Picking up things for your trip ahead of time.....

[DisneyDotty]

I have been able to accomplish the same space-saving with a large 2 gallon ziploc bag.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

i have seen bags that you roll to squeeze out all the air!!Just think of all the extras you could get in your case!!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

I have seen them on ebay.They are called space savers in the uk.They are advertised on the shopping channels all the time too,i'm sure you will be able to get them over there.

 

[we3disneygo]

I got some of those bags last week at walmart in the markdown aisle. hope they work good.!!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The space saver bags are great. I bought a large box in assorted sizes. Some have to be vacuumed out and some you roll. The rollers work as well as the vacuums. I use them to store my out of season comforters, etc as my linen closet isn't exactly the biggest in town. I think they would be great for bulky items (or wet) like towels, jackets, sweaters, etc. They are also pretty sturdy. Haven't ruined one yet.

Good luck!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Also, I know it's not 'buying' , but I generally go out and get $100 in small bills. $50 in ones and $50 in fives, for tipping, housekeeping, etc. Comes in handy and eliminates the possibility you either have to stiff someone or gives them an overly generous tip! I have read where some people even pre-envelope their housekeeping tips per day in advance, too!

Happy traveling!

 

[bobcat]

I too have a disney tote. I keep items we reuse from year to year, i.e. water park mugs, fanny packs, mister fan, first aid kit etc. in here as well as items I buy when I see them. Right now I have:

travel flat roll of duct tape
varous sizes of ziplocks
laundry detergent tablets
dryer sheets
sample size polmolive dish wipes
wet wipes
small notebook for notes
mini fans

 

[Leota]

Don't forget Nightlights & shoe storage bages for the resort room. I got mine at the Dollar store - The nightlights are plastic button types, 2 per pack - perfect for traveling. I used the shoe organizer idea for the first time a couple weeks ago & it was a great help.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Wow, great ideas here!

One other suggestion, if you want any type of 'family' or matching shirts, get those ahead and ready to go. For example, DH and I just got back from our 25th Anniversary trip, we ordered shirts from disneydirect with Bride/Groom Mickey and Minnie that said 'Celebrating 25 years of Magic' we wore our matching shirts on the day of our actual anniversary, and got many comments at the MK from CM's and other people waiting in line with us.

We had a man approach us and ask where we got the shirts, he said they were celebrating an annivesary as well, and were hoping they could get something similar in one of the shops, but as far as I know there isn't anywhere to get shirts personalized.

Have a great trip!

 

[MissTink]

Disinfectant wipes to wipe down Phone, TV Controller door knobs ect.... Walmart usually has them in a pack of 10 I believe in the checkout lines.

Wow, Thanks for the advise. In all my years of staying at hotels, it never once crossed my mind to wipe down the phone, tv changer, etc. Ewww they're probably filthy overlooked items that never get cleaned.

 

[SGB13]

My husband thinks I'm crazy because I have I plastic tote filling up with stuff for a trip next January! All you Disers make me feel so normal after all!!

I also have a solid shower curtain. I read that the CR shower has clear curtains with the tub/shower in the outer bathroom and the toilet in the inner bathroom. I would hate to tell the kids, "Sorry, your Dad is in the shower. Can't you hold it?"

 

[mommytutu]

I also have a Disney tote. Let's see what's in it...

Brita water bottles and extra filters (too bad these are discontinued)
Zip-loc bags in various sizes
Fanny packs
Visors and hats
Small first aid kit (keeps things to fix up a blister or skinned knee, headaches, tummy aches, allergies)
"Special" Disney toys
Glow sticks
Small cans of bug spray (fit in a fanny pack, found in check out lane at WalMart)
Small tube of sun block (fit in fanny pack)
Sunblock stick
Pocket pack of kleenex
Rain ponchos (camping section at WalMart)
Anti-bacterial wipes
Small bottle anti-bacterial gel
Small travel bottles (empty that you fill at home with mouthwash, shampoo, etc.)
Small fans (get these before you go)
Small sewing kit
Travel size baby powder, lotion
Chapstick


I really try to buy stuff that will fit in a fanny pack. When I go into the parks a small diaper bag will be our only carry item.

And it's already been said, but it's worth repeating...BATTERIES. Even though I have recharagables for my digi cam, I still buy AAs. And I still need them for the fans.

 

[Daisy'sMom]

Space saver makes bag that you roll the air out of so no vacuum needed. I just bought a box of them and will be trying them out on an overnight trip in a couple weeks so I can let you know how well they work then.

I just tried out these bags this past weekend and didn't care for them. They worked the way they were supposed to, but they didn't really save much room. I tried packing three different ways including the bags, rolling, and "regular." I prefer the rolling technique. I will say that hubby and I are pooh-sized so that probably makes a different in how much will fit in the bags. I'd suggest trying them out on your own though. Don't just take my word for it.

