Need help from the experts! :)

[Kelsie]

Hi Everyone!

We have a section on the Disneyland DIS called 'Packing Tips. It's a bit outdated and I would like to add to it with input from the experts.

Please let me know what you pack and what you think others need to know.

Thanks
Kelsie

The Current List:

Disneyland Packing Tips

Before you go on vacation, make this your DISneyland checklist.

- Address book, stamps and pre-addressed labels (there are mail boxes at Disneyland, but they will be postmarked from Anaheim, not Disneyland – also, there are no Disneyland stamps)
- Autograph book and fat pen (easier for characters to hold)
- Back pack
- Camera and batteries, video camera (disposable camera -great for the kids)
- Cash and credit cards
- Disney guidebooks and notes
- Drivers licence
- Emergency numbers or contacts from home
- Fanny packs
- Garbage bags to use to bring clothes to the laundry room
- Gum
- Hat
- Health Insurance card
- Insect Repellent
- Kleenex -purse pack size
- Laundry bag, soap & dryer sheets -pre-measured and in ziplock bags
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- "Mister" fan -battery operated fan with spray (during hotter months)
- Moleskin and other "foot fixers"
- Needle and thread
- Park Hopper Passes
- Pennies & quarters for the penny press machines
- Plane tickets
- Playing cards/travel games
- Proof of auto insurance-for car rental
- Rain ponchos/umbrella
- Safety pins
- Sensible shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Sweatshirt or Jacket for cooler California mornings & evenings
- Suitcase (empty to bring back all those souvenirs!)
- Travellers’ Checks
- Wet wipes
- Ziplock bags

 

[MATTERHORN]

I dont' know, it still sounds pretty good to me! I can't think of anything else I bring besides a medicine for anything that could possibly happen (Motrin, Immodium, Pepto, etc.) Other than that, I don't think I would add much except stuff that's specific to my family such as bottles water and diapers!!!

Andrea

 

[noladave]

not necessarily something to pack, but something to talk about while packing...

For those flying with children (under 16/27 and no ID), explain to them what will happen during the screening process, including WHY they need to give up all of their metal objects, and that the screener will ask them their name, and/or age, when going through the whole thing. My son forgot to put the cell phone holder into the x-ray machine, and then forgot his belt, so he hand to get the personal pat down, wanding. Kids just don't this stuff seriously, but the screeners usually do.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Here are some things not on your list that I always take:

• Lanyards with secure plastic pocket for park hopper and fastpasses.
• Ground cloth to sit on for parade/fireworks (I love the Neat Sheet--takes up much less space than blanket or towel)
• Visor (I hate glare!)
• Clip on case (most handy) or pocket case to put glasses in during rides (so they don't get smashed or scratched)
• Small water bottle that I can keep refilling (less bulky than large one)
• Bandana--can use to keep sun off neck or wet down and worn as a cool wrap on neck.
• Pocket fan--I found a great one at WalMart last summer that is like a large lipstick tube. I've found that getting a breeze around my face is a lifesaver in close quarters; having the spray bottle is sometimes nice, but it takes up a lot of room and the fan is the most important part for me. Plus, each person can have their own pocket fan since they're so small. Good for kids--decreases squabbling.
• Clear zipper cosmetic bags--good for pins, if pin trading
• Hand sanitizer gel--I also found a very small (pen size) spray-on hand sanitizer at WalMart that seems like it would be good if you have kids.
• Energy bars, peanut butter crackers, etc. in case hunger strikes and you can't get food quickly because of lines, etc. This helps keep kids from melting down!

 

[fidoprincess]

I always pack a power strip because the hotel outlets are usually too full to charge up my laptop, phone, and camera!

 

[mystic_path]

Well off your list this is what I wouldnt do.

-I never bring a needle and thread. I go on vacation, so I dont bother sewing. I just bring extra change of clothes. Also an empty suitcase? Dont bother. Between you and whoever you are going with, im sure you can fit it into your luggage.

This is what I bring *Granted its an adult trip without kids*

- Several outfits including an extra for the week I am going
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Garbage bag for laundry
- Sun Glasses
- Camera with batteries and film
- Video Camera with chargers and extra tape or DVD
- Plane Tix
- Park Tix
- Credit cards, Interac card, cash
- Travel Insurance
- Backpacks for the park
- Reading glasses or extra contacts
- Personal Hygene excessories, Shampoo & Conditioner, brush and makeup
- Band Aids
- Toothbrush and paste
- Some of your favorite snacks to take with you in your back pack
- Medication (Including Advil or other pain Killers)
- Aloe Vera for the sun burns
- Towel and bathing suit for the hotel pool
- Sun tan lotion
- A list of emergency phone numbers, and phone numbers to the resort or other places you might have resies at
- Hats
- Proof of Auto rental
- Zip loc bags for your aweful socks at the end of the day haha
- Lanyard for pins
- I always carry a little box to put my special keep sake nick nacks in (Park Passes, pressed pennies, etc) So they dont get damaged on the way home

 

[Kelsie]

Thanks everyone!

This information is very helpful!

 

[funnygarcia]

After a trip with dry chapped hands, I now bring a small tube of lotion that I know works well for me.

I put a small piece of paper with my cell number and a note "If you find this please call..." in all of our bags/ backpacks/camera bag. I know most luggage tags have your home address and phone. But adding name of hotel , and a cell phone number where you can be reached, will be more helpful on your trip.

 

[XTinabell]

Well I had a list going in my head but as I read the other posts I think everything was covered so I just want to emphasize what I find very important aside from your current list:

A hair elastic to pull your hair back (humidity does not do pretty things to your hair)

Advil (last trip we spent 20 minutes fighting because neither of us had medicine and we both had headaches, we went down the little store in the hotel and all they had was two advil in a package so we bought about ten and the lady at the counter gave us a concerned look and said "Don't take these all at once")

Some kind of holder or whatever those lamenated card holder necklace things are called, that hold your disneyland pass around your neck. We didn't lose our passes but plenty of other people have and if you lose them there is no way to get them back and you'll have to buy a new pass to get into the park.

Sunglasses (dh forgot his and had to buy a cheap pair in the little store for not such a cheap price)

Bandaids for those blisters

Watershoes for the pool (I have a phobia of feet germs so maybe this isn't as important to other people but I cannot go without water shoes when swimming in public pools)

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[lulubelle]

I would scratch from the list:
Travellers Checks
Ear Plugs (for IASW)
Sorry, but both are not necessary. My list also includes a bottle or two of wine for the evenings

 

[AZMickeyfans]

We drive so I throw cases of water in the back of the van to refill in my fridge at night and bring in the park.

We also bring tons of antibacterial handiwipes. I've found I can never bring enough of these with the kids.

I'll bring a few bandaids and the hurt free antiseptic. My kids like those "tattoo" ones so I have to bring the princess and the pirate ones for them. I know there is a first aid but if ds falls in critter country and it's just a scrape I dont feel like carrying him over to first aid when he doesnt need anything but a kiss and his favorite bandaid to cure his "wound".

I also bring an extra memory card for my digital camera. I tend to get picture happy and they are not cheap there.

 

[XTinabell]

I would scratch from the list:
Travellers Checks
Ear Plugs (for IASW)
Sorry, but both are not necessary. My list also includes a bottle or two of wine for the evenings

mmmmm... wine

 

[snoodledoo]

I have to bring a nail clipper. It never fails that I will break a nail and have a jagged edge. They can also be used to clip off price tags.

 

[PrairyChikk]

Great tips! Thanks for posting.
These are printed off and I'm getting itchy to start packing.

 

[Husker Mickey]

Another helpful hint - If you are going to get a DL stroller, take something colorful to tie around the handle so your stroller is easily identifiable when you come out of a ride and are faced with a buzzillion identical strollers. Others have suggested a cheap colorful scarf from Wal-Mart, Target. . . .

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I have to bring a nail clipper. It never fails that I will break a nail and have a jagged edge. They can also be used to clip off price tags.

Ohhhh that happens to me everytime too. I always wish I had one with me but the next trip I always forget to pack it!!!! I am going to try not to forget next time!

 

[Hound 109]

1. Peptol Bismol &/or Tums or Alka Seltzer. (Bring a few individual packs) When you need them, you need them NOW.

2. It was said above, but we bring Advil AND Asperin (same reason as #1 so you don't have to "schlepp" to a 7-11 at 1am to buy them.

3. For men (& maybe women). Cargo Shorts (why would you want / need any other pants). Pockets for sunglasses, camera & or sunscreen. I always take 2-3 pair (& they "match" anything).

4. An extra thingy of sunscreen - that i sometimes carry. Sunburns can RUIN a trip.

hound

 

[wvnative]

We really like the sunblock wipes. They take up way less space than a bottle and are resealable/reusable. I can't remember who makes the ones we use but we bought them at a pool supply store.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Good shoes. . .I now personally recommend crocs but that is because they are lightweight, comfortable and you can also use them as watershoes.

2nd and 3rd kudos for sunscreen. Even when it is overcast you can get sunburned. Californians and Floridians bathe in this stuff - it makes sense if you are coming from other states to bring this with you. Don't buy it in So Cal near the parks - you will pay premium for it.

A quart sized ziplock baggie (empty) that you carry into the park. Handy for when you go on the water rides to store all damageable items (i.e.: paper park tickets, cell phones, wallets, etc). . .

Here is a handy tip for those that live near a Disney Store or a Vons Market. You can buy your Multi day park hopper tickets at these stores and they are PLASTIC - no paper tickets to mess with, nothing to get ruined in water rides and no bar code to rub off and not be able to use when going on water rides.

Batteries (extras), extra memory card for camera, cell phone and battery charger (if using rechargeables).

I HATE things around my neck so I usually take a small backpack (for park use) and/or a slim fanny pack.

Lip balm with sunscreen.

Sweatshirts or lightweight jackets (I don't care how hot it got during the day, the nights get chilly even in the middle of summer at DLR)

Handiwipes - not just sanitizer gel but handiwipes in the individual packs. They are WONDERFUL. Trust me on this one.

I could give a million more suggestions but I am local and usually pack extremely light - also my kid is 14 and doesn't require bottles, formula, diapers, etc.

Oh, one other thing. Please protect your kids eyes. Everyone needs sunglasses. Its very important.

 

[rosiep]

1.Tweezers
2. packets of drink mix to flavor water bottles...I never once bought a soda in the parks. And I second protien bars...
3.Slippers and a robe for running to the ice machine. (no one wants to see my hairy legs....)