Last minute thoughts and help..

[katyringo]

We are 13 days away. We have been planning this Halloween trip for what feels like years.. oh wait, it has been years. In 2017 after our first trip we said we must go at Halloween! We planned for October 2020. A pandemic and major life changes later, here we are.

I am trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. I'm so worried someone is going to get sick right before we go. But trip insurance is purchased, all proactive measures against illness have been taken, we will mask on the plane there... my mantra is "it's out of my control, but whatever happens I trust myself enough to handle it when it comes.."

I just cannot wait to get on Disney property and feel that weight lift off. To enjoy this time with my kids.

Anyway.. you all have read my posts and watched me plan. We are booked at DLH, tickets are good, reservations made, lots of dinning booked, EE plans, it's all done. Starting to pack. We have outfits, first aid, portable chargers... not my first rodeo.

But let me ask you.. was there one thing you wish you had packed and didn't? Was there one thing you wish you had known before but didn't?

Also- anyone know the chances of a night opening at DLH. October 10th is what I am looking for. It's not a big deal. We fly in the 10th. We land at 7pm. We are booked right now close to the airport with a plan to head out early to DLH. I would love to just get us on property the 10th but so far no luck finding a room except a 6,000 a night suite at GCH ..: hahahaha.

Thanks Disboards. I've been reading here now for 5 years and the people who contribute here are so so helpful. I can't wait to write our trip report.

 

[Gypsybear]

Ziploc bags (all sizes - put the smaller ones inside the largest one to condense). Also, pain relievers. They sell at the park, but in like 2 locations, or you can try and get some at the First Aid station (you have to sign a release form).

Have fun, and looking forward to hearing how it went for you!!

 

[starlite_]

Have the play app downloaded and ready to go if you intend to use it for entertainment during your trip. Not-jeans shorts if you wanna go on the water rides. Mhh, oh bring bandaids. I've found that plenty of shoes hurt the top of my heel (as in bleeding) after such a long day walking, even shoes that have never hurt me before. A bandaid before leaving the hotel takes care of that.

You got this! Have fun!

 

[Scandie14]

I always like to bring reusable straws. The paper ones disintegrate so fast and I don't care for the way they feel.

 

[katyringo]

I always like to bring reusable straws. The paper ones disintegrate so fast and I don't care for the way they feel.

Oh yeah got those. I hate hate hate the paper ones

 

[pharmama]

For my last trip, I picked up the idea here to make a list in my phone of food items I wanted to try (especially seasonal offerings) and where they were located/offered and it was awesome! Checked almost everything off my list! In the past I'd read or hear about something before going that sounded fun then we'd forget about it in the moment. Then I'd get home and remember everything we forgot to try.

FWIW-Highly recommend the buffalo chicken fries at Flo's (only during OBB) and the blood orange shake at Schmoozies. The pumpkin cold brew at Red Rose was meh but the the pumpkin spice horchata one from the Joffrey's cart in DCA was really good. The green chile burger at Smokejumpers was gross but the poblano cheese sauce that comes on the side was really good and made a great fry dipping sauce. Also enjoyed the breakfast corn dog at Corn Dog Castle, though I don't believe that's a seasonal item like the other things I listed.

 

[DLgal]

You will have the best luck with last minute night at DLH opening right up until Oct 5. The room only reservations need to be cancelled more than 5 days out in order to get a full refund of the one night deposit. However, remember that is Columbus day and lots of schools have off that whole week for fall breaks, so you may be out of luck. Keep checking several times a day until then.

As for things we didn't pack and wish we had: covid rapid tests. Something you should always have with you when traveling nowadays. Take at least one per family member. I'd also recommend a thermometer and some basic OTC cold/cough meds. In the event that someone starts feeling ill, you will be glad to have these things on hand.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd keep checking for DLH right up until the day you leave. People cancel all the time. If not, would you consider Paradise Pier? It would be at least on property.

I made sure to bring small backpacks so the kids could carry their own snacks, water etc. That was really helpful.
I would pack blister bandaids if you can find them. They're so great.
Also ponchos for the wet rides. We had to track some down at a store in critter country but they were like $12 each. You could get those emergency ones at the dollar store or online. They are small and pack easily.
The only other thing I wished I had was more time

I wish I'd know how easy it would be to get food! I ended up cancelling most of my ADRs once we arrived. Mobile order was the best.
I, like an above poster, had a list on my phone of restaurants and foods to try. I looked at menus and noted where I could find food that everyone liked. I also wrote down prices for myself.

One other thing. I wanted to write a trip report when I got home, so I used the notes in my phone to list the rides we went on and where we ate so I could look back later. Easy to forget those kinds of things.

I know what you mean about being anxious, especially about someone getting sick. I mainly didn't want something to hit on day 2 at the parks. We had a whole plan of how we would handle it if that happened. BUT... nothing will get in the way of your trip and you'll have a wonderful time. Nothing like stepping through the gates and saying, "I'm really here."

 

[ktlm]

Body Glide for everyone's feet. If you put it all over the feet- bottoms, heels, sides, top--anywhere a shoe can touch-- it will prevent blisters. My DD has never had a blister at WDW or DLR because we have used it on her since she was 2. I also have never had a blister since that time at WDW or DLR and I am very blister prone. I use it when I get new shoes, because I used to always get blisters when I got a new pair of shoes--- no more. While I have gotten a lot of great tips on these boards, that is the best one I have ever gotten.

 

[katyringo]

You will have the best luck with last minute night at DLH opening right up until Oct 5. The room only reservations need to be cancelled more than 5 days out in order to get a full refund of the one night deposit. However, remember that is Columbus day and lots of schools have off that whole week for fall breaks, so you may be out of luck. Keep checking several times a day until then.

As for things we didn't pack and wish we had: covid rapid tests. Something you should always have with you when traveling nowadays. Take at least one per family member. I'd also recommend a thermometer and some basic OTC cold/cough meds. In the event that someone starts feeling ill, you will be glad to have these things on hand.

Really good thoughts. Yes I just got more Covid tests.

 

[katyringo]

Body Glide for everyone's feet. If you put it all over the feet- bottoms, heels, sides, top--anywhere a shoe can touch-- it will prevent blisters. My DD has never had a blister at WDW or DLR because we have used it on her since she was 2. I also have never had a blister since that time at WDW or DLR and I am very blister prone. I use it when I get new shoes, because I used to always get blisters when I got a new pair of shoes--- no more. While I have gotten a lot of great tips on these boards, that is the best one I have ever gotten.

We have alllllll the body glide.

 

[limace]

I’d personally grab an offsite hotel nearby the night before -you can check into DLH first thing the next morning and get into the parks, you’ll be close, it’ll be less expensive.

 

[katyringo]

I’d personally grab an offsite hotel nearby the night before -you can check into DLH first thing the next morning and get into the parks, you’ll be close, it’ll be less expensive.

This is what we currently have set up. We aren't even going to the parks the day we check into DLH.

 

[limace]

This is what we currently have set up. We aren't even going to the parks the day we check into DLH.

I thought you said you were booked near the airport.

 

[katyringo]

I thought you said you were booked near the airport.

Yes it's by the airport but it's SNA so still "nearby.."

 

[kirstyfly]

It is getting real.

We also leave in 13 days after our 2020 dates were scrapped then 2021 so bring on 2022.

I am at the planning to pack stage now as well. I have packed our OBB outfits and miss nearly 7 clothes (princess dresses)/birthday ears I don't want going missing in her carry on bag.

Haven't even thought about mine yet. We are coming from spring weather so have to pull out my summer clothes.

I need to get some sunblock, plasters, zip lock bags, wipes, child pain relief, bags to take to OBB for candy, some kind of charger for the phone.

I will be following this thread to get any other good ideas.

 

[alleighboo]

Leaving in 13 days as well! We are East Coasters and this is our first trip to Disneyland! I've turned our spare bedroom into a "staging room" and I've been running around making sure I've got all our last minute things done.

 

[disland7]

Most of the time I remember the ziplock bags but I forget the permanent marker to write names on with. Chapstick, bandaids, and travel sunscreen are my other most forgotten little items.

 

[lalasmama]

My "don't forget!" items have been hit on-- plastic straws, ziplocks, and covid tests.

.... The covid tests are new to my list. On my solo trip on May Hubs called me my first night away; cough, fever, sore throat. Positive test. My KN95 went on, I started distancing, called my doc who said just watch for symptoms. So much anxiety could have been so easily avoided had I just packed a damg test! On my following trip, the home test was the first thing I packed!

The other "stupid" thing I forgot recently: an in-park bag. I carry a liter bottle of water and hate it bouncing around my neck. Had to run to a convenience store to get one before I set it for the park. Annoying!

 

[mich311e]

We just went over the weekend and the solar umbrella was my favorite new thing. I've used a regular umbrella on hot days at Disney but the solar umbrella helped a lot!