Last Minute Packing Tips??

[disneygirl95]

ADR's made! Hotel's booked! Tickets bought!......now just the agonizing wait.....a little under 30 days to be exact!! so we are starting to think about planning what to pack and what not to. First of all, we are driving in a car that doesnt have the biggest space as far as suitcases and entertainment stuff for the road(there will be 4 people going, 2 adults and 2 kids). Things to do on the road is a must have seeing as the trip is over 21 hrs(any suggestions of how to survive it?). So we are trying to pack lightly. what are some must have things when you go to the World??? anything you would never go without??? things you wished you brought???

thanks!!
~Disneygirl95

 

[racechick8293]

If the kids have iPods, I would load some Disney movies and apps to get them in the spirit during the long drive.

Since you'll have a car with you, I would suggest with sticking to light packing for the trip to Florida, as you know you'll be taking home more than you bring. There are a number of Targets/Walmarts/etc near WDW, so you can purchase just about anything needed fairly inexpensively. I would just be sure to bring the big ticket items with you, such as cameras.

 

[pattibehan]

You sound like me!! We are leaving in 24 days, driving 21 hours and have 2 adults and two kids, although my kids are 14 and 15 !! We made our first drive when they were 8 and 9, so we have lots of experience. Are you driving straight through, or stopping for a night?? If you are stopping for a night, I would highly recommend a "hotel bag" filled with just the things you need for overnight and put it on TOP !!!

We always have a cooler with drinks and a snack bag..I always open all of the food and put it in ziplocks before we go..that reduces spills and keeps things fresh. I NEVER have any melty snacks..I stick with pretzel sticks, goldfish and some candy like twizzlers that don't melt. Don't overdo the drinks or snacks..we stop a lot which is half the fun!!

A DVD player is helpful..our van has one built in, but the portable ones are pretty cheap. I let each kid bring a pillow, a blanket( it encourages sleeping!!!) and a bag of things to do. I have a thing that attaches to the headrests of the front seat that is just lots of pockets..It helps keep the mess under control. Also face wipes are a MUST in my "car" bag. I also have extra batteries, MOTRIN !!!, tums, bandaids, pens and a notebook in my bag!

Don't forget to keep your camera ready. We always stop at South of the Border for a picture with the gorilla!! Maybe pictures at each state's welcome center??

I keep small garbage bags in the glove box and at every stop we "police" the car!!

One year we collected rocks from every state we went through..that led to one son's hobby of rock collecting!! We glued them on a map of our route when we got home!!

Good luck !! We enjoy the drive so much, and have traditions we always do, like stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast!! The drive is long, but it can be fun!!

My husband always makes "trip" cd's of music, and keeps track of milage and gas prices..It helps him pass the time. We also like to pick out an audio book we would both enjoy to listen to.

 

[disneygirl95]

oh my gosh! our families are very similar!! lol The kids ages are 13 and 15!! thanks for the awesome tips!! as far as movies we have a laptop that can play dvd's so we are planning on bringing that

 

[pmb0417]

Everyone's Ipods are charged and loaded with all their favorite music and some games. With disney songs that I have also loaded on everyones so that they can listen without driving everyone else nuts.

 

[irishfanx4]

Not trying to ick anyone out but I always make sure to bring the Immodium. I have a family full of adventurous eaters and you never know when the magical Immodium comes in handy. At the park or on the road!! Have a great trip!!

 

[Snappy in OK]

We take a 14 hr trip home each summer. One thing we leave in the travel bag is Dramamine. DS6 tends to get carsick at least going one way. Sorry if this triggers the "ick" factor for anyone - we also keep a small bucket handy.

As far as activities - movies, Nintendo DS, ipod/phone, etc. Our kids are younger, but they bring crayons, coloring books, magna doodle, etc. To keep things organized (at least together), we keep a plastic tub that fits between the kids and we keep most of their activities in that tub.

We also keep a cooler with snacks, some drinks, etc.

If you are planning a day, or part of a day, to hang out at the resort/hotel, you could pack less clothing and do some laundry.

Good luck & have fun!!

 

[trishalynn]

We are driving from Minnesota--great tips!