I found useful from the Board, and offer some of my own. I drove up with my daughter, who's four, and her best friend and her mother (they stayed in their own room). Don't let the fact that we were a family of two deceive you. I am a HUGE overpacker (I always say this, but I really do use almost everything!!!), and had: a medium suitcase packed to the gills full of "gear," a HUGE rolling duffel for clothes, a large duffel for toiletries, a huge duffel for dry food, a family size cooler for refrigerated food, a "park" backpack already packed up, a small backpack as my personal bag to take on the rides already packed and ready to go, a shopping bag with DD's Halloween costume and tiara (couldn't pack it, it would get squished), a small car organizer filled with toys, my stroller, and DD's portable potty. My friend and her child had a tiny carry-on size approved suitcase and a mini kids' suitcase, and her stroller, and she wore a fanny pack -- thank g-d or she wouldn't have fit in the car!!!!!
We seriously almost didn't fit on the way back, though!!!1. Accomodations: My best advice ... Know Thyself! We originally had reservations at the Carribean Beach, but upon checking in, and then driving to our room, we quickly realized that we would not be happy staying there. We were on the second floor of a building nearby the food court and pool area, but we had to walk up and down stairs with our kids, lugging the strollers, just to get a bite to eat. On that first day after check in, we went to Hollywood Studios -- when the park closed, we had to wait over 45 minutes for the bus to come pick us up, and worst of all, on the way there, and back, had to collapse the strollers and juggle all of our bags while holding our four year olds' hands -- we knew it would ruin our trip if we had all of that hassle to deal with. So.... we switched hotels (paid more money) and stayed at the Contemporary and could not have been any happier with the location and monorail access -- and best of all, we never had to collapse the strollers.
Truly, the money was well worth it to us, and it defintely saved our trip. The only thing that could have made it better would have been staying in the main building, but there was no availability (we stayed in the Garden building). I give an A+++++++ to the Contemporary!I read about bringing these items from this Board, and found these tips very usefl:
*can of Oust surface/air anti-bacterial sanitizer: sprayed this all over the room and bathroom when I got there.
*filled a travel size spray bottle of antibacterial Febreeze and sprayed pillows, blankets, and sheets (after reading a few posts about lack of hotel cleanliness) -- just made me feel better, even though it's definitely on the neurotic side.
*brought my daughter's pillow (she uses a toddler pillow from one step ahead)and her own blanket, and brought one large pillow case for me, rather than bringing my own pillow which would take up more room. I just covered the pillow I was using. Again, this is after reading a bunch of posts about the hotel cleanliness, but if I hadn't read about it, I'd still have brought her own pillow since she doesn't sleep well on a regular pillow.
*filled a travel size bottle of dishwashing liquid and washed out our Thermos containers every night. I also brought a sponze, but didn't use it, I just poured the soap and soaked in hot water and rinsed.
(BTW, I highly recommend the Thermos containers, I found mine at Target with every character on them. I brought one for me, and one for my daughter, and I just kept filled with water and refilled throughout the day. They really do stay cold for hours!).
Large roll of paper towels:very useful, and would do this again, along with paper plates, plastic ware, etc... I brought a lot of my own food (for convenience, and also my DD is VERY picky), and it was great to have what I needed. ****One thing to note -- there was no freezer section of the refrigerator and I brought a bunch of ice packs to put in my daily cooler, but couldn't use them since I couldn't freeze them.
BRING FREEZER BAGS!!! You can fill the bags up with ice for free right on your hotel floor (at least you can in the Contemporary), and I would have been able to keep food better for longer. I put the ice in regular ziplocks, but of course, it leaked everywhere.
Also, BRING LOTS OF ZIPLOCKS in different sizes -- I needed these for packing up the various snacks.
As far as gear:
I used my LL Bean toiletry cases and loved them! I hung these on the "towel ladder" in the bathroom, and it was perfect. It kept the toiletries together, and packing up was a breeze since I kept a lot of the stuff inside of it, just pulling it out when needed. The items I used constantly fit on the counter and under the sink on the shelves. If needed, I could have used the ironing board as additional storage (another tip I read here on the Board), but it wasn't necessary. And I have to add, I bring enough toiletries for a LARGE family, so those with many families need not worry.
I brought my Maclaren Volo -- I'm not sure I'd do this again. It's very lightweight and narrow, but if you're going to have monorail access, I almost think it's better to have a stroller that won't tip when things are hanging on the back, and will give you better storage. I was constantly having to reposition things so the stroller wouldn't tip, and since the only way to make the stroller steady was to stick the large backpack deep inside the basket, it made getting things out of it nearly impossible -- I had to wrangle it out every time I needed something, and then forcefully shove it back in again, and would rather have had the bigger basket and the ability to hang the heavy backpack on the stroller handles without it tipping. Plus, the backpack was sticking into to my daughter's back. I LOVE my Pliko P3, and would probably bring that one instead. This time, though, I couldn't have fit my friend's luggage in the car if I brought it -- she also wants her Pliko P3 next time, so if we ever go together again, I'm either going to have to find a way to cut down on what I bring, or get a new car!
