Most interesting item you bring from home?

[slp87]

We fly and stay in studios, so we bring our bacon tray to use in the microwave. My DD is a very picky eater and loves her bacon and it's so easy to cook on the tray. I bring it in a plastic grocery bag in the suitcase!

King size sheets.

We are bringing our own fitted sheet the next trip. I did the same thing and bought a set on clearance. More than anything I hate the bottom sheet to come off the mattress and it's easier to make the bed!!!

 

[mamarobin24]

- a postal scale - have 3 family member on a special diet
- a self-heating teapot - works better than nuking 4 oatmeal's worth of water in a studio
- a chirporactic travel pillow
- a 33-gallon garbage bag and a brand new pair of sweats to leave on the ground (I've done the Marathon)

and I think the over the door shoe thing is a PHENOMENAL idea. We have 3 actual adults and then 2 teens who THINK they are adults. The bathroom counter always bugs me. This is so cool.

 

[Niagara2]

We are at a DVC resort 3-4 times a year and I have the eqvilant of my home junk drawer in a special DVC junk bag that goes on each trip. It gets a few more goodies each trip as it started out with the few things you run to the store for because you wouldn't bring with you on a normal trip. Each year the contents seem to multiply just like a home junk drawer..
Let's see if I can remember what is in there -
Birthday candles, string, scotch tape, scissors, masking tape, duct tape, matches, small portatble tool kit, flashlight curtesy of WDW for NYE millenium, various sizes batteries, pens, pencils, WD 40, air spray, bug spray, hooks for holiday lights, extension cord, scented candles, hot pads for hands, gloves, safety pins, post it notes, mole skin, plastic mug, tea bags, etc.
Now I also use pop up hampers on all trips, including cruises. They are great. Everyone thinks I am nuts for all this but everyone has borrowed or use one thing or another. I keep it all in a tote and throw in the suitcase each trip. Yes - I was a girl scout.....be prepared!!!

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by kweaver

Spice mixes...I do that too. My SIL brings every one of her gumbo spices with her to the beach so that she can make fresh gumbo.

I used empty film canisters to bring spices in on one trip. I premeasured what I would need for each recipe, then just threw the canisters away after they were used. That way I didn't need to bring the whole spice jar/can.

 

[Cruelladeville]

This thread is for the seriously compulsive! My kids thought I was strange when I brought an electric heating pad, and my own hangers, but you all are too funny Most of the time I figure that if it costs under $25 to buy it, why should I lug it all the way from Michigan, but putting the spices in film canisters was a way cool idea!! I am embarrassed to say that when I used to stay in studios I had a suitcase filled with Disney plastic dishes, glasses, plastic ware, toaster, big coffeemaker, cold pack, and electric fry pan. Then I stayed in a one bedroom...

 

[Jimmac]

An electric griddle for pancakes when staying in a studio. DDs are fussy eaters and will only eat "pancakes with crust."

 

[goofy4dvc]

I also take the pop-up clothes hamper.

We also take the folding quad camping chairs (the kind without arms). We use them when we go to MK and Epcot to watch the fireworks/spectromagic and Illuminations. We're guaranteed a seat that way!!! They have a bag that has a strap that just fits over your shoulder. We walk from BCV or BWV and find a place along the fence in World Showcase.

And I never fly without my Earplanes!! The change in altitude really hurts my ears and they really help. Every time I hear a child scream because their ears hurt when the plane takes off and lands, I wish I had an extra pair of children's earplanes to give them.

I make sure each person has a fanny pack to store rain ponchos, tickets, sunscreen, etc.

Speaking of the film canisters, we've found another use for them. We keep one filled with quarters in the car to use for toll roads. Quarters fit perfectly in the canisters.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Windex and paper towels to clean the windows of my car. The problem with the Widex is you have to be careful in does not open up like in did on me not once but twice, spilling all over everything. I learned to keep it in a bag and upright. I also bring my own pillow from home. Hotel pillows never seem to measure up.

 

[gopherit]

Wow...WDWstar, your idea about the shoe thingy is phenomenal. I bought one at Lowe's last year for all my dd's Disney Beanies -- it's the canvas type with top-loading little pockets, about 32 or so pockets, I think? Could even let the kids decorate it with perm. markers or paint pens. What a swell idea! I'm sitting here already imagining having a high-up place now for our cameras and keys (away from little hands!) and low-down spots for 3 kid's toothbrushes, combs, etc. -- I may even get one as a gift for my SIL, too, while I'm at it!

