Packing Beyond the Obvious

[Disneyland_Mama]

I pack a soft sided cooler. I used it to carry cold or sometimes frozen water bottles. Before we leave the hotel, I fill a ziploc bag with ice, throw in a washcloth (from home) and close the cooler.

The ice keeps the water cold and I use the washcloth to wipe down the kids to keep them cool as well.

 

[Orangeandwild]

If you wear eyeglasses or even for sunglasses bring one of those small eye glass repair kids you can get at most discount stores like Walmart. Bring it into the park with you, that just in case factor.

Baggies are the best thing on a trip, can be used for a million things. On a rainy day put your wallet inside it so it does not get wet in your pocket from rain or water rides.

Use your cell phone as an alarm clock too, as most phones have this feature and it saves you bringing a clock.

Put a small flashlight in your backpack or fanny pack to help you see those menus in dark restaurants.

 

[northwds]

Loving these ideas, getting stuff together for packing this week. Anyone know about the Lysol spray cans in checked luggage or using Lysol wipes instead?

 

[TSTEWARTFAN]

extra plastic bags- ziplock/glad

great to put wet things in, keep small things from getting lost, put ice in, keep camera's dry with, can stash left over snacks in or to save a roll for later...the uses are endless! They are very handy to have and take up very little room.

I double the vote for extra plastic bags. We always pack extra.

 

[Disneyholic]

bubbles or stickers, etc to help keep kids happy in long lines or to help spread pixie dust around to others

Stickers and glow sticks are fine, but bubbles can make the floors and walkways sticky or slippery and bubbles can get in someones eyes. I'd rather be sprayed by overspray from someone misting themselves with water than have bubbles popping on me or slipping on bubble goop.

 

[codygirl5150]

Blister baindaids. Expensive but so worth it!

 

[LazyKat]

Ditto on a shammy, I've got a Sham-wow (you know, those Germans make good stuff ) and every size/type of plastic bag you can think of, their uses are endless.

As for meds - I don't go anywhere without allergy meds (Flonase and eyedrops), and I would bring anti-dysentery and anti-constipation meds., you never know which way it can go (or not go!).

I'm trying to pack light and fit it all in a carryon, but I'm going solo.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

For those of us with "sensitive" tummies, don't forget your pepto, tums, gas-x and yes stool softeners. Those rich foods do a number to you.

 

[magicalmemories5]

I have often brought plastic pants hangers (from retail stores) for hanging wet beach towels, ponchos, etc. I have used them a lot. Also regular hangers so everything is not so wrinkled. They never give you enough in the room. We also bring along a lot of the single serve flavor pouches for water bottles. Beats straight water and soda gets old in the heat. Also, mister fans or mini necklace fans (like at Walmart $2.50 or so) Helps keep you cool in the heat.
I know there is more, just can't think of them now.

 

[Melora]

Last August trip we brought water bottle slings which are light weight canvas holders for a water bottle that can be carried over your shoulder (we got them for a cruise years ago). The 2 little kids carried them and it was wonderful because they always had their water at hand. I only had 2 and haven't been able to find anymore but am going to keep looking since they proved so invaluable in the heat last year.

You can see it here in Grumpys lap (this was our first morning and about 5 AM west coast time and someone thought it was too early to be awake.. even if it was Disney

 

[bearlyanne]

for flying eastcoasters who will be renting cars down there....bring your EZ Pass

 

[kymom99]

Take a few garbage bags. I use them for dirty laundry. At the end of the trip, I put the full bags back into the suitcases.

Also, my husband is always good at remembering to get lots of change for vending machines and such.

 

[tiki23]

I won't do a trip - any trip with walking, but especially Disney! - without it. It looks like a stick deodorant but is used by athletes to prevent chafing on areas such as feet, thighs and..um...pointy chest areas. We all use it on our feet and other than oldest DS, none of us have had a blister.

Which brings up the point, not for the OP but for others who may be reading this thread...if you have teens, check what shoes they are bringing and check their feet...at least a couple of weeks before you go. Oldest DS had an ingrown toenail that he told me about right before our 1st trip, and it got infected while at WDW. For shoes he brought 4 pairs of expensive high-top basketball shoes (that he had bought with his summer job money) and one pair of cheapo flip-flops. The b-ball shoes gave him blisters and the flops broke. He wears a size 13 shoe and I could only find up to size 12 at WDW.

 

[ciera321]

Can you pack a can of spray Lysol in your checked luggage? Or do people pack the wipes? Thanks

Yes, you can. I just called Southwest and asked if I could check and case of water in a duffle bag, and she said you can "check" anything. I thought that was a little broad, but I'm sure Lysol is fine. I do bring the wipes and wipe down every surface, doorknob, lightswitch and of coarse the TV remote and phone...

 

[Piecey]

Wow.

You guys are great with these ideas. I've always been spoiled with my brother living down there so a trip to WalMart was easy.. but he's moving!!

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[landshark]

This probably won't apply to much of anybody, but I wish I'd thought about it last summer when we went: if you're taking old, comfy shoes, take a back up pair you actually like just in case--you never know what may happen.

I took a pair of athletic sandals that I'd had for something like 8+ years. They were old but still worked great and it never crossed my mind something would happen to them. Sure enough on the 2nd day, while at Epcot, one of the straps came loose from the sole. I threw them away that night and wore sneakers the rest of the trip, which I really didn't want to do (too hot), and there was no way the cheapo flip flops I'd also taken would work with all that walking.

 

[Robin K]

I don't know if anyone has posted this but safety pins. You can use them for everything! I also think scissors are important too but I don't know what is ok for airplanes nowadays. Good luck!

 

[jennibug]

Hi Guys!

Great Thread!

I always make sure we have extra contact lenses (had one tear one year and was stuck wearing glasses the whole week), extra socks, garbage bags for dirty clothes, loads of sunscreen! And also, I know this sounds weird, but we always take baking soda instead of aloe. I'm a very very fair skinned gal and after many sunburns and having to sleep on bags of ice at times, I discovered that if you make sort of a paste with baking soda and water and spread it on the burn it will pull the heat right out and you will feel much better much faster than with aloe. This works on other burns too!

 

[ZenMickey]

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before in this thread, but...

Bring an extension cord or multi-plug. It really helps in the hotel room for cell phones, camera batteries, etc.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Liquid hand soap for your room. (i hate those slimy little bars of soap)
air freshner for the bathroom.
outlet covers if you have littles ones.