Stroller backpack: got a Camp Rock large, lightweight, nylon backpack at the Disney store on sale for $7.99! GREAT backpack, won't get ruined if wet, and held the bulk of the supplies while I was on the rides. No one touched it, but I would never leave my valuables in the stroller unattended.
Personal bag: After testing dozens of bags, I ended up using the REI Nikole day bag, and wore it exclusively as a backpack rather than a sling. Loved the water bottle pockets on both sides, and it was very comfy and lightweight. One thing I learned is that a sling style wasn't necessary. I was so concerned with having the ability to wear my "rides" bag as a sling so I could easily access things and not have to take it off to go on the rides. Turns out, I'd have to take the bag off on most rides anyway b/c the bag would get in the way of the bar that comes down on your lap. Plus, I hated the feeling of the bag across my chest. I wanted it out of the way, not interfering with my movement. I attached a camera pouch and a cell phone pouch to the strap so I could easily access them, but put my video camera in the main part of the bag. That was sort of a pain b/c I was always wishing I had it as easily accessible as the camera and phone -- but even in the invidual pouches, it was a bit of a pain to try and get them out from the position they hung on the strap. I think next time I'd wear a small fanny pack with my camera, hand sanitizer, phone, mini wallet, and video camera, and then keep the water bottles, "on line" snacks and essentials (like mini sunscreen, contacts, chapstick) in the backpack. And YES, I used all of these items on line. At this point in my life, I just have to accept that I'm just one of those people who can't travel light, so I have to find the lightest/easiest solution for me, and I think that's going to mean wearing two bags, lol!!! I did try wearing a large fanny pack with everything in it, including the two large Thermos bottles, but I HATED the way it felt around my waist, it was just too heavy and cumbersome around my waist.
Portable potty!!! I don't leave home without it ever, so Disney is no exception. I have one that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE for more "permanent" use -- I keep it in my car at all times, and bring this with me to set up at my destination -- in this case, my hotel room, since right now DD won't poop in a real toilet, just her potty
:http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/361755.html
I also bring this tiny fold up one that is INVALUABLE for while we're out (the Potette Potty sold at Babies R Us).
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132745
I cannot tell you how AMAZING it is to have the Potette at Disney -- no nasty bathroom seats, no waiting in line with an emergency. I go right into a bathroom and can set it up in seconds, either in the stall or anywhere in the bathroom if need be, and she has a clean potty. When the situation calls for it, in desperation, I've gone into a hidden corner when a bathroom isn't nearby, or if it's too nasty to go in. A few times, we had to step out of line, and she went potty in a hidden area, and then we ran back to my friend and her kid before they got on the ride. BTW, the lines were rediculously SHORT -- no wait at some places!!!
I always bring a pop up hamper when I travel -- keeps me feeling organized and folds up flat. Then, I bring a large garbage bag to put the laundry back in my suitcase when it's time to leave.
I brought a large Baggalini duffel that folds into a pouch and packs flat. I used it for all the souveniers I bought on the trip. I read about this one from the Board, GREAT tip. I read a lot of reviews before buying it, and everyone says that they check these bags at the airport on their return trip, filled with dirty laundry, freeing up their harder suitcases for the souveniers that need more protection than a soft duffel gives, and that the bags have held up great. I'm going to pack this for all my trips from now on.
I always pack mostly everything in ziplocks organized by clothing type (my socks in one bag, underwear in another, bras in another, and for DD, I pack shorts outfits in a couple of bags, swimwear in another, nightgowns in another.) The school size bags (they're extra large) are great for this.
Oh, and the dollar store glow sticks were a hit! We used them on the Not so Scary Halloween night -- great idea!
I know I'll think of more things, so I'll just add them as I do. Sorry for any sloppy grammar and spelling -- I can't even believe I'm still awake after the trip, and driving back.
THANKS TO EVERYONE for all the great tips! I miss Disney already and I'm already thinking of planning my next trip!!!!
Edited to add: I used my large hair clips to hold the curtain closed -- I bring them in a few colors to match what I'm wearing, so I used 4 on the curtain at night, and chose one in the morning to wear.
You're a saint! 
great tips, Went to the dollar store the other day and bought a glowstick wand and sword. Pretty cool! We will be using it for our 
Even if it's in a plastic bag it could be kind of stinky sitting in the garbage.