 

[tomerin]

we usually make a list of what to bring and save it on our computer. we started this 2 trips ago. each trip we edit the list as to what we packed and didnt need or just forgot to pack. as we get closer to our trip we print out the list and do a checkoff as to what we alreday have, like travel size items, sunscreen, medical stuff etec and add stuff we need to get.

this year we needed new rechargeable batteries and a larger bag to carry the toiletries etec. this way we are starting our trip fairly confident we have everything ready to be packed that we need well ahead of time. we already starting the Disney pile and our tgrip isnt until july

one new item we bought already for our july trip is something lipton and 4C have. they are little individual tubes of iced tea or lemonade mix that you add to your bottle of water. this way if you run out of water and have to drink that delicious WDW water you could add this to your bottle and save a bit of money. these should be available in all major supermarkets.

 

[PaulaSue]

I am a pack rat and I already have 2 plastic bins full and I need to get another. Our first trip is Jan 2006

I have britta bottles, filters, some shirts for the trip, sweatshirts I dug out of their closets with Disney, sample size everything, ponchos.

I am packing for 9 people though. For chirstmas I am making a gift basket for everyone going (both sets of GPs are coming with us).

 

[mrsbballref]

Ok, I admit it.... one section of my closet
is devoted to stuff to take to Disney with us.
Here is what I have so far....
T-shirts for everyone ($2-$5 Local Disney Outlet)
Disney Sunglasses for DD (Wal-Mart)
2 Boxes Disney Fruit Snacks (2/$3.00 at Food Lion right now)
Disposable Ponchos (Wal-Mart)
Glow Sticks and Glow Necklaces (Dollar tree)
Disney Light-up Fans (Clearance at Disney Store $2.99)
Travel size Tide ($.99 at Target)
Travel size All dryer sheets ($.99 at Target)
Bambi DVD w/free Thumper Plush (Best Buy - when released)
Disney bathing suit ($3.25 at Disney Outlet)
Mickey band-aids w/free waterproof ticket holder ($1.79 at Big Lots)
Lime Green Bandana (All kinds of styles $.96 at Wal-Mart)
Disney Beach towel w/free beach ball ($4.99 Clearance-Disney Store)
Other snacks I caught on sale

That's all I can think of right now.
Lori

 

[JrsyDebs]

Great thread; lots of ideas!

We just booked our pool home earlier this week, so I had to run out today just to buy some travel-sized items for the "vacation bin"; that helps to make our future trip more "real" to me...

I forsee many trips to the local dollar store, just to see if they have anything new. All I got so far are travel-sized Q-Tips, mouthwash and laundry detergent. They also had a lot of Disney-themed items such as a paddle-and-ball, Disney mini flying discs and stickers. Have to go back for Disney items, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste, and also inflatable pool toys.

Shopping for vacation is fun!!

Debs

 

[stahshee]

things i have bought for my aug trip. snacks each week to bring i pack it in a suit case. hats 3 coolers 2mini water jugs, deoderint and socks.

 

[jodistar]

Wow - I love this thread.

My stuff for the trip in October (in a large plastic bag):
Honeymoon T-Shirt (from Disney Direct)
Pins for our Disney lanyards (as a surprise for my FI)
Hidden Mickey book
Minnie wedding ears
T-Shirts that I bought ahead of time for the trip (from the DS)
bathing suit
That's it so far.....wow, I better get going (I thought I was ahead of the game).

 

[jthom10003]

I have bags piled on the side of my kitchen table.. mainly from the dollar tree and walmart here is my list so far
new toothbrushes
new toothpast
new toothbrush holders
new bathsoap holder
new bathsoap(for dh)
new liquid holding bottles for shampoo, conditioner, and bathsoap( dd and I use that)
new razors( disposable for dh and I both)
new shaving cream(small can)
new zip lock bags( different sizes)
spray water bottle for park
fanny pack
new sun block
new 2 big round plastic containers for ice ect.. packed bath stuff in one of them
new film
new batteries
new glow sticks
new beach towles for pool
a new package of dishtowels presoaped
new suntan lotionX2 dd burns bad
new package of cold brew ice tea
new snacks for park and room
new 3pkgs of 2each rain covers ( dollar tree)
plastic container to make tea for room
gum for plane( dd never flew before what a suprise!
new ear plugs(dd tubes in ear.. hoping ent will say all out at check up before we go)
new swimming goggles for dd
2 hand sanitizer small size
new small sewing kit
meds: pepto, motrin, aftersun care, small 1st aide kit
1 big water bottle for park whole family can drink from has a strap on it for easy carreying
new back pack (from work woohoo) to use at parks and carry on for plane
still to buy.. new sunglasses
what am I forgetting to get?????




hiding in room--mousekeeping envelopes stashed with tips and goodies ie keychain magnet ect for them
disney character pens for signature book, a journal i started making for dd, signature book, 2lanyard pins (my 1st trip to wdw and its my bday)
for her bday we are going out to eat and going to put the pins on her mickey mouse ears i had a friend get her a few years ago..( going to wrap it up with her siggy book and pens) and going to give it to her at dinner that night. Think that might clue her in as to we are not going to sea world here in Texas but to disney world?