Let's try a "best tip or idea in one place" thread

[Twinave]

Zip-Lock Bags! They were very handy for storing opened containers of things like shampoo, laundry soap, ect, when packing to return home. Also used them for room service leftovers.
Two way radios. We didn't bring them for our first cruise. Sometimes I felt like I spent WAY too much time looking for the kids. We bought a good set and tried them out on our last short trip to Disney's Hilton Head. They worked great.
P.S. Great thread!

 

[keith & co.]

OOPS!!! Almost forget the best tip.........



We have found some little spray cans of pillow and room scent...... They are by The Healing Garden and can be found at Target/ Walmart. Highly concentrated with a high dollar scent at discount price. ( $4- $6) They are part of a line of bath products. Best choices...... Gingerlily therapy or ZZZZ therapy.... IMHO

If you travel with the lysol, but are not a fan of the smell, this stuff is great!! Also helps with stale or bleachy smelling linens. It comes in a compact spray can and is easy to pack. Don't let the small size fool you... just a squirt or two will cover the whole room and lasts quite a while. I keep one packed!

Barbara

 

[GenieDana]

keith & co. said:

"A cutting knife for your room. "

Will this get confiscated?

See: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=346507

 

[luv2boys]

Any more?

I'm writing them ALL down!!

 

[keith & co.]

We have not had one taken yet, though when we fly we put it in our checked bag..... Might be a good idea to put a note in with it..... May not make a dig difference, but worth a try..... As it is an item you can get from any dining room they may not consider it-- with explanation-- a big hazard. After reading that thread -- Thanks for the FYI--- I will run out and get a cheapie just in case they want it......... May make a call too..... not worth a delayed boarding!!!

Barbara

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I love this thread I'm only sorry I can't add to it as this is my first time cruising but please keep 'em coming

 

[luvstiggertoo]

I have gotten so many great tips from this thread!
Thank you!!!

 

[nancyv58]

Love this thread, don't want to lose it!!

 

[klafollette]

I have seen that you cannot bring your own iron on board, and you have to use the ones in the laundry room...but I am a ironing freak!

Does anyone know if they will let you bring a hand steamer on board so I can steam my clothes?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I have read from Disney that you aren't supposed to use either in your cabin.

However, I plan to bring my own iron to use in their laundry room. I also am an ironing freak and have heard that their irons are not very good and I do not want to take the chance on ruining my clothes.

 

[dianedisney]

I took a little travel iron with me and it was kept in plan site and the room hostess never said anything to me about it. In each cabin in an oval table that goes up and down to different heights. I just used it with a towel over it as an ironing board and it worked out great. Since I am a "Shoe Hog" I brought a shoe storage system that hangs in the closet by a hanger with pockets on either side that can be rolled up in you suit case. Hardly takes up any room. It really saved us alot of room for other things in the cabin. This shoe hanger can hold 18 pairs of shoes. I also love to do cute things in scrape books of my trips. So I bring a large manila envelope to put things in from my trip. Like: napkins, luggage tags they provide for disembarking, daily news letter, information letters, anything and everything paper and then I go thru it when I return home. I also bring extra zip-lock bags, they are so useful for so many things. Like at lunch they have the best chocolate chip cookies. I alway take several and bring them back to the cabin for a late night snack. One unusual tip is for anyone with dental crowns. Bring a small container of vasiline. If your crown comes off, clean and DRY off tooth and crown, apply vasiline to inside of crown and press down on tooth, hold tightly for about 1 minute. This will make a GOOD suction for the crown to hold on tight until you get home to see your dentist. For anyone who loves GOOD FOOD. In St Thomas there is a cafe off the beaten path called Glady's Cafe. THey have the best fresh brewed ice tea and Conch Fritters in town.

 

[dizneykids]

...i also hold onto lots of stuff for scrapbooking/memories. funny, but it never occurred to me to bring along something in particular to store it all in. i just pile it up (usually in all sorts of places throughout the cabin) and dump it into a store bag when packing. your idea is much better! thanks!

 

[GenieDana]

A tip I read (and cut & paste into my cruise notes a few months ago)...

"If you do not want to get dressed up for your normal dinner seating -- there is always an alternative site available for a served meal in Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, or the Topsider's area (where the afternoon buffet is)."

Does anyone know details about these "dress-down" dinner locations?

 

[thedisneymom]

Topsiders on the Wonder and the Magic's Beach Blanket Buffet are on deck 9 aft. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets with shorts on. The dinner may only be for the seven day. Just outside this area is where you can get pizza, hot dogs, burgers etc. You can also have lunch in some of the restaurants, but casual attire is requested. Dinner at Parrot Cay, Lumiere( or Tritons, and Animators Palate are done on an assigned basis. It will say it on your room key/charge card when you check in. For example, it may be PLA or APL. Everyday you will receive a navigator in your room with the next day events and dining room attire is listed on the last page. Check the site castawayclub.com and you will see what I mean. If you plan on eating dinner at the buffet rather than at the assigned dining room that night it is suggested that you inform your servers so the rest of the diners are not waiting for you. I hope I answered your question.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Wondering if anyone mentioned watches/pagers - anything to tell time for when everyone has to meet up. Extremely useful in parks, but we also found it useful on ship if you could set alarm.

 

[SlyHubby]

do not disembark early - that is for people who are rushing to catch a plane or other transportation.

if you have nothing to rush to, be the last ones off the ship! do not go to breakfast in the restaurant - go to the buffet, pick up a tray and fill it for everyone in your cabin. back at the cabin, take your time, have a nice shower, breakfast on the verandah in port - relax - the cruise is not over yet!

when you are ready, you can walk off the boat, no crowds, easily find your luggage and cruise through customs.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by SlyHubby
do not disembark early - that is for people who are rushing to catch a plane or other transportation.

if you have nothing to rush to, be the last ones off the ship! do not go to breakfast in the restaurant - go to the buffet, pick up a tray and fill it for everyone in your cabin. back at the cabin, take your time, have a nice shower, breakfast on the verandah in port - relax - the cruise is not over yet!

when you are ready, you can walk off the boat, no crowds, easily find your luggage and cruise through customs.

Thanks for this tip, our flight doesn't leave until 6:30pm. We will be getting our rental car after we get off and drive up to Titusville for a lunch of "ROCK SHRIMP" at "DIXIE CROSSROADS" before heading back to MCO!!!

 

[SlyHubby]

no problem VerandahMan (I'm a verandah man myself - deck 7)!

I did this when we went on our first DCL cruise over Thanksgiving 2000 (next one 5 weeks from today!). This worked out so well I can't begin to tell you. While everyone was rushing like gangbusters to get off, we were relaxing for another 2 hours.

When we finally got off the ship - it was a leisurely stroll.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by SlyHubby
no problem VerandahMan (I'm a verandah man myself - deck 7)!

I did this when we went on our first DCL cruise over Thanksgiving 2000 (next one 5 weeks from today!). This worked out so well I can't begin to tell you. While everyone was rushing like gangbusters to get off, we were relaxing for another 2 hours.

When we finally got off the ship - it was a leisurely stroll.

Deck 7 Cat. 5 Midship here, we can't wait for August to get here for our cruise. I should reconsider that statement, with the winter that we just came through, I don't want to rush through summer to fast.

 

[SlyHubby]

VerandahMan - where in NJ are you?

We're in Princeton.