Packing for the parks.

[dandee00]

Any one have suggestions on what to take into the parks? DH and I will be there for the month of January. I am hoping only to take the "dreaded" fanny pack. I don't want either of us to have to carry a knapsack. And we are staying on-site.
We've never been to Disney, so I'm really unsure of what we would need in the parks.

 

[Giggles]

I have been planning for my upcoming WDW trip over the last four months and have recieved tons of great tips on what to bring. If your not taking along kids (like my family):
1. Key to the world (park pass)
2. Money for food/souviners
3. Sun screeen/bug spray (small containers or wipes are great!)
4. Sun glasses/sun hat/etc
5. Water bottles (inless you plan on purchasing in the park.) My family has water bottles with a caribeaner that we hook to our belt loops so we don't have to carry it.
6. Snacks (if you don't want to buy them at Disney, Gronola bars or zip lock bags of crackers are filling and small and light.)
7. Rain Gear (just in case)
8. Camera, extra film/memory/batteries
9. PS confirmation Numbers
10. List of Hidden Mickeys or other fun tips

There is probalby more ideas, but that's all I have at the moment. It all just adds up, but we usually take a small back pack, and rotate between family members, or my mom and I will by light small purses to carry our stuff, and my dad and brother but things in thier pockets (because guy's pants are always so big with so many pockets.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[MrsNick]

1) Pack light - it gets to be a drag carrying stuff around the parks all day.

2) Disposable rain ponchos.

3) A hand towel or two. (great for wiping yourself off, or the seats on a ride after it has just rained or someone has spilled).

4) Sunblock, sunglasses and a cap or hat (of which WDW sells some really nice ones!)

5) Any reservation or confirmation #'s for dining or tours.

6) Tickets, and petty cash or room key if using to charge.

7) Cell phones or walkie-talkies to remain in touch with other members of your party in case you get separated.

8) Single size or sample packets of: Tylenol, Aspirin, Pepto Bismol tablets, Immodium and Benadryl. Or, a small pillbox with a couple of each of these in it.

9) Optional: change of socks. One thing I can't abide by is walking around with wet socks (either because of sweat or wet ride). But maybe this doesn't bother some people.

10) Travel or sample size of baby wipes. They're handy for just about anything.

I can't really think of anything else off the cuff, but this should give you a good start, and I don't think any of it is too cumbersome or heavy. A water bottle is nice, but schlepping liquids can get awfully heavy, and while I hate to spend $$, I would personally just buy a bottle of water at the park. And, since this is your first time, have a blast!

 

[dandee00]

1) Pack light - it gets to be a drag carrying stuff around the parks all day.
I can't really think of anything else off the cuff, but this should give you a good start, and I don't think any of it is too cumbersome or heavy. A water bottle is nice, but schlepping liquids can get awfully heavy, and while I hate to spend $$, I would personally just buy a bottle of water at the park. And, since this is your first time, have a blast!

Pack light....I like that idea. I really don't want to carry around 5 pounds of "stuff" all day. Especially things I really don't need!
Thanks for all the suggestions. I found them very helpful.

 

[dandee00]

and my dad and brother but things in thier pockets (because guy's pants are always so big with so many pockets.

Hope this helps a bit!

I like this idea about the pockets. I bought DH some shorts with huge pockets on the sides of the legs. They are zippered pockets and he says they're great for carrying "stuff". So these shorts are getting packed to go to Disney. I don't think I'll make him carry everything though! Just a few things...and I'll put some of the lighter stuff in my "dreaded" fanny pack!!!

 

[MomofKatie]

1. Key to the world (park pass)
2. Money for food/souviners
3. Sun screeen/bug spray (small containers or wipes are great!)
4. Sun glasses/sun hat/etc
5. Water bottles (inless you plan on purchasing in the park.) My family has water bottles with a caribeaner that we hook to our belt loops so we don't have to carry it.
6. Snacks (if you don't want to buy them at Disney, Gronola bars or zip lock bags of crackers are filling and small and light.)
7. Rain Gear (just in case)
8. Camera, extra film/memory/batteries
9. PS confirmation Numbers
10. List of Hidden Mickeys or other fun tips

I agree with most of these- the only thing I would add is a very small first aid kit. You can buy them at places like Target or Wal Mart- they contain a few bandaids, some antibacterial wipes, etc. I add a few strips of moleskin and a teeny bottle of hand sanitizer to mine. Comes in handy if you have a little cut or scrape, or get a blister from walking.

 

[dandee00]

I agree with most of these- the only thing I would add is a very small first aid kit. You can buy them at places like Target or Wal Mart- they contain a few bandaids, some antibacterial wipes, etc. I add a few strips of moleskin and a teeny bottle of hand sanitizer to mine. Comes in handy if you have a little cut or scrape, or get a blister from walking.

MomofKatie
Great idea for the first aid kit. I probably wouldn't have thought of this.
Thanks

 

[jrjac]

Shiny 2005 pennies for the pressed penny machines!(Hey, even without kids, you are never too old for pressed penny machines! They're cool! )



15 days and we are off to Disney!

 

[dandee00]

Shiny 2005 pennies for the pressed penny machines!(Hey, even without kids, you are never too old for pressed penny machines! They're cool! )

Could someone explain pressed penny machines? Thanks

 

[jrjac]

Shiny 2005 pennies for the pressed penny machines!(Hey, even without kids, you are never too old for pressed penny machines! They're cool! )

Could someone explain pressed penny machines? Thanks

Pressed pennies are a cool little souvenir-and cheap to boot!
You put a penny (shiny, of course!) into the machine and crank the wheel after selecting what "emblem" you want on it. The last time we did it was at an aquarium. The penny came out pressed and with the emblem of what ever sea creature we selected and with the year. Disney sells books to keep them in. Ok, ok, guess my description makes it sound kinda lame but they are a keepsake that my kids love-even my daughter who is a mother of two herslef.

14 days and we are off to Disney!

 

[scarboroughmom]

I always keep a small, clear, makeup-type, zippered pouch with a few bandaids, (including at least one extra large one); small/sample tubes of neosporin and cortaid; two or three tylenol, advil, throat lozenges, dramamine & sinus stuff (all in adult and kid sizes); moleskin, tweezers, nail clippers, foam earplugs, 2 large safety pins, and q-tips. The whole thing is only a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes, and I use it all the time. I always make sure to restock it when I use stuff, which almost every day at Disney.

 

[dandee00]

All of these suggestions have been so helpful. I'm slowly beginning to get an idea of what DH and I will want to take with us. The first aid sruff is definately a must.
What kind of snacks or beverages, other than water do people take with them?

 

[MomofKatie]

Well, last year we brought bottled H2O and the Crystal Light On The Go packets to flavor the water. We also brought fruit snacks, granola bars, and cheese 'n cracker packs. Honestly, though, we didn't eat any of the snacks- we did drink all the H2O.

 

[etwinchester]

Packing light is the KEY... We just returned from Knoebels and I now know to change my backpack packing list to make it lighter. Bandages are good but if I need more, I'll go to first aid center. Knoebels had a cute backpack that I purchased. It is a small purse or fanny pack, then can unfold out into a backpack. I'll definately be using it next year and only unfolding it when we purchase something.

 

[dandee00]

Well, last year we brought bottled H2O and the Crystal Light On The Go packets to flavor the water. We also brought fruit snacks, granola bars, and cheese 'n cracker packs. Honestly, though, we didn't eat any of the snacks- we did drink all the H2O.

I purchased some of the Crystal Light on the go packets while they were on sale and put them away in my Disney box. I thought they would be a change from water.
I'm undecided about snack foods though. We don't do a lot of snacking and I'm a light eater. So I'd hate to waste my money by purchasing them just to throw away. Also, there's no point carrying them around if we're not going to use them.
What about the parks...are there places to pick up a quick snacks? I suppose it's expensive.

 

[JillU-DVC]

You can put a caribiner on your fanny pack belt strap - then use it to secure your hat or cap when you go indoors or on a ride. That way, you'll never leave your hat behind (unless you also leave your fanny pack behind).

This was a tip that we came up with after a couple of trips to WDW - even my husband does it now, and we don't have to worry about what we're leaving behind on rides or in restaurants.

 

[Bangerang]

Take some form of ID (for drinks, ticket screw-ups, etc)
Sunglass Strap
Tissues
Touring Map/Must Do's - Every trip there is something someone wants to do so we write it down and hit those early.

As for snacks, we tend to buy along the way but I always carry hard candy, a pack of crackers or raisons to get through any waits until we can get to a vendor.

 

[dandee00]

You can put a caribiner on your fanny pack belt strap - then use it to secure your hat or cap when you go indoors or on a ride. That way, you'll never leave your hat behind (unless you also leave your fanny pack behind).

Yeah that would be me..leaving something behind. DH can usually hang on to his stuff, but not me.
I have a caribiner...so now I have a reason to use it. Thanks.

 

[dandee00]

Take some form of ID (for drinks, ticket screw-ups, etc)
Sunglass Strap
Tissues
Touring Map/Must Do's - Every trip there is something someone wants to do so we write it down and hit those early.

As for snacks, we tend to buy along the way but I always carry hard candy, a pack of crackers or raisons to get through any waits until we can get to a vendor.

Never even thought of the ID and we will probably want a BEvERage at some point in time.
I have the sunglass strap and using it now. It's so great I purchased one for DH for Disney.
Thanks Bangerang