As for the stuff we already bring... we do bring our crock pot, and we bring beach towels for kids (they use them as "blankets" during the car trip down; they are great for the water parks.) We always bring the big bottles of Gatorade and then a can or two of Gatorade powder (these are the bottles with the "comfort spout" for drinking on top. Everyone gets a bottle, we label it with a perm. pen and then we can use the powder to make more gatorade as the week progresses. Freeze 'em in freezer -- great at the parks or pool.) We also bring lots of Ziplock bags (always comes in handy!) We also bring little film canisters -- two canisters for each kid -- and we fill them with stacks of 2 quarters, one penny, two quarters, one penny, two quarters, one penny...bet you can guess what THOSE are for! I also always bring my "Mystery Box", as the kids call it, and little gift bags w/ handles for each child in our group for that trip. Every morning, I put something from the Mystery Box in each child's bag. (These are usually things I pick up during the year on sale, here and there...) It's amazing how, starting a child's day with a little bit of Disney Magic, it really reduces the 'gimme gimmes' in the parks later! (And it allows us adults a leisurely breakfast while they admire their new goodies!) We also bring sheets -- the DVC version can be rough, and it's also very handy to have a "spare" in case someone gets a stomach bug (UGH!) At 2am with a sick kid, I really don't feel like calling Mousekeeping -- I have enough to deal with already! We do bring nightlights, and also one very small fan that's more like a white noise machine. It helps the kids sleep, especially if we have noisy neighbors, or if we adults want to stay up later and chat.

 

[cheyita]

gopherit - I'm pleading ignorance here. What are the quarters for?

These ideas are great and fascinating! I'm trying to avoid over-packing - which is usually my specialty - but it's good to get some practical ideas to make home away from home a little more, um, homey!

 

[Leigha]

I'd guess the penny press machines!

 

[InstImpres]

I bring our souveniers (sp?). Now that we go "home" often and always have extra people in tow, the shopping got out of hand. I have empty copy paper boxe that I fill with Disney goodies from the dollar store and disney store clearance (I mark each box with a specific trip date to account for all the little ones). Than I fill a suitcase with about $400 of stuff that usually cost me about $50-$75. Each day when we leave the room, I oops foget something and leave everyone in the hall. The kids all get back and find a note signed by a character and a special gift. This way, we cut down on spending otherwise our souveniers for the year are moe than my dues. (Yes, I am the most guilty of have to haves )

Sandy

 

[mamarobin24]

well, gang, this is kind of important.

Putting things you're going to eat in empty film canisters is a risky business. The chemicals they use in the original film are VERY toxic and it don't really pay to take the risk. If you need little bottles to store food in, you're better off going to Walmart, in the travel section, and buying some of those empty "shampoo" bottles for travelers. If you want to spend a little bit more, go to a camping store and buy a set of little tiny Nalgene bottles. These are made of Lexan plastic, which is non-toxic, and since they are made for sticking in a backpack, they are virtually indestructible.

By the way, putting non-edible things in film canisters is a great idea. I am thinking that, if I can manage it, each kid is going to get one full of penny press change (2 quarters, 1 penny, alternate til full - what a great idea) on Wednesday morning.

 

[colleen costello]

My birthday is coming up, and if I get the gift I want, I will bring it to WDW this Thanksgiving. It's a Homedics brand chair massager I saw at Bed, Bath & Beyond. They had one out -- you plop in it a chair -- and I sat on the thing for about 20 minutes while it massaged my back. I was almost drooling by the time I left the store, my back felt so good and relaxed. I think it had heat, too. It can be used in your vehicle, and I plan on bringing it for the long ride south. Also, after a long day of walking the parks, couldn't we all use a back massage?

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can also use the mini M&M containers instead of film containers.

 

[JudyS]

Well, this isn't actually something that I *bring*, but I often order non-perishable food to be shipped to the hotel. I have a lot of dietary restructions, and can't be certain of finding what I need locally. This is also very convenient for anyone who has no car. Netgrocer will ship bottled water to Disney, for way less than Disney prices!

Once when I was starting out in a OKW 1-bedroom and then movng to a plain room at the Swan, I bought a cooler from home. After I drank my bottled water, I filled the quart bottles with tap water and froze them in my OKW fridge. When I put them in the cooler, they kept the food cold for days, with no watery mess!

Pa@okw95 said she brings: "Windex and paper towels to clean the windows of my car....you have to be careful it does not open up like in did on me"

I think Windex now makes pre-moistened wipes. I haven't tried them, but they sound convenient for traveling!

 

[TDC Nala]

Salsa from Trader Joe's.

Why isn't there any decent salsa in Florida??

 

[mamarobin24]

What a great idea!!! Those would be PERFECT for the spices!!!

 

[slc224]

We bring our Mickey waffle maker

Nothing like waking up in the morning at WDW and eating Mickey waffles on your balcony!!!

 

[lenshanem]

I have gotten better about packing and don't taek too much. I used to atek my whoel house with me practically! It is really hard with littel kids. They require so much!
I try to remember to taek their mouse ears, spinning lights, lanyards, etc. with us so we're not stuck buying them again.
One thing i discovered was going to Party City and buying the glow in the dark necklaces and bracelts. Way cheaper to do this and exciting for them each night when we head out to parades, fireworks, etc. I'm lucky they don't bug us for many sovenires whiel we're there. My oldest does like the penny press machines, though. I think thsi is fun and not too expensive.
We will from now on taek a noise maker with us. After staying at the AKl next to the elevator it was a must. Very relaxing and drowns out all noise. A MUST.
I always pack numerous tarsh bags. I separte out our laundry as we go along. Easier to start the laundry when we get home. I will probably never wash clothes whiel i'm on vacation unless we need